Generosity: Returning Our Blessings to God

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound connection between our blessings and our calling to be a blessing to others. We delved into the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel, a woman who exemplified true giving by dedicating her long-awaited son to the Lord. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that everything we possess is a gift from God, and our response should be one of generosity and surrender.

We began by acknowledging the blessings in our lives, recognizing that even if we don't have the best of everything, compared to much of the world, we are indeed blessed. However, the critical question we must ask ourselves is whether we are a blessing to others. Are we giving back as much as we have received? It's time to consider returning to the sender, to God, what He has graciously given us.

The concept of "Return to Sender" was likened to the idea of special delivery, where we intentionally and wholeheartedly give back to God. We examined the life of Hannah, who, despite her deep anguish over being childless, made a vow to God that if He granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord's service. When God answered her prayer, she faithfully fulfilled her promise, demonstrating the essence of true giving.

We also addressed the topic of contentment, emphasizing that a lack of contentment can lead to confinement. By understanding that God is our ultimate source, we can find contentment in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. This understanding liberates us to live generously, without the fear of scarcity.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of aligning our priorities with God's priorities. Our financial habits often reflect what we truly value, and if we claim to be passionate about God's work, it should be evident in how we manage our resources. We were challenged to consider a money-back guarantee on tithing, encouraging us to trust God with our finances and witness His faithfulness in return.

Finally, we were reminded that our earthly possessions are temporary and that our true home is with the Lord. As we navigate the challenges of life, including financial pressures, we must remember that our hope is in Christ, and our lives should reflect His love and generosity to a world in need.

Key Takeaways:

- Hannah's story teaches us that true giving is not about parting with our leftovers but offering our best and most treasured gifts back to God. Just as she gave her son, the very answer to her prayers, we too should be willing to surrender our blessings for God's purposes. [54:42]

- Contentment is not found in acquiring more but in appreciating what we already have. Paul's secret to contentment, as shared in Philippians 4:12, is a lesson for us all. We must learn to be content in every situation, recognizing that our worth and joy are not dependent on material possessions. [53:12]

- Our relationship with money should reflect our relationship with God. If we claim to trust God with everything, our finances will show it. Generosity is not just about giving a portion but about a lifestyle of giving that aligns with our professed faith in God's provision. [01:08:32]

- The concept of a money-back guarantee on tithing is a bold challenge to put our faith into action. It's an invitation to experience God's faithfulness firsthand and to witness how our obedience can lead to blessings beyond our expectations. [01:02:14]

- Living within our means and prioritizing God's kingdom is a powerful testimony to those around us. In a world where financial strain is common, our trust in God and our willingness to live differently can draw others to the hope we have in Christ. [01:04:34]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 1:2-28 - The story of Hannah's vow and dedication of her son Samuel to the Lord.
2. Philippians 4:12 - Paul's secret to contentment in all circumstances.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Hannah's vow to God if He granted her a son? ([41:30])
2. How did Hannah demonstrate her faithfulness after God answered her prayer? ([42:25])
3. According to Philippians 4:12, what has Paul learned about contentment?
4. What analogy did the pastor use to describe the concept of "Return to Sender"? ([38:25])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Hannah's story illustrate the principle of giving our best to God rather than our leftovers? ([42:27])
2. What does it mean to find contentment in God as our ultimate source, as illustrated by both Hannah's and Paul's experiences? ([44:00])
3. How can our financial habits reflect our relationship with God, according to the sermon? ([57:00])
4. What is the significance of the "money-back guarantee" on tithing mentioned in the sermon? How does it challenge our faith in God's provision? ([01:00:01])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt blessed by God. How did you respond to that blessing? Did you share it with others or keep it to yourself? ([38:03])
2. Hannah gave her most treasured blessing back to God. What is something valuable in your life that you might be holding back from God? How can you surrender it to Him? ([42:27])
3. Paul found contentment in all circumstances. Identify a current situation where you struggle with contentment. How can you shift your perspective to find peace in God's provision? ([53:12])
4. The sermon mentioned that our financial habits reflect our true values. Review your recent spending. Does it align with your professed faith and priorities? What changes can you make? ([57:00])
5. The concept of a "money-back guarantee" on tithing was introduced as a challenge to trust God. Are you willing to take this challenge? Why or why not? ([01:00:01])
6. Living within our means and prioritizing God's kingdom can be a powerful testimony. What practical steps can you take this week to live more simply and generously? ([01:04:34])
7. The sermon emphasized that our true home is with the Lord. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and long-term goals? ([01:03:00])

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering Our Best to God
True giving involves offering our most valued blessings to fulfill God's purposes. Reflecting on Hannah's story, we see a profound example of sacrificial love and dedication. She did not merely give from her surplus or convenience; she offered her most precious gift, her son, back to God. This act of surrender was not a loss but a transformation of her blessing into a higher calling. It challenges us to evaluate our own giving. Are we holding back our best from God, or are we willing to trust Him with what we value most? True generosity begins with a willingness to give not just what is easy but what is esteemed, trusting that God's plans for our gifts far exceed our own.

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:27-28 ESV)

Reflection: What is the most treasured blessing in your life right now, and how can you offer it back to God in a way that serves His purposes? [54:42]

Day 2: Contentment in Every Circumstance
Contentment is a state of heart that does not hinge on external circumstances but on a steadfast trust in God's provision. The Apostle Paul spoke of learning to be content in any and every situation, a secret that lies not in abundance but in the assurance of God's presence and sufficiency. This contentment frees us from the confinement of constant want, allowing us to live generously and joyfully. When we understand that our worth is not measured by our possessions but by our relationship with God, we can experience true joy and satisfaction, regardless of our material status.

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." (Philippians 4:12 ESV)

Reflection: How does your current level of contentment affect your ability to be generous with others, and what steps can you take to find joy in what you already have? [53:12]

Day 3: Reflecting Faith Through Finances
Our approach to money and possessions should mirror our faith in God's provision and promises. If we truly trust God with every aspect of our lives, our financial habits will reflect that trust. Generosity is not merely a transaction; it is a lifestyle that demonstrates our belief in God's ability to provide and our commitment to support His work. When we align our spending with our faith, we not only honor God but also become a testament to His faithfulness and love.

"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." (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you adjust your financial habits to better reflect your trust in God, and how might this act of faith become a witness to others? [01:08:32]

Day 4: Experiencing God's Faithfulness Through Tithing
The concept of a money-back guarantee on tithing is an invitation to test God's faithfulness. It is a bold step of obedience that challenges us to trust God with our finances and to witness how He can bless us in unexpected ways. Tithing is not merely a duty but an opportunity to participate in God's work and to experience His provision firsthand. As we give, we open ourselves to the blessings that come from living in accordance with God's principles.

"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." (Malachi 3:10 ESV)

Reflection: Are you willing to take the challenge of tithing as a way to experience God's faithfulness, and what might be holding you back from this commitment? [01:02:14]

Day 5: Living for God's Kingdom Amidst Financial Strain
In a world where financial pressures are prevalent, living within our means and prioritizing God's kingdom can be a powerful witness. Our hope in Christ should be evident in the way we handle our resources, demonstrating trust in God rather than succumbing to the anxiety of scarcity. By focusing on eternal treasures rather than temporary possessions, we can inspire others to seek the lasting hope and security found in a relationship with God.

"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." (Matthew 6:19-20 ESV)

Reflection: How can your financial decisions and lifestyle choices serve as a testimony of your faith in God's provision, and what changes might you need to make to align more closely with His priorities? [01:04:34]

Quotes

- "We need to learn the secret of contentment. Discontentment can come when we look at what we think we need and we don't have, instead of looking at what we have and going, thank God that I've got this." [53:12] (Download | )

- "Hannah, her deepest longing was to have a son... she was in such anguish that the priest thought she was a nut job... And she says, I am anguishing and asking the Lord to meet this need." [53:59] (Download | )

- "Friends, it's time to lighten the load and let's get ready to give our babies, like Hannah didn't say, God, here's everything you've ever given, everything I've longed for. I give it back to you." [01:04:34] (Download | )

- "You and I, I think we need to do a little bit of rewiring... we need to come to the place where we say, God, examine our hearts. Help my priorities become your priorities." [01:05:34] (Download | )

- "If you want to see what's important in somebody's life, look at their checkbook... if we're passionately saying, God, you can have everything I have, I trust it back to you, then it'll be demonstrated in our lives." [01:08:32] (Download | )

- "If after 90 days you haven't been financially benefited, we'll write you a check for everything you've given over the last 90 days. I've never seen anybody ask for that money back." [01:02:14] (Download | )

- "We say that this ain't our home... The problem is some of us got a lot of junk to be pilgrims. We got a lot of priorities that aren't lined up with kingdom thinking in order to make a difference for the cause of Christ." [01:03:00] (Download | )

- "Hannah realized that God alone was her source... everything we have in our lives is given to us from God himself... And when we understand that, then it changes our mindset." [45:29] (Download | )

- "A lack of contentment leads to confinement... we have to understand how much God loves us... our lack of contentment in what we have leads to us being stuck." [47:50] (Download | )

- "Hannah cried out to God and said, God, I need this. God, if you do this, I will give him back to you. And that's what we read. That the very thing she was longing for... she gave him back to God." [55:24] (Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?