From Giving to Generosity: Flowing Blessings
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Hickory Ridge family. Today, we conclude our series "More Than Enough" by exploring the difference between giving and being generous. While giving is good and near to God's heart, being generous goes beyond mere transactions. The Bible speaks extensively about giving, emphasizing that it is more blessed to give than to receive. This is because giving not only blesses the receiver but also enriches the giver.
We examined the metaphor of a pond versus a river to illustrate our approach to money and possessions. A pond, though peaceful, becomes stagnant and murky over time, much like a mindset that hoards resources. In contrast, a river flows, supplies, and remains fresh because it is connected to a larger body of water. Similarly, God wants us to be like rivers, connected to Him and allowing His blessings to flow through us to others.
We also discussed the dangers of a "set it and forget it" mindset, where automated giving can lead to a lack of intentionality and generosity. This mindset can make us like the priest and the Levite in the Good Samaritan story, who rationalized their inaction despite seeing a need. True generosity is love in action, as demonstrated by the Samaritan who stopped, helped, and provided for the injured man.
Generosity requires us to be spontaneous, strategic, and sacrificial. It involves planning to do good and standing firm in that commitment. Our church exemplifies this through our support of local, national, and global ministries. Generosity also means offering sacrificially, going beyond the tithe to support causes that align with God's heart.
God's promises related to generosity are numerous and often come with a premise that requires our active participation. He wants us to put Him first in our finances, acknowledging Him as the source of all provision. This relationship-based approach to giving ensures that we are not just fulfilling a duty but growing in our faith and impact.
In conclusion, we are called to examine our hearts and ask if we are truly putting God first in our finances. Are we like the pond, stagnant and self-focused, or like the river, flowing and generous? Let us strive to be rivers, allowing God's blessings to flow through us to meet the needs of others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Giving vs. Generosity: While giving is good and blesses both the giver and the receiver, true generosity goes beyond mere transactions. It involves a mindset that sees resources as flowing from God and meant to bless others. This mindset transforms our approach to money and possessions, making us conduits of God's blessings. [01:25]
2. Pond vs. River Mindset: A pond represents a stagnant, self-contained approach to resources, while a river symbolizes a dynamic, flowing connection to a larger source. God wants us to be like rivers, constantly receiving and giving, staying fresh and impactful. This metaphor helps us understand the importance of being connected to God and allowing His blessings to flow through us. [02:55]
3. Set It and Forget It Mindset: Automated giving methods can lead to a lack of intentionality and generosity. This mindset can make us like the priest and the Levite in the Good Samaritan story, who rationalized their inaction. True generosity requires us to be intentional, hearing God's voice and responding to needs around us. [09:19]
4. Generosity as Love in Action: The Good Samaritan story teaches us that generosity is love in action. It involves seeing a need, feeling compassion, and taking steps to meet that need, even at a personal cost. This kind of generosity reflects God's heart and demonstrates our faith in action. [12:12]
5. Spontaneous, Strategic, and Sacrificial Giving: Generosity involves being spontaneous, strategic, and sacrificial. We should be ready to respond to immediate needs, have a plan for regular giving, and be willing to give sacrificially. This comprehensive approach ensures that our generosity is impactful and aligned with God's purposes. [38:09]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:25] - The Blessing of Giving
[02:55] - Pond vs. River Mindset
[04:25] - Rationalizing God's Instructions
[06:13] - Online Giving and Mindset
[09:19] - Set It and Forget It Mindset
[10:42] - The Good Samaritan Story
[12:12] - Generosity as Love in Action
[15:04] - Rationalizations of the Priest and Levite
[18:27] - Daily Relationship with God
[20:04] - God's Promises and Relationship
[21:29] - Romans 8:28 and Relational Promises
[22:52] - Tithing and God's Instruction
[24:25] - Rationalizing Tithing
[25:59] - Testing and Trusting God
[27:20] - Personal Testimony on Tithing
[30:24] - The Widow's Offering
[31:59] - Examining Our Hearts
[33:42] - Doing Life with Jesus
[35:06] - Generosity and Time
[36:41] - Expanding Impact Through Generosity
[38:09] - Spontaneous, Strategic, and Sacrificial Giving
[44:24] - Tim Keller's Quote on the Bible
[46:13] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 20:35 - "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
2. Luke 6:38 - "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.”
3. Malachi 3:10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 20:35, what did Jesus say about giving and receiving?
2. In Luke 6:38, what does Jesus promise will happen when we give?
3. What does Malachi 3:10 say about the blessings that come from tithing?
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between a pond and a river mindset regarding money and possessions? [02:55]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus say it is more blessed to give than to receive, and how does this principle apply to our daily lives? [01:25]
2. How can the metaphor of a pond versus a river help us understand our relationship with money and generosity? [02:55]
3. What are the potential dangers of a "set it and forget it" mindset in our giving, according to the sermon? [09:19]
4. How does the story of the Good Samaritan illustrate the concept of generosity as love in action? [12:12]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current approach to giving. Do you see yourself more as a pond or a river? What steps can you take to become more like a river in your generosity? [02:55]
2. Have you ever found yourself rationalizing why you can't give or help someone in need, similar to the priest and the Levite in the Good Samaritan story? How can you overcome these rationalizations? [10:42]
3. How can you ensure that your giving is intentional and not just a "set it and forget it" action? What practical steps can you take to hear God's voice in your giving? [09:19]
4. Think of a time when you gave spontaneously to meet a need. How did that experience impact you and the person you helped? How can you be more open to spontaneous acts of generosity? [38:09]
5. What does sacrificial giving look like in your life? Are there areas where you can give more sacrificially to support causes that align with God's heart? [42:57]
6. How can you plan your giving strategically to ensure it aligns with God's purposes and maximizes your impact? What specific plans can you put in place? [41:18]
7. Reflect on the promises of God related to generosity mentioned in the sermon. How can you trust and test these promises in your own financial life? [20:04]
Devotional
Day 1: The Blessing of Generosity
Generosity is more than just giving; it is a mindset that sees resources as flowing from God and meant to bless others. While giving is good and blesses both the giver and the receiver, true generosity goes beyond mere transactions. It involves a mindset that transforms our approach to money and possessions, making us conduits of God's blessings. This mindset helps us understand that our resources are not just for our own benefit but are meant to be shared to bless others and fulfill God's purposes.
Generosity enriches the giver as much as the receiver. When we give generously, we align ourselves with God's heart and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being a blessing to others. This kind of giving is not about the amount but about the heart behind it. It is about recognizing that everything we have comes from God and is meant to be used for His glory and the good of others. [01:25]
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: How can you shift your mindset from merely giving to being truly generous? What steps can you take today to become a conduit of God's blessings to others?
Day 2: Pond vs. River Mindset
A pond represents a stagnant, self-contained approach to resources, while a river symbolizes a dynamic, flowing connection to a larger source. God wants us to be like rivers, constantly receiving and giving, staying fresh and impactful. This metaphor helps us understand the importance of being connected to God and allowing His blessings to flow through us. When we hoard resources like a pond, we become stagnant and self-focused. However, when we allow God's blessings to flow through us like a river, we remain fresh and impactful, continually blessing others.
Being a river means recognizing that our resources are not just for our own benefit but are meant to be shared. It means trusting God as our source and being willing to let go of what we have to bless others. This mindset shift helps us live with open hands, ready to receive from God and give to others. It keeps us connected to God and ensures that we are always in a position to be a blessing. [02:55]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: Are you living with a pond or river mindset? How can you allow God's blessings to flow through you to others today?
Day 3: Intentional Generosity
Automated giving methods can lead to a lack of intentionality and generosity. This mindset can make us like the priest and the Levite in the Good Samaritan story, who rationalized their inaction. True generosity requires us to be intentional, hearing God's voice and responding to needs around us. It involves being present and aware of the opportunities to give and bless others, rather than just setting up automated giving and forgetting about it.
Intentional generosity means being proactive in looking for ways to bless others. It means being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and being willing to step out in faith to meet the needs around us. This kind of generosity reflects God's heart and demonstrates our faith in action. It requires us to be engaged and involved, not just going through the motions but truly seeking to make a difference. [09:19]
James 2:15-17 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: How can you be more intentional in your generosity today? What specific needs around you can you respond to with love and action?
Day 4: Generosity as Love in Action
The Good Samaritan story teaches us that generosity is love in action. It involves seeing a need, feeling compassion, and taking steps to meet that need, even at a personal cost. This kind of generosity reflects God's heart and demonstrates our faith in action. It is not just about giving money but about being willing to invest our time, energy, and resources to help others.
Generosity as love in action means being willing to go out of our way to help others. It means being moved by compassion and being willing to make sacrifices to meet the needs of those around us. This kind of generosity is a powerful witness to the love of Christ and can have a profound impact on those we help. It shows that we are not just talking about love but living it out in practical ways. [12:12]
1 John 3:17-18 (ESV): "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: How can you put your love into action today? What specific steps can you take to meet the needs of those around you, even if it requires a personal sacrifice?
Day 5: Spontaneous, Strategic, and Sacrificial Giving
Generosity involves being spontaneous, strategic, and sacrificial. We should be ready to respond to immediate needs, have a plan for regular giving, and be willing to give sacrificially. This comprehensive approach ensures that our generosity is impactful and aligned with God's purposes. Spontaneous giving means being open to the Holy Spirit's leading and being willing to give whenever a need arises. Strategic giving involves planning and setting aside resources to give regularly. Sacrificial giving means being willing to give beyond what is comfortable, trusting God to provide for our needs.
This approach to giving helps us to be well-rounded in our generosity. It ensures that we are always ready to give, have a plan for regular giving, and are willing to make sacrifices to bless others. It helps us to be intentional and proactive in our generosity, ensuring that we are making a significant impact for God's kingdom. [38:09]
2 Corinthians 8:3-4 (ESV): "For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints."
Reflection: How can you incorporate spontaneous, strategic, and sacrificial giving into your life? What steps can you take today to ensure that your generosity is well-rounded and impactful?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Yes, God talks a lot about giving in the Bible. In fact, he speaks about giving over a thousand times more than he speaks about belief or promise. Prayer or love combined. This is a big deal to God. And while churches don't tend to talk about this topic in a sermon or in a series very often, God sure does. And he does for many reasons, not least of which is because he wants us to grow in our generosity." [01:25] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Generosity is love in action. See, if we have a set and forget mindset, then at the very least, we're going to miss opportunities to hear God's voice, to see the need in front of us, and to respond like the priest and the Levite. At very worst, we're going to potentially, like the pond, try to get our arms around situations to rationalize them, justify them, and explain away why we did what we did, why we saw the good that we should have done and we failed to do it." [12:12] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, he is so extremely interested. In a relationship with us, it's as if he puts out a neon sign every day, saying, I want you to pursue me. I'm jealous for you. I think the world of you. I want to be put in my rightful place. I want to be connected to you and have you dependent upon me. I love this quote from George Washington Carver. He said this, I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour. Here's the kicker. If we would only tune in." [18:27] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You cannot do life for Jesus without doing life with Jesus. Connected in a relationship. Connected to the source. Acknowledging and dependent upon the source of the provision. Who is the provider? And then like the river, saying, I want to be part of that plan. I recognize what you give to me doesn't just stay with me. And you're testing me so that you can trust me so that I am the river. And what you give to me flows from me into the lives of others." [33:42] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The world of the generous gets larger and larger. The world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. I mean, basically the approach of the stingy is that it's not enough. I'm the one who's got to manage this and impact this and invest this. I'm the one who's building this. I'm the one who's putting myself out there as the architect of it all. My plan's better than God's plan. The generous says, man, you're more than enough. You're more than enough. You're more than enough. You're going to pour down a blessing, and you have to meet my needs and the needs for me, the needs from me." [36:41] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "See, if we're not careful, the ease of the methods can turn into the ease of the mindset. And we can adopt a mindset, what I like to call a set it and forget it mindset. A set it and forget it mindset. See, this mindset can so easily fool us, can so easily get us off track, and so easily cause us to not give this topic the attention and the focus that it deserves, the attention and the focus that God gives to it in his word." [09:19] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When a set it and forget it mindset creeps in, we begin to stop considering God in a daily relationship. And as a result, our ability to hear God's voice, his counsel, his direction begins to likely also wane. See, we hear tithing and in our minds, we examine the rules, right? What is it that they're making me do? What is it that they're trying to get from me? You know, is it, tithing all the time? Is it, what is it? Tenth, the 10%, 10% of what? Gross net. I'm going to get my arms around this. I'm going to try to rationalize it, explain it away." [24:25] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He says, put me to the test, but make no mistake about it. He's testing us all the time. He's testing us that what he trusts us with doesn't just stay with us, but it actually goes from us into the lives of others. And when he trusts us that that's what we are, not the pond, but the river, then he entrusts us with more. And it flows, and it offers, and it supplies. We don't like to be tested. We like what is tested." [25:59] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The issue is not the method. The methods are great. And the issue is not even the amount. We talked in this series about the widow with two coins, right? Two copper coins equaling about a penny. The issue is not the amount. What I love about that story is that Jesus is sitting at the temple, sitting. He's at the temple. He could be doing anything. He could be teaching Jews in the temple. He could be talking to the rabbis in the temple. He could be doing Savior stuff, right? He's sitting. And the Bible says he's actually sitting right by where the offering's being given. He's watching. He's watching." [30:24] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The world tends to examine the Bible looking for things that they cannot accept. I mean, take tithing and financial generosity off the table for a second. We hear this all the time in the news. The Bible talks about slavery, but we can't take the Bible for truth. The Bible talks about polygamy, but we can't take the Bible for truth, right? God's always inviting us, desiring us to go deeper with what's in the Bible, what the verses actually mean. The world tends to examine the Bible looking for things they cannot accept. I'm going to get my arms around this to explain it away. Christians should reverse. That allowing the Bible to examine us, looking for things that God cannot accept." [44:24] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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