Extravagant Generosity

201: The Profile of a Disciple | Part 5

 

In one of the most expensive places to live in the world, 

how do we break free from a scarcity mindset & embrace extravagant generosity?

 

EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY

 

We believe the church should unleash extravagant generosity to a hurting & broken world because we have an extravagantly generous God.

 

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…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.

2 Corinthians 8:7, 9

 

A THEOLOGY OF GENEROSITY:

 

• God OWNS it all. [Psalm 24:1]  

• God GAVE it all. [2 Corinthians 8:9]  

• God EXPECTS our all. [Matthew 16:24-25]

 

FIVE GENEROSITY MYTHS:

 

• I need to be WEALTHY to be generous. [Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 8:1-3]

• I’ll be generous when I HAVE MORE. [Luke 16:10-11; Proverbs 11:25]

 

1. Generosity is only about MONEY. [Matthew 25:35-36; Romans 12:13]

 

• Generosity requires GRAND GESTURES. [Matthew 6:2-4]

• Generosity will LEAVE me with LESS. [Luke 6:38; Proverbs 11:24-25]

 

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  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 9:6-8

 

THE PRACTICE OF GENEROSITY:

 

Generosity is developed in the practice of the TITHE.

 

• Tithe literally means a TENTH. [OT vs. NT]

 

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.

Leviticus 27:30

 

“The Jews were constrained to a regular payment of Tithes; Christians who have liberty assign all their possessions to the Lord bestowing freely not the lesser portions of their property since they have the hope of greater things.”

• • Irenaeus (C. 130-202 AD)

• Tithing TRAINS our hearts to TRUST God.

 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:19-21,24

 

• We are to give to God FIRST, not LAST. [Church vs. Causes]

 

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Proverbs 3:9-10

 

• God asks us to TEST Him to find Him TRUSTWORTHY.

 

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Malachi 3:10

 

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

   Jesus [Luke 6:38]

 

I, _________________ _________________, choose to take God up on His invitation to trust Him to meet all my needs.  I take this step by committing the FIRST ___% of my income to the Lord for the next 90 days.______________________ Signed