Life Together, pt. 8—Err On The Side of Generosity

Err On the Side of Generosity
Generous people make the world better; greedy people make it worse. This means extending mercy, stepping into gaps of injustice, and giving more than what is needed—trusting God as our generous provider.

John 3:16 NLT
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

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.

Hebrews 13:16 NIV
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Galatians 6:2 NIV Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

God Teaches Us to Give…

1.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
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.”

2.

2 Corinthians 8:1-3 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. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

3. Our time to

Mark 10:45 NLT
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

4.

2 Corinthians 8:11-12 NLT
Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

Luke 21:1-4 NLT
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

5.

Malachi 3:10 NLT
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!”

Luke 20:22-25 NLT
Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He saw through their trickery and said, “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Leviticus 27:30 NLT
One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy.

Matthew 6:21 NLT
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Answer Key: Spontaneously, Sacrificially, Serve , Others, Proportionately, Regularly