Our use of money is symptomatic of the infection that lies within. Big Idea of GREED teachings

Our use of money is symptomatic of the infection that lies within. Big Idea of GREED teachings BIG QUESTIONS = Do we believe Jesus knows what He is talking about? Are we willing to build our life upon His words?

How do we deal with the poison of greed? The antidote to the poison of greed is grace-filled generosity.

How would you begin a letter to a group like this? 1 Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, and our brother Sosthenes: 2 To God's church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord-theirs and ours. 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God for you because of God's grace given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that by Him you were made rich in everything-in all speaking and all knowledge- 6 as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

How would you begin a letter to a group like this? 1 Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, and our brother Sosthenes: 2 To God's church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord-theirs and ours. 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God for you because of God's grace given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that by Him you were made rich in everything-in all speaking and all knowledge- 6 as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Change through new identity in Christ No longer needed to prove or defend themselves - they were worthy in Christ  Stuff & status lose identity-shaping power No longer needed to walk on the shifting sand of human opinion – they were accepted in Christ  People’s opinions about your stuff & status lose identity- shaping power No longer needed to live as fearful orphans – they were children of God in Christ  Fear about whether or not you will be provided for loses identity-shaping power

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:5  And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.  Our generosity must flow from hearts surrendered to God.

Identity Issue: Owners or Stewards? OWNERSHIPSTEWARDSHIP 1.My resources belong to me 2.I may use my resources however I wish 3.I am not accountable to others for my resources 1.My resources belong to God, the Owner of all things 2.I should use God’s resources to advance His priorities 3.I will give an account to God for how I use His resources (reward, not salvation)

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:6,10-11  6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.  Generosity moves beyond mere good intentions

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:7  But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.  Generosity is a spiritual discipline  On par with studying the Word, sharing the Gospel, prayer, fellowship, etc.  How are you intentionally developing grace-filled generosity?

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:8  I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 2 Cor 9:7  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  Generosity flows not from compulsion, but sincere love for God & others.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:12  For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.  We are called to be generous with what we have, not what we don’t have.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:13-15  13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."  Comparative generosity ought to increase as we have more resources.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:13-15  13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."  Comparative generosity ought to increase as we have more resources. Lesson from the manna quote  How would our view of wealth and living change if our money evaporated every day?

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:13-15  13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."  Comparative generosity ought to increase as we have more resources. Lesson from the manna quote  How would our view of wealth and living change if our money evaporated every day? Matt. 6:19-20  19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 8:20-21  20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.  Wise generosity gives to open & accountable organizations.

New Hope 2011 Budget ExpenseCategories

New Hope ACCOUNTS -General Funds: $59,534 = 2.75 months of budgeted expenses - Building Fund: $61,978

Giving Stats for 1 st Quarter 2011 Budgeted Income:$65,565 Actual Income: $63,701 = $-1,864 Deficit If this trend holds true for the year, we’ll end $-7,456 for the year for income vs. budget.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 9:5  So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 9:5  So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 1 Cor. 16:1-2  1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 9:5  So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.  Generous living is planned, not impulsive.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 9:5  So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.  Generous living is planned, not impulsive. Offering money, many Christians believe, should be like Hollywood's version of romance: spontaneous, exuberant, and impulsive. Financial gifts should be joyful, we think, so we give only when the urge strikes. "Structured systems" such as annual pledges, write Smith, Emerson, and Snell, "seem to strike many American Christians as rigid, impersonal, legalistic, and even unspiritual."

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor 9:6-11  6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 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. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor 9:6-11  6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 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. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. God loves to be generous to the generous so that they can be generous.

Growing in grace-filled generosity 2 Cor. 9:12-13  12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  Generosity draws people to the reality of Christ.

Summary of the Principles 1.Our generosity must flow from hearts surrendered to God. 2.Generosity moves beyond mere good intentions. 3.Generosity is a spiritual discipline. 4.Generosity flows not from compulsion, but sincere love for God. 5.We are to be generous with what we have, not what we don’t. 6.Comparative generosity ought to increase as we have more. 7.Wise generosity gives to open & accountable organizations. 8.Generous living is planned, not impulsive. 9.God loves to be generous to the generous so they can be generous. 10.Generosity draws people to the reality of Christ.