If we see as God sees, we will be more likely to do as God does
Nowhere else in our lives is our belief so stretched than in the area of generosity!
Manager (of God’s resources), Give an account (on judgment day), Short window on time (life is short), One opportunity (one life), People welcoming (in heaven)
Money can be used here to get people there
Resources are a tool (for eternity)
Money is a test
Act. 20:25 It is more blessed to give than to receive
What stops us from being generous?
“I wish we could give more – we just can’t do that right now.”
We think we don’t we have enough to be generous
Someday I will be generous, but right now I don’t have enough!
Scarcity mindset vs. Abundant mindset
Luke 12:27-34 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Be generous first and watch how God will take care of you
First Fruits – the first is given to God
Ex. 23:19 You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God
Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops
First Fruits – the first is given to God
Tithing – the first ten percent is given to God
Leviticus 27:30 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord
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Malachi 3:8-11 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Philemon 1:6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
I will worship God with my first and my best and trust God with the rest
Isaiah 32:8 But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity
God abundantly provides for me
So he can abundantly provide through me