Living Generously: Trusting God Over Consumerism
Summary
The sermon explores the challenges of living in a culture that often conflicts with the teachings of Jesus, particularly in the areas of consumerism and the love of money. The speaker emphasizes the importance of resisting the gravitational pull of worldly desires and instead focusing on following Jesus. The antidote to the consumption assumption is generosity, which involves giving of our time, money, and resources. The speaker acknowledges that finances can be a significant struggle but stresses the importance of trusting in God and putting Him first in our lives, transitioning from a "me first" mentality to a "God first" mentality.
The concept of counterfeit gods, specifically the love of money, is discussed, with the speaker urging trust in God rather than money, which is unreliable. The Apostle Paul's advice to Timothy is referenced, encouraging the rich to be humble and trust in God, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. The speaker admits that while many may feel generous, true practice of generosity is often lacking. They highlight the need to prioritize generosity and support missions and charitable causes.
The speaker encourages the audience to be generous in their giving, suggesting that individuals can start by deciding to be generous and then progress to becoming regular givers, both financially and through the use of their time and talents. The importance of sacrificial giving is emphasized, where individuals give beyond what is comfortable. The speaker reminds that God is generous and good, and by trusting Him and prioritizing His kingdom, blessings will follow.
The sermon also addresses the importance of examining our schedules and spending habits, trusting God to provide for our needs, and creating margin in our finances by living within our means. The speaker challenges the congregation to reflect on their purchases and consider if they have brought true fulfillment, concluding with the promise that God is able to abundantly provide for all our needs.
The speaker reflects on the conclusion of the series, sharing a personal story about overcoming fear and relating it to the concept of gravity, which impacts our lives regardless of belief. They emphasize that we were created in the image of God to fulfill a purpose, encouraging the audience to live out their calling and find joy in serving God.
Lastly, the speaker discusses the concept of generosity, sharing a personal anecdote about a spontaneous act of generosity and emphasizing that true generosity is a deliberate decision to prioritize giving before consumption. They commend those in the church who consistently give regardless of their financial situation and challenge the notion that generosity is solely determined by cash flow.
Key Takeaways:
- The cultural pull towards consumerism and self-centeredness can be counteracted by a deliberate choice to live generously, giving of our time, resources, and finances. This shift from a "me first" to a "God first" mentality is essential for aligning our lives with the teachings of Jesus and resisting the influence of worldly desires. [54:52]
- Trusting in money as a source of security is a form of idolatry that can be overcome by placing our trust in God. The Apostle Paul's advice to Timothy serves as a reminder that true wealth is found in good works, generosity, and a willingness to share, which leads to storing up treasures for the future. [58:21]
- Generosity is not just an emotional response but a lifestyle choice that involves regular and sacrificial giving. By emulating God's generosity and goodness, individuals can experience the blessings that come from prioritizing God's kingdom and trusting in His provision. [01:24:48]
- Financial stewardship involves creating margin by living within our means and saving consistently. This approach allows us to trust God for our needs and challenges us to consider whether our spending habits lead to true fulfillment. [01:23:36]
- Generosity transcends financial giving and includes the giving of time and talents. It is a reflection of our creation in the image of God, designed to fulfill a purpose and find joy in serving others. The story of the widow's offering serves as a powerful example of sacrificial generosity that is not limited by the amount given. [01:03:35]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
> "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
2. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
> "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
3. Luke 21:1-4 (ESV)
> "Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what are the rich instructed to do with their wealth?
2. In Matthew 6:33, what are we instructed to seek first, and what is promised as a result?
3. How does Jesus describe the widow's offering in Luke 21:1-4, and why is it significant?
4. What does the sermon suggest is the "antidote to the consumption assumption"? ([53:08])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the uncertainty of riches in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about trusting in God rather than money? ([55:48])
2. How does seeking the kingdom of God first, as mentioned in Matthew 6:33, challenge the cultural pull towards consumerism and self-centeredness discussed in the sermon? ([54:52])
3. What does the story of the widow's offering in Luke 21:1-4 teach us about the nature of true generosity, and how does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on sacrificial giving? ([01:03:35])
4. How does the sermon’s concept of creating financial margin by living within our means relate to the biblical principle of stewardship? ([01:17:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spending habits. Are there areas where you can create more financial margin to allow for greater generosity? What steps can you take this week to start living within your means? ([01:17:06])
2. The sermon challenges us to move from a "me first" mentality to a "God first" mentality. What practical changes can you make in your daily life to prioritize God’s kingdom over your own desires? ([54:52])
3. Think about a time when you trusted in money for security. How can you shift your trust to God in similar situations in the future? ([55:48])
4. The sermon encourages regular and sacrificial giving. What specific commitment can you make to become a more consistent and sacrificial giver of your time, talents, or finances? ([01:24:48])
5. Consider the concept of generosity beyond financial giving. How can you use your talents and time to serve others in your community or church this week? ([01:02:47])
6. Reflect on a recent purchase. Did it bring you true fulfillment? How can you align your future spending with your values and trust in God’s provision? ([01:18:56])
7. The sermon mentions the importance of supporting missions and charitable causes. Identify one cause or mission you feel passionate about. How can you contribute to it in a meaningful way this month? ([59:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Generosity Counters Cultural Consumerism
Generosity is a conscious choice that stands in opposition to the prevalent consumer culture. By choosing to live generously, one aligns with the teachings of Jesus, resisting the self-centered pull of the world and embracing a "God first" mentality. This shift is not merely about giving away possessions but about a fundamental change in how one views and uses resources. [54:52]
Hebrews 13:5 - "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Reflection: How can you practice generosity today in a way that challenges consumerist impulses?
Day 2: Trust in God, Not Wealth
The pursuit of wealth can become idolatrous, but true security is found in God, not in financial abundance. Following Apostle Paul's advice to Timothy, one is called to be rich in good works and generosity, investing in treasures that have eternal significance rather than temporary material gain. [58:21]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 - "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Reflection: What is one step you can take to shift your trust from financial security to God's provision?
Day 3: Generosity as a Lifestyle
Generosity is a lifestyle that involves regular, intentional, and often sacrificial giving. It reflects God's own nature and leads to blessings that come from prioritizing His kingdom. This lifestyle extends beyond financial contributions to include the giving of time and talents. [01:24:48]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How can you incorporate sacrificial giving into your routine, and what might you need to sacrifice to do so?
Day 4: Stewardship and True Fulfillment
Living within one's means and creating financial margin are acts of stewardship that reflect trust in God's provision. This approach challenges individuals to evaluate their spending habits and consider whether their purchases lead to true fulfillment. [01:23:36]
Luke 12:15 - "Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"
Reflection: Examine your recent purchases. How do they align with your values, and do they contribute to true fulfillment?
Day 5: Purposeful Generosity Reflects God's Image
Generosity is not limited by the amount given but by the heart's willingness to serve others. It is a deliberate decision that reflects our creation in God's image and our purpose to find joy in serving. The widow's offering is a testament to the power of sacrificial generosity. [01:03:35]
Mark 12:43-44 - "Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you use your time and talents to serve others this week, regardless of your current resources?
Quotes
"We were created not just to consume but to give, whether it's money, whether it's our time, whether it's our treasure. The antidote to consumption is generosity." [53:08] (Download)
"Generosity means we have to lean into a ladder to ease the grip of the consumption worry and hurt. Those worries will always be so prevalent about finances." [54:06] (Download)
"It's about a Heavenly Kingdom where He's in charge, He's in power, He can do what He wants to do, and we put Him first in our lives, we're changing our 'me first' kingdom to 'His kingdom first'." [54:52] (Download)
"Here's the promise: God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." [01:23:36] (Download)
"Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment." [57:01] (Download)
"By being generous and ready to share, we store up a treasure as a good foundation for the future, reminding us that true riches are not in wealth but in good works." [58:21] (Download)
"Generosity is not measured by the amount we give, but by the sacrifice we make. It's the intentional and sacrificial giving that truly reflects the condition of our hearts." [01:04:26] (Download)
"Generous people from the outset are people that have pre-decided that there's a portion of what they have that they're going to give to other people, whether they feel like doing it or not." [01:02:01] (Download)
"Generosity is often not spontaneous. We also think that generosity is determined by our cash flow... but you can be generous because you decide to be generous, whenever you decide that's a priority." [01:02:47] (Download)
"It's not the amount that counts, it's the sacrifice. For instance, if a person who makes $1,000 a month decides to give $100 versus a person who makes trillions of dollars a month, the person who gives a smaller amount is actually more generous because it's sacrifice." [01:03:35] (Download)
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