Building a Generous Life on Kingdom Principles

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Community and Worship

Gathering together in worship is essential because it reminds us that we are not alone in our faith journey. Seeing other faces and knowing that people are praying for us strengthens our resolve and faith. Worship is God's idea to help us remember who He is and how He moves on our behalf. When we come together as a community, we are reminded of the collective strength and support that we have in Christ. This communal worship helps us to focus on God and His promises, rather than our individual struggles and fears.

In a world that often promotes individualism and self-reliance, the act of coming together in worship serves as a counter-cultural statement. It declares that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, a body of believers united in Christ. This unity not only strengthens our faith but also provides a support system that can help us navigate life's challenges. [12:59]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt particularly supported by your church community. How can you contribute to fostering that same sense of support for someone else this week?

Day 2: Building on a Solid Foundation

Building our lives on a solid foundation means making our time with Jesus non-negotiable. This foundation helps us navigate life's storms and set priorities that align with what matters most, rather than what fixes immediate problems. When we prioritize our relationship with Jesus, we are better equipped to handle the uncertainties and challenges that life throws our way. This solid foundation is crucial for spiritual growth and stability.

In practical terms, this means setting aside dedicated time for prayer, Bible study, and worship. It means making decisions that reflect our commitment to Christ, even when it's inconvenient or challenging. By doing so, we ensure that our lives are built on a foundation that can withstand any storm. [30:48]

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to make your time with Jesus non-negotiable? How can you ensure that your daily decisions reflect your commitment to Him?

Day 3: Embracing a Kingdom Mentality

A scarcity mentality leads to hoarding and prioritizing our needs over others, which isolates us and steals our joy. In contrast, a kingdom mentality focuses on what God wants, trusting that He knows what we need. This shift allows us to see our abundance and ask, "How much can I give?" rather than "How much do I need to hold on to?" Embracing a kingdom mentality means trusting in God's provision and being willing to share our resources with others.

This mindset shift is not just about financial generosity but also about being generous with our time, talents, and love. It means looking for opportunities to serve others and contribute to the greater good, trusting that God will take care of our needs. [33:25]

Luke 12:15 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'"

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you tend to have a scarcity mentality. How can you shift your perspective to embrace a kingdom mentality in that area this week?

Day 4: Recognizing and Acting on Abundance

Generosity starts with recognizing that we have enough and can give more. Instead of focusing on what we need to hold on to, we should consider what we can give. This mindset shift helps us build a life that reflects God's kingdom and brings joy and freedom. When we recognize our abundance, we are more likely to act generously and contribute to the well-being of others.

This recognition of abundance is not just about material wealth but also about the gifts, talents, and opportunities that God has given us. By focusing on what we have rather than what we lack, we can find joy in giving and experience the freedom that comes from living generously. [55:07]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: Take a moment to list the areas of abundance in your life. How can you use these blessings to be more generous this week?

Day 5: Practical Steps to Generosity

Making "instead gifts" is a practical way to shift our mentality. Small sacrifices, like skipping an energy drink or a dinner out, can remind us of our abundance and allow us to contribute to something greater. This helps us build a life that aligns with God's kingdom. These small, intentional acts of generosity can have a significant impact on our mindset and our community.

By making these small sacrifices, we are reminded of the abundance we have and the joy that comes from giving. These acts of generosity not only benefit others but also help us to grow in our faith and trust in God's provision. [01:03:25]

Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV): "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."

Reflection: What is one "instead gift" you can make this week? How can this small act of generosity help you to recognize and act on the abundance in your life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

As we gather today, it's a reminder of the importance of community and worship. Worship is God's idea, not because He needs our praise, but because we need to remember who He is and how He moves on our behalf. This season, as we embark on new beginnings, it's crucial to build our lives on a solid foundation—Jesus. We must make our time with Him non-negotiable, setting priorities that align with what matters most.

Today, we delve into the concept of building differently by adopting a kingdom mentality rather than a scarcity mentality. A scarcity mentality makes us believe there's never enough, leading us to hoard resources and prioritize our needs over others. This mindset is dangerous as it steals our joy and isolates us. Jesus warns against this in Luke 12, where He tells the parable of the rich man who hoarded his abundant harvest, only to be called a fool by God because his life was demanded of him that very night.

Instead, Jesus invites us to live with a kingdom mentality, focusing on what God wants because we trust that He knows what we need. This shift in perspective allows us to see the abundance we already have and to ask, "How much can I give?" rather than "How much do I need to hold on to?" Generosity starts with recognizing that we have enough and can give more.

In practical terms, this means making "instead gifts"—small sacrifices that remind us of our abundance and allow us to contribute to something greater. For example, instead of buying an energy drink, donate that money to a cause. Instead of going out to dinner, have a simple meal at home and give the saved money to a building project or charity. These small shifts can help us build a life that reflects God's kingdom.

As a church, we're in a building project, and we need people who want to be part of building God's kingdom in Somerville. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something bigger than ourselves, a legacy of faith that will impact our community for generations. Let's embrace this challenge and build differently, focusing on what God can do with what we already have.

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Key Takeaways

1. negotiable. This foundation helps us navigate life's storms and set priorities that align with what matters most, rather than what fixes immediate problems. [30:48]
3. Kingdom vs. Scarcity Mentality: A scarcity mentality leads to hoarding and prioritizing our needs over others, which isolates us and steals our joy. In contrast, a kingdom mentality focuses on what God wants, trusting that He knows what we need. This shift allows us to see our abundance and ask, "How much can I give?"

4. Generosity and Abundance: Generosity starts with recognizing that we have enough and can give more. Instead of focusing on what we need to hold on to, we should consider what we can give. This mindset shift helps us build a life that reflects God's kingdom and brings joy and freedom.

5. Practical Steps to Generosity: Making "instead gifts" is a practical way to shift our mentality. Small sacrifices, like skipping an energy drink or a dinner out, can remind us of our abundance and allow us to contribute to something greater. This helps us build a life that aligns with God's kingdom.

### [30:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:59] - Importance of Community and Worship
[14:15] - Upcoming Family Meeting
[16:05] - Why We Worship
[16:52] - Trusting God as Provider
[17:25] - Focus on God in Worship
[27:34] - Building Community in Church
[29:18] - Building Differently
[30:48] - Foundation on Jesus
[32:18] - Setting Priorities
[33:25] - Kingdom vs. Scarcity Mentality
[34:48] - Marketing to Scarcity Mentality
[39:25] - Jesus' Teaching on Greed
[44:02] - Parable of the Rich Man
[51:06] - Being Rich Toward God
[55:07] - Generosity and Abundance
[63:25] - Practical Steps to Generosity
[66:51] - Money Talks Class
[68:16] - Building Differently in Community
[68:53] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21), what was the rich man's plan for his abundant harvest? How did God respond to his plan? [42:01]
According to Matthew 6:25-34, what does Jesus say about worrying for our needs? How does He suggest we should prioritize our lives?
In Deuteronomy 5:12-15, why does Moses emphasize the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy? How does this relate to worship and remembering God? [16:05]
What are some practical examples given in the sermon of making "instead gifts"? How do these examples help shift our mentality from scarcity to abundance? [01:03:25]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus call the rich man a fool in Luke 12:20? What does this reveal about God's perspective on wealth and possessions? [49:14]
How does the concept of a kingdom mentality differ from a scarcity mentality according to the sermon? What are the dangers of living with a scarcity mentality? [33:25]
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs to "seek first the kingdom of God." How does this instruction align with the idea of building our lives on a solid foundation of Jesus? [30:48]
How does the practice of keeping the Sabbath, as described in Deuteronomy, help us to remember and trust in God's provision? How can this practice influence our daily lives? [16:05]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current priorities. Are they aligned with building your life on the foundation of Jesus? What changes can you make to ensure your time with Him is non-negotiable? [30:48]
Think about a recent situation where you felt there wasn't enough (time, money, resources). How did you respond? How might adopting a kingdom mentality change your response in the future? [33:25]
Identify one area in your life where you can make an "instead gift." What small sacrifice can you make this week to contribute to something greater, and how will you implement it? [01:03:25]
How can you actively participate in building community within the church? What steps can you take to ensure you are known and can know others in meaningful ways? [29:18]
Consider the concept of generosity as presented in the sermon. What specific actions can you take to shift your focus from what you need to hold on to, to what you can give? [55:07]
Reflect on the idea of being "rich toward God." What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you cultivate a mindset that prioritizes God's desires over your own? [51:06]
How can you incorporate the practice of Sabbath into your weekly routine to help you remember and trust in God's provision? What specific steps will you take to make this a reality? [16:05]

Sermon Clips

1. "It is such a big deal that we get to do this because there's so much going on in our lives. And we have different ways of praying and connecting with God through the week. But there is something about being together, seeing the faces of other people, being reminded that this isn't a faith that you have to carry on your own. That there are people on their knees fighting these battles with you and for you." [12:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we come to God in worship, as much as anything, it's the activity of remembering who God is and how he moves on our behalf. And the first time the Ten Commandments are given in Exodus, it's a very direct, you know, remember a Sabbath and keep it holy. But then as time goes on in Deuteronomy, as Moses is sharing with the people, the last things he wants to tell them before he dies, it's kind of his last will and testament except he gives it himself." [16:05] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We need to sing because when we lift our voices in a different way toward God, it shifts our perspective. He said, when we gather together, I want you to go back and tell the stories of people of faith. It's why we read scripture in our worship. Because we want to remember that there are people who've gone before us, who've experienced so many of the things that we have. And they've walked in faith. And they've seen God do amazing things." [16:52] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Do whatever you have to do to make your time with Jesus non-negotiable. He is our constant. In the storms of life do whatever you have to to build your day build your structure build your moments in your life with space and time to let God remind you of who he is and how he's present." [30:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We need to have a kingdom mentality and not a scarcity mentality. We need to have a kingdom mentality about what is it we're trying to build. This is a little more end game. What is it we're trying to build? And how can I have a mentality that's a kingdom of mentality, specifically if you're a follower of Jesus, a kingdom of God mentality." [33:25] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Greed is the ultimate long con. It never stops wanting more and it leaves you without joy in anything that you already have. And it ultimately leaves you with nothing. Jesus is going to get to that in just a minute. lie is so ferocious because this time that you think is coming when you'll eat, drink, and be merry because you have no worries is this lie we all buy into. But the minute we start thinking in that direction, we've already entered into a space where enough is never going to be enough." [47:32] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "A kingdom mentality, which is I think what being rich toward God looks like. A kingdom mentality is focusing on what God wants because we can trust God to know what we need. When we can start to build the pieces of our lives, focusing on what God wants. And God tells us what he wants, right? Love your neighbor, seek first the kingdom of God, obey, listen, right? If we can align ourselves in that direction because we trust that God knows what we need, then all the pieces start to add up differently." [51:06] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Generosity is getting out from under the weight of there's never going to be enough. And the only way we do that is when we start to think less about how much we have to give and how much we can hold on to and how much we get to give because of how much we actually need. And that's when we actually need. You see, God builds and makes beautiful things and he invites us to be part of it." [55:07] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You can start looking at your life and the abundance of what you already have and go, what beautiful thing can be built with this? But you can waste a lot of time and energy and stress building this way. Or you can invite God into this beautiful process of going, you gave me these pieces. I didn't pick these pieces. There's some others I think would fit better. But these are the pieces I have, and how can I use them to build something that's remarkable, something useful, something valuable, something, something that matters?" [01:00:00] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "God help us to, to step into that uncomfortable conversation of how we shift some of our mentality to a posture of generosity. A posture that asks what's possible in your kingdom that's not possible when I'm focused on building my own. And so God push us into those uncomfortable spaces and help us to see that you're already there. We need you. You're waiting for us, ready, eager to build something beautiful right in front of us. Help us to trust you. To trust that you know what we need so that we can be about the things that you want with us and for us." [01:08:53] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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