Values - Give with Joy
Sharable notes for the September 19, 2021 message. You can post these notes on your social platform!
Scriptures used: 2 Corinthians 8:2-5, 7; 9:6-10; Luke 12:15, 34; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:24; Genesis 4:3-4; 14;18-20; 28:22
The early church did not get their joy from possessions. Their joy came from God and produced in them generosity. They gained more joy from giving than obtaining.
One of the reasons we struggle to be generous is because we put a large amount of worth, or we worship, the very thing we are supposed to be giving away.
As followers of Christ, giving can't just be something we do, it must be a characteristic of who we are.
The story of the good samaritan shows three attitudes that are represented in humanity when it comes to our resources: greed, selfishness and generosity. Which one do we fall in?
Jesus tells us that our treasure can’t be more important than our relationship with God.
Percentage giving, also known as our tithe, exercises our faith because we are letting go of what we put most of our confidence in rather than God. We are saying, my faith isn’t in my resources it’s in God.
When people are transformed, communities are transformed and then the world is changed.
Reflect or meet with someone to discuss:
How would you say you are when it comes to handling finances?
Would you consider yourself a giver? Why do you answer the way you did?
Are you scared to give? If so, why do you think that is?
How do you think your relationship with Christ produces more generosity in you?
Click the image to start a new 6 day devotion in YouVersion:
This reading plan is all about living in a generous world, because we believe a generous world is a better world for all of us. This 6 day plan will challenge and inspire the reader through stories of generous living.