EXTRAVAGANTLY GENEROUS

EXTRAVAGANTLY GENEROUS

LIVING THE ABUNDANT LIFE – Part 3

Vernon Zook May 11, 2025

Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him. Then Mary took a twelve- ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples—the one who would betray him—said, “That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use. Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer.” – John 12:1-8 (NLT)

(Matthew 26 … Mark 14)

1. Generosity challenges my .

2. My displays my generosity.

…but they first gave themselves to the Lord… – 2 Corinthians 8:5 (NLT)

3. Generosity is .

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT)

4. There is a for your generosity.

(Jesus) “I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about in her memory.” – Mark 14:9 (NLT)

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!