The Backstory of Generosity: The Purpose of Generosity

back-sto-ry

noun 

a history or background, especially one created for a fictional character in a motion picture or television program. - Google’s English dictionary

What if we told you that the backstory of generosity isn’t fictional? It’s real and the characters at its forefront lived in real-time. You think you already know what you need to know about generosity? Think again.

In our new 4-week series The Backstory of Generosity, you’ll learn about the biblical birthplace of generosity (spoiler alert: it’s in Genesis!). Find out about its great purpose to bring heaven on earth. Take in how you can live generously via real-life practices and patterns. Finally, discover how you can develop a passion for generosity. Remember, generosity isn’t a behavior, if you are a child of God, generosity is a part of your very being.

How to Use This Guide 

Thank you for taking the time to do this Bible study. When we dig deeper into God’s word, He promises to bless us. We follow in the footsteps of King David, who wrote in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

This guide will provide a weekly framework for spiritual conversations with friends or family. We encourage you to reach out to a friend or two, pick a time to get together each week, and work through this guide together. This Bible study can also be a good tool for families, perhaps coordinated with mealtimes.

What does the Bible say?

Last week we talked about the principle or foundation of generosity. We answered the question: “Where did generosity come from?” We found the birthplace of generosity in the Creation account, in Genesis 1. Generosity was there in the beginning. But, even before the Universe was created, we found that the Source of generosity is in God Himself, our Triune God. We can see His generosity in action in the nature and activities of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. 

This week, we’ll look at the purpose behind generosity and consider some of its goals. Why is generosity an important component of the history and goals of redemptive history?

What does the Bible say?

First, let’s establish what we mean by “redemptive history.” History includes all that has happened, is happening, and will happen. Since we believe that God created the Universe and all that inhabits it, and that He determines the course of history, we can also say that God rules over all of history. 

How is history “redemptive?” In the Bible, “to redeem” means to buy back, to pay a price on behalf of something or someone. The Bible contains the redemptive history of the entire cosmos that God made from beginning to end. When the end comes, full redemption will have been accomplished. Why? Because God said so.

Read Genesis 1:27-30. From the beginning, God’s plan was for His image-bearers, humanity, to represent Him in the world that He made. What were the man and woman to do on God’s behalf in verse 28? What did God give to the two in verses 29-30? How does God characterize what He has made in Genesis 1:31? 

Read Genesis 2:4. Taking into consideration that we already have an account of God’s creation of the world in Genesis 1, why do you think there was a need to begin another account in Genesis 2:4? In this verse, there is a clue that we have shifted into the beginning of redemptive history. Previously, in Genesis 1-2:3, the Hebrew word for God, the primary Person in the story is Elohim. When we come to Genesis 2:4, we are introduced to a new form of God’s name. In the NIV translation, you’ll notice that God is called “LORD God.” When you see “LORD” in capital letters like this, you can know that the Hebrew word is Yahweh. Yahweh is the proper name of God. When you see LORD God in the Bible in English, the Hebrew is Yahweh Elohim. For the Jewish people, Yahweh’s name was so holy, they did not feel worthy enough to spell it out. Yahweh and Elohim are two names they used for God. Each one helps us know about God.

In the first creation account in Genesis 1-2:3, Elohim presents Himself as Ruler and King over His creation. He shows His power over light and darkness, the firmament, animals, and the first two humans. In the second account that begins in Genesis 2:4, Yahweh Elohim is in relationship with what He created. Adam and Eve have names. The animals are given names. The LORD God interacts with all He made, He speaks, and He walks and fellowships with everything and everyone in the garden. 

Yahweh Elohim is the name that speaks to God’s covenantal relationship with His people. A covenant is a promise. When you see Yahweh Elohim, this is a clue that the writer wants us to think about the material in connection with the God who is in a covenant relationship with His people. With this name, we are reminded that the LORD God is committed to His people and His promises are true. 

The two accounts show two aspects of the same God. The first account shows us that God is an all-powerful King who rules over all He has made. The second account reminds us that this same God, the LORD God relates to all He created and His activities are established upon His covenants. Both are true and important in the story of redemption that will unfold in the Bible.

The first covenant or promise comes In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve listened to the serpent and questioned God’s character. They broke their promise to Him by doing the one thing He asked them not to do––eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Because of their sin, the LORD God expelled them from the Garden. Now there was a separation. 

But, there was also a promise. Read what God said to the serpent in Genesis 3:14-15. The seed of the woman would be Jesus Christ, God who took on human form. John, a disciple who walked with Jesus during His earthly life stated the reason why Jesus, the Son of God, appeared on earth in human form: “to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). The devil came in the form of a serpent to tempt Adam and Eve. Read about how the apostle Paul interpreted God’s promise in Genesis 3:16 in light of Jesus in Galatians 4:4-7. Paul also refers to Jesus as a second Adam in Romans 5, albeit one who brought life, not death. 

There is much we could say, because redemption is the story of the whole Bible. For example, in the story of the Flood in Genesis 8:20-9:6, God makes a covenant with Noah, promising that He will never again destroy the world’s inhabitants because of their sin. In Genesis 12:1-3, God makes a covenant with Abraham that He will make of Him a people who will bless all people. The so-called Mosaic covenant is laid out in Exodus 20:1-31:18 with God’s requirements and expectations for His people that can be summed up in the Ten Commandments. The Davidic covenant revealed in 2 Samuel 7:4-17 and 1 Chronicles 17:4-15 promises that a King will be born out of David’s royal line and He will reign for all eternity. Even though God’s people agreed to keep their side of the covenant promises, they failed time and time again. The New Testament shows how Jesus met the demands of these covenants when the people could not. He offered a new covenant by giving His body and blood for the salvation from sin. He achieved the requirements for both sides: as God and also as a human Being. We also learn in the New Testament how the Holy Spirit sealed this covenant by raising Jesus from the dead and then entering into the hearts of those who follow Him so that we could live lives in accordance with God’s purposes. 

God’s commitment to redemption is the reason why the earth and all its inhabitants have not been destroyed. It is why God humbled Himself and took on a human body and died on a cross. It is the foundational truth that propels everything forward toward a new heaven and a new earth as the evil one, even all evil will be eradicated for good.

Ask yourself, what could be more generous than this?

Because God is the Source of generosity, His generosity pours out on all He loves. The scope of God’s love is revealed in John 3:16. It is for the world. The purpose of God’s generosity also flows out of His love, and is focused on redeeming the world from the hold that sin has on it. This is why God became a human being, Jesus Christ. This is also why God lives in us, the Holy Spirit. All of God generously gives. 

You might be thinking to yourself: I could ever be that generous. Well, God already thought of that. The Holy Spirit who lives in us will teach us how to be generous as we live in a world that is still in need of redemption. As long as sin exists, we can be His agents of generous love. Our purpose is the same. Since we were made in God’s image, we are created to love generously. By the power of the Spirit of God, we can.

At the end of redemptive history when evil and sin have been eradicated, a new heaven and earth will appear provided by God. At some point in the future, a time that only God knows, there will be no more need for redemptive history. A new course will open up, a new heaven and a new earth where we will live with God forever. Jesus, the Lamb of God will be there, a reminder of the generosity of God’s love for the world and proof that we have been redeemed from the sin that held sway over our lives. Our Father will wipe away every tear, and the Spirit will be the Breath that propels us forward into a new future.

‍Prayer: We worship You God for the generosity of Your redemptive purposes. Even though humanity did not deserve it, You promised redemption. We worship You, Jesus Christ, God in human form. You lived a sinless life, died on a cross, and were resurrected by the Holy Spirit. We humbly thank You for making it possible for sinners like us to experience eternal fellowship with You. May we willingly play our part in Your redemptive history. Amen.

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. In the sermon from last weekend, you learned about the Hebrew word that God uses to summarize His work in creating the Universe. In English, this word tov, is translated as "good". Tov means pleasant, desirable, beautiful, pleasing, lovely, and in order. Go through the list of things God created in Genesis 1 and discuss how each one is tov according to the definition above.
2. If the aim of generosity is to bring flourishing to those we love, then who in your life could use a good dose of flourishing? Can you do anything to make that happen for them? Since we are to love what God loves and He loves the world, how could you bring flourishing to your part of the world?
3. Imagine yourself as a generous person. What kinds of things would you do? Who would you help? Discuss what one thing you plan on doing to be a more generous person today.

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