Lake Deaton at Home

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”  ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

What is Extravagant Generosity?  Well when you look up the definition of extravagant you actually get definitions that are kind of negative.

• exceeding the limits of reason or necessity
• lacking in moderation, balance, and restraint
• extremely or excessively elaborate
• extremely or unreasonably high in price
• spending much more than necessary

Again, those definitions are not really positive.  However, the opposite it true when you look up generosity.

• liberal in giving
• marked by abundance
• characterized by a noble or kindly spirit

Then when we combine the two, the could be negative nature of extravagant with the positivity of generosity we get to see something new.

I think Extravagant Generosity is giving in a way that is beyond what we can think of when we start.  It is moving to a place we had no idea we could go to.  It is giving just like the widow in Luke.  However, you do not get there overnight and you do not get there all by yourself.  You get there by staying connected to the Vine and leaning into the practice of the generosity.  You start one step at a time.  That was what it was like when I finally started to give to the church.  You don’t start out exceeding the limits, but you eventually will get there. 

Discusion Questions:

1. Where are you at in taking your steps to extravagant generosity? 
2. Why is this practice hard?  I know it was hard for me. 

Prayer: God Who Exceeded the Limits of Reason:  Thank you for this day and for this study.  We ask that you would help us in our steps that we are taking.  Help us know that everything we have is a gift from you.  Help us be generous as we work our way to extravagant generosity.  Amen.