How To...#7 - Be Generous
In our October and November series, we'll be looking at many "How To" topics from God's perspective.
0 Likes
0 Views
45 cards
23 min read
Pinned
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held November 24th, following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
The deacons at Grace Church are partnering with Helping Hands in Charlotte for a coat drive.
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver ([email protected]).
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver ([email protected]).
Grace Church Anniversary
On Sunday, November 24th, Grace Church will celebrate its 31st anniversary. We invite everyone to stay after the service for lunch which will be provided by the hospitality team.
On Sunday, November 24th, Grace Church will celebrate its 31st anniversary. We invite everyone to stay after the service for lunch which will be provided by the hospitality team.
CJ's coffee shop will be open on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a great time to invite others and "pull up a chair" to have conversations.
Wednesday, November 20th - Amanda Simons
Saturday, November 23rd - Cathy Felder, Denny & Kelly Shaver
Saturday, November 23rd - Cathy Felder, Denny & Kelly Shaver
Cards
Our memory verse this month is Philippians 4:8
Philippians 4:8
BSB
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
BSB
Our Fall series is entitled "How To". Each week a topic will be added to make a complete statement. These topics will be looked at from God's perspective.
So far our topics have been, How To...Be a Friend, Pray, Deal with Difficult People, Forgive, Use the Bible, and Live Like Jesus. Today's topic is How To...Practice Generosity.
So far our topics have been, How To...Be a Friend, Pray, Deal with Difficult People, Forgive, Use the Bible, and Live Like Jesus. Today's topic is How To...Practice Generosity.
The word generous in the Bible carries the meaning of "openhandedness." It implies that a person is grateful for what he or she has received and as a result they are moved to willingly give to others for their benefit, without mixed motives or desire for selfish gain.
The Bible has much to say about the idea of generosity.
Psalm 112:5 [Message]
Proverbs 11:25
2 Corinthians 9:6
1 Timothy 6:17-18
Psalm 112:5 [Message]
Proverbs 11:25
2 Corinthians 9:6
1 Timothy 6:17-18
Psalms 112:5
BSB
5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
BSB
Proverbs 11:25
BSB
25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
BSB
2 Corinthians 9:6
BSB
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
BSB
1 Timothy 6:17-18
BSB
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
BSB
These verses apply to the totality of our life; the giving of our time, talents, treasure and our testimony.
John 3:16
James 1:17
Luke 21:1-4
Our generosity reveals the reality of our faith and progression toward Godliness. "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."
John 3:16
James 1:17
Luke 21:1-4
Our generosity reveals the reality of our faith and progression toward Godliness. "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."
John 3:16
BSB
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
BSB
James 1:17
BSB
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
BSB
Luke 21:1-4
BSB
1 Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
2 and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
4 For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
2 and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
4 For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
BSB
The practice of generosity should stem from our love for and our gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done for us.
Paul reminded Christians about this in 2 Corinthians 9:11 as they provided resources to his ministry.
The TLB version says, "Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help."
Paul reminded Christians about this in 2 Corinthians 9:11 as they provided resources to his ministry.
The TLB version says, "Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help."
2 Corinthians 9:11
BSB
11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.
BSB
Here are a couple of practical benefits of our being generous:
1. Generosity HONORS God, DEMONSTRATES our faith, and BRINGS God's blessings.
Psalm 24:1
Proverbs 22:9a
1. Generosity HONORS God, DEMONSTRATES our faith, and BRINGS God's blessings.
Psalm 24:1
Proverbs 22:9a
Psalms 24:1
BSB
1 The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein.
BSB
Proverbs 22:9
BSB
9 A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
BSB
2. Generosity DRAWS you close to God, REVEALS your character, and PROVIDES the cure for idolatry.
Matthew 6:21, 24
Matthew 6:21, 24
Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:24
BSB
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
BSB
God is the giver of our fries!
We don't seem to realize that God prospers us, not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.
1 Timothy 6:10
We don't seem to realize that God prospers us, not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.
1 Timothy 6:10
1 Timothy 6:10
BSB
10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
BSB
Here are some hints on how we can begin to practice generosity in our lives:
1. STUDY the subject of generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:7
1. STUDY the subject of generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:7
2 Corinthians 8:7
BSB
7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
BSB
2. EXAMINE your lifestyle as it relates to generosity.
2 Corinthians 13:5a
2 Corinthians 13:5a
2 Corinthians 13:5
BSB
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?
BSB
Ask yourself 4 questions -
1. Am I setting aside time for spiritual growth (individual and family)?
2. Am I ministering somewhere in my church (talents)?
3. Am I providing financially for the Lord’s work? (Giving online or with envelopes)
4. Am I sharing my faith with people who need Jesus?
1. Am I setting aside time for spiritual growth (individual and family)?
2. Am I ministering somewhere in my church (talents)?
3. Am I providing financially for the Lord’s work? (Giving online or with envelopes)
4. Am I sharing my faith with people who need Jesus?
3. CHOOSE to serve one Master.
1 Kings 18:21
1 Kings 18:21
1 Kings 18:21
BSB
21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
BSB
4. LEARN to be cheerful and contented.
Philippians 4:11b-13
Contentment is not found by focusing on the problems we face, but on the person who is with us in that place.
Philippians 4:11b-13
Contentment is not found by focusing on the problems we face, but on the person who is with us in that place.
Philippians 4:11-13
BSB
11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
12 I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
12 I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
BSB
Generosity should be a delight from our devotion to God, not a drudgery stemming from a sense of duty.
Your priorities matter to God, just as they do to the devil...one of them you will obey.
Your priorities matter to God, just as they do to the devil...one of them you will obey.
