Psalm 27:13 // I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
- In our ever-changing world, what should the Church double-down on?
- Entitlement
- And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
- There were no needy persons among them.
Acts 2:42-47 // They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-35 // All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
- Generosity isn't something we do when we have extra. It's how we live when we understand what we've been given.
- Cafeteria Christianity
Matthew 6:21 // For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- Why do we give?
- We are the Church.
- We are obedient.
- God is our source.
- Why don’t we give?
- We have an ownership misunderstanding.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 // You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
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- We don’t see the need
- We have a wrong perspective
- Lack vs Blessing
- Lack: I don’t have enough
- Blessing: I have more than enough
- 3 Money Mindsets:
- Me First
- God First
- Living Sacrifice
- “If one first gives himself to the Lord, all other giving is easy.” - John Bonnell
2 Corinthians 9:7-11 NLT // 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.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
- Generosity requires intentionality
- Grow in Generosity:
- Spontaneously: Being sensitive to God's lead in the moment
- Consistently: Making a committed decision to tithe or give regularly
- Proportionately: Increasing your percentage of giving over time
- Radically: Giving with a heart of sacrifice, as demonstrated by the widow's mite
- Grow in Generosity:
- Spontaneously
- Consistently
- Proportionately
- Radically
