Sep 16 2018 The Whys and Hows of Developing a Generous Spirit and Lifestyle

1 Tim. 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

Money is not a bad or evil thing. Money CAN be a positive thing. But often, it ends up being a negative thing.

but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

In November, when we look at Genesis – we see in 1 and 2 that God creates a perfect space for humanity to live in – giving us everything we need – but just as then, we corrupt all of that. Then He gives us the secret - They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

We need to be prepared to live a life of generosity – ready to give and share what we have with others – and it is not just money and possessions, but gifts and talents and time and love. Be liberal! But that is not a political word, but to lavish, liberally, what you have on others.

The Whys and Hows of developing a generous spirit and lifestyle.

The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. (Pro 19:17 NET)

First – several things to understand – we must have the right heart attitude – we must understand that when we are generous with other people, we are really being generous with God.

The focus of a heart of generosity is God. When you give to someone else, that is how you give to God.

Whatever you do to the least of these, my people, that you do to ME!

When I was hungry, you gave me food, thirsty:drink, naked: covered Me.

1 John 3:16 We have come to know love by this: that Jesus laid down his life for us; thus we ought to lay down our lives for our fellow Christians. But whoever has the world's possessions and sees his fellow Christian in need and shuts off his compassion against him, how can the love of God reside in such a person?

Wow – that is something! What that says! Incredible!

We look at this – and we (I) make excuses – God’s people – yes, it says that. We see someone and say – well, they’re not God’s people! You don’t know that! So first, to develop a generous spirit – when we are generous we are giving to God.

Generosity

One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy, but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied. (Pro 11:24 NET)

Second thing we must understand – generosity is good for US! When we give, God gives back! We are blessed and rewarded for giving to others. These proverbs that say this are true – but they are proverbs, so that is not the whole story.

When we see verses like this, we need to be careful not to turn our generosity into another form of greed. If I give here, I will gain more! And it is sad, that there are those who promote that type of Christian living.

Proverbs show one side of truth – and then takes us somewhere else to show us the other side of truth.

Prov. 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. 17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

I love the NLT here: A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. (NLT)

Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. (17:1)

There is possible danger to the blessing of wealth! What he is saying – these are the kinds of dangers wealth produces (hatred, strife, argument) if we are not careful.

Statistics show that finances is the number one or two cause of divorce. Not saying it has to do that – but often it does.

Sometimes our Christian commitment – whether through sacrificial giving or whatnot – but will force us to live with less.

Tim Keller (October 29) – I cheat and read ahead - =Money is not as important as relationships – it is only love and right relationships with God that can give us a meaningful life, but wealth can put a strain on relationships and leave us lonely. Wealth is not as important as character. Wealth is a useful thing but can give you nothing of lasting value or happiness.

There is nothing innately spiritual about being poor. Just as there is nothing innately wrong with being rich. But poverty gives us the opportunity to trust in God – so it can be a tool when we have needs to turn to Him.

You might think if you are rich that you will never trust in God – but here is how you do it – Give generously – and that will help you to trust in God.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive."

Here is the third thing – Our response to others in need has a direct impact on our experience of God ‘s blessing in our lives. We must understand that God blesses us unconditionally always. We can’t earn it – being generous does not earn it for us. But being generous affects our experience of His blessing.

Like when Jesus says – if you are unable to forgive, you will not experience God’s forgiveness. If we hold sins against someone else, we will not experience the forgiveness that God has granted – there will be a block there. Same thing with generosity.

2 Cor. 9:6 My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

In order to develop a generous spirit – we need to not give out of compulsion or guilt. You see someone in need and think – I don’t want to do that – but God says to give joyfully. Spend this week learning to be generous joyfully – learning the joy of being generous. Find out how much fun it is to be generous! Find out what it is like – that is your assignment!

2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work…

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,

When we are generous, God’s grace goes into action and helps us to be more generous – we have all the grace and power we need for every form of ministry – and it all starts with a heart of generosity.

Nov. 2 – this is not a promise that the more you give away, the more money you will make – but rather, when you give wisely – your money can change lives for others and transform yourself.

Next week we will look at the poor – we will have some sharing testimonies - - and we’ll address the whatabouts – what about the guy with the sign at the end of the exit ramp…???

It begins with developing a generous spirit. And it starts with your family – every person can learn and develop a generous spirit. We wanted to teach our kids to share! You know the battle of teaching sharing – especially when he just got a new toy! You don’t share your new toy – you share the old ones you don’t want! No! There is joy in learning to share.

Sometimes we are generous with our ears – someone needs to talk – oftentimes the wife! But oftentimes the husband –

We can be generous in compliments and praise. We can be generous in acceptance of people. Generous people are nonjudgmental, but accepting. We can all convict ourselves in all the ways we are not – but instead, let’s find those ways to be generous this week!

And it needs to go beyond the family – but to God’s family – not just money – but talents and time – visiting people is a way of being generous.

Joe loves it when Evan comes over – Evan is 2 and a half! We can visit people! We can just be there for people. Sometimes ‘being there’ feels like a big waste of time – maybe to you, but not to the other.

Then we need to take it into the world – using our time, energy, money for the world – whether in a school or work or your neighborhood.

Cindy was talking with a coworker – she urged her to get involed in a small group – and to have a couple go-to verses – this week, the coworker came back and said – I took your advice and I’m loving it! We joined a small group and here are my go-to verses.

We can all do this.

Finally

2 Cor. 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. (2Co 8:9 NAU)

Jesus is our great example of radical generosity. He gave MUCH more than His material wealth. It wasn’t just leaving heaven and all its wealth, but on the cross, He gave His life for us. He loved us so much that He left His heavenly throne to become one of us to suffer and die to bring us back to God. That is the story of the gospel – the most powerful story ever told – the most amazing thing that ever happened -

Deuteronomy 15: 7 If anyone is poor among your people in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need… 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.' (Deu 15:11 NAU)

Lev. 23:22 When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.'"

The Poor

The one who mocks the poor insults his Creator; whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished. (Prov. 17:5)

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. (Prov. 14:31)

The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses. (Prov. 28:27)

There is abundant food in the field of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice. (Prov. 13:23)

Responsibility

10:4 The one who is lazy becomes poor, but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy. 5 The one who gathers crops in the summer is a wise son, but the one who sleeps during the harvest is a son who brings shame to himself. (Prov. 10:4)

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing. (Prov. 20:4)

Isaiah 58:6 "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? 7 "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?