Planting Seeds: The True Legacy of Giving
Summary
Leaving a legacy is about more than just the physical structures or material possessions we leave behind; it's about the seeds we plant in the lives of others. Reflecting on my father's dedication to building a church from the ground up, I realized that his true legacy wasn't the building itself, but the values, faith, and love he instilled in those around him. This legacy lives on in the lives he touched, including mine. Each of us is a product of someone else's sacrifices and investments, and we have the opportunity to continue this cycle by sowing seeds into the lives of others.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, challenges us to leave a legacy by investing in what we cannot see. He uses the metaphor of sowing and reaping to illustrate that the measure of our giving—whether sparingly or generously—determines the harvest we will receive. This principle applies not only to our finances but also to the spiritual and emotional deposits we make in others' lives. Legacy requires intentional deposits, and giving is a matter of the heart. It should be a joyful act, not done reluctantly or under compulsion, but as a reflection of our gratitude and trust in God.
God's ability to bless us is not limited to financial returns. Sometimes, the blessings come in the form of peace, joy, or contentment. Trusting God with our resources means recognizing that He can use any means to provide for us and that His blessings can manifest in various aspects of our lives. Ultimately, we cannot outgive God. His grace abounds in all things, at all times, ensuring that we have all we need to do every good work. Our giving is not just for our benefit but for the advancement of His kingdom and the blessing of others.
Key Takeaways:
1. Legacy Beyond Buildings: True legacy is not found in physical structures but in the values and faith we instill in others. The seeds we plant in people's lives continue to grow and impact future generations, far beyond any material legacy we might leave. [07:34]
2. Sowing and Reaping: The principle of sowing and reaping teaches us that the measure of our giving determines the harvest we receive. This applies to both financial and spiritual investments, encouraging us to give generously and trust God for the increase. [13:54]
3. Giving from the Heart: Our giving should be a joyful and voluntary act, reflecting our gratitude and trust in God. It is a personal decision that requires prayer and seeking God's guidance, ensuring that our hearts are aligned with His will. [24:37]
4. God's Abundant Provision: God's blessings are not limited to financial returns. He provides in various ways, offering peace, joy, and contentment. Trusting God with our resources means recognizing His ability to bless us in all areas of our lives. [24:37]
5. You Can't Outgive God: No matter how much we give, we cannot outdo God's generosity. His grace abounds in all things, at all times, ensuring that we have all we need to fulfill His purposes and bless others. [24:37]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to Legacy
- [03:15] - My Father's Sacrifice
- [06:45] - The True Meaning of Legacy
- [09:30] - Paul's Challenge to the Corinthians
- [12:00] - Sowing and Reaping Explained
- [15:20] - Legacy Requires Deposits
- [18:10] - Giving as a Heart Matter
- [21:00] - Joyful and Voluntary Giving
- [23:45] - God's Abundant Provision
- [26:30] - You Can't Outgive God
- [29:00] - God's Blessings in All Things
- [31:45] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Leaving a Legacy
Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Observation Questions:
1. What metaphor does Paul use in 2 Corinthians 9:6 to explain the principle of giving, and how does it relate to the concept of legacy? [07:34]
2. How did the pastor describe his father's approach to building a church, and what was the true legacy left behind? [07:34]
3. According to the sermon, what are some non-financial ways God blesses us when we give generously? [24:37]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the principle of sowing and reaping apply to both financial and spiritual investments, as discussed in the sermon? [13:54]
2. How does the pastor's story about his father's church building illustrate the idea that legacy is more about values and faith than physical structures? [07:34]
3. What does it mean to give from the heart, and how can this be a reflection of our trust in God? [24:37]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on someone who has planted seeds in your life. How can you honor their legacy by investing in others? [07:34]
2. Consider the principle of sowing and reaping. What is one area of your life where you can begin to sow more generously, whether financially, spiritually, or emotionally? [13:54]
3. How can you ensure that your giving is a joyful and voluntary act, rather than something done out of obligation or reluctance? [24:37]
4. Identify a specific way God has blessed you that is not financial. How can you express gratitude for this blessing in your daily life? [24:37]
5. Think about a time when you felt you couldn't outgive God. How did that experience shape your understanding of His generosity? [24:37]
6. What steps can you take to trust God more with your resources, recognizing His ability to provide in all areas of your life? [24:37]
7. How can you actively participate in leaving a legacy that goes beyond material possessions, focusing on the values and faith you instill in others? [07:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Legacy Beyond Buildings
True legacy is not found in physical structures but in the values and faith we instill in others. The seeds we plant in people's lives continue to grow and impact future generations, far beyond any material legacy we might leave. Reflecting on the dedication of those who have come before us, we see that their true legacy lies in the intangible gifts of wisdom, love, and faith they have imparted. These are the seeds that continue to flourish in the lives of those they touched, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond their lifetime. As we consider our own legacy, we are reminded that the most enduring impact we can have is through the lives we influence and the values we pass on. [07:34]
"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: Who in your life has left a legacy of faith and values that you admire? How can you begin to plant similar seeds in the lives of those around you today?
Day 2: Sowing and Reaping
The principle of sowing and reaping teaches us that the measure of our giving determines the harvest we receive. This applies to both financial and spiritual investments, encouraging us to give generously and trust God for the increase. Just as a farmer sows seeds with the expectation of a future harvest, we are called to invest in others with the hope of seeing growth and transformation. Our generosity, whether in time, resources, or love, is a reflection of our faith in God's provision and His ability to multiply our efforts for His glory. By sowing generously, we open ourselves to the abundant blessings that God has in store for us. [13:54]
"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: What is one area of your life where you can sow more generously, trusting God for the increase? How can you take a step towards that today?
Day 3: Giving from the Heart
Our giving should be a joyful and voluntary act, reflecting our gratitude and trust in God. It is a personal decision that requires prayer and seeking God's guidance, ensuring that our hearts are aligned with His will. When we give from the heart, we are not only contributing to the needs of others but also expressing our love and devotion to God. This kind of giving is not about the amount but the attitude with which we give, as it demonstrates our reliance on God's provision and our desire to be part of His work in the world. [24:37]
"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: Reflect on your current giving habits. Are they a true reflection of your gratitude and trust in God? What changes can you make to ensure your giving is aligned with His will?
Day 4: God's Abundant Provision
God's blessings are not limited to financial returns. He provides in various ways, offering peace, joy, and contentment. Trusting God with our resources means recognizing His ability to bless us in all areas of our lives. When we rely on God's provision, we open ourselves to experiencing His grace in unexpected ways. His blessings may come in the form of strengthened relationships, inner peace, or opportunities to serve others. By trusting in His abundant provision, we can rest assured that He will meet our needs and equip us for every good work. [24:37]
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what non-financial ways have you experienced God's provision in your life recently? How can you express gratitude for these blessings today?
Day 5: You Can't Outgive God
No matter how much we give, we cannot outdo God's generosity. His grace abounds in all things, at all times, ensuring that we have all we need to fulfill His purposes and bless others. As we give, we are reminded of the limitless nature of God's love and provision. Our acts of generosity are a response to the overwhelming grace we have received, and they serve as a testament to God's faithfulness. By embracing a lifestyle of giving, we participate in the advancement of His kingdom and become conduits of His blessings to others. [24:37]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you felt you couldn't give any more, yet God provided for you in unexpected ways. How can this experience encourage you to trust in His limitless generosity today?
Quotes
"I saw my parents sacrifice greatly for the church growing up. My father accepted his call around the age of 40, and not long after that, in 43, he would start a small family church. But the truth of the matter is that it didn't have a lot of means, and so my father would find an old building, and there he would remodel that building and turn it into a church." [00:00:24] (23 seconds)
"He was skilled with carpentry and electricity and framing and plumbing. And so while the owner of the building would help provide the materials, my dad would often do all the work along with me and my brothers and others, helping to rebuild this church. My father got into dumpster diving before dumpster diving was ever a thing." [00:00:47] (22 seconds)
"ministry it would never mean his his ministry in his legacy was not measured by the 1520 people that showed up on a Sunday morning that was measured by the continued growth and explosion that will continue to grow from the seeds that he planted friends the truth of the matter is that that's not just his leg in my mom's legacy but the truth of the matter is that the only reason I'm here is because of how the Lord used him to invest and leave a legacy in my life but I'm not the only one but every single one of us in this room you are a product of someone who planted seeds into your life who poured into your life who sacrificed so that you could have the opportunities that you have today that sacrificing paid tuition on bills they couldn't afford it and prayed prayers for you to one day get access to where you have today you were here because someone million happens and you you you you you you you you you" [00:03:10] (58 seconds)
"this is what he says he says he says he puts it this way he he says they are preparing deposits we in order to have a legacy it requires deposits to be made that you are who you are because someone deposited something into your life that you are who you are because their character shaped you their their their model for christ shaped you their their faith shaped you sometimes even their mistakes shaped you and it has made you who you are because of the deposits that have been made by others and so it is no surprise that as he tries to challenge the church or invite the church to their to get to make a deposit deposits also are about our finances what we give to impacts tomorrow our oh and he says you got a choice he says he says you can so to help them understand their giving he then borrows this agarian this agricultural model he says he that sows sparingly will reap sparingly he that sows generously generously will reap generous so so he borrows this you" [00:05:40] (79 seconds)
"somebody in the room knows that's your testimony but you've been generous with God and you found out that God has a way of being more generous to you than you can ever be to him that you can't control everything but when we are tight with God God says you gonna miss out on what I want to do in your life" [00:09:59] (25 seconds)
"Sometimes what he gives you is great joy. It's the same job. You still ain't got a pray raise, but he's giving you a sense of peace. He's blessed your health and your strength. He's covered your mind. He's covered your kids. You ain't got a whole lot, but you're content where you are. You still got the same car, but he's still keeping that same car. You're still in the same spot, still living with your parents, but God keeps on keeping you. This blessing is not always about finances. It's about spiritual stuff that sometimes only the Lord can do." [00:11:12] (41 seconds)
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