Jesus & Money #3 – Generosity

We had the privilege of having Nel Slater conclude our message series on Jesus and Money. Nel has spoken at Westheights several times and always brings a fresh and relevant perspective. She is a woman of many talents and gifts and currently works as a career counselor. She loves walking and eating dark chocolate, is an artist at heart, and believes in growing and learning, living what you believe, and having fun in whatever you do.

JESUS AND MONEY

Message by Nel Slater – February 24, 2019

GENEROSITY

Luke 21:1-4 (CEV) Jesus looked up and saw some rich people tossing their gifts into the offering box. He also saw a poor widow putting in two pennies. And he said, “I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others. Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had.”

WHY BE GENEROUS

1. To be a little like Christ

2. To invest in something eternal

3. To show our love for God

2 Corinthians 8:7-8 (NIV) Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is…

4. To acknowledge that we are managers of God’s resources

5. To counteract materialism

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Luke 12:34 (ESV) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Principles In Conflict: Values Outside of God vs. Biblical Values

Focus on self vs. Focus on God

Keep everything you earn vs. Give to others in need

Trust in your own judgement vs. Trust in God for guidance

What I make is mine vs. God is the rightful owner of all

Wealth and recognition matters most vs. Eternal life and honour before God matters most

6. To demonstrate and develop your faith

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NLT) For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

7. To give back after receiving so much

Luke 12:48b (NIV) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

WHO IS YOUR BENEFICIARY

1. To whom would you like to give?

2. What kinds of problems are you attracted to?

3. What biblical examples inspire you?

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE GENEROUS

1. Joy as a result

2. Blessing in the way God chooses

Luke 6:38b (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you…

Proverbs 11:24 (Mes) The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV) One person gives freely, yet gains even more…whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

3. Provision from God

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT) A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Acts 20:35b (NLT) You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

4. Dividends in your eternity portfolio

2 Peter 3:8 (NIV) But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

5. A cycle of giving, blessing and joy

2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (NIV) 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. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others 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. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

HOW TO BE GENEROUS

1. With joy in the process

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NIV) 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.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NLT) Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

2. With a little planning

Open and nickname three bank accounts:

i. Spending

ii. Saving

iii. Sharing

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV) But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.