Embracing Generosity: Transforming Attitudes Through Grace
Summary
### Summary
Today, we had the joy of welcoming Nicole Herrero, our resident missionary, back from France. Nicole shared her experiences and the work she has been doing in the South of France, emphasizing the contrast between the perceived vacation paradise and the real challenges faced by the local community. We are proud to support her mission and encourage everyone to connect with her and support her work.
We then transitioned into our series "Making Change," focusing on the connection between faith and finances. Last week, we discussed moving from obligation to opportunity in our giving. Today, we delved deeper into the concept of generosity, emphasizing that giving is an act, but generosity is an attitude. We explored how our attitude towards giving can transform our actions and lead to a more fulfilling and expansive life.
Generosity is not just about fulfilling an obligation but about embracing an opportunity to bless others and be blessed in return. Proverbs 11:24-25 reminds us that the world of the generous gets larger and larger, while the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. We discussed how generosity impacts not only our spiritual life but also our physical and emotional well-being.
We examined the example of the Macedonian churches from 2 Corinthians 8, who, despite severe trials and extreme poverty, gave generously out of the grace they had received from God. Their generosity was motivated by grace, and they gave beyond their ability with overflowing joy. This teaches us that true generosity comes from understanding and experiencing God's grace.
We also discussed the importance of excelling in generosity, just as we excel in other spiritual gifts. Recognizing that everything we have belongs to God, understanding the potential of money for both harm and good, and remembering that worldly wealth is temporary while heavenly treasure is eternal, are crucial steps in developing a generous heart.
Finally, we emphasized the need to be good stewards of God's resources, managing them wisely and using them to accomplish His purposes. Generosity should be done cheerfully and without reluctance, leading to a legacy that will be remembered and glorifying God in the process.
### Key Takeaways
1. Generosity is Motivated by Grace: The Macedonian churches, despite their severe trials and extreme poverty, gave generously because they understood the grace of God. Their giving was not out of obligation but out of an overflowing joy that came from experiencing God's grace. This teaches us that true generosity stems from a deep understanding of God's unmerited favor in our lives. [45:36]
2. Generosity Requires an Attitude Adjustment: Giving is an act, but generosity is an attitude. Our attitude affects our thinking, which in turn affects our feelings and actions. To move from mere giving to true generosity, we need to allow God to change our hearts and attitudes, making us more open and willing to bless others. [37:34]
3. Recognize Everything Belongs to God: We must acknowledge that all we have is a gift from God. This understanding helps us hold our possessions loosely and be more willing to share them. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that it is God who gives us the ability to produce wealth, and Psalm 24:1 declares that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. [01:01:03]
4. Worldly Wealth is Temporary, Heavenly Treasure is Eternal: Jesus teaches us not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven. Our focus should be on investing in God's eternal kingdom rather than our temporary earthly possessions. This perspective helps us prioritize generosity and eternal impact over accumulating wealth. [01:07:34]
5. Be Good Stewards of God's Resources: Stewardship involves managing God's resources wisely and using them to accomplish His purposes. This includes giving cheerfully and generously, praying for wisdom in allocating resources, and providing leadership in their distribution. Good stewardship leads to a legacy that glorifies God and meets the needs of others. [01:09:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:30] - Nicole Herrero's Mission Update
[34:32] - Supporting Nicole's Mission
[36:05] - Introduction to "Making Change" Series
[37:34] - Giving vs. Generosity
[39:24] - Benefits of Generosity
[42:25] - 2 Corinthians 8:1-7: The Macedonian Example
[45:36] - Generosity Motivated by Grace
[47:23] - Pleading to Give
[49:17] - Severe Trials and Extreme Poverty
[50:38] - Appropriate Giving for Your Status
[52:01] - Tithing and Generosity
[53:29] - Deciding in Your Heart
[55:00] - Priority One: Giving Yourself to the Lord
[56:39] - Excelling in Generosity
[57:53] - Acknowledging Everything Belongs to God
[01:01:03] - Recognizing Money's Potential for Harm and Good
[01:04:05] - Worldly Wealth vs. Heavenly Treasure
[01:09:14] - Being Good Stewards
[01:11:42] - The Results of Generosity
[01:13:19] - Final Thought and Prayer
[01:15:12] - Declaration of Jesus as Lord
[01:16:46] - Worship and Prayer Time
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV): "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
2. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (NIV): "And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 11:24-25 say about the outcomes of generosity versus stinginess?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, what motivated the Macedonian churches to give generously despite their severe trials and extreme poverty?
3. In the sermon, what distinction is made between giving and generosity? ([37:34])
4. How did the Macedonian churches exceed Paul's expectations in their giving? ([42:25])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that everything we have belongs to God (Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalm 24:1) change our perspective on generosity? ([01:01:03])
2. Why is it important to recognize that worldly wealth is temporary and heavenly treasure is eternal? How does this perspective influence our actions? ([01:07:34])
3. What does it mean to be a good steward of God's resources, and how does this relate to generosity? ([01:09:14])
4. How can the example of the Macedonian churches inspire us to give beyond our ability with joy? ([49:17])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current attitude towards giving. Do you see it as an obligation or an opportunity? How can you shift your perspective to embrace generosity as an attitude? ([37:34])
2. Think about a time when you experienced God's grace in your life. How did that experience influence your willingness to be generous? ([45:36])
3. Identify one area in your life where you can acknowledge that everything belongs to God. How can this acknowledgment change your approach to that area? ([01:01:03])
4. Consider your current financial situation. What steps can you take to ensure that you are storing up treasures in heaven rather than focusing solely on earthly wealth? ([01:07:34])
5. How can you practice being a good steward of God's resources this week? Identify one specific action you can take to manage God's resources wisely. ([01:09:14])
6. Reflect on the benefits of generosity mentioned in the sermon, such as improved well-being and spiritual growth. How have you experienced these benefits in your own life, or how would you like to experience them? ([39:24])
7. What practical steps can you take to excel in the grace of giving, just as you might strive to excel in other spiritual gifts? ([56:39])
Devotional
Day 1: Generosity is Motivated by Grace
Generosity is not merely an act of giving but a response to the grace we have received from God. The Macedonian churches, despite their severe trials and extreme poverty, gave generously because they understood the grace of God. Their giving was not out of obligation but out of an overflowing joy that came from experiencing God's grace. This teaches us that true generosity stems from a deep understanding of God's unmerited favor in our lives. When we recognize the grace that has been extended to us, it transforms our hearts and compels us to give generously, even beyond our means. [45:36]
2 Corinthians 8:2-3 (ESV): "For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by God's grace. How did it impact your willingness to give? How can you let that same grace motivate your generosity today?
Day 2: Generosity Requires an Attitude Adjustment
Giving is an act, but generosity is an attitude. Our attitude affects our thinking, which in turn affects our feelings and actions. To move from mere giving to true generosity, we need to allow God to change our hearts and attitudes, making us more open and willing to bless others. This transformation begins with a shift in perspective, seeing giving not as a burden but as a joyful opportunity to participate in God's work. When our hearts are aligned with God's, our actions will naturally follow, leading to a life marked by generosity. [37:34]
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Reflect on your current attitude towards giving. Is it something you do out of obligation, or do you see it as an opportunity to bless others? How can you ask God to transform your heart to be more generous?
Day 3: Recognize Everything Belongs to God
We must acknowledge that all we have is a gift from God. This understanding helps us hold our possessions loosely and be more willing to share them. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that it is God who gives us the ability to produce wealth, and Psalm 24:1 declares that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. Recognizing that everything we have is from God shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship, making us more open-handed and generous with our resources. [01:01:03]
Deuteronomy 8:18 (ESV): "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
Reflection: Take a moment to inventory your possessions and resources. How does recognizing that everything belongs to God change your perspective on what you have? What is one way you can be more generous with what God has entrusted to you?
Day 4: Worldly Wealth is Temporary, Heavenly Treasure is Eternal
Jesus teaches us not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven. Our focus should be on investing in God's eternal kingdom rather than our temporary earthly possessions. This perspective helps us prioritize generosity and eternal impact over accumulating wealth. When we understand that worldly wealth is fleeting, we are more inclined to use our resources to make a lasting difference in the lives of others and in God's kingdom. [01:07:34]
Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Reflection: Consider your current financial priorities. Are you more focused on accumulating wealth or investing in eternal treasures? What is one practical step you can take today to shift your focus towards heavenly treasures?
Day 5: Be Good Stewards of God's Resources
Stewardship involves managing God's resources wisely and using them to accomplish His purposes. This includes giving cheerfully and generously, praying for wisdom in allocating resources, and providing leadership in their distribution. Good stewardship leads to a legacy that glorifies God and meets the needs of others. When we see ourselves as stewards rather than owners, we are more intentional about how we use our resources to further God's kingdom and bless those around us. [01:09:14]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Reflect on how you are currently managing the resources God has given you. Are there areas where you can be a better steward? How can you use your resources to serve others and glorify God more effectively?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The world of the generous gets larger and larger. The world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed. And those who help others are happy. And those who bless others are helped. I want my world to expand. I want my world to grow larger. And how does that happen? Through generosity. That's how we do that." (18 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Giving is an act. But generosity is an attitude. And anybody can give. Anybody can give, but not everybody is generous. And I think we would all understand that. We have been around generous people. We know what generous people do. We know their lifestyle. We just understand that they are generous on all occasions. And that cuts straight to my heart. I can give, but I want to be generous. And I hope you do as well." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Generosity impacts our health and well-being. It boosts our mood, self-esteem, our immune system, reduces stress, anxiety, and our blood pressure. That's a pretty good blood pressure medication right there, is to be generous. The associated feel-good chemicals can help reduce aches and pains and help us sleep better. Come on, who wouldn't want to be generous?" (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Generosity brings God's blessing. Generosity brings God's protection. It expands my influence. It multiplies my money. Generosity honors God. It makes me more like Jesus. Generosity demonstrates my faith. It draws me closer to God. It's the cure for materialism. It reveals my character. It increases my happiness. And generosity will be rewarded in heaven." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "No matter how good their motivations are, there's no greater motivation than the grace of God to be generous. You and I are the beneficiaries of God's grace. And because of that, it should be so much more natural. It should be, in many respects, so much easier for us to be generous. Why? Because we've experienced the grace of God." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If my generosity is based solely on obligation, I will not give joyfully. I will feel pressure. And any blessing I receive may go unnoticed, ready? Because my attitude is not right. And I want to have a good attitude. I want to be generous at all times and in every way. And if I need to make changes, if I need to make changes regarding for the better regarding my faith and finances, I'm going to do it." (18 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul says that God has given them grace from which they were generous. They went beyond, they went outside of the difficulties and challenges they were experiencing, and they were still generous because of the grace of God. In fact, Paul describes it as rich generosity. But here's the word that I love, and I have never, I've been doing this, I've been doing this 48 years. I'm not clapping for myself. Stop. Okay. I'm not doing that. I'm just doing this for whatever reason. Not sure why. Not sure why. I'm going to tell you something I've never heard. Here it is. Never. In 48 years of ministry, I've never had anybody come to me and say, please, Pastor Gary, can I give to the Lord? I've never had anybody plead with me. But here, this group of people, because the grace that God has given them, because they understood the grace that they have experienced to its fullest extent, they pleaded with Paul, please let us help. That's incredible." (83 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We do what is appropriate for your status as those who have been enriched by the grace of God. We do what is appropriate for your status. So let me help us with that. If you're, let me tell you a little story. As I said last week, I grew up tithing. That was just kind of my life. I grew up tithing. I didn't, I didn't know anything about it. Mom and dad taught me to tithe early. So here's kind of the mantra that I adopted for every dollar, a dime. So for every dollar that I was able to earn, whatever that was, whatever that was, shoveling snow, mowing lawns, whatever it was, my paper route, whatever, I gave a dime for every dollar. That was appropriate for me. That didn't mean that it was a lot. It was just a dime for every dollar. It was something deep within me. And so if you're a student, look at that. Principle, a dime for every dollar. And maybe the more that we move up that economic ladder, what is appropriate? Do what's appropriate for a person of means. Do what's appropriate for middle income. Do what's appropriate. And I might suggest something. God kind of gave us a pattern when he talked about a 10th part, a tithe. Remember, 100% of what you and I have belongs to God. Not just 10%, all of it. We give 10, but the 90 still is his." (83 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We excel when we remember worldly wealth is temporary and the heavenly treasure is eternal. I bet you know who this guy is. Tutankhamen. He's a boy king. Some think that he died of some particular disease, maybe age 16 or so. And that death mask is very familiar to us. Look inside of his tomb. Here's what was left of his tomb. It was packed for the afterlife. Egyptian royalty would, they would, they would lavish the gifts and the, and the wealth and everything that Pharaoh and that dignitary would need for the afterlife would be put in their tomb. Did you know that when they opened up the tomb, it was insured at approximately $1 billion? It's a lot of money. But did you know what else they found in the tomb? All of the stuff they left in the tomb. Now here's today's contemporary image. Of Tutankhamen. Okay. It's a hearse with a U-Haul if you can't figure that out. And I love what Denzel Washington said. He said, you'll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. Now I've been blessed to make hundreds of millions of dollars in my life. I can't take it with me. And neither can you. It's not how much you have, but what you do with what you have." (95 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Stewardship requires that we actively engage. Listen carefully. We actively engage in the utilization and distribution of God's resources to accomplish his objectives. This includes giving, but it also entails so much more praying for wisdom and allocating those resources, providing leadership to organizations that are utilizing or distributing those resources and directly utilizing or distributing those resources ourselves. We have a responsibility. I have a responsibility to be a good steward, but all of us have that same responsibility." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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