The Joy of Living Generously

I’d Like to Be More Generous, But… 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

I’d Like to Be More Generous, But… Have you ever wished you could give more? Why?

Reasons to Give Gratitude to God Compassion for others Fuel ministry Acknowledge the Owner Reasons to Give

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLT

“Give, and you will receive “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT

I’d Like to Be More Generous, But… What are some of our “Buts”?

Our Buts… Lies Fears Idols

LIE: I earned it. It’s mine. “What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1 NLT “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord.” Haggai 2:8 NLT

A Lavish, Cheerful Giver “I believe that God is the total owner of my life and resources. I give God the throne in relation to the material aspect of my life. God is the owner. I am the ower. Because God is a lavish giver I too shall be lavish and cheerful in my regular gifts.” Part of the membership covenant of Church of the Saviour, Washington, DC

LIE: The little I could give wouldn’t matter. 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:8 NIV

FEar: If I give God the firstfruits, I won’t have enough left.

Malachi 3:8-11 NLT 8 “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. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 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! 11 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.

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLT

“God, I am giving you the firstfruits and trusting you to show my how to manage what’s left in a way that brings you honor and meets my family’s needs.”

id0ls: “Some people hate to hear sermons on tithing because it attacks their idols.”

skills: For many of us, an obstacle to giving more generously is a lack of money skills. We may not know how to create and manage a budget. We may not know how to negotiate with the phone company or cable company. We may not know how to find the best deals on insurance. We may have never learned how to buy a car without borrowing. We may not have learned the dangers of title loans. We may not have been taught good shopping skills.

“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Eph. 4:28 NIV

We are invited to give… Cheerfully Generously Out of gratitude to God Out of kindness and compassion for others To acknowledge God’s ownership of all we have Out of obedience to God To fuel ministry Out of trust that God will meet our needs

The Joy of Living Generously