GENEROSITYPassages That Pump Me Up

Message Series - Part 6 06-28-15

Pastor Chuck Bernal

1. Greed I have often regretted, generosity never! 2. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving! 3. I never apologize asking anybody to give generously for the

greatest cause in the world, the mission of Jesus Christ. 4. You are never more like God than when you give!

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT OUR GENEROSITYNow, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians. This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives . . . You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 7 – Msg)

WHAT PREVENTS OUR GENEROSITY?

A lot of ___________________________________ (Fierce troubles)

A life of _________________________________ (Desperately poor)

A lack of __________________________________ (God is working)

As he stood in the Temple, he was watching the rich tossing their gifts into the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small copper coins. “Really,” he remarked, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them combined.  For they have given a little of what they didn’t need, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:1-4 – LB)

WHAT PROMOTES OUR GENEROSITY?

Generous people want to be a part of what __________ is doing!

“I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working.”

Generous people are always full of _________ even in hard times!

“They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. “

Generous people always give way ________________ their ability!

“They gave offerings of whatever they could —far more than they could afford!”

Generous people give with _____________, not out of obligation!

“Pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea . . .”

Generous people give because they ____________ God so much! “What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God . . . giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in

their lives . . .”

Every one whose heart was roused, whose spirit was freely responsive, bringing offerings to GOD for building the Tent of Meeting . . . They came, both men and women, all the willing spirits among them, offering brooches, earrings, rings, necklaces—anything made of gold—offering up their gold jewelry to GOD . . . Everyone who wanted to offer up silver or bronze as a gift to GOD brought it . . . Every man and woman in Israel whose heart moved them freely to bring something for the work that GOD through Moses had commanded them to make, brought it, a voluntary offering for GOD . . . The men were eager to get started and engage in the work. They took from Moses all the offerings that the Israelites had brought for the work of constructing the Sanctuary. The people kept on bringing in their freewill offerings, morning after morning. All the artisans who were at work making everything involved in constructing the Sanctuary came, one after another, to Moses, saying, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing this work that GODhas commanded us to do!”  So Moses sent out orders through the camp: “Men! Women! No more offerings for the building of the Sanctuary!” The people were ordered to stop bringing offerings! There was plenty of material for all the work to be done. Enough and more than enough. (Exodus 35:20-26, 35:1-7 – Msg)

WHAT PRIORITIZES OUR GENEROSITY?

When it comes to generosity, are you giving God your ________?

“You do so well in so many things . . . do your best in this, too!”WHAT PREVENTS OUR GENEROSITY?

A lot of problems (Fierce troubles)

A life of poverty (Desperately poor)

A lack of passion (God is working)

WHAT PROMOTES OUR GENEROSITY?

Generous people want to be a part of what God is doing!

Generous people are always full of joy even in hard times!

Generous people always give way beyond their ability!

Generous people give with eagerness, not out of obligation!

Generous people give because they love God so much!

WHAT PRIORITIZES OUR GENEROSITY?

When it comes to generosity, are you giving God your best?