Dig Deeper - Sunday 1st June 2025

Sermon Reflection Questions - Grace-Filled Generosity: The Joyful Harvest of Generosity

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 1st June service:

Over the past few weeks at St John’s, we’ve been exploring what it means to live lives shaped by grace-filled generosity. It’s been a journey through 2 Corinthians 8–9—rich, practical, and deeply challenging.

We began with a story many of us know and love: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Underneath the puppets and songs lies a profound transformation—Scrooge goes from tight-fisted to open-hearted, from grumpy miser to joyful giver. That’s what the apostle Paul longed for in the Corinthian church: not guilt-ridden giving, but grace-fuelled transformation.

As we’ve travelled through these chapters, we’ve seen that:

• Generosity is the fruit of grace.

• It flows from joy, not guilt.

• It may involve sacrifice.

• It’s an act of worship.

• It shows love.

• And it reflects the pattern of Jesus—who gave everything for us.

We’ve learned that God doesn’t demand equal gifts, but calls for willing hearts. Giving isn’t just about money—it’s about time, talents, love, and service. And it’s most powerful when it’s intentional, cheerful, and rooted in integrity.

Giving: Duty or Delight?

In our final passage (2 Corinthians 9:6–15), Paul asks us to consider: How do we view giving? As a duty—or a delight?

If we’re honest, many of us lean towards duty. Giving can feel like one more thing on the list. But Paul shows us another way: generosity that flows from joy.

A few days ago, my son Isaac and I were at Wembley, watching AFC Wimbledon win the playoff final. We sang, cheered, and punched the air with joy. And I found myself wondering—if I can be that cheerful about football, why does giving sometimes feel so hard?

Paul’s answer? Giving isn’t just about what we lose—it’s about what God does through it. Giving is sowing. It’s joining in with what God is doing. And that’s something to celebrate.

Let’s look at three key truths from this final section.

1. God Loves a Cheerful Giver

Paul writes, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (v6). Imagine two farmers—one hoards seed, the other scatters freely. One harvests little, the other sees abundant growth.

Giving is like that. It looks like loss, but it’s actually planting. And God brings the growth.

Paul continues: “Each of you should give what you’ve decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (v7). It’s not about pressure. It’s about the heart. Pray, reflect, decide—and then give joyfully.

I once knew a family who received a generous gift to help with a move. But they gave it away—to help another family expecting a baby. They could’ve kept it. But they gave it cheerfully. That kind of giving reflects God’s own heart.

2. God Gives Us All We Need to Be Generous

“God is able to bless you abundantly,” Paul says, “so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work” (v8).

What holds us back from giving? Often, it’s fear: Will I have enough left? Paul reminds us: God provides. Not just enough to get by, but enough to overflow in generosity.

Verse 10 says, “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply

and increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

This isn’t a “give money, get rich” message. It’s not prosperity gospel. It’s a promise: God gives you what you need — not to store, but to sow. To be generous. To grow in righteousness.

It’s like a child sharing a biscuit. It’s not about the size of the gift—it’s about recognising where it came from and offering it freely.

3. Generosity Leads to Joy and Praise

Here’s the beautiful result: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous

on every occasion, and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (v11).

Our giving meets real needs, shapes our character, and—wonderfully—it leads others to

praise God.

When others receive our generosity, they don’t just thank us—they give thanks to God. Our giving becomes worship. It shines a light on God’s grace. It draws attention to His goodness.

This is the harvest Paul describes: joy for the giver, blessing for the recipient, and glory for God.

From Scrooge to Sower

We began this series with Scrooge, whose heart was transformed by grace. His fists opened. His life overflowed. That’s what grace does. It opens our hands, softens our hearts, and turns our giving into joyful worship.

So, What Now?

Here’s the invitation:

Pray about your giving—not from pressure, but from the heart. Ask God what grace-filled generosity might look like for you this year. Whether it’s your money, your time, your energy, or your skills—offer it cheerfully. Because God has already given you everything in Jesus.

Let’s not be reluctant givers, but cheerful sowers. And trust God for a joyful harvest.

Discussion Questions to Reflect & Apply:

Take a few moments to consider these questions:

1. How has your understanding of generosity changed through this series?

2. Where might God be inviting you to sow generously right now?

3. What fears or hesitations stop you from giving cheerfully?

4. How can you reflect God’s character this week through your giving —o f time,

money, or energy?

5. Who might be encouraged—or even led to praise God—because of your

generosity?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You are the generous giver.

You gave us Jesus—Your greatest gift.

Help us to reflect Your heart by giving cheerfully, generously, and joyfully.

Grow in us a harvest of righteousness,

And may our generosity bring joy to others and glory to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.