Over the next couple of days, I am going to share about how God has been working in mine and Danalyn’s lives to move us toward living generously.  Some personal stories will come out and I hope you will reflect on what it means to live generously, even if you are in the midst of difficult times that are chock full of suffering.

If you missed it, Steve Bass, a personal friend and huge supporter of North Phoenix, shared in the NP’s morning service this past Sunday from the book of 2 Corinthians about this very thing.  Video of the message can be found here later this afternoon.

Steve spoke from the following passage. I hope you will follow the blog this week for some thoughts as we move into a time of year in which we often feel compelled toward selfishness and a version of consumerism that consumes us in the process.

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.