The Vision of Generosity

SERMON SERIES:              “20/20 Vision”
SERMON TITLE:                 “The Vision of Generosity”
SERMON TEXT:                  2 Corinthians 8:1-15
PREACHER:                         Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:                         November 3, 2019, at First UMC
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                I want to begin my sermon today by saying “Thank you” again to all of you who made worship happen last Sunday when I was away.  Special thanks to David Barron who is so willing and able to fulfill the role of worship host.  It’s a bit risky for a pastor to be gone in the middle of a stewardship campaign.  But I understand that stewardship speaker Lucki Latimer motivated you with an impressive magic trick last Sunday.  And I heard that guest preacher Rev. Olga Hard capably carried on our “20/20 Vision” stewardship theme by speaking about “The Vision of Commitment.” 
                You may recall that, in the weeks prior, we had talked about “The Vision of a Faithful Past,” “The Vision of a Strong Present,” and “The Vision of Future Possibilities.”  But all those visions aren’t worth much unless we’re committed to keeping the vision alive.  And thus, today, we have come to “The Vision of Generosity.”  My hope and prayer is that you have already applied a great deal of generosity in filling out your 20/20 pledge cards and all that’s left is placing them in the basket up here.  But, just in case you are still wavering or need a little more assurance that your generosity is important, I invite you to consider our scripture reading from Second Corinthians.  Let’s see what the Apostle Paul wrote about the vision of generosity.

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