Growing up, many of us had someone we wanted to be like. For me, it was Indiana Jones, and later Ryan Samberg. But like many of you, I also deeply wanted to be like my dad. It’s natural to model ourselves after people we admire.
Did you know the Bible tells us who we’re supposed to be like? It’s a core tenet throughout scripture. Romans 8 says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son.” We are meant to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, taking on His characteristics and character.
The Worldview of Jesus
Two weeks ago, we began our All In series by acknowledging that Jesus sees the world differently than we do. He has a worldview of abundance rather than scarcity. This wasn’t something Jesus invented; He’s inviting us into the worldview we were created to have.
In the Garden of Eden, God gave in abundance, providing everything humanity needed. Yet Adam and Eve chose to take from the one tree they weren’t supposed to because they believed the enemy’s lie: “You can’t trust God’s abundance and generosity; you can only trust yourself.” We discovered that sin makes us takers, but God makes us givers.
Jesus as Our Model for Generosity
Today, I want to explore Jesus as our model for generosity. The character of God never changes – “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Especially when it comes to generosity.
Think about the Biblical story and how many times God could have been different. When the Israelites stood at the Jordan but refused to enter the Promised Land, God could have ended the journey. When they repeatedly chose false gods and broke His covenants, He could have shut down the party.
If you’ve ever hosted a gathering, you know nobody wants ungrateful or disrespectful guests. If we were the ones who threw this generous party that is Earth, and were treated the way we’ve treated God, we would just say, “Party’s over!”
But God didn’t do that. Instead, He leaned even more into generosity by taking the greatest step of generosity we’ve ever seen.
The Ultimate Gift
In John 3, after Jesus tells Nicodemus about being “born again,” He says, “so the son of man must be lifted up that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” This points to His future death on the cross. The author of John then gives us perhaps the most recognizable verse in the Bible:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
I want to highlight the word “gave.” When humanity was getting it wrong, when God could have walked away, He instead gave us the greatest gift ever given – His son.
Parents, what would it take for you to give up your child? My wife and my kids are the few things in my life that don’t have a price tag. I’m not giving them up for anything. Yet God gave up His son for you.
Our Response to God’s Generosity
My wife and I recently turned in our commitment to the All In initiative here at 2|42. We prayed for a couple of weeks to discern God’s call, and we believe He’s asking us to sell our camper and give those resources to the church. I’ll be honest – that was a hard decision. I like camping! But compared to God giving up His son for me, it’s not much of a sacrifice.
God gave up His son so you can be set free, redeemed, healed, and forgiven. All the garbage in your life is forgiven when you put your hope, trust, and faith in Him.
And this gift isn’t just for some – it’s for the world. Not just for the righteous or the holy, but for everyone. For those who feel broken, hurting, or betrayed. For those with stories they haven’t shared because of how painful they are. For those who feel unforgivable or unlovable. For those who have tried to follow Jesus but stumbled. This gift is for you, regardless of your story, your past, or your background.
Participating in God’s Generosity
But it doesn’t stop there. Not only do we get to receive God’s generosity – we get to participate in it. Here’s the big idea: Jesus is generous, and we’re meant to be like Him.
Jesus was generous in everything He did. He could have leveraged His relationship with the Pharisees for fame, status, and money. Instead, He sacrificed it all to eat with tax collectors and sinners. He gave up hometown connections and family relationships for us.
When sending out disciples in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus told them, “Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.” Why? Because Jesus was committed to the worldview of abundance – that our Heavenly Father provides everything we need.
This is why He says, “Do not worry about what you eat, drink, or wear,” and “You cannot serve both God and money,” and “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” He’s inviting us into a worldview that says God is an abundant, generous host who provides everything we need.
Breaking the Stranglehold of the Enemy’s Lie
Jesus knew the stranglehold that the enemy’s lie has on us – that we can’t trust God, so we must trust ourselves, store up for ourselves, keep for ourselves. Many of us buy into this lie. We receive God’s generosity but won’t share it.
The Apostle Paul writes, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” This isn’t about financial riches but spiritual riches.
It’s like when I was in high school and we had “after prom” parties. The real fun wasn’t at the formal prom but at the after-party where we could wear comfortable clothes, play games, and enjoy unlimited food and drinks. Everything was provided so we would stay and enjoy the party.
That’s what happens when Jesus shows up – it’s the real party where everyone’s invited. At this party, we discover that God’s generosity never runs out. He continues to provide everything we need.
Transformed by Generosity
When we have a real, life-changing experience with Jesus – not just occasional church attendance – our eyes open to opportunities for generosity, and we can’t help but respond. We begin to take on the character of Jesus. We become more generous because that is His character and the character of His followers.
I remember when my first child was born, I was overwhelmed by the blessing. But a few weeks later, I realized the greatest gift wasn’t that I fathered a child, but that I get to be a dad – to discipline, raise, tuck in, teach, share experiences, laugh with, and sometimes argue with my child. The greatest gift is watching them thrive.
This is what God does in us. It’s one thing to experience His generosity and another to share it with others.
Next Steps: Be Generous Today and Tomorrow
I believe there are two simple steps for becoming more like Jesus in generosity:
- Be generous today. Every week, part of our service is taking a step of generosity because it’s an act of worship. From the earliest days of God’s people, generosity was as much an act of worship as prayer and reading Scripture.
- Be generous tomorrow. Generosity should be consistent, intentional, and sometimes sacrificial – just like Jesus. That’s what our All-In initiative is about. Will you intentionally, consistently, and prayerfully ask God what He’s calling you to do to go all in for the mission of Jesus at 242? Then be obedient to that call.
I’m not asking you to do what I tell you, but to seek what God wants you to do. Don’t avoid having this conversation with God – it can transform your life as it makes you more like Him.
Remember: Jesus is generous, and we are meant to be like Him. Let’s lean into this transformation, moving from being takers to becoming givers in His kingdom.
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