Transforming Hearts: Embracing a Lifestyle of Generosity
Summary
In this new series, we are diving into the topic of giving and generosity, a subject that can evoke a range of emotions within a church community. Some may feel joy and anticipation, while others might experience sadness or even anger. However, the essence of giving is deeply rooted in the heart's alignment with God's kingdom. The Bible teaches that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Therefore, our financial contributions are a reflection of our heart's priorities. Over the next four weeks, the goal is to transform our perspective on giving, not just financially, but also in terms of time, talents, and relationships.
The concept that it is more blessed to give than to receive is rooted in the teachings of Jesus. When we give, we mirror the nature of our Heavenly Father, who gave His only Son out of love for the world. This act of giving is not just about financial transactions but about embodying love and generosity in all aspects of life. The Macedonian churches exemplified this by giving generously despite their extreme poverty, demonstrating that generosity is not about the amount but the heart's posture.
We often struggle with a scarcity mindset, fearing that giving will leave us lacking. This mindset is like having a bag with holes, where resources seem to disappear as quickly as they come. In contrast, a barn mindset trusts in God's provision, believing that He will bless abundantly when we prioritize Him first. This mindset shift is crucial for breaking the cycle of scarcity and embracing a life of abundance and generosity.
As we approach the week of generosity, the challenge is to extend this spirit of giving throughout the year. Generosity should not be a one-time event but a lifestyle that reflects our faith and trust in God's provision. By aligning our finances with God's principles, we open ourselves to His blessings, not just materially but in every area of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Heart of Giving: True giving reflects the heart's alignment with God's kingdom. Our financial contributions are not just transactions but expressions of where our heart truly lies. When we give, we mirror God's nature, who gave His only Son out of love for the world. [02:31]
- Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset: Many struggle with a scarcity mindset, fearing that giving will leave them lacking. This mindset is like a bag with holes, where resources seem to disappear. In contrast, a barn mindset trusts in God's provision, believing that He will bless abundantly when we prioritize Him first. [15:02]
- Generosity as a Lifestyle: Generosity should not be confined to a specific week or event but should be a lifestyle. By embracing a generous spirit, we reflect our faith and trust in God's provision, opening ourselves to His blessings in every area of life. [06:53]
- The Power of Tithing: Tithing is not just an Old Testament law but a principle that predates the law. It is an act of worship and obedience that invites God's blessings. By giving the first fruits, we honor God and trust Him to bless the rest. [20:57]
- Breaking the Cycle of Scarcity: The cycle of scarcity can be broken by shifting our mindset and prioritizing God first. When we give, God multiplies, building our faith and moving us from a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindset. This transformation allows us to be more generous and blessed. [30:53]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:31] - The Joy of Giving
- [06:53] - Radical Generosity
- [15:02] - Mindset Matters: Bag vs. Barn
- [17:32] - The Cycle of Scarcity
- [20:57] - The Principle of Tithing
- [28:49] - Tithing in the New Testament
- [30:53] - Breaking the Scarcity Cycle
- [32:44] - The Macedonian Example
- [34:40] - The Call to Radical Generosity
- [39:34] - Testing God in Generosity
- [39:34] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Heart of Giving
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
2. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 - The generosity of the Macedonian churches.
3. Malachi 3:10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
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Observation Questions:
1. What emotions does the topic of giving and generosity evoke within a church community, according to the sermon? [02:31]
2. How did the Macedonian churches exemplify generosity despite their circumstances? [32:44]
3. What are the two mindsets discussed in the sermon, and how do they differ in terms of giving? [15:02]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of tithing, and how does it relate to the concept of first fruits? [20:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" challenge individuals to reflect on their financial priorities? [02:31]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a scarcity mindset can impact one's ability to give generously? [15:02]
3. How does the sermon interpret the act of tithing as an expression of faith and trust in God's provision? [20:57]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between generosity and experiencing God's blessings in various areas of life? [39:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current mindset regarding giving. Do you identify more with a bag mindset or a barn mindset? How can you begin to shift towards a barn mindset? [15:02]
2. Consider the Macedonian churches' example of generosity. How can you practice generosity in your own life, even if you feel you have limited resources? [32:44]
3. How can you incorporate the principle of tithing into your financial planning? What steps can you take to prioritize giving as an act of worship? [20:57]
4. The sermon challenges us to make generosity a lifestyle rather than a one-time event. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a generous spirit throughout the year? [06:53]
5. How can you test God in the area of generosity, as suggested in Malachi 3:10, and what are you hoping to learn or experience through this test? [39:34]
6. Reflect on a time when you experienced joy from giving. How can you recreate that experience in your current circumstances? [02:31]
7. Identify one area of your life where you can be more generous with your time, talents, or relationships. What specific action will you take this week to demonstrate generosity in that area? [06:53]
Devotional
Day 1: The Heart's True Alignment
True giving is a reflection of the heart's alignment with God's kingdom. It is not merely about the act of giving but about where our heart truly lies. When we give, we mirror the nature of God, who gave His only Son out of love for the world. This act of giving is a profound expression of our priorities and values. It challenges us to examine whether our financial contributions and other forms of giving reflect a heart that is aligned with God's purposes. By understanding that our treasure and heart are interconnected, we can begin to see giving as an opportunity to align ourselves more closely with God's kingdom. [02:31]
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current financial priorities. Do they reflect a heart aligned with God's kingdom? What changes can you make to better align your heart with God's purposes today?
Day 2: Embracing the Barn Mindset
Many people struggle with a scarcity mindset, fearing that giving will leave them lacking. This mindset is like having a bag with holes, where resources seem to disappear as quickly as they come. In contrast, a barn mindset trusts in God's provision, believing that He will bless abundantly when we prioritize Him first. This mindset shift is crucial for breaking the cycle of scarcity and embracing a life of abundance and generosity. By trusting in God's provision, we can move from a place of fear to a place of faith, knowing that God will provide for our needs as we prioritize Him. [15:02]
"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: Identify an area in your life where you feel scarcity. How can you begin to trust God more in this area and adopt a barn mindset today?
Day 3: Generosity as a Daily Practice
Generosity should not be confined to a specific week or event but should be a lifestyle. By embracing a generous spirit, we reflect our faith and trust in God's provision, opening ourselves to His blessings in every area of life. This means looking for opportunities to give not just financially, but also in terms of time, talents, and relationships. When we live generously, we embody the love and generosity of God, impacting those around us and inviting God's blessings into our lives. [06:53]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of one practical way you can practice generosity today, whether through your time, talents, or resources. How can this act of generosity reflect your faith and trust in God?
Day 4: The Principle of Tithing
Tithing is not just an Old Testament law but a principle that predates the law. It is an act of worship and obedience that invites God's blessings. By giving the first fruits, we honor God and trust Him to bless the rest. Tithing is a tangible expression of our faith and trust in God's provision, acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him. It challenges us to prioritize God in our finances and trust Him to provide for our needs as we honor Him with our first fruits. [20:57]
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current practice of tithing. How does it reflect your trust in God's provision? What steps can you take to honor God with your first fruits more faithfully?
Day 5: Breaking the Cycle of Scarcity
The cycle of scarcity can be broken by shifting our mindset and prioritizing God first. When we give, God multiplies, building our faith and moving us from a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindset. This transformation allows us to be more generous and blessed. By trusting in God's provision and prioritizing Him, we can break free from the fear of scarcity and embrace a life of abundance and generosity. This shift in mindset not only impacts our finances but also every area of our lives, allowing us to experience God's blessings more fully. [30:53]
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." (Malachi 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific area where you feel trapped in a cycle of scarcity. How can you begin to prioritize God in this area and trust Him to provide abundantly?
Quotes
"This series that we're about to start, I used to dread it. I used to dread this subject. I used to dread this topic. But over the years, I've grown to love it. It actually just brings a lot of joy to me. And I mean, like, truly love it. Because it shows where your heart is. Not only in your life, but with the kingdom of God. And the subject we're going to talk about as we lead up to next month, to the week of generosity, we're going to talk about giving. We're going to talk about generosity. And no subject will ignite a church like talking about giving. It'll ignite in some the anticipation and the joy of, I get to give." [00:00:00] (36 seconds)
"But have you ever thought, why is it more blessed to give than receive? And the answer is because when we give, I don't think we can ever be more like our Father in heaven. I don't think we can ever be more like Him and we were created in His image than when you and I give. The most famous scripture in all of the Bible, John 3 16, for God so loved the world that He what? He gave. He gave His only begotten Son. He gave to His Son the most valuable thing that He had. He gave that first and it was motivated by love." [00:02:44] (31 seconds)
"So if by deductive reasoning, if God is love and love gives and God gives, then we have to give as well. Love has to give. So if love gives, and I think we would stand to reason that you can't truly love without being a giver now she's going to say i'm not telling the truth but the devil is a lie i love my wife kelly but she's a cover stealer she hogs the covers at night she'll tell you it's me but it ain't true and i love my covers but i love my wife kelly and my life more than i love those covers so i let her keep them i love my sons this last week grant calls me and says hey dad i got to have some new clothes can i come over you got any clothes that i can have and you know what my first reaction was and i hate to tell you this i was going to go through my closet and everything that i don't wear and that i don't like i was going to let him choose from it but you know what i did i fought against my flesh and i turned him loose in my closet and i said go through and pick what you want and i let him have it why because i love my son more than i love my stuff and i want to ask you do you love people do you love life do you love what god has given you more than you love god and and i don't want to hold on to stuff and what i've discovered is is when you love a lot you want to give more and maybe you're here today and you feel like but pastor i want to give i can't give and the most biggest reason people tell that i can't give pastor i really want to seriously i do but i can't give because i don't have enough to give and i call that a spirit of lack a spirit of fear the fear that if i give i'm not going to have what i need when i actually need it if i give it away and i need it i won't have it and it's called a scarcity mindset can i tell you a prime example of what scarcity mindset is when you go into my garage and you see the leaf and lawn size bag of power cords that i have no idea what they go to they're just adapters and power cords that go to things that i used to own or owned that people who工... that people think it's just because zostaive...", [00:03:55] (139 seconds)
"Because what we do is every single year, for probably the last 12 years, we've taken up a huge offering. We go out into our community and we bless our community. Young, old, rich, and poor. We bless everybody because everybody needs a blessing. And to show them that God is thinking about you and that God loves you. And we do it with such joy and a giving heart. Because you know why? Most people, when they think of the church, they think the church is out to get. They think we're always asking for something from them. So what we do as a church, we give here so that we can go out there and give out there. And it kind of throws them off their game." [00:06:53] (39 seconds)
"Two mindsets when it comes to money. The bag mindset and the barn mindset. I had a bag mindset for years, and let me explain. The bag mindset believes you just don't have enough. I mean, I'd really like to give more, Pastor, but I don't have enough. And some of you can relate to this. You feel the same exact way. Haggai chapter 1 verse 6 says it this way. You eat, but you don't have enough. It's like having a teenager in your house. You eat, but you don't have enough. You drink, but you're not yet filled. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And watch this. And he who earns wages, earns wages to put in a bag with holes." [00:15:22] (45 seconds)
"The second mindset is the barn mindset. The barn mindset says, I got enough. I got more than enough because God's going to bless me. Deuteronomy 28a says if you fully obey the Lord, fully obey Him, here's what the Lord promises to do. The Lord will send a blessing on your what? Your barns, the barn mentality. And on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land He has given you. That's the barn mindset. It's believing that when God's a part of it, then you're going to have more than enough. And that's how the Macedonians lived." [00:17:08] (35 seconds)
"Now, today, when we talk about giving first fruits, that's a word that we use in the church called tithing. And nothing that I've experienced in 37 years of ministry will cause buttcheeks to clench and put a foam crease down the middle of our chairs is a pastor that says tithe in church. People are like, ooh. Why? Because we got the wrong mindset. But God's given us the recipe for financial freedom here. Now, often people will say, well, tithing's Old Testament, Pastor Derek. We're not under the law anymore." [00:20:24] (34 seconds)
"Malachi 3 10 the most famous scripture used when it comes to tithing says this bring the whole tithe not just a portion the whole tithe all 10 into the storehouse that there may be food in my house i want to ask you a question how many of you think there should be food in the house how many of you think the church should be generous that when people show up that we should be able to be generous all right how many of you know that this building is not the church we are the church so if we believe that the church should be generous you and i are the church so therefore we must be generous and it starts with us being generous and the storehouse it says bring it into the storehouse that's the that's the church and it says test me in this it's the only place in scripture where god says bet try me test me and see if it ain't true says the lord almighty and see if i will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it" [00:23:35] (54 seconds)
"Because I believe, this is my philosophy, I believe that when you and I are obedient to the Word of God and we bless God in the first fruits, it's like an umbrella of protection over our lives. It's not, God's not going to get you, but the devil's coming after you. And when you dial back the umbrella and you shrink back in your giving, you open up. His attacks, he's going to come after your air conditioner. He's going to come after your tires. He's going to come after your, you know, that serpentine belt that goes all through your engine. He's going to come after it all." [00:27:22] (30 seconds)
"Because ask yourself, what parts of God's Word don't apply to you? And the starting point for me is that 10 % that I give back to God. Because you know what tithing will do? It breaks the vicious cycle of scarcity off your life and creates a healthy new cycle of supply. But the barn mindset, let me show you what it does. When God supplies, the first thing that you do is we give. God supplies that finances come in, that supply comes in, we give. And then God says, now that you gave, I'm going to take that and I'm going to multiply it. So God multiplies it. And then when he multiplies it, what does it do? It excites us and it builds our faith. And suddenly we move from a scarcity mindset to an abundant mindset." [00:29:37] (44 seconds)
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