Aligning Hearts: The Spiritual Discipline of Giving

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound spiritual principle of giving, emphasizing that it is not merely about financial contributions but about aligning our hearts with God's kingdom. We discussed the importance of living a life of generosity, not just with our finances, but with our time, talents, and resources. This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, particularly in Matthew 6, where we are reminded that our motives in giving, praying, and fasting should be pure and not for show. The essence of giving is not about the act itself but about the heart behind it. When we give, we are not only blessing others but also allowing God to work within us, transforming our hearts to be more like His.

We also delved into the concept of living with an eternal perspective, understanding that our earthly life is a singular opportunity to love and serve God. This life is a chance to repent, to align ourselves with God's will, and to invest in His kingdom. The choices we make, the way we spend our time and resources, reflect where our true treasure lies. As Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This calls us to examine our priorities and to invest in things that have eternal significance.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of discipleship and the role of the church in nurturing and equipping believers to live out their faith. Discipleship is not a passive journey but an active pursuit of becoming more like Christ. It involves sacrifice, commitment, and a willingness to be transformed by God's word and Spirit. The call to make disciples is a call to invest in others, to pour into their lives, and to help them grow in their relationship with God.

In conclusion, giving is a spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with God's purposes. It is a tool that God uses to shape us into His likeness, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to extend His kingdom on earth. As we give, we are participating in God's mission, investing in the lives of others, and storing up treasures in heaven.

Key Takeaways:

- The Heart of Giving: True giving is not about the amount but the heart behind it. When we give with pure motives, we align ourselves with God's kingdom and allow Him to work within us, transforming our hearts to be more like His. [04:31]

- Living with Eternal Perspective: Our earthly life is a singular opportunity to love and serve God. The choices we make reflect where our true treasure lies, calling us to invest in things of eternal significance. [13:27]

- The Role of Discipleship: Discipleship is an active pursuit of becoming more like Christ. It involves sacrifice, commitment, and a willingness to be transformed by God's word and Spirit. [32:34]

- Investing in God's Kingdom: When we invest in God's kingdom, our hearts naturally follow. This investment is not just financial but involves our time, talents, and prayers, leading to a deeper connection with God. [15:46]

- The Power of Generosity: Generosity is a spiritual discipline that releases our hearts from earthly attachments and aligns us with God's purposes. It is a tool that God uses to shape us into His likeness and extend His kingdom. [27:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Giving Saturday
- [00:53] - The One Life We Have
- [03:34] - Where Your Treasure Is
- [04:45] - Giving to the Needy
- [06:03] - The Story of St. Nicholas
- [07:27] - The Lord's Prayer and Fasting
- [10:24] - Aligning Heart with God's Vision
- [13:09] - Investing in God's Kingdom
- [16:02] - The Importance of Discipleship
- [19:21] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [23:40] - Passion for God's Work
- [27:40] - The Threefold Cord: Fast, Pray, Give
- [31:37] - Testimony of Nia
- [36:50] - The Impact of Generosity
- [43:51] - Creating an Army of Disciples
- [48:08] - The Commission to Make Disciples
- [52:03] - The Parable of the Talents
- [58:12] - The Flow of Generosity
- [01:03:59] - The River of Life and Conclusion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:1-4
2. Matthew 6:19-21
3. Matthew 28:19-20

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 6:1-4, what does Jesus say about the motives behind giving, and how should it be practiced according to the passage? [04:05]

2. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" using the example of investing in God's kingdom? [13:27]

3. What role does discipleship play in the sermon, and how is it described as an active pursuit? [32:34]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between generosity and spiritual growth? [27:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the idea of giving in secret as described in Matthew 6:1-4, and why is this important for aligning with God's kingdom? [04:31]

2. What does it mean to live with an eternal perspective, and how does this perspective influence the way we invest our time and resources? [13:27]

3. How does the sermon suggest that discipleship involves sacrifice and commitment, and what are the implications for personal spiritual growth? [32:34]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that generosity can release our hearts from earthly attachments and align us with God's purposes? [27:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current giving practices. Are there areas where you feel your motives could be more aligned with the teachings of Matthew 6:1-4? How can you adjust your approach to giving this week? [04:31]

2. Consider your daily priorities. How can you shift your focus to invest more in things of eternal significance, as suggested by the sermon? What practical steps can you take this week? [13:27]

3. Think about your journey of discipleship. What sacrifices or commitments might God be calling you to make in order to grow closer to Him? How can you take a step towards that this week? [32:34]

4. Identify one area of your life where you feel attached to earthly things. How can practicing generosity help you release that attachment and align more closely with God's purposes? [27:54]

5. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from your faith. How might engaging in acts of giving, prayer, or fasting help you reconnect with God? What is one action you can take this week to start that process? [28:23]

6. Consider someone in your life who could benefit from your time or resources. How can you invest in their life this week as a way of participating in God's mission? [19:21]

7. How can you incorporate the practice of giving, praying, and fasting into your routine to ensure a constant flow of God's presence in your life? What is one specific change you can make this week? [27:40]

Devotional

Day 1: The Heart of True Giving
True giving is not measured by the amount but by the sincerity and purity of the heart behind it. When individuals give with genuine motives, they align themselves with God's kingdom, allowing Him to work within them and transform their hearts to reflect His nature. This transformation is not just about financial contributions but extends to giving time, talents, and resources. The essence of giving is about blessing others and being open to God's transformative work within oneself. [04:31]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent act of giving in your life. Was your heart fully aligned with God's purposes, or were there other motives at play? How can you ensure your future acts of giving are rooted in genuine love and generosity?


Day 2: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Our earthly life is a unique opportunity to love and serve God, and the choices we make reflect where our true treasure lies. By investing in things of eternal significance, we align our lives with God's will and purpose. This perspective calls for a shift in priorities, focusing on what truly matters in the grand scheme of God's kingdom. As Jesus taught, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," urging believers to examine their lives and invest in what holds eternal value. [13:27]

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are investing time or resources that may not have eternal significance? How can you redirect that investment towards something that aligns with God's eternal kingdom?


Day 3: The Role of Discipleship
Discipleship is an active pursuit of becoming more like Christ, involving sacrifice, commitment, and a willingness to be transformed by God's word and Spirit. It is not a passive journey but a call to invest in others, helping them grow in their relationship with God. The church plays a crucial role in nurturing and equipping believers to live out their faith, emphasizing the importance of community and accountability in the discipleship process. [32:34]

"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can intentionally invest in as a disciple? What steps can you take this week to begin or deepen that discipleship relationship?


Day 4: Investing in God's Kingdom
When individuals invest in God's kingdom, their hearts naturally follow. This investment is not limited to financial contributions but includes time, talents, and prayers, leading to a deeper connection with God. By prioritizing God's kingdom, believers align their lives with His purposes, experiencing a transformation that draws them closer to His heart. This investment is a reflection of where one's true treasure lies, calling for a reevaluation of priorities and commitments. [15:46]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current investments of time, talents, and resources. Are they aligned with God's kingdom purposes? What changes can you make to ensure your investments reflect your commitment to God's eternal work?


Day 5: The Power of Generosity
Generosity is a spiritual discipline that releases individuals from earthly attachments and aligns them with God's purposes. It is a tool that God uses to shape believers into His likeness, deepening their relationship with Him and extending His kingdom on earth. By practicing generosity, individuals participate in God's mission, investing in the lives of others and storing up treasures in heaven. This discipline requires a heart open to God's transformative work, leading to a life marked by love and selflessness. [27:54]

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can practice generosity this week, whether through time, resources, or talents. How can this act of generosity help you grow closer to God's heart and purposes?

Quotes


I want to talk to you today about the benefit of being a person who is generous with your finances, your resources, your ability and what God has given you on this Earth. We were having a chat last night Zion Ari Tash had just taken Ray to bed to give him his bottle and we got on to the wonderful light topic of gehenna. [00:36:04]

You have this one life you have this one chance with every breath in your lungs to love the Lord the best way you can you have this one life to choose to repent to him and establish yourself before him and come back to him and say Lord I'm sorry I did wrong but I want to love you and I want to follow you. [00:83:07]

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen so it's not a problem with being righteous it's not a problem with practicing righteousness but if your intent is that you're seen that's the wrong motive for then you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven. [00:237:43]

When you give to the needy do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret and your father who sees you in secret will reward you now I'll just give you a little bit of detail about this who is the giving related to in this particular passage who are you giving to the needy. [00:271:91]

Giving is not just about what God does through us because sometimes we think we think of ourselves and we've got a belief that if we give God is doing something to bless someone else but notice from that passage there that the reward is given to us so yes there is a person that's blessed but yes God's work is in US. [00:701:83]

If you want to care more about God's kingdom you start investing in God's kingdom your resources your prayers your time, parents and children we invest years of time into our children money sacrifice raising our kids it's costly I watched a news thing the other day where someone said they didn't have kids because they wanted to have the portion. [00:861:88]

The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:6 16 Jesus challenged him on this he said I'm ready I'm ready to be your disciple Jesus challenged him and said well go and sell everything you have give it to the poor and then follow me how many of us would do that if Jesus would we do that if Jesus asked it of us. [01:166:91]

When you fast it purifies your heart when you pray it aligns your heart and when you give it actually releases the heart it releases the heart from these Earthly things your heart or part of your body is always tempted to go back to the lowest common denominator have you ever have you ever found that that that your. [01:667:44]

The principle is the same when you invest in something like even if you buy a car a $100,000 car you buy the one you want it's red you know no one else has a red one like the one you want it's the what car is yours the Nissen um yeah that that that one right Allan used to have a Nissan 300 ZX that I. [01:371:20]

If people can be passionate about things because they've invested into them how much more will you be passionate about God when you start investing in things of God Matthew 633 says seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all the things that the Gentiles seek seek will be added unto you just think about that for. [01:422:67]

God however wasn't after our money he he didn't want our money he just wanted our heart whenever you give it's not about money it's never about money money is a tool money is just a tool yeah it's about your heart so uh what i' would like to do now is I would like to talk about this three-fold chord of fast praying and. [01:637:64]

God simply calls us to be something that can overflow and bless other people Revelation 22: 1:2 shows us a picture of the kingdom of God the angel showed me the River of Life Water of Life bright as Crystal flowing from the Throne of God and the lamb through the middle of the street also an either side of the river was the Tree of Life. [01:833:68]

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Transcript
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