Embracing Abundance: The Generosity of Jesus' Kingdom

1) "Why does Jesus say these and so many other really like mind boggling things? And the reason, I believe, is because Jesus was introducing us to Jesus. He was introducing us to a new kingdom. A new kingdom. We've been talking about this in the series so far. And if you're a guest with us, we're glad you're here. You've come in the middle of a series. If you're watching online, thank you for doing that. We'd love to connect with you if that's your situation. And the kinds of conversations we've had so far in this series is that Jesus' kingdom has created a clash. Because Jesus doesn't show up in a world where there is no kingdom. There's already kingdoms here." [30:16] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


2) "Bios leaves us restless, insatiable, hungering for more. And the life that Jesus is talking about here is a life that produces contentment and peace and joy. And he looks at him and he's like, you're chasing after the wrong thing. Now this statement would have been shocking to the Christian. To the guys who heard it. To all the people who heard it. And it's still shocking to us today. Because we live in the kingdom with a different set of guidelines. We live in the kingdom of more. More experiences. More titles. More fitness. More options. More fashion. More technology. More real estate. More money. More stuff. It's so much a part of our world that we can't imagine any other way of thinking." [34:32] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


3) "The kingdom of more is a prison with a hamster wheel. Let me show you this next slide. Okay? That's the kingdom of more. Because... Like, there's no end to the working and the toiling and the pursuing more and more and more. Some of you may be familiar with the phrase that's attributed to J.D. Rockefeller. Who was, in the late 19th century, the first American billionaire. At the height of his career, it was said that he owned one, fully one percent of the entire United States economy. The man was wealthy beyond anyone's imagination. And someone asked him one time, they said, tell us, Mr. Rockefeller, how much is enough? And you know what his statement was? Just a little bit more." [35:07] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


4) "And that kingdom clashes with Jesus. And here's why. Because Jesus' kingdom is one of abundance and generosity. Abundance and generosity. The kingdom of more is built on a model of scarcity. I better get more because if I don't, someone else will. It won't work. It won't be here the next time I need it. So I'm going to grab all I can get and maybe a little bit more beyond that. It's a mentality of scarcity. And Jesus' kingdom is one of abundance and generosity. God's world, this beautiful world that we inhabit, was created as a world of abundance." [41:44] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


5) "In multiple complex and interacting ways, bodies, brains, spirits, minds, and social relationships are stimulated, connected, and energized by generous practices in ways that are good for people. Thus, as a result of the generous practices themselves, those who live more generous lives tend to enjoy greater well-being in life. This is why, for example, 96% of Americans who volunteer regularly say that the volunteering makes people happier. 95% say that volunteering improves emotional health. And 94% believe that volunteering builds self-esteem. They are correct. And that insight about volunteering extends more generally to other forms of generosity." [47:19] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


6) "I challenge you to take steps this week that will take you out of your comfort zone and out of the kingdom of more and into the kingdom of Jesus, a kingdom of abundance and generosity. And just watch and see if that doesn't begin to change every part of your life." [58:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)