Intentional Generosity: A Lifestyle of Giving

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of living generously, contrasting it with the more common practice of being generous in the moment. The idea is not just about giving spontaneously or when prompted, but about adopting a lifestyle where generosity is premeditated, calculated, and designated. This approach to generosity is not about the amount given but about the intentionality and the percentage of one's resources that are dedicated to others.

We began by imagining a scenario where all the money we've wasted in life is suddenly available in a checking account, but the only option is to give it away. This thought experiment highlights the potential joy and impact of living generously. The series we're in, "You'll Be Glad You Did: Timeless Advice for Trouble Times," is about making decisions that lead to a life without regrets, and today's focus is on financial generosity.

Generosity myths were debunked, such as the belief that generosity is spontaneous or that it is determined by the amount given. Instead, true generosity is about pre-deciding to give a certain percentage of one's income, regardless of the amount. This approach ensures that giving is not dependent on emotional appeals or immediate cash flow but is a consistent and intentional part of one's financial life.

We also discussed the importance of having a plan for generosity, which involves deciding in advance where to allocate resources based on gratitude and what breaks one's heart. This proactive approach allows for more meaningful and impactful giving, aligning one's financial practices with their values and beliefs.

Ultimately, living generously is about aligning our financial habits with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized putting others first. By doing so, we not only fulfill a spiritual calling but also experience greater joy and freedom in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Generosity as a Lifestyle: True generosity is not about spontaneous acts of giving but about adopting a lifestyle where giving is premeditated and intentional. This means having a plan and a percentage of income dedicated to giving, which ensures that generosity is a consistent part of life. [06:04]

2. Debunking Generosity Myths: Generosity is not determined by the amount given or by spontaneous acts. Instead, it is about the intentionality and percentage of one's resources dedicated to others. This approach allows for more meaningful and impactful giving. [12:52]

3. The Power of a Plan: Having a plan for generosity involves pre-deciding where to allocate resources based on gratitude and what breaks one's heart. This proactive approach ensures that giving is aligned with one's values and beliefs, leading to more thoughtful and intentional financial decisions. [19:43]

4. Aligning with Jesus' Teachings: Living generously aligns our financial habits with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized putting others first. This not only fulfills a spiritual calling but also brings greater joy and freedom in life. [23:06]

5. The Joy of Generosity: Generous people are often the happiest because they experience the joy of giving and the freedom from being consumed by material possessions. This lifestyle change can lead to more peace and fulfillment. [40:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:14] - Imagining a Generous Life
- [04:01] - Series Overview
- [05:23] - Wisdom Between the Rules
- [06:04] - Live Generous vs. Be Generous
- [07:52] - Consumed by Consumption
- [09:25] - Random Acts of Giving
- [12:52] - Debunking Generosity Myths
- [16:25] - The Widow's Mite
- [19:43] - Definition of Generous Living
- [22:21] - Reversing the Order
- [25:39] - Avoiding Hypocrisy
- [29:36] - Designating Your Giving
- [35:33] - Saving vs. Living Generous
- [40:56] - The Joy of Generosity

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Generously

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 21:1-4 (The Widow's Offering)
2. Matthew 6:21 (Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also)
3. Acts 20:35 (It is more blessed to give than to receive)

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of the widow's offering, what did Jesus highlight about the widow's contribution compared to the others? How does this relate to the concept of generosity discussed in the sermon? [15:39]

2. According to the sermon, what are some myths about generosity that were debunked? How do these myths differ from the true nature of generosity? [09:51]

3. What is the significance of having a plan for generosity, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this differ from spontaneous giving? [20:12]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between generosity and the teachings of Jesus? What does it mean to align our financial habits with Jesus' teachings? [23:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the widow's offering in Luke 21:1-4 challenge common perceptions of generosity based on the amount given? What does this story teach about the heart behind giving?

2. The sermon suggests that generosity is not about the amount but the intentionality and percentage of resources dedicated to others. How does this perspective change the way one might approach giving? [12:52]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living generously can lead to greater joy and freedom? How does this align with the biblical teaching that it is more blessed to give than to receive? [40:56]

4. How does the concept of pre-deciding where to allocate resources based on gratitude and what breaks one's heart reflect the teachings of Jesus about where our treasure and heart should be? [30:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current financial habits. Do you have a plan for generosity, or do you find yourself giving more spontaneously? What steps can you take to create a more intentional giving plan? [20:12]

2. Consider the myths about generosity discussed in the sermon. Have any of these myths influenced your understanding of generosity? How can you shift your mindset to embrace true generosity? [09:51]

3. Identify one area in your life where you feel particularly grateful. How can you express this gratitude through intentional giving? What organization or cause aligns with this gratitude? [30:20]

4. Think about a cause or issue that breaks your heart. How can you incorporate this into your giving plan? What specific actions can you take to support this cause consistently? [30:44]

5. The sermon emphasizes aligning financial habits with Jesus' teachings. What changes can you make in your financial life to better reflect the values of putting others first? [23:06]

6. How can you involve your family or community in discussions about generosity and giving? What benefits might come from making generosity a shared value and practice? [30:33]

7. Reflect on a time when you experienced joy from giving. How can you cultivate more opportunities for this joy in your life through intentional and planned generosity? [40:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Generosity as a Lifestyle
True generosity is not about spontaneous acts of giving but about adopting a lifestyle where giving is premeditated and intentional. This means having a plan and a percentage of income dedicated to giving, which ensures that generosity is a consistent part of life. [06:04]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: What percentage of your income can you intentionally set aside for giving, and how can you make this a consistent practice in your life?


Day 2: Debunking the Myths of Generosity
Generosity is not determined by the amount given or by spontaneous acts. Instead, it is about the intentionality and percentage of one's resources dedicated to others. This approach allows for more meaningful and impactful giving. [12:52]

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

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you gave spontaneously. How can you shift your mindset to make generosity a planned and intentional part of your life?


Day 3: The Power of a Generosity Plan
Having a plan for generosity involves pre-deciding where to allocate resources based on gratitude and what breaks one's heart. This proactive approach ensures that giving is aligned with one's values and beliefs, leading to more thoughtful and intentional financial decisions. [19:43]

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce." (Proverbs 3:9, ESV)

Reflection: What are the causes or needs that break your heart? How can you create a plan to support them consistently?


Day 4: Aligning Generosity with Jesus' Teachings
Living generously aligns our financial habits with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized putting others first. This not only fulfills a spiritual calling but also brings greater joy and freedom in life. [23:06]

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35, ESV)

Reflection: How can you align your financial habits with the teachings of Jesus, and what changes can you make to prioritize others in your giving?


Day 5: Experiencing the Joy of Generosity
Generous people are often the happiest because they experience the joy of giving and the freedom from being consumed by material possessions. This lifestyle change can lead to more peace and fulfillment. [40:56]

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt joy from giving. How can you cultivate this joy regularly by freeing yourself from material possessions and focusing on generosity?

Quotes


Imagine if your whole life, you just picked a percentage, boom, you know, it's $10 a week or $100 a week, or I'd say. Imagine how much money you would've given away responsibly to things you believed in and were passionate about. And do you know where all that money here's? You know where all the money went that you didn't give away? You don't know. You have nothing to show for it. I mean, you know, you'd be got some other stuff, and you upgraded your vacation, but for the most part, where did it go? I don't know, I don't have anything to point to. [00:38:24]

Generous people have already decided ahead of time where they're going to give or allocate their giving money. Generous people don't have to be asked. Generous people don't wait to be asked. Generous people are proactive. They've discovered, here are the things that are important to me. Here are the things that are making a difference in the world, I'm gonna let them know I'm gonna be proactive in my giving. I'm gonna go ahead and designate this. This doesn't mean you don't give sporadically. This doesn't mean you don't give spontaneously. But that's the add-on giving. [00:29:36]

Generous people pre-decide. That's what calculated means. Generous people pre-decide. They don't wait to be asked. They don't wait to be asked to see what's in their purse or in their wallet and their checking account, or I gotta think about it. Let me kind of get home again. No, no, they have pre-decided. They've pre-decided an amount or a percentage, and percentage is better because percentage rises and falls with income. They pick a percentage, and they set it aside, and that money is as good as given. [00:27:06]

Generous living, here's what we're gonna learn to do. The premeditated, calculated, designated emancipation of financial assets, hold your applause, that's right. The premeditated, we're gonna talk about that. Talk about that calculated, designated emancipation that is the liberation of our financial assets. So, the first word is premeditated. In order to live generously, in order to live generous, you have to have a plan. Look it up here. I don't care how much money you have, how much money, how little money you have. [00:19:43]

If you don't have a plan, you will not, and you cannot be generous. If you don't have a plan, it is impossible for you to be a generous person. You will confuse random acts of generosity with generosity, but you're not necessarily a generous person because without a plan, you don't know. You have to have a plan. You'll be a consumer, and you'll be what I call a Triple S Giver because you're gonna give, we all give. The Triple S Giver, spontaneous. You know, we talked about that in the moment. [00:20:20]

The amount is not what makes generosity generous. Boy, well, she gave such a generous contribution. Well, again, you don't know if it's generous or not. You don't know the context she gave out of. You only know the context that you give out of. So consequently, sometimes we think, "Oh, well, I don't need to give. I can't give much, so I shouldn't give at all." No, no, no, no, generosity is not about the amount. The amount is not what counts. In fact, interestingly enough, on this point, Jesus actually addressed this one directly. [00:13:27]

You can't follow Jesus if other people are last in any capacity because the whole idea of following Jesus is following Jesus puts others first because He put you first. This is why Jesus said so much about money because money is, oftentimes, the key, and food, but money is the key to our heart, right. And it's the thing that determines where our heart is. Where your treasure is, your heart is. Where your heart goes, your treasure goes. Jesus knew this, He didn't need anybody's money. [00:23:06]

If you call yourself a Christian, if you're trying to be a Jesus follower, you can't live like this. You can't. If this is a reflection of your money, you are not following Jesus. You may pray, you may believe. You may be offended that I'd say that. How dare you say that to me? Just read the Gospels. If you think I'm being hard on you just read the Gospels, okay? You can't follow Jesus if other people are last in any capacity because the whole idea of following Jesus is following Jesus puts others first because He put you first. [00:22:21]

Generous people don't feel guilty saying no because they've already said yes. Generous people don't feel, thank you for asking, but no. I don't feel guilty, no, no, no, I don't feel guilty, because you see, I'm not an emotional giver. I don't give based on the plea and the pictures. I mean, if you got, you give money to anything you want to, I'm not telling you to say no. I'm just telling you when you say no, it's because you've already said yes. You've already answered the question. We have chosen a percentage. [00:36:30]

You will be glad you did. If nothing else, you will be less consumed and controlled by our culture of consumption, because this is the way forward. So, real quick, I'm gonna give you a definition of generous living or how to live generously. It's very clunky. I made it up. You don't have to memorize it because I'm gonna walk you through it. So, here it is. Generous living, here's what we're gonna learn to do. The premeditated, calculated, designated emancipation of financial assets, hold your applause, that's right. [00:19:43]

Imagine if you had that checking account, all the good you would do and all the good you could do. And you know what? You're generous in your heart. I bet most every one of you are. I wish I could do more. Hey, do you really wish you could do more? Well, I did before you preach the sermon, and now I'm kind of afraid to answer that question. Because if you would, come on, if you wish you could do more, you could do more. I'm telling you, you have no idea what your giving capacity is until you have a plan. [00:40:00]

You can't consume your way to happiness. You've already tried. It's impossible because of, you are made in the image of Creator God. And He says, "You wanna be happy? Then you flip the script on how you manage your money and you'll save more, you'll consume less. You'll give more, and you will be happier." You won't be blessed, I wanna be clear. You won't be blessed in the sense of you gave God a dollar, He gave you 10, I don't believe that. You live in the United States of America. [00:41:00]

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Transcript
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