Embracing Generosity: The Heart of Financial Stewardship

Devotional

Day 1: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

The principle of sowing and reaping is a fundamental biblical concept that teaches us the importance of generosity and trust in God's provision. According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, the measure of what we give directly influences what we receive. This principle is not about expecting a financial return but about trusting God's provision and being generous in our giving. It’s a call to move from being consumers to being producers in God's kingdom.

When we give generously, we are sowing seeds that will yield a harvest, not necessarily in material wealth, but in spiritual blessings and growth. This principle encourages us to trust that God will provide for our needs as we prioritize giving. It challenges us to examine our motives and to give out of a heart of gratitude and trust in God's faithfulness. [38:57]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Think about a time when you gave generously, whether financially or otherwise. How did you see God provide for you in return? How can you trust God more in your giving today?

Day 2: Giving with the Right Motivation

Giving should come from a cheerful heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. This kind of giving reflects our trust in God and our gratitude for His blessings. It’s about honoring God and demonstrating our love for Him through our generosity. When we give with the right motivation, we are not seeking recognition or expecting something in return; instead, we are expressing our faith and trust in God's provision.

Giving with the right motivation means that our generosity is an act of worship. It is a way to show our gratitude for all that God has done for us and to participate in His work. This kind of giving is liberating because it frees us from the burden of financial anxiety and allows us to experience the joy of contributing to God's kingdom. [42:16]

Matthew 6:3-4 (ESV): "But 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 in secret will reward you."

Reflection: Reflect on your current motivations for giving. Are you giving out of obligation, or are you giving cheerfully and with gratitude? How can you shift your mindset to give with the right motivation?

Day 3: Planned and Systematic Giving

Biblical stewardship encourages planned and systematic giving. This means making a conscious decision to prioritize giving as part of our financial planning, reflecting our commitment to God and His work. Planned giving allows us to be intentional about our generosity and ensures that we are consistently supporting the work of the church and other ministries.

By planning our giving, we are acknowledging that everything we have belongs to God and that we are stewards of His resources. This approach helps us to be disciplined in our finances and to make giving a priority rather than an afterthought. It also allows us to experience the joy of contributing to God's work in a meaningful and consistent way. [43:50]

1 Corinthians 16:2 (ESV): "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come."

Reflection: How can you incorporate planned and systematic giving into your financial planning? What steps can you take today to make giving a priority in your life?

Day 4: Ownership and Trust in God

Everything we have belongs to God, and He is the ultimate provider. Acknowledging His ownership and trusting Him with our resources frees us from the burden of financial anxiety and allows us to participate in His work more fully. When we recognize that God is the owner of all we have, we can trust Him to provide for our needs and to guide us in how we use our resources.

Trusting God with our finances means that we are willing to let go of control and to rely on His provision. It means that we are open to His leading and that we are willing to use our resources for His purposes. This trust is built through a relationship with God and through experiencing His faithfulness in our lives. [48:55]

Psalm 24:1 (ESV): "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust God with your resources? How can you begin to acknowledge His ownership and trust Him more fully today?

Day 5: Biblical Giving as Worship

Giving is an act of worship and a demonstration of our commitment to God. It is liberating and kingdom-building, enabling the church to carry out its mission and support various ministries. Our generosity reflects our obedience and love for God. When we give, we are participating in God's work and contributing to the building of His kingdom.

Biblical giving is not just a financial transaction; it is an expression of our faith and our desire to honor God. It is a way to show our gratitude for His blessings and to support the work of the church. This kind of giving is an act of worship that brings glory to God and allows us to experience the joy of being part of His mission. [01:01:49]

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV): "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Reflection: How can you view your giving as an act of worship? What steps can you take to make your generosity a reflection of your commitment to God and His kingdom?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the importance of stewardship, particularly financial stewardship, as outlined in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. We began by discussing the various activities and programs our church offers, emphasizing the importance of community and fellowship. We then transitioned into the core of our discussion: the biblical principles of financial stewardship. We examined the principle of sowing and reaping, highlighting that the measure of what we give directly influences what we receive. This principle is not about expecting a financial return but about trusting God's provision and being generous in our giving.

We also discussed the importance of giving with the right motivation. Giving should not be done reluctantly or under compulsion but should come from a cheerful heart. This kind of giving reflects our trust in God and our gratitude for His blessings. We shared personal testimonies to illustrate how God has been faithful in providing for those who prioritize giving, even in challenging times.

Furthermore, we talked about the practical aspects of giving, including the different ways you can contribute to the church, such as through offerings, online donations, and text giving. We emphasized that our giving should primarily support the general fund of the local church, which enables us to carry out various ministries and missions.

Finally, we reflected on the broader implications of stewardship. Biblical giving is not just a financial transaction; it is an act of worship, a demonstration of our commitment to God, and a means of building His kingdom. We encouraged everyone to examine their own giving practices and to seek God's guidance in this area.

###

Key Takeaways

1. xxBE&t=2337s'>[38:57]
2. Right Motivation for Giving: Giving should come from a cheerful heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. This kind of giving reflects our trust in God and our gratitude for His blessings. It’s about honoring God and demonstrating our love for Him through our generosity.

3. Planned and Systematic Giving: Biblical stewardship encourages planned and systematic giving. This means making a conscious decision to prioritize giving as part of our financial planning, reflecting our commitment to God and His work.

4. Ownership and Trust: Everything we have belongs to God, and He is the ultimate provider. Acknowledging His ownership and trusting Him with our resources frees us from the burden of financial anxiety and allows us to participate in His work more fully.

5. Biblical Giving as Worship: Giving is an act of worship and a demonstration of our commitment to God. It is liberating and kingdom-building, enabling the church to carry out its mission and support various ministries. Our generosity reflects our obedience and love for God.

### [38:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:54] - Wednesday Night Programs
[07:02] - New Additions and Corrections
[27:47] - Introduction to Trail Life USA
[28:58] - Special Birthday Recognition
[30:03] - Announcements and Meal Information
[30:57] - Communication Shift to Subsplash
[32:15] - Importance of Good Stewardship
[34:09] - Introduction to Financial Stewardship
[35:09] - Reading of 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
[36:08] - Prayer and Reflection
[36:45] - Misapplication of Financial Teachings
[37:46] - Principle of Sowing and Reaping
[38:57] - Consumer vs. Producer Mentality
[39:52] - Motivation for Giving
[42:16] - Planned and Systematic Giving
[43:50] - Personal Testimonies on Giving
[48:55] - Ownership and Trust in God
[50:24] - Practical Ways to Give
[57:06] - Personal Story of Trusting God
[61:49] - Biblical Giving as Worship
[63:27] - Invitation and Prayer
[66:53] - Closing Remarks and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, what is the principle of sowing and reaping, and how does it relate to our giving? [35:09]
What does Luke 6:38 say about the measure we use in giving and receiving? How does this align with the principle of sowing and reaping? [39:52]
In Proverbs 3:9-10, what promise is given to those who honor the Lord with their wealth and first fruits? How does this promise encourage planned and systematic giving? [46:31]
What are some practical ways mentioned in the sermon that we can give to the church? [54:18]

Interpretation Questions

How does the principle of sowing and reaping challenge our consumer mentality and encourage us to be producers in God's kingdom? [38:57]
Why is it important to give with the right motivation, and how does this reflect our trust in God? [41:39]
How does acknowledging God's ownership of everything we have free us from financial anxiety and enable us to participate more fully in His work? [48:55]
In what ways is biblical giving considered an act of worship and a demonstration of our commitment to God? [01:01:49]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current giving practices. Do you find yourself giving sparingly or bountifully? How can you adjust your mindset to trust God's provision more fully? [38:57]
Think about a time when you gave reluctantly or under compulsion. How did that experience differ from giving with a cheerful heart? What steps can you take to ensure your giving is motivated by love and gratitude? [42:16]
How can you incorporate planned and systematic giving into your financial planning? What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize your giving? [43:50]
Consider the concept of ownership and trust. What specific area of your finances do you need to surrender to God, acknowledging His ultimate ownership? [48:55]
How can you view your financial giving as an act of worship? What changes can you make to ensure your giving reflects your commitment to God and His kingdom? [01:01:49]
Share a personal testimony or story of how God has provided for you when you prioritized giving. How can this testimony encourage others in your small group to trust God with their resources? [48:13]
Identify one practical way you can support the general fund of your local church this month. How can this act of giving help the church carry out its ministries and missions? [51:53]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Family groups are an incredible way to build kingdom relationships and they're for the entire family. Our fall Wednesday night schedule kicks off this Wednesday night with classes and groups for all age. It starts with a Wednesday night meal. It's a home cooked meal for a nominal cost $6 for individuals or a max of $20 per family." [05:54] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are launching our Wednesday night, new Wednesday night program this Wednesday. And we've got a lot of things that we've been doing in the past, and we've got one new addition to that. We'll be having our Wednesday night meal. You heard all that in the announcements and all that kind of good stuff." [07:02] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We want all of you to know that you have a place here on Wednesday night. If you're going to participate in the meal, you just need to sign up for that. If you're on the remind text list, you can just respond to that this afternoon. Or you sign up out there on the welcome desk. Cost is $6 for an individual or up to max of $20 for families." [30:57] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have become a society where we are largely consumer based. We pull up in the fast food line. And we pull up and we finally get to that screen. And it says and you just tell them what you want. And then you just pay them some money and they bring everything to you. We are good at being consumers. But we have been called in the kingdom to be producers." [39:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. Will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. So and it looks different for every person. What giving a lot or what sowing a lot is. It looks different for every person. And that's what Scripture is talking about." [40:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Our attitude towards stewardship within the body of Christ and in the church. Reveals the condition of our heart. If we love God. We trust God. We want to honor God. And we want to respond to God with ways that demonstrate that. And financially is one of those." [43:06] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Biblical giving is first of all it's evidence it's evidence of a commitment to the lord it's evidence of a understanding of priority biblical giving is also commanded we've already talked about how that is in scripture biblical giving is commanded it's it's also a level of obedience for us if we're going to be what he wants us to be and also for the kingdom of god in the area where we participate in the ministries that we help support it's our obedience is important for that." [01:00:09] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Biblical giving is also liberating now i struggle with using this word because it's a lot close to liberal this biblical giving is liberating and that is freeing us up there's something about it about about honoring him it's it's a part of our worship and it is and it frees us up to be able to see god work in so many areas it's one area of selfishness that we can get rid of and then biblical giving is also kingdom building." [01:01:49] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I also believe scripture encourages planned and systematic giving. In other words don't just fly by the seat of your pants. But make a plan to do that. I remember when I was a kid. And we weren't always the motions as many families would do. But one thing that my dad was very faithful to do. Was he always made sure that he gave to the church." [43:50] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Honor the Lord with your wealth. And with the first fruits. That is still the way to go. And I'll be honest with you. That's how we base. Ours and our family. That's just how we started with that. And we continue to use that as the foundation. The tie. The tenth. And then we move forward from there. we tried to increase that. As the years have gone by." [46:07] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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