Generosity and Stewardship: Aligning Hearts with God
Summary
In today's message, we explored the often uncomfortable topic of money and generosity through the lens of the biblical narrative. We began by examining the story of the Magi in Matthew chapter 2, who brought gifts to Jesus at the manger. This scene, often romanticized in our nativity displays, was actually quite uncomfortable and messy, much like the reality of our own lives. The Magi, likely practitioners of a different faith, brought valuable gifts to Jesus, symbolizing the importance of giving and generosity.
We then transitioned to Matthew chapter 6, where Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This passage challenges us to examine where our true treasures lie and to consider the spiritual implications of our financial decisions. The concept of "mammon," a term used by Jesus, was discussed as a representation of the spiritual battle surrounding money. This battle is not just about the physical currency but about the spiritual forces that can influence our relationship with wealth.
The message emphasized that God not only accepts our resources but expects them, not as a tyrant, but for our own good and the good of others. We are reminded that everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His resources. Our generosity should not be compared to cultural standards but to the example set by Christ, who calls us to deeper levels of giving and selflessness.
Practical steps were offered to help us align our financial practices with God's desires. These include starting with a tithe but not being bound by it, listening to wise counsel, and obeying God's guidance in our financial decisions. Ultimately, the message encourages us to view God not as a hall monitor waiting for us to fail, but as a loving Father cheering us on, desiring our hearts and our alignment with His will.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Manger Scene and Generosity: The Magi's visit to Jesus highlights the importance of giving, even when it feels uncomfortable. Their gifts symbolize the call to be generous with our resources, recognizing that God accepts and expects our offerings for our good and His glory. [02:58]
2. Understanding Mammon: Jesus' use of the term "mammon" suggests a spiritual battle over money, where we must choose between serving God or being enslaved by wealth. This choice reflects a deeper spiritual reality, urging us to prioritize God's kingdom over material possessions. [21:47]
3. God's Expectations for Our Good: God's expectations regarding our resources are not arbitrary but are meant for our benefit. By giving back to God, we acknowledge His ownership and align ourselves with His purposes, fostering a spirit of generosity and stewardship. [12:18]
4. Practical Steps in Generosity: Start with a tithe as a guideline, but don't be confined by it. Listen to wise counsel and obey God's direction in your financial decisions, ensuring that your generosity reflects Christ's example rather than cultural norms. [27:24]
5. God's Desire for Our Hearts: Beyond our resources, God's ultimate desire is for our hearts. He is a loving Father who wants us to experience the fullness of life with Him, using our finances as a means to draw us closer to His presence and purposes. [37:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:42] - Introduction to the Topic
- [02:58] - The Manger Scene and the Magi
- [06:19] - Understanding Resources
- [07:24] - The Taboo of Money
- [09:12] - The Cost of Living
- [11:01] - God's Acceptance and Expectation
- [12:18] - God's Expectations for Our Good
- [13:19] - Stewardship and Ownership
- [14:46] - God's Priorities and Our Resources
- [16:26] - God's Favor for the Poor and Oppressed
- [18:20] - Matthew 6: Treasures in Heaven
- [19:34] - Serving God vs. Mammon
- [21:47] - The Spiritual Battle Over Money
- [23:33] - Fighting the Force of Mammon
- [25:18] - Comparing Generosity to Christ
- [27:24] - Practical Steps in Generosity
- [28:25] - Listening to Wise Counsel
- [30:53] - Obedience and Community Support
- [35:51] - God's Desire for Our Hearts
- [37:03] - God as a Loving Father
- [38:51] - Aligning Our Hearts with God
- [40:05] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 2:1-11
- Matthew 6:19-24
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Observation Questions:
1. What gifts did the Magi bring to Jesus, and what might these gifts symbolize in the context of generosity? [02:58]
2. How does the sermon describe the Magi's background and their significance in the story of Jesus' birth? [06:19]
3. According to Matthew 6:19-24, what are the two types of treasures mentioned, and what is the significance of each? [18:20]
4. What does the term "mammon" refer to, and how is it used in the sermon to describe a spiritual battle? [21:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the Magi challenge our understanding of who can be generous and what true generosity looks like? [06:19]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our financial decisions have spiritual implications? [12:18]
3. How does the concept of "mammon" as a spiritual force influence our understanding of money and wealth? [21:47]
4. What does it mean to store treasures in heaven, and how can this perspective change our approach to money and possessions? [19:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncomfortable giving or being generous. What can you learn from the Magi's example of giving despite discomfort? [02:58]
2. Consider your current financial priorities. How might they change if you viewed all your resources as belonging to God? [13:19]
3. How can you actively fight against the influence of "mammon" in your life? What practical steps can you take to ensure your financial decisions align with God's desires? [23:33]
4. What are some ways you can start or increase your practice of tithing or giving, even if it feels challenging? [27:24]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to deeper generosity. What steps can you take this week to respond to that call? [25:18]
6. How can you involve wise counsel in your financial decisions to ensure they reflect Christ's example rather than cultural norms? [28:25]
7. Reflect on your view of God as a loving Father. How does this perspective influence your willingness to be generous with your resources? [37:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Generosity Amidst Uncertainty
The story of the Magi visiting Jesus is often depicted as a serene and beautiful scene, but in reality, it was filled with uncertainty and discomfort. The Magi, who were likely from a different faith background, traveled a great distance to bring valuable gifts to Jesus. Their actions symbolize the importance of giving, even when it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient. This narrative challenges us to consider how we can be generous with our resources, recognizing that God accepts and expects our offerings for our good and His glory. The Magi's journey and their gifts remind us that true generosity often requires stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting in God's provision. [02:58]
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: Think of a situation where you feel hesitant to give due to uncertainty. How can you step out in faith and practice generosity in that area today?
Day 2: The Spiritual Battle Over Wealth
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus speaks about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, introducing the concept of "mammon" as a representation of the spiritual battle surrounding money. This battle is not merely about physical currency but involves spiritual forces that can influence our relationship with wealth. Jesus challenges us to examine where our true treasures lie and to prioritize God's kingdom over material possessions. The choice between serving God or being enslaved by wealth reflects a deeper spiritual reality, urging us to align our financial decisions with our faith and values. [21:47]
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where money has become a source of stress or temptation. How can you reframe your perspective to prioritize God's kingdom over material wealth?
Day 3: Stewardship for Our Good
God's expectations regarding our resources are not arbitrary but are meant for our benefit and the benefit of others. By giving back to God, we acknowledge His ownership and align ourselves with His purposes, fostering a spirit of generosity and stewardship. Everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His resources. This understanding calls us to manage our finances in a way that reflects God's priorities and values, rather than cultural standards. Our generosity should be modeled after Christ's example, who calls us to deeper levels of giving and selflessness. [12:18]
1 Chronicles 29:14 (ESV): "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you."
Reflection: Consider how you currently manage your resources. What changes can you make to better reflect God's ownership and purposes in your financial decisions?
Day 4: Practical Generosity
Practical steps in generosity begin with a tithe as a guideline, but we should not be confined by it. Listening to wise counsel and obeying God's direction in our financial decisions ensures that our generosity reflects Christ's example rather than cultural norms. This approach encourages us to be intentional and thoughtful about how we use our resources, seeking to honor God in all aspects of our financial lives. By aligning our financial practices with God's desires, we can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a generous life. [27:24]
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: Reflect on your current giving habits. How can you take a step beyond your comfort zone to practice generosity in a way that aligns with Christ's example?
Day 5: God's Desire for Our Hearts
Beyond our resources, God's ultimate desire is for our hearts. He is a loving Father who wants us to experience the fullness of life with Him, using our finances as a means to draw us closer to His presence and purposes. This perspective shifts our focus from merely fulfilling obligations to cultivating a deeper relationship with God. By aligning our hearts with His will, we can experience the joy and peace that come from living in harmony with His desires for our lives. [37:03]
Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV): "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite God into your financial decisions to ensure they reflect your commitment to Him and His purposes for your life?
Quotes
And so as we talk about resources this morning, I want to just like kind of draw all this down to maybe describe in detail what a resource is. A resource is either the money that is associated with it or what the money can buy. It's both and. And money is one of those taboo topics in our culture. We don't like talking about money. [00:06:19] (20 seconds)
But I do want to start with a hard comment, though. You see, God, Jesus incarnate at the manger scene, the magi, they come, they bring their three gifts, and they are received by Mary. And Joseph essentially received by God himself, right? See, God, he accepts our resources. He accepts our monetary gifts and offerings. But not only does he accept them, but he expects them. [00:11:01] (31 seconds)
God, when He gives us a rule, He doesn't give us a rule because He's just trying to exercise some authoritarian regime over us. He's giving us a rule. He's giving us a rule. He's giving us a rule. He's giving us a rule. He's giving us a rule because it somehow works for our good. And so, how is it that giving God our resources works for our good? [00:13:19] (17 seconds)
The second reason that it is good for God to expect our resources from us, that's awkward, I don't know where my notes are. Oh, yep, there they are. Because our resources, they are needed in some of God's top priorities. As you look through the New Testament, in fact, go to the Old Testament too, Old Testament and New Testament, you're going to see a couple of priorities that always come to the forefront of what God is doing. [00:14:46] (25 seconds)
No one can serve two masters, for you will hate one and love the other. You'll be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. Now, we just read that out of the New Living Translation. It's a great translation. I really like it. That last word in verse 24, though, I want us to just hone in on that last word, money. [00:18:20] (24 seconds)
There's this kind of different spin, this different twist on money that's a little bit more direct. But Jesus, every time he talked about money, he used this term that was in reference to this false god. And the way that the church for a very long time has interpreted what mammon is, is essentially saying, hey, this isn't just money. There is a spiritual battle going on around us. [00:21:47] (28 seconds)
And the way that the church kind of interpreted this passage is that Jesus is literally just saying, like, hey, look, you're either going to worship this demonic force that wants you to have money and wants you to hang on to it, or you can worship God, but you can't do both of them. You got God, you got this demonic force. Which one are you going to pick? [00:23:33] (19 seconds)
He's that father that's on the sideline that gives you his resources, not so that way he can watch and see how you fail, but rather so he can cheer you on and say, oh my gosh, I'm so proud of you. I wanted to give this great gift to you because I knew, I knew that if I could get this into your hands, you would, you would follow through and you would give this back to me. [00:37:03] (23 seconds)
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