Being the Church — Generosity
Sermon Outline: Sunday, January 18th, 2026
Speaker: Brandon Barnes
Key Text
2 Corinthians 9:8–15
I. Introduction — How do I find joy in generosity?
II. The Heart of Generosity (Part 1) - Generosity begins with God — His character, His provision, and His invitation
A. God Is the Source of All Generosity (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)
B. God Models Generosity in Creation
1. He gives of Himself, His creation and relationships (Genesis 1:26-28)
C. God Invites Us to Trust His Generous Heart
1. God calls His people to trust Him with their resources Malachi 3:10/ 1 Chronicles
29:12-13 — “Test me in this…”
III. Stewards of Generosity (Part 2) - We are not just consumers of God’s gifts, but stewards entrusted to share them.
A. Stewardship Blesses Others and Glorifies God
1. Generosity supplies the needs of God’s people, produces thanksgiving and
becomes a testimony of obedience to the gospel. 2 Corinthians 9:12-13
B. The Enemy Distorts God’s Generosity
1. Satan sows distrust and discontentment, shifts our focus. Genesis 3:1–4/Haggai
1:5-6
C. Jesus Teaches Principles of True Generosity
1. Giving is refreshing - Acts 20:35/Proverbs 11:25
2. Giving flows from love - Matthew 6:21/1 Corinthians 13:3
3. Wealth must be handled humbly - Luke 12:15
4. We give to change, not to get - Matthew 6:24/ 2 Corinthians 9:8
IV. Generosity as Freedom (Part 3) Generosity is not loss — it is liberation for those who understand grace.
A. Generosity Flows from Understanding God’s Grace
1. Generosity becomes a testimony of gospel obedience - 2 Corinthians 9:13–14
2. God’s grace is His “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) and motivates
obedient, joyful (not compulsive) giving. (New Testament examples: Zacchaeus,
widow’s mite, perfume offering)
B. Generosity Requires Intentional Stewardship of Time, Talents, and Treasure
1. A “giving portfolio” diversifies kingdom investment Time, talents, money
2. Why we should prioritize the local church as the primary spiritual family - Mark
10:30
3. Stewardship is for all — rich or poor
C. Generosity Reflects the Freedom We Have in Christ
1. Marriage analogy: generosity thrives where love, not fairness, rules. Warnings of
ingratitude and selfishness Romans 1:21/ 2 Timothy 3:1–2
2. Christ’s generosity frees us from spiritual debt - 2 Corinthians 8:9 — “Though He
was rich… He became poor…”
3. True satisfaction is found in God, not possessions - Psalm 73:25–26 — “God is
the strength of my heart and my portion forever”
Small Group QuestionsSunday, January 18th, 2026
Launch
When you hear the word generosity, what emotions or memories come up for you — excitement, guilt, confusion, joy, hesitation? What shaped that reaction?
Observe (2 Corinthians 9:8–15)
1. According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:8–11, what does God promise to provide, and for what purpose? How does Paul connect God’s provision to our ability to be generous?
2. In 2 Corinthians 9:12–15, what are the results of generosity in the lives of others? What words or phrases stand out to you about how generosity impacts the church and brings praise to God?
Process
3. What is the difference between a steward and a consumer? Where do you see the pull toward consumerism in your own life — in time, money, or attention? How does that tension affect your ability to be generous?
4. Jesus taught that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21). What does your current use of time, talents, and money reveal about what you value most?
Apply
5. If generosity is meant to be refreshing (Acts 20:35; Prov 11:25), what is one practical step you could take this month to practice generosity in a way that brings joy rather than pressure?
6. Thinking about the generosity “portfolio” idea from the sermon — time, talents, and treasure — which area do you sense God inviting you to steward more intentionally right now, and what might that look like?
Reflection
7. After hearing Paul’s words about God’s “indescribable gift” (2 Cor 9:15), where do you sense God inviting you to trust Him more deeply with your resources, your security, or your future?