OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25

The Generous Life...is a blessed life Proverbs 11:24-25 “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” In our natural humanity giving seems like a minus “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) “...there is one who withholds more than is right” (NKJV) Refreshing others causes refreshment to come back into our own lives

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Generous Life...is a blessed life 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. And 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. As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures for ever.’ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 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. And 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. As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures for ever.’ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” - Bernard of Clairvaux, (1090 – August 20, 1153)

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Generous Life...is a blessed life Psalm 37:25-27 “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.” Proverbs 22:8-9 “He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail. He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” Question: Do you have a generous eye? A generous person find opportunities

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Generous Life...makes generous plans Isaiah 32:8 “But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” (NLT) Illustration: What do murder and generosity have in common? Question: Is your generosity... Unintentional? Heat of the moment? Premeditated? What does the Lord’s kindness look like? Is it haphazard? Is it haphazard? Is it accidental? Is it accidental? Or is it planned and premeditated? Or is it planned and premeditated? Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the L ORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Generous Life...makes generous plans 1 Chronicles 29:1-2 “Then King David said to the whole assembly: ‘My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God – gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise...” vs.3 “Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple...” vs.5b-6 “Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?’ Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Generous Life...makes generous plans vs.8-9 “Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury... The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the L ORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” Question: Are we making generous plans? Seed Offering Sunday 25 th November th November 2012 Generous people plan to do what is generous

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Generous Life...remembers where blessing comes from David praised the L ORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, 1 Chronicles 29:10-14 David praised the L ORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, ‘Praise be to you, L ORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, L ORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, L ORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. ‘But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. VS.16 “L ORD our God, all this abundance that we have... comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.”

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Generous Life...remembers where blessing comes from Matthew 10:7-8 As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 1Timothy 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. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.