Radical generosity

Just had to re-post something Kris V shared this morning on FB:

By Kris Vallotton KVMinistries.com

It's impossible to separate generosity from revival. When we believe God is our provider we will simply act like it. Look at the early church's approach to giving. Luke records ;

Acts 4:34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Two things stand out here to me;

1) people who were being rocked by God were suddenly extremely generous.

2) Although they knew the needs of the people in their town, (in those days pretty much everybody knew everybody as most people were born in the same community they would die in), yet they didn't sell their stuff and give it to the needy. They gave it to their leaders and let them distribute the money as they saw fit. In other words, they weren't just generous, they were trusting! They trusted their leaders insights into who should get the money and how much, more than they trusted their own opinion. Some would have us believe that this happen because they had perfect leaders and today's leaders are blah...blah...blah. Of course it's true that there are bad, selfish, greedy and irresponsible leaders today. But the early church had the same issues. I mean come on, the 12 apostles refused to feed certain widows because of their ethnic prejudice (see Acts 6:1). They solved the problem by choosing 7 men from same ethnic group to feed them.

Generosity and honor are two core values that are necessary for sustained revival that transforms culture.

At men's prayer this morning we prayed/declared/prophecied "Radical Generosity" over our city, businesses in our city, our families and the church.  So when I read this later it really resonated.