Pastor Chris Seay continues our series on the Gospel According to CS Lewis this week as we look at both scripture and Lewis' conversion to study generosity as Christians. Pastor Chris challenges us to live with open hands ready to give but also ready to receive.
Text
Proverbs 3:9-10
Proverbs 11:25
Habakkuk 3:17-19
1 Peter 4:9
Deuteronomy 26:1-4
Deuteronomy 26:6-11
2 Thessalonians 3:10
That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. -CS Lewis
Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. This story is about some- thing that happened to them when they were sent away from London during the war because of the air-raids. They were sent to the house of an old Professor who lived in the heart of the country . . . He had no wife and he lived in a very large house with a housekeeper . . . and three servants. -CS Lewis
It will not bother me in the hour of death to reflect that I have been “had for a sucker” by any number of impostors; but it would be a torment to know that one had refused even one person in need . . . Another thing that annoys me is when people say “Why did you give that man money? He’ll probably go and drink it.” My reply is “But if I’d kept [it] I would probably have drunk it.” -CS Lewis
The arrival of that magnificent ham leaves me just not knowing what to say. If it were known that it was in my house, it would draw every housebreaker in the neighbourhood more surely than would a collection of gold plates! . . . I am very deeply grateful to you for your great kindness.” -CS Lewis
Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it isfinding its place in him. -CS Lewis
Christ says ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You.’ -CS Lewis
His characteristic attitude to people in general was one of consideration and respect. He did his best for them and he appreciated them. He paid you the compliment of attending to your words. He did not pretend to read your heart. He was endlessly generous.
He gave without stint, to all who seemed to care for them, the riches of his mind and the effort of his wit: and where there was need, he gave his money. I will not say what I know about his charities. When he had entered into any relationship his patience and his loyalty were inexhaustible. He really was a Christian — by which I mean, he never thought he had the right to stop. - CS Lewis’s Pastor from his Funeral Homily
I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusement, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say it is too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our commitment to giving excludes them. -CS Lewis
Reflection
What's keeping you from truly being generous? Pray about the false excuses in our hearts we tend to make. Generosity won't start when you become rich, they begin in our relationships.
What are the relationships we can give recklessly to? May we be aware of those around us that we may see everyday or those who we have never noticed before.
Let your final prayer be that above being challenged to give more, may you remember and embrace the truth that what God wants more than anything is you.
Worship Set
Hail To The Lord's Anointed
All My Tears
Come Thou Fount
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Sing To Jesus
Come Ye Sinners
Benediction