Why You Still Feel Empty (Even When You Have What You Want)
Rev. James Meeks | Living Generously—Part 3 | Sunday, October 26, 2025
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 4:22–24 KJV
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” This is the word of the Lord.
TAKING OFF SELFISHNESS AND PUTTING ON GENEROSITY
Rev. James T. Meeks
Pastor Emeritus, Salem Baptist Church
I. We Are Born Selfish
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5, KJV
II. The Bible Teaches Generosity
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. –Jesus, Matthew 5:42, KJV
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6–7, KJV
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. –Jesus, Luke 6:38, KJV
III. Jesus Takes His Disciples to Church
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. Mark 12:41, KJV
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. Mark 12:42, KJV
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Mark 12:43, KJV
IV. Paul’s Pastoral Flow
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 2 Corinthians 12:13, KJV