Living Generously: Building Community Through Trust and Giving

Devotional

Day 1: Building True Community in Life Groups

True familial bonds within the church are formed in smaller, more intimate settings like life groups. These groups allow for deeper connections, mutual support, and spiritual growth. Consider leading or joining a group to foster a sense of belonging and community. Life groups are essential for creating a supportive environment where members can share their lives, pray for one another, and grow together in their faith. They provide a space for vulnerability and accountability, which are crucial for spiritual growth.

In a large church setting, it can be easy to feel lost or disconnected. Life groups help bridge that gap by offering a more personal and engaging experience. They are a place where you can be known and loved, and where you can know and love others in return. By participating in a life group, you are not only investing in your own spiritual growth but also contributing to the growth and well-being of others. [46:41]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think about your current level of involvement in your church community. What steps can you take this week to either join or start a life group to foster deeper connections and spiritual growth?

Day 2: The Profound Meaning of the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are not just a list of rules but a foundation for a flourishing life. The eighth commandment, "You shall not steal," challenges us to live as givers rather than takers, reflecting God's loving generosity. This commandment goes beyond the act of stealing material possessions; it calls us to examine our hearts and our attitudes towards others. Are we living in a way that takes from others, or are we contributing to their well-being?

Living as givers means adopting a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. It means recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and that we are called to share those gifts with others. This perspective shifts our focus from what we lack to what we can give, fostering a spirit of generosity and gratitude. By living generously, we reflect God's character and contribute to a flourishing community. [49:57]

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: Reflect on your attitude towards giving. Are there areas in your life where you are holding back from being generous? How can you start to shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance this week?

Day 3: The Impact of Stealing on Relationships

Stealing damages relationships, whether it's between friends, family, or even within ourselves. The alternative to stealing is generosity, which builds and strengthens relationships. Living generously reflects God's character and fosters a sense of community. When we steal, we break trust and create barriers between ourselves and others. This can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation.

On the other hand, generosity opens the door to deeper connections and mutual support. It creates an environment where people feel valued and cared for. By choosing to live generously, we contribute to a culture of trust and love, which is essential for healthy relationships. Generosity is not just about giving material possessions; it also involves giving our time, attention, and love to others. [53:40]

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: Think about a relationship in your life that has been strained or damaged. How can you practice generosity towards that person this week to begin rebuilding trust and connection?

Day 4: Trusting God Overcomes Worry

Living a life of generosity requires us to trust God fully, even when it doesn't make sense. Trusting God overcomes the worry that often leads us to hold on tightly to what we have. Worry serves as an indicator of our level of trust in God. When we worry, we are essentially saying that we do not trust God to provide for our needs. This can lead us to hoard our resources and live in a state of fear and anxiety.

However, when we choose to trust God, we can let go of our worries and live with open hands. Trusting God means believing that He is faithful and that He will provide for us in ways we could never imagine. It means stepping out in faith and being generous, even when it feels risky. By trusting God, we can experience the freedom and joy that comes from living a life of generosity. [57:13]

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are experiencing worry or anxiety. How can you practice trusting God in that area this week and take a step towards living more generously?

Day 5: God's Ultimate Act of Generosity

God demonstrated the ultimate act of generosity by giving His only Son, Jesus, for our salvation. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live generously for the betterment of others, reflecting God's love and grace. This is the essence of kingdom living. God's generosity is the foundation of our faith, and it calls us to respond with generosity towards others.

Living generously means more than just giving our resources; it means giving our lives in service to others. It means being willing to sacrifice our own comfort and convenience for the sake of others. By living generously, we reflect the love and grace of God to a world in need. This is how we participate in God's kingdom and contribute to the flourishing of our communities. [01:17:23]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 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: Reflect on the ultimate act of generosity that God demonstrated through Jesus. How can you embody this same spirit of generosity in your daily life? What specific actions can you take this week to live more generously for the betterment of others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Abundant Life Church! Today, I want to emphasize the importance of community and family within our church. We believe that church is family, but true familial bonds are formed in smaller, more intimate settings like our life groups. As we approach the fall, we are preparing for a series on what it means to be a follower of Jesus in a non-Christian world. To facilitate this, we need to start more life groups. I urge you to consider leading or joining a group to foster deeper connections and spiritual growth.

We then transitioned to our ongoing series on the Ten Commandments, focusing on the eighth commandment: "You shall not steal." Often, we see the Ten Commandments as a list of rules, but they are much more profound, serving as a foundation for a flourishing life. The eighth commandment, in particular, challenges us to live as givers rather than takers. God is a God of loving generosity, and He calls us to reflect His character by living generously.

Stealing damages relationships, whether it's between friends, family, or even within ourselves. The alternative to stealing is generosity, which builds and strengthens relationships. Jesus modeled this life of giving, and we are called to follow His example. Living a life of generosity requires us to trust God fully, even when it doesn't make sense. Trusting God overcomes the worry that often leads us to hold on tightly to what we have.

I shared a personal story about a time when Erin and I had to trust God completely, even when it seemed illogical. Through that experience, we learned that God is faithful and provides in ways we could never have imagined. This trust in God is essential for living a life of generosity. God demonstrated the ultimate act of generosity by giving His only Son, Jesus, for our salvation. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live generously for the betterment of others, reflecting God's love and grace.

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Key Takeaways

1. Community and Family in Church: True familial bonds within the church are formed in smaller, more intimate settings like life groups. These groups allow for deeper connections, mutual support, and spiritual growth. Consider leading or joining a group to foster a sense of belonging and community. [46:41]
2. The Deeper Meaning of the Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments are not just a list of rules but a foundation for a flourishing life. The eighth commandment, "You shall not steal," challenges us to live as givers rather than takers, reflecting God's loving generosity. [49:57]
3. The Impact of Stealing on Relationships: Stealing damages relationships, whether it's between friends, family, or even within ourselves. The alternative to stealing is generosity, which builds and strengthens relationships. Living generously reflects God's character and fosters a sense of community. [53:40]
4. Trusting God Overcomes Worry: Living a life of generosity requires us to trust God fully, even when it doesn't make sense. Trusting God overcomes the worry that often leads us to hold on tightly to what we have. Worry serves as an indicator of our level of trust in God. [57:13]
5. God's Ultimate Act of Generosity: God demonstrated the ultimate act of generosity by giving His only Son, Jesus, for our salvation. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live generously for the betterment of others, reflecting God's love and grace. This is the essence of kingdom living. [01:17:23]
### [77:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:41] - Importance of Life Groups
[47:42] - Call to Start New Groups
[49:10] - Transition to Ten Commandments
[49:57] - Deeper Look at the Ten Commandments
[51:22] - Relational Aspect of Commandments
[52:47] - Understanding "You Shall Not Steal"
[53:40] - Impact of Stealing on Relationships
[54:49] - God's Generosity
[55:36] - Alternative to Stealing: Generosity
[56:28] - Trust vs. Worry
[57:13] - Worry as a Faith Indicator
[58:44] - Definition and Impact of Stealing
[61:21] - Choosing to Give in Love
[63:07] - Activity: Fist vs. Open Palm
[65:15] - Living for the Betterment of Others
[66:20] - Trusting Jesus in Generosity
[68:01] - Storing Treasures in Heaven
[69:46] - Personal Story of Trust
[77:23] - God's Ultimate Generosity
[78:00] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does the eighth commandment, "You shall not steal," imply about our behavior towards others? (Exodus 20:15)
According to Matthew 6:25-27, what are we instructed not to worry about, and what example does Jesus use to illustrate this point?
How does John 3:16 demonstrate God's ultimate act of generosity?

Interpretation Questions

How does the commandment "You shall not steal" reflect God's character of loving generosity? ([54:49])
In what ways does worry serve as an indicator of our level of trust in God, according to the sermon? ([57:13])
How does the personal story shared by the pastor illustrate the principle of trusting God over worry? ([01:09:46])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current involvement in the church community. How can you contribute to forming deeper connections and fostering a sense of family within a life group? ([46:41])
Think about a time when you were tempted to take something that wasn't yours. How can you choose generosity over taking in similar situations in the future? ([52:47])
What are some specific worries you have about your life right now? How can you practice trusting God with these worries this week? ([57:13])
How can you model Jesus' example of generosity in your daily interactions with others? ([55:36])
Identify a relationship in your life that has been damaged by selfish actions. What steps can you take to rebuild and strengthen that relationship through acts of generosity? ([53:40])
Consider the pastor's story about trusting God during a difficult decision. Is there a decision in your life where you need to trust God more fully? What steps can you take to lean on His guidance? ([01:09:46])
How can you live out the principle of storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth in your daily life? ([01:08:01])

Sermon Clips

1. "And, so the best way that we really know how to do that here as a church is in what we call small groups or life groups here at Abundant Life Church. And, that's where the life of the church, Gareth has said sometimes, it's where the engine of the church kind of happens. Is when we are in community with just a few other people. And, we can just go. A little deeper with them." [46:41] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What we see on the surface when we think about the Ten Commandments is a list of rules, of things that we shouldn't be doing, or rules to follow. But, what we don't see maybe below the surface is an actual foundation for our life that was provided for us to help us flourish in our life. Pastor Gareth says it like this, that God who is in love with us writes a love letter that has some incredible keys to blessing and human flourishing." [50:37] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And see, as we read the Bible, what we discover is that God is a God of loving generosity. He delights in pouring out blessing upon blessing on his children. He doesn't take, God is not a taker, he doesn't take for his own benefit, but God is a giver, and he chooses to bless us." [54:49] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Worry comes easy for us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6, verse 25, he says, therefore, I tell you, do not worry. Do not worry. Do not worry. Don't worry about your life. Don't worry about what you will eat. Don't worry about what you will drink. Don't worry about your body. Don't worry about what you will wear. He's saying, don't worry. And I'll bet most of us could give testimony that that's easier said than done, right? Worry comes easy for us." [57:13] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Worry comes easy for me. As somebody who wrestles with some anxiety in my own life, like, worry comes really easy. Trust is hard. It's easy. There's so many things in life to worry about, especially about worrying about things like not having enough, not having enough maybe money or not having enough time or not having enough attention or not having enough opportunities. There's so many things that we could worry about. Worry comes easy. Trust is hard." [57:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "And what I want you to notice as you squeeze your fist is the tension and the stress that's in your body. As you squeeze your fist and you're trying to hold on so tightly. And I want you to notice like the energy it actually takes to keep holding on. The other thing I want you to notice is you can't receive it. You're not able to give anything, and you're not able to give anything. Now what I want you to do is I want you to open your palms, and I just want you to keep your palms out." [01:03:07] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And this is what the life of trust looks like. This is a palms-up kind of life of surrender, where you're free to live with generosity because you're not holding on with such a tight grip of all of the things that you have. And now you're free to give towards the betterment of your neighbors, instead of wishing you had what your neighbors had." [01:04:10] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I think sometimes you don't know what the Lord is calling you to here until you take a step. You're not gonna see what's over here. And sometimes you have to take the step before you kind of see what the next steps are gonna be and what unfolds. And I believe that's where God wants us. There's a point in all of our lives where God wants us to say, you know what, this doesn't make sense. I'm not leaning on the wisdom of the world, I'm leaning on the wisdom of God to trust him." [01:15:52] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "By the way, this is the heart of God towards us, right? It's in God's nature to freely and generously pour out his love and blessing upon us. God is not a thief. God is not a taker. God is a giver. He's the giver of all good things in our life. And the eighth commandment really reflects just that. It's that that's the heart of God. God is the giver of all good things in our life." [01:16:48] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "God demonstrated, ultimately, his generosity and his goodness and his love to us when he sent Jesus to die on the cross. A verse that's so familiar probably to all of us in John 3.16, it says, for this is how God loved the world. It says he gave. He gave. He gave. He gave his one and only son. He gave his one and only son. He gave his one and only son. He gave his one and only son. So that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." [01:17:23] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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