Foundations: Generosity, Pt. 2 1 Timothy 6

Generosity Quick Layman Primer: ◦ Show vs. Participatory ◦ Scriptural Integrity/Authority ◦ Goal

Generosity Review: ◦ Generosity is a mark of a follower of Christ and engages my motives, faith and source of security, resulting in unbelievable freedom

Generosity Foundational Truth: ◦ Everything money promises and can’t deliver, God freely gives when I seek him as the priority and am willing to be generous with what he provides

Generosity What does it mean to be “rich”?

Generosity Controlling Principle: The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden- 1 Tim. 5:24-25

Generosity If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.

Generosity He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind…

Generosity …who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain- 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Generosity Truth= healthy (sound) teaching Therefore go and make disciples… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you- Matt. 28:19- 20

Generosity Robbed= Learning becomes an end in itself and a source of pride Robbed= “Explain away” the hard teachings of Christ Robbed= Ignore the teachings that are not expedient

Generosity Do these things happen today?

Generosity How?

…godliness is a means to financial gain ◦ Religion can make you rich or you can put God in your debt by living a godly life ◦ People who are rich are more godly than everyone else ◦ People who are poor must not love God very much

Generosity Are these things true?

Generosity But godliness with contentment is great gain- vs. 6 Mindset: ◦ Seeking vs. Having ◦ Serving to Get vs. Serving as Worship

Generosity Godliness- The Holy Spirit rearranging my priorities, mindset and character to line up with God’s, and using it all for Christ’s glory and others’ good

Generosity What is contentment?

Generosity I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

Generosity I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

Generosity I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Generosity I can do everything through him who gives me strength- Philippians 4: Not for receiving, but for doing without while staying content

Generosity One of the marks of maturity is being faith-centered rather than circumstance-controlled

Generosity Contentment is an attitude of the heart that expects nothing, is grateful for all things and serves out of a desire to give rather than get

Generosity Godliness with contentment is great gain…

Generosity Where comparison reigns, contentment is destroyed

Generosity Where comparison reigns, contentment is destroyed. Why?

Generosity The gospel according to Sheryl Crow…

Generosity “It's not having what you want. It's wanting what you've got”

Generosity Great gain is not getting what I want, but “getting” what I have

Generosity For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it- vs. 7 God destroys the myth of ownership

Generosity But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that- vs. 8 What does God say is the minimum needed to be content?

Generosity But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that- vs. 8 Why aren’t more people at happy?

Generosity But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that- vs. 8 Why aren’t more people at peace and joyful?

Generosity People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction- vs. 9

Generosity The issue is desire, not possession

Generosity People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap What’s the temptation? What’s the trap?

Generosity Perceiving and striving for satisfaction, happiness and security in money is idolatry And- like all false gods- it never delivers on the promise

Generosity For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs- vs. 10

Generosity Abstain from passions which wage war against the soul- 1 Peter 2:11

Generosity Love of money: Other people- in the way Other people- in the way Own family- expendable Own family- expendable Values- bent and corrupted Values- bent and corrupted Life- means to an end ($$) Life- means to an end ($$)

Generosity But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith- vs

Generosity Running from also means running toward Running from something destructive towards something else destructive is a poor trade

Generosity Pursue: ◦ Righteousness (external) ◦ Godliness (internal) ◦ Faith (trust) ◦ Love (faith in action) ◦ Endurance (steadfastness) ◦ Gentleness (strength under control)

Generosity Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain…

Generosity The Beauty Queen & The Football Player At 22 Source of pride Foundation for future security

Generosity The Beauty Queen & The Football Player At 50

Generosity …but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment- vs. 17 Who is the source? Why does he give?

Generosity My self-effort outside God’s will short-circuits God’s desire to bless me with all I need and the ability to enjoy it

Generosity For our enjoyment… Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share- vs. 18

Generosity How do I enjoy what God has provided?

Generosity A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor- Proverbs 22:9 The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed- Proverbs 11:25

Generosity “Statistical analyses revealed personal spending had no link with a person's happiness, while spending on others and charity was significantly related to a boost in happiness”- LiveScience, March 20, 2008, Jeanna Bryner

Generosity 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- vs. 19

Generosity Takeaways: Have I believed that I could put God in my debt by my works? Have I believed that I could put God in my debt by my works? If so, am I willing to repent and serve humbly and out of gratitude? If so, am I willing to repent and serve humbly and out of gratitude?

Generosity Takeaways: Am I marked by contentment or constant and unfulfilled desire? What do I need to do about that? Am I marked by contentment or constant and unfulfilled desire? What do I need to do about that? Am I faith-centered or circumstance- controlled? Am I faith-centered or circumstance- controlled?

Generosity Takeaways: Am I an owner or a manager? Who decides what I do with money? Am I an owner or a manager? Who decides what I do with money? Am I marked by good deeds, generosity and a willingness to share? Am I marked by good deeds, generosity and a willingness to share?

Generosity Takeaways: If Jesus were standing here right now, what might he say I need to do differently when it comes to money? If Jesus were standing here right now, what might he say I need to do differently when it comes to money? Will I? Will I?