Living Generously: Embracing God's Call to Give
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound call to live a life of generosity, deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus. The journey of faith is not just about personal growth but about becoming the people God envisioned, participating in His mission with a heart of generosity. We are reminded that life is not measured by possessions but by our relationship with God and our willingness to share with those in need. The story of Harry, a man who dedicated his life to financial generosity, serves as a powerful example of living out this call. Despite living modestly, Harry gave away 75% of his income, demonstrating that true wealth is found in giving rather than accumulating.
Jesus' teachings challenge us to rethink our relationship with money and possessions. He warns against the folly of hoarding wealth without a rich relationship with God, urging us to seek the kingdom above all else. This call to generosity is not just about financial giving but about a heart posture that prioritizes the needs of others, especially the poor. The early church exemplified this radical generosity, sharing everything they had and ensuring no one was in need. This countercultural approach stands in stark contrast to the materialistic values of our society.
As followers of Jesus, we are invited to adopt an eternal perspective, viewing our financial decisions in light of eternity. Giving is not a loss but an investment in the kingdom of God, where our treasure is safe and eternal. This perspective challenges us to live differently, to be generous with what we have, and to trust God as our provider. The call to generosity is a call to live as citizens of heaven, prioritizing God's work and aligning our lives with His purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- Lifelong Growth and Generosity: Our journey of faith is a lifelong commitment to growth, becoming the people God envisioned. This growth is marked by a heart of generosity, where we are challenged to give of ourselves and our resources for God's mission. True growth is not just personal but communal, as we participate in God's story together. [31:23]
- The Folly of Hoarding Wealth: Jesus warns against storing up earthly wealth without a rich relationship with God. Life is not measured by possessions but by our connection to God and others. This teaching challenges the materialistic values of our culture, urging us to seek the kingdom above all else. [36:57]
- Eternal Perspective on Giving: Generosity is an investment in the kingdom of God, where our treasure is eternal. Viewing our financial decisions in light of eternity shifts our focus from accumulation to giving, trusting God as our provider. This eternal perspective invites us to live counterculturally, prioritizing God's work. [58:32]
- Radical Generosity of the Early Church: The early church exemplified radical generosity, sharing everything they had and ensuring no one was in need. This countercultural approach challenges us to live differently, prioritizing the needs of others and aligning our lives with God's purposes. [01:03:47]
- Practical Steps to Generosity: Generosity is a spiritual practice that involves regular, proportional, sacrificial, voluntary, and joyful giving. It's a call to live as citizens of heaven, prioritizing God's work and aligning our lives with His purposes. This practice challenges us to trust God and live with an eternal perspective. [01:20:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [31:23] - Introduction to Generosity
- [34:03] - Community Announcements
- [35:39] - Prayer for Crosspoint Church
- [36:57] - Jesus' Teaching on Greed
- [38:33] - Trusting God Over Worry
- [39:41] - Storing Treasure in Heaven
- [41:21] - Harry's Story of Generosity
- [45:11] - Understanding Tithing
- [46:49] - Jesus' Call to Share with the Poor
- [49:17] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
- [52:44] - Wealth in Jesus' Time
- [55:58] - Modern Parable of Wealth
- [58:32] - Eternal Perspective on Giving
- [01:03:47] - Early Church's Radical Generosity
- [01:20:22] - Practical Steps to Generosity
- [01:31:39] - Legacy Offering and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living a Life of Generosity
Bible Reading:
- Luke 12:13-34
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns against a specific attitude towards wealth. What does He say about life and possessions? [36:57]
2. How does the story of the rich man in Luke 12:16-21 illustrate Jesus' teaching on wealth and relationships with God? [36:57]
3. What does Jesus suggest as a remedy for worry about material needs in Luke 12:22-31? [38:33]
4. How does the early church's practice of sharing possessions, as described in Acts 2:44-45, reflect the teachings of Jesus on generosity? [01:03:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might Jesus mean when He says, "Life is not measured by how much you own"? How does this challenge contemporary views on success and wealth? [36:57]
2. How does the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 serve as a warning against hoarding wealth? What does it suggest about the relationship between wealth and spiritual health? [36:57]
3. In what ways does Jesus' teaching in Luke 12:22-31 encourage believers to trust God as their provider? How does this trust relate to the call to generosity? [38:33]
4. How does the example of the early church's radical generosity challenge modern Christian communities to live differently? [01:03:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with money and possessions. How does Jesus' teaching in Luke 12 challenge you to rethink your priorities? [36:57]
2. Consider the story of Harry, who lived off 25% of his income to give generously. What steps can you take to increase your own generosity, even if on a smaller scale? [42:25]
3. Jesus calls His followers to seek the kingdom of God above all else. What practical changes can you make in your daily life to prioritize God's kingdom? [38:33]
4. The early church shared everything they had to ensure no one was in need. How can your small group or church community embody this spirit of generosity today? [01:03:47]
5. Identify a specific need within your community or church. How can you contribute to meeting that need, whether through financial support, time, or other resources? [01:13:23]
6. Jesus teaches that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What does this mean for how you allocate your financial resources? How can you align your spending with your values? [39:41]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt anxious about financial security. How can you apply Jesus' teaching on trusting God to alleviate these worries and embrace a more generous lifestyle? [38:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Lifelong Growth Through Generosity
The journey of faith is a lifelong commitment to growth, marked by a heart of generosity. This growth is not just about personal development but about becoming the people God envisioned, participating in His mission with a heart of generosity. True growth is communal, as we are called to give of ourselves and our resources for God's mission. The story of Harry, who gave away 75% of his income, exemplifies this call to live generously. His life demonstrates that true wealth is found in giving rather than accumulating. As we grow in faith, we are challenged to live out this generosity, aligning our lives with God's purposes. [31:23]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a specific area in your life where you can practice generosity today. How can you give of your time, resources, or talents to participate in God's mission?
Day 2: The Folly of Hoarding Wealth
Jesus warns against storing up earthly wealth without a rich relationship with God. Life is not measured by possessions but by our connection to God and others. This teaching challenges the materialistic values of our culture, urging us to seek the kingdom above all else. The story of the rich fool in the Bible serves as a reminder of the folly of hoarding wealth. Instead, we are called to prioritize our relationship with God and to share with those in need, living a life that reflects His values. [36:57]
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it." (Proverbs 15:16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with money and possessions. What steps can you take to ensure that your life is measured by your connection to God and others, rather than by material wealth?
Day 3: Eternal Perspective on Giving
Generosity is an investment in the kingdom of God, where our treasure is eternal. Viewing our financial decisions in light of eternity shifts our focus from accumulation to giving, trusting God as our provider. This eternal perspective invites us to live counterculturally, prioritizing God's work. As we give, we are reminded that our treasure is safe and eternal in God's kingdom. This perspective challenges us to live differently, aligning our lives with His purposes and trusting Him to provide for our needs. [58:32]
"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." (Luke 12:33, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your financial decisions to reflect an eternal perspective? What practical steps can you take to invest in the kingdom of God today?
Day 4: Radical Generosity of the Early Church
The early church exemplified radical generosity, sharing everything they had and ensuring no one was in need. This countercultural approach challenges us to live differently, prioritizing the needs of others and aligning our lives with God's purposes. The early believers lived in a way that stood in stark contrast to the materialistic values of their society. Their example invites us to consider how we can live out this radical generosity in our own lives, sharing what we have and ensuring that no one is in need. [01:03:47]
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." (Acts 2:44-45, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice radical generosity in your community? How can you ensure that the needs of others are prioritized in your life?
Day 5: Practical Steps to Generosity
Generosity is a spiritual practice that involves regular, proportional, sacrificial, voluntary, and joyful giving. It's a call to live as citizens of heaven, prioritizing God's work and aligning our lives with His purposes. This practice challenges us to trust God and live with an eternal perspective. As we give, we are reminded of our role in God's mission and the impact of our generosity on the lives of others. By taking practical steps to live generously, we align our lives with God's purposes and experience the joy of giving. [01:20:22]
"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 practical steps can you take to incorporate regular, joyful giving into your life? How can you align your financial decisions with God's purposes today?
Quotes
Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your Father great happiness to give you the kingdom. [00:39:41] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Generosity is one of the first steps we take. Into kingdom living. It's one of the first. We talk about taking next steps all the time. [01:20:22] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Changing our relationship to money is one of the first and most important steps that we can take into real kingdom living. [01:19:51] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We give our money away because Jesus gave his life for us. We give our wealth to the poor because Jesus gave up the wealth of heaven for the poverty of the human condition. [01:21:50] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And the other high challenge piece for us as Canadians is to remember that regardless of your income, in the global economy, every single one of us sits at the top one percent in the world. [01:22:42] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We know that through our local church, the poor are being cared for. The hope of Jesus is being championed. The message of Christ is being proclaimed with boldness and truth. [01:33:39] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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