As a faith practice, generosity involves freely sharing with others the many gifts God has given us. A spirit of generosity arises from gratitude. As we imitate God’s own generous nature, our generosity overflows to bless the people around us.
Pick and choose from the ideas below to shape a worship service or plan a series. Also see our Worship Service on Generosity and Intergenerational Activities on the Faith Practice of Generosity.
Sermon Supports
- Foundational Essay: Generosity: Helping Our Neighbor Flourish
- Bible passages
- Acts 4:32-35—Holding possessions lightly
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8—Sowing and reaping
- 1 John 3:16-18—Love and generosity
- Luke 15:11-32—Parable of the lost son
- Additional Helpful Resources from the Faith Practices Project
Music Suggestions
(We’ve indicated the songs from our hymnal Lift Up Your Hearts with “LUYH.”)
- “At the Cross” by Chris Tomlin
- “Enough” by Chris Tomlin
- “Give Thanks to God” by Allan McKinley
- “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” (LUYH)
- “God So Loved” by Hillsong Worship
- “Goodness of God” by Bethel Music
- “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (LUYH)
- “Song in My Soul” by Phil Wickham
- “Teach Us Your Ways” by Porter’s Gate
- “The Servant Song” (LUYH)
- “We are Blessed” by Andy Flannagan
- “What Love, My God” by City Alight
- “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury
Worship Ideas
Below you’ll find ideas that can be modified and woven into a worship service as a way for people to experience this practice.
- Introduce the topic with the help of this Bible Project video on Generosity.
- Invite one or two people (ideally of different ages) to tell about a time they experienced generosity. What did they learn about God through that experience?
- Include a reading of Psalm 103. If there are children in your midst, consider using the very accessible NIRV translation of this passage. Ask: If you were writing another verse to this psalm, what other examples of God’s generosity would you include?
- Read a picture book. Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora or Mama Panya’s Pancakes by Mary and Rich Chamberlin would work well. Each also pairs well with the story of Elijah and the widow in 1 Kings 17:8-16. Follow with time for personal or corporate reflection using questions like these: Where do you see generosity in this story? How are you reminded of God’s generosity?
Take-it-Home Resources
Encourage and equip people to continue exploring this faith practice by providing them with a resource to take home. Some ideas:
- Links to the one week Generosity Challenge and the Happy Orange Project’s 365 Acts of Kindness list. Invite each household to explore the ideas for some they might want to weave into their own practice of generosity.
- Copies of the World Hunger Dinner for Good packet by World Renew for households interested in learning more about practicing generosity through preparing and sharing a simple meal.
- 5 Ways to Practice Generosity with your Kids for each household with children.
- The booklet Faith Practices: Holy Habits That Help Us Love God and Our Neighbor, Listen to the Spirit, and Become More Like Jesus.
Digital Images You Can Use
Use these memes for PowerPoint presentations, social media shares, print pieces, and so on.
