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ALL IN: Week 3-Jim Putman

ALL IN: Week 3-Jim Putman

God is love—He generously gives what we need rather than what we deserve.

Where does Generosity come from? God

God is love—He gives what is needed rather than deserved.

God is generous—“God so loved … that He gave…” (John 3:16)

 

A picture of a generous people:

Acts 4:32–35 32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

2 Corinthians 8:1–8 1And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5And they exceeded our expectations: They gave [entrusted] themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But 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. 8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

 

A Picture of Generosity – Supernatural rather than people

Notice generosity doesn’t make sense in a broken world.

They were in poverty and trial. They pleaded for the privilege of giving. They gave beyond what they were able. They gave to the Lord’s people.

We are told to grow in the grace of giving.

Their giving reveals they valued people over things.

They gave themselves first to the Lord

They placed themselves in God’s care—entrusted themselves to Him.

They made the decision to live for Jesus and His purposes.

Their giving revealed they trusted God’s commands and care.

Their attitude reflected their underlying  belief about God.

Faithfully—I trust God with what I have (what I can see), generously, cheerfully

How is that possible to give cheerfully?

It only happens if you believe the God who saved you has something more for you—He fills what you empty.

He has an eternal reward waiting for you.

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 1Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The purpose of God’s generosity to us and our purpose:

He provides all we need … so God gets glory. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)

God asks us to use whatever gift we have been given as good stewards. (1 Peter 4:10)

We work with God in mind in every part of our lives.

We use our time generously.

We use our gifts generously.

Obedience and Generosity are antidotes to the disease of materialism.

Giving is a reminder about what matters most.

It reminds us who we belong to and what matters to God.

When I give, I am revealing my trust in God.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay