Embracing Generosity: From Bag Mindset to Barn Mindset
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound significance of generosity in our lives as believers at Limitless Church. We began by acknowledging that our declarations of faith and worship are not just empty words but expressions of our trust in God's ability to perform miracles in our lives. We then transitioned into the core message: the importance of giving generously. At Limitless, we believe that giving is not just a financial transaction but a spiritual act that reflects our gratitude, trust, and obedience to God.
We discussed the concept of moving from a "bag mindset" to a "barn mindset." The bag mindset is characterized by a cycle of receiving, consuming, lacking, and fearing, which keeps us in a state of poverty and spiritual stagnation. In contrast, the barn mindset is about receiving, giving, multiplying, and building faith, leading to a life of abundance and spiritual growth. This shift in mindset is crucial for experiencing the fullness of God's blessings.
We also delved into the practical aspects of giving, starting with the tithe, which is 10% of our income. Tithing is not just an Old Testament command but a starting point for New Testament believers to express their gratitude and trust in God. Offering, on the other hand, is an opportunity to go above and beyond the tithe, demonstrating our generosity and commitment to God's work.
Through various testimonies and scriptural references, we saw how God honors our giving by multiplying our resources and meeting our needs. We were reminded that giving is an act of ministry that glorifies God and blesses others. As we commit to living generously, we open ourselves up to the incredible ways God wants to work in and through us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith in Action: Our declarations of faith and worship are not just words but acts of trust in God's ability to perform miracles in our lives. When we sing and declare God's goodness, we are exercising our faith, believing that God will move in our situations, whether it's in our finances, health, or relationships. This act of faith is crucial for experiencing God's miraculous interventions. [13:24]
2. The Bag vs. Barn Mindset: The bag mindset keeps us in a cycle of receiving, consuming, lacking, and fearing, which leads to spiritual and financial poverty. In contrast, the barn mindset focuses on receiving, giving, multiplying, and building faith, leading to a life of abundance and spiritual growth. This shift in mindset is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. [46:35]
3. Tithing as a Starting Point: Tithing, which is 10% of our income, is not just an Old Testament command but a starting point for New Testament believers. It is an act of gratitude and trust in God, acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him. When we honor God with our tithe, He blesses the remaining 90%, allowing us to do more with less. [57:09]
4. Offering as an Act of Generosity: Offering goes beyond the tithe and is an opportunity to demonstrate our generosity and commitment to God's work. It is our gratitude in action, showing that we trust God to use our resources to fulfill His will and build His kingdom. Offering allows us to move from a me mindset to a mission mindset, partnering with God to meet the needs of others. [01:03:59]
5. Trusting God with Our Finances: Trusting God with our finances is not just about giving money but about experiencing the joy, peace, and freedom that comes from relying on Him. When we shift from a bag mindset to a barn mindset, we open ourselves up to the incredible ways God wants to work in and through us. Each act of giving is an opportunity to transform lives, meet needs, and advance the kingdom of God. [01:09:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:24] - Declaring God's Goodness
[14:57] - National Day of Praise and Worship
[19:38] - Limitless Deep Dive
[20:48] - Multicultural, Multi-Ethnic Church
[21:42] - What It Means to Be a Christian at Limitless
[23:24] - Owning Our Faith
[24:20] - The Power of Assembly
[25:45] - Living Epistles
[26:19] - Giving Generously
[27:47] - Called to Excel in Generosity
[28:03] - Givers vs. Getters
[29:31] - Reasons We Give
[31:37] - Mercy House in Zambia
[33:14] - 2 Corinthians 9:10
[36:38] - Opportunity, Not Obstacle
[39:26] - Activating the Harvest of Giving
[46:35] - Bag Mindset vs. Barn Mindset
[48:33] - Proverbs 3:9-10
[49:46] - Luke 6:38
[51:00] - Standard of Measurement
[53:14] - Trusting God with Our Finances
[57:09] - Activating Generosity with the Tithe
[01:03:59] - Offering as Generosity in Action
[01:09:50] - Trusting God with Our Finances
[01:20:20] - Moving from Bag to Barn
[01:26:46] - Invitation to Salvation and Prayer
[01:30:11] - Closing Remarks and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NIV): "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
2. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV): "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
3. Luke 6:38 (NIV): "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, what does God promise to do for those who sow generously?
2. In Proverbs 3:9-10, what are the two actions we are instructed to take, and what are the promised results?
3. How does Luke 6:38 describe the way God will respond to our generosity?
4. What is the difference between the "bag mindset" and the "barn mindset" as described in the sermon? [[46:35]]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God promise to "enlarge the harvest of your righteousness" for those who give generously, according to 2 Corinthians 9:10-11?
2. How does honoring the Lord with our wealth, as stated in Proverbs 3:9-10, reflect our trust in Him?
3. What does the phrase "pressed down, shaken together and running over" in Luke 6:38 imply about the nature of God's blessings?
4. How can shifting from a "bag mindset" to a "barn mindset" change our perspective on giving and receiving? [[46:35]]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision after giving generously. How did this experience impact your faith and trust in God? [[33:57]]
2. The sermon mentioned that tithing is a starting point for New Testament believers. How can you begin or improve your practice of tithing to honor God with your finances? [[57:09]]
3. Offering goes beyond the tithe and is an act of generosity. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate generosity in your community or church this week? [[01:03:59]]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of trusting God with our finances. What steps can you take to move from a "bag mindset" to a "barn mindset" in your financial decisions? [[46:35]]
5. How can you use your resources to meet the needs of others and advance God's kingdom, as described in the sermon? Share specific examples or opportunities you have encountered. [[31:37]]
6. The sermon highlighted the joy, peace, and freedom that come from relying on God. How can you cultivate a habit of trusting God more deeply in your daily life, especially in areas where you tend to worry? [[01:09:50]]
7. Think about someone in your life who might benefit from your generosity. What is one specific action you can take this week to bless them and reflect God's love? [[01:08:20]]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action
Our declarations of faith and worship are not just words but acts of trust in God's ability to perform miracles in our lives. When we sing and declare God's goodness, we are exercising our faith, believing that God will move in our situations, whether it's in our finances, health, or relationships. This act of faith is crucial for experiencing God's miraculous interventions. By actively engaging in worship and declarations, we align ourselves with God's promises and open the door for His power to manifest in our lives. [13:24]
Mark 11:23-24 (ESV): "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you need a miracle. How can you actively declare God's goodness and promises over that situation today?
Day 2: The Bag vs. Barn Mindset
The bag mindset keeps us in a cycle of receiving, consuming, lacking, and fearing, which leads to spiritual and financial poverty. In contrast, the barn mindset focuses on receiving, giving, multiplying, and building faith, leading to a life of abundance and spiritual growth. This shift in mindset is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. By adopting a barn mindset, we trust in God's provision and become channels of His blessings to others, breaking free from the limitations of scarcity. [46:35]
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: Identify one area in your life where you have been operating with a bag mindset. What steps can you take to shift towards a barn mindset and trust in God's provision?
Day 3: Tithing as a Starting Point
Tithing, which is 10% of our income, is not just an Old Testament command but a starting point for New Testament believers. It is an act of gratitude and trust in God, acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him. When we honor God with our tithe, He blesses the remaining 90%, allowing us to do more with less. Tithing is a tangible way to put our faith into action and demonstrate our reliance on God's provision. [57:09]
Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."
Reflection: Reflect on your current giving habits. Are you honoring God with your tithe? If not, what steps can you take to start tithing and trust God with your finances?
Day 4: Offering as an Act of Generosity
Offering goes beyond the tithe and is an opportunity to demonstrate our generosity and commitment to God's work. It is our gratitude in action, showing that we trust God to use our resources to fulfill His will and build His kingdom. Offering allows us to move from a me mindset to a mission mindset, partnering with God to meet the needs of others. By giving offerings, we participate in God's redemptive work and experience the joy of being a blessing to others. [01:03:59]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a specific cause or ministry that you feel passionate about. How can you go beyond your tithe and give an offering to support that cause this week?
Day 5: Trusting God with Our Finances
Trusting God with our finances is not just about giving money but about experiencing the joy, peace, and freedom that comes from relying on Him. When we shift from a bag mindset to a barn mindset, we open ourselves up to the incredible ways God wants to work in and through us. Each act of giving is an opportunity to transform lives, meet needs, and advance the kingdom of God. By trusting God with our finances, we demonstrate our faith in His provision and experience His blessings in abundance. [01:09:50]
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: Consider an area of your finances where you struggle with trust. How can you take a step of faith today to trust God more fully in that area?
Quotes
1. "We are not just hearers of the word, but we are doers of the word. And we understand that each one of us is responsible for our own spiritual growth. Guess what, guys? Your pastor is not responsible for your spiritual growth. Your husband and or wife is not responsible. Your parents are not responsible for your spiritual growth. Here, we are called to take ownership of our faith." [23:24] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are committed to attending church when the doors are open. Why? Because we believe in the power of the assembly. We believe that something amazing happens when we are together in the room. Church attendance is not just about checking a box. It is a blessing in the presence. There is a blessing for you, for what you will receive. And there's a blessing for others because they are blessed by seeing you." [24:20] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We give generously because we are grateful. We are grateful for what we have received generously. We trust God to use our resources to fulfill his will and build his kingdom. At Limitless, we are givers and we have been called to excel in generosity. Say this with me. I am. A giver. Some of y'all need to say that by faith. I am. A giver." [27:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are called and we have been placed on this earth to be a giver. You and I, Limitless, we have been placed here at this time in this specific location in part to show radical generosity to this city and to those around us. We are called to be givers. Now, why? Why on earth would we be called to be givers? Why do we give here at Limitless? Number one, we give because we recognize that everything that we have been given, including our finances, was the Lord's to begin with." [28:42] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We give out of obedience to God. God has called us to give. And out of a reverence and an honor to him, we choose to be obedient in our giving to God. Number four, we give so that others might come to know him through our generosity. We give so that others might come to know him through our generosity." [30:27] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We don't see giving as an obstacle. We see it as an opportunity. It's an opportunity to show our trust, to show our gratitude and our obedience to God. It is an opportunity to show the world who our God is. In a time where there is lack going on, in a time where the world says, keep everything you have, have everything you keep, be stingy, keep it for yourself. When the world is doing that and you make a decision to say, no, I'm going to be generous. They're going to be like, what is wrong with you?" [37:31] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Imagine what would happen if you just trusted God. Imagine if you say, you know what? I am making a decision from this day forward no longer to worry about money. Instead, what I am going to do is I'm going to cast my worries, my fears and my anxieties on him because he cares for me. Imagine if I did what the word said to do. I'm so stressed. I'm so stressed. This is just about money. And God's like, do you understand what I have? Do you understand who I am?" [01:10:58] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we shift from a bag mindset to a barn mindset, we're not just changing our perspective on money. We're opening ourselves up to the incredible ways that God wants to work in us. Because if I can do that, if I can trust him with my money, there's no limit to what he can do. Each act of giving is an opportunity to transform lives, meet needs, and advance the kingdom of God. It is my desire that Limitless would be the kind of church that reflects the heart of God. Generous, loving, and passionate about serving others." [01:13:06] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We tithe to honor God. We give our offerings out of gratitude for his faithfulness. But we do it all so that his work might be completed and accomplished here on this earth. Limitless, we are called to be givers. And when we give, God blesses us, enriches our lives, and we get to see the faithfulness of God through our actions. He doesn't just call us to give. He invites us to experience the joy, the peace, and the freedom that comes from trusting him with our money." [01:11:49] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We are called to give. And if we want to see God's hand on our finances, we want to be used to bless others. If we want to move from lack to surplus, if we want to move from bag to barn, then we got to activate generosity. We got to activate generosity. We have to activate it in our life. It's like we said, boom, activate." [56:03] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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