Embracing Generosity: A Reflection of Faith and Abundance
Summary
Generosity is a profound expression of faith and a reflection of God's abundant love. During a recent outing with my daughter, I was reminded of the importance of understanding ownership and generosity. As she claimed her fries, I gently reminded her that everything she had was provided by me, much like how everything we have is given by God. This moment illustrated how we often view our possessions as solely ours, forgetting that God is the ultimate provider. When God asks us to give, it's not because He needs our resources, but because He wants to teach us about His abundance and love.
Proverbs 11:24 tells us that the world of the generous gets larger and larger, not in material wealth, but in faith, impact, and spirit. Generosity is not about the size of our homes or the luxury of our possessions, but about living a life of greater faith and impact. Anne Frank once said, "No one has ever become poor by giving," and this truth resonates deeply. Generosity sets us free from the love of money and the fear of not having enough. It allows us to enjoy our resources without being enslaved by them.
Generosity also connects us to kingdom purpose. When we give, our resources go beyond our immediate reach, impacting lives and spreading the gospel in ways we may never personally witness. Paul, in his letters, emphasizes that our giving is a ministry, a way to partner with God's work on earth. It transforms our financial resources into tools for eternal significance.
Moreover, generosity changes how we see our lives. It shifts our perspective from scarcity to abundance, from fear to faith. As we sow into God's kingdom, we become like farmers, planting seeds for a future harvest. This is not about giving to receive, but about giving to give again, aligning our hearts with God's purposes.
Finally, generosity connects our hearts to the next generation. Jesus taught that even a simple act of giving a cup of cold water to a child in His name will not go unrewarded. Investing in the next generation ensures that God's work continues beyond our lifetime, and God promises to be our provider when we prioritize His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Ownership and Generosity: Just as I reminded my daughter that everything she has is provided by me, we must remember that all we have is given by God. When God asks us to give, it's not because He needs our resources, but to teach us about His abundance and love. [02:37]
2. Generosity Sets Us Free: Generosity liberates us from the love of money and the fear of scarcity. By giving, we learn to enjoy our resources without being enslaved by them, experiencing the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. [06:34]
3. Connecting to Kingdom Purpose: Our giving extends beyond our immediate reach, impacting lives and spreading the gospel. Paul emphasizes that our giving is a ministry, transforming our financial resources into tools for eternal significance. [11:15]
4. A New Perspective on Life: Generosity shifts our perspective from scarcity to abundance. As we sow into God's kingdom, we become like farmers, planting seeds for a future harvest, not to receive, but to give again, aligning our hearts with God's purposes. [16:35]
5. Investing in the Next Generation: Generosity connects our hearts to the next generation. Jesus taught that even small acts of giving to children in His name will not go unrewarded, ensuring God's work continues beyond our lifetime. [24:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:37] - Understanding Ownership and Generosity
- [06:34] - Generosity Sets Us Free
- [11:15] - Connecting to Kingdom Purpose
- [16:35] - A New Perspective on Life
- [18:19] - Radical Generosity in Practice
- [21:17] - The Testimony of the Generous
- [24:49] - Investing in the Next Generation
- [26:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Generosity and Faith
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 11:24 - "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty."
2. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 - "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
3. Matthew 10:42 - "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."
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Observation Questions:
1. What lesson did the pastor learn from the interaction with his daughter about ownership and generosity? [02:37]
2. According to Proverbs 11:24, what is the outcome for those who are generous compared to those who are stingy?
3. How does 1 Timothy 6:17-18 describe the relationship between wealth and generosity?
4. What promise does Jesus give in Matthew 10:42 regarding acts of kindness towards the next generation?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's story about his daughter illustrate our relationship with God concerning ownership and generosity? [02:37]
2. In what ways does generosity set us free from the love of money and the fear of scarcity, as discussed in the sermon? [06:34]
3. How does giving connect us to kingdom purpose, and what impact does it have on our spiritual lives? [11:15]
4. What does it mean to have a perspective shift from scarcity to abundance, and how does this affect our actions and faith? [16:35]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you viewed your possessions as solely yours. How can you shift your mindset to see them as gifts from God? [02:37]
2. What steps can you take to experience the freedom that comes from generosity, especially in overcoming the fear of not having enough? [06:34]
3. Identify a specific way you can contribute to kingdom purposes with your resources. How can you ensure your giving has a lasting impact? [11:15]
4. How can you cultivate a mindset of abundance in your daily life, especially when faced with financial challenges? [16:35]
5. Consider a small act of generosity you can perform for the next generation. How can this act align with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 10:42? [24:49]
6. How can you involve your family or community in acts of generosity to create a culture of giving and faith?
7. Reflect on the pastor's testimony of radical generosity. What is one way you can challenge yourself to give beyond your comfort zone this year? [18:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Divine Ownership
Generosity is a profound expression of faith and a reflection of God's abundant love. It is essential to recognize that everything we possess is ultimately provided by God. This understanding shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship. When God asks us to give, it is not because He needs our resources, but because He desires to teach us about His abundance and love. By acknowledging that all we have is given by God, we learn to hold our possessions with open hands, ready to share and bless others. This mindset fosters a deeper trust in God's provision and aligns our hearts with His purposes. [02:37]
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." (Psalm 24:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one possession or resource you currently view as solely yours? How can you begin to see it as a gift from God and use it to bless others today?
Day 2: Freedom Through Generosity
Generosity liberates us from the love of money and the fear of scarcity. By giving, we learn to enjoy our resources without being enslaved by them. This freedom allows us to experience the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. When we practice generosity, we break the chains of materialism and find joy in sharing with others. This act of giving not only blesses those around us but also enriches our own lives, expanding our faith and impact. [06:34]
"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." (Proverbs 11:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific fear or concern related to your finances. How can you practice generosity in this area to experience freedom and trust in God's provision?
Day 3: Partnering with God's Kingdom
Our giving extends beyond our immediate reach, impacting lives and spreading the gospel. Paul emphasizes that our giving is a ministry, transforming our financial resources into tools for eternal significance. When we give, we partner with God's work on earth, contributing to His kingdom purposes. This partnership allows us to be part of something greater than ourselves, as our resources are used to bless others and advance the gospel in ways we may never personally witness. [11:15]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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." (2 Corinthians 9:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a ministry or cause that aligns with God's kingdom purposes. How can you intentionally support it through your resources, time, or talents this week?
Day 4: Embracing an Abundance Mindset
Generosity shifts our perspective from scarcity to abundance. As we sow into God's kingdom, we become like farmers, planting seeds for a future harvest. This is not about giving to receive, but about giving to give again, aligning our hearts with God's purposes. By embracing an abundance mindset, we learn to trust in God's provision and experience the joy of being a blessing to others. This shift in perspective transforms our lives, allowing us to live with open hands and hearts. [16:35]
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel scarcity. How can you shift your mindset to see God's abundance and take a step of faith in generosity today?
Day 5: Investing in Future Generations
Generosity connects our hearts to the next generation. Jesus taught that even small acts of giving to children in His name will not go unrewarded. By investing in the next generation, we ensure that God's work continues beyond our lifetime. This investment is not only financial but also involves mentoring, teaching, and encouraging the younger generation to grow in faith and purpose. God promises to be our provider when we prioritize His kingdom and invest in the future of His work. [24:49]
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a young person in your life who could benefit from your guidance or support. How can you intentionally invest in their spiritual growth and development this week?
Quotes
"Recently, I hung out with my seven-year-old daughter. I took her on a date, and I said, babe, anywhere you wanna go in the city of Las Vegas, you name it, we're gonna go eat there. Whatever you want, girl, you can have it. But I already knew what she was gonna say. She said, dad, I wanna go to In-N-Out, and I wanna eat inside. By the way, shout out to every location that has In-N-Out, you're the most anointed locations, amen." [00:00:00] (25 seconds)
"And so she goes, I wanna go to In-N-Out, and I wanna eat inside, because it's gotta be inside, because if you know anything about In-N-Out, you gotta eat inside, because it's better than taking it home. And so I said, all right, let's go. So she orders a cheeseburger and a fry and a lemonade, and I know that I've gotta preach at Life.Church, and I'm on my Craig Rochelle diet, amen, praise the Lord. Haven't eaten a carb in two months. Really, really working hard. And so I get the burger animal style. It hits our animal style and protein style. Protein style means there's no bun, it's just the lettuce. It hits the table, and my daughter goes, what is that, cabbage? You know, she just completely grossed out. I said, this is called lettuce. You've never seen me eat it. But this is a new experience for both of us." [00:00:26] (47 seconds)
"So I'm eating my protein style, but something in me just says, you know what, I can have one french fry. I can have one fry. Just give me one fry. So as she's eating her burger, I reach over and I grab one fry, and as I grab that fry, she just stops chewing and looks, I mean, she's only seven years old, looks at me with complete disgust. And she goes, if you wanted fries, you should have got fries. Those are my fries. Those are my fries. Those are my fries. Thank you very much. I thought, who raised you? And I had to have a little conversation with my daughter." [00:01:13] (36 seconds)
"And I looked right back at her and I said, actually, those are my fries. And the burger in your hand is my burger. And the car we drove in is my car. And we're going to go home to my house. And I'm just going to let you borrow it. I'm just going to let you use it. You know, I think sometimes when we talk about generosity and God is asking of us, I think we can kind of look at him like, God, you're up in heaven. You got fries. You got fry money. You got streets of gold. These are my fries, Lord." [00:01:49] (36 seconds)
"But here's what I've learned, that any time God is ever asking anything of me, he's trying to teach me something about his abundance, about his character, about his love. Because, see, God doesn't need our fries. And, yes, I could have just bought another order of fry, but I was teaching her something. And every time we get around generosity, God is teaching us something about his greatness and his abundance. God is going to show us how great he is and how much he has." [00:02:37] (37 seconds)
"Proverbs chapter 11, verse 24 says it like this, that the world... the generous everybody say that's me come on say that's me it's getting larger and larger the world of the stingy that's that's no one in life church let me just say that right now it's none of us it's getting smaller and smaller when when we talk about larger and larger we're not talking about bigger houses and bigger cars and bigger tires and bigger boats and bigger TVs even though if you have a nice house you know let me come hang out if you got a boat let me borrow it when I'm in your town that's not what it's about when we're talking about larger we're talking about greater faith talk about greater impact we're talking about a bigger spirit bigger impact a bigger heart bigger prayers see I don't want to raise my daughter in a small house I'm not talking about square footage I'm talking about I don't want to live stingy I don't want to live in the in the not enough I want to I want to live a life that's big I want to live a big life I want to live the good life and the good life is a generous life I refuse to live small when I serve a big God and generosity is the key and Frank said it like this no one has ever become poor by giving generosity will change your life I come from a small town I was born and raised in a trailer in a trailer park in Belen New Mexico shout out to the New Mexico location and some of you heard I was born in a hospital no I was born in a trailer in a trailer park you know your parents are hood when they're like you know what this" [00:03:13] (103 seconds)
"hasn't given enough away there's there's actually an enjoyment in finances when you begin to give you you learn what the scripture says that it is more blessed to give than to receive there is this thing about it where money's no longer in my heart ruling and reigning but it's now in my hands it's a tool that can be used for good and for god so paul says you can't enjoy money but only when you become generous you know i remember when my wife was about to have our daughter remember a friend of mine told me he had two daughters and he said there is a whole compartment in your heart you don't even know is there like the love that you're gonna have for this kid it's like nothing you've ever experienced and it was really true the the moment i held her there was a there was a whole new thing that got unlocked in my spirit in my heart i i there was a new capacity to love that i never had before let me tell you something that's what happens when you give there's a whole part of you that can love god at a radically different level because jesus said that your heart is a follower and it's gonna follow your treasure if i asked this room if i asked every location who wants to love god more everyone's gonna lift their hand but there's actually a way to love god more and it's by giving so i do not pray my way out of greed i give my way out of greed god more and it's by giving so i do not pray my way out of greed god more and it's by giving so i do not pray my way out of greed We'll be right back." [00:06:34] (99 seconds)
"God showed himself to be a provider. And Abraham walks off the mountain in Genesis and says this. He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider. You cannot give and not have a testimony of the provision of God. Does anybody know him as Jireh? This is the God that you serve. When you give, God doesn't take. When you give, God provides. Why generosity number two? Because generosity connects me to kingdom purpose." [00:09:50] (33 seconds)
"Now, I can't go all the way through Philippians again. But Paul says a few things that are powerful. Firstly, he says, you shared in my ministry. You are a part. You get in your heavenly account accredited for my ministry. Every time someone gets saved at Life.Church. Every time a child gets born again in the classrooms. Every time someone gives their life to Christ online. Every time someone reads the Bible app and gives their life to Jesus. Paul says, I don't get that. That's not my reward. Paul said, you shared in this. This is accredited to your account." [00:10:23] (43 seconds)
"It connects my money to kingdom purpose. You're in Oklahoma City, but your gifts have gone to New Mexico. You're in New York, but your gifts have made impact on the online family. You're in Colorado, but you're helping millions of people through YouVersion. Do you see it? We're in a room right here in Oklahoma City. But the gospel is going out to the world. It goes beyond me. My money goes where I'll never go. Whether we're digging wells in Africa, whether we're reaching people in the 1040 window, whether we're going into prisons all over America." [00:11:26] (37 seconds)
"you're as much in the ministry as I am no you may never get on this stage but I promise you you are doing the work of the kingdom of God why generosity thirdly because generosity changes how I see my life Galatians chapter 6 says it like this don't be deceived God cannot be mocked a man reaps what he sows whatever he sows to please their flesh from the flesh will reap destruction Paul said if you want to live for yourself you don't you you are your own harvest it is what it is but if you'll sow to please the Spirit if you'll connect and Galatians 6 is absolutely a financial offering verse he's receiving an offering from the church in Galatia and he says but if you'll connect your money to the Spirit if you'll if you'll sow to please the Spirit from the Spirit you'll reap eternal life so let us not become weary and well -doing for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up let me just tell you something this scripture does not scare me it excites me because it reveals a God who I am partnering with to see his will accomplished on the earth that this is not a scripture about karma this is not the universe out to get me this is a scripture about a God who is out to bless me that I can connect my finances to kingdom purpose and I it changes the way I see life here's why because now I live as a sower" [00:13:05] (96 seconds)
"Jesus said this in Matthew chapter 10 verse 42 whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water in my name in the name of a disciple assuredly I say to you he shall by no means lose his reward see the next generation cannot reward you for your generosity God rewards you for your generosity to the next generation as we were leaving 2022 and we were entering into 2023 our church is just a couple of years old and our our three top givers in our church all left uh two of them moved and one moved on to another church and you know when you're when you're a couple of years old and your three top givers leave you know it" [00:23:37] (51 seconds)
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