(Hebrews 12:1 NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
√ GENEROSITY has eternal impact.
*See people’s lives with an eternal perspective.
(Genesis 24:12-15 NLT) “O LORD, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’–let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.” Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. . . .
√ Generosity is squashed by legalism.
*YOU GIVE FROM WHAT YOU HAVE (STILL FAITH)
(Malachi 3:10-12 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! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,”
*Generosity is never the result of fear or guilt. That’s manipulation.
(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.”
√ Generosity is a heart response POINTING toward God.
(2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT) As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.
√ Generosity is rarely EFFORTLESS.
(Luke 6:29 MSG) If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
√ Your stuff stays here; it’s PEOPLE that have an eternity.
(Matthew 6:19-20 NLT) “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
√ It’s the ACT not the AMOUNT.
(Matthew 10:42 NLT) And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
√ When you give, you give to THE LORD.
(Matthew 25:40 NLT) “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
