Sacrificial Generosity

Acts 2:41–47 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Three “T’s” of Giving

Time

Ephesians 5:15–16 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

James 4:13–15 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.””

How average American civilian population spends 24 hour day

1.15 (eating)

4.6 (leisure); 2.38 (tv); 2.5 (social media)

4.63 (work, work-related)

9.57 (personal care, sleeping)

.07 (Religious & spiritual activities) = 4.2 minutes/day = 29.4 mins/week

Those who did: 1:12/day…still less time and eating food!

168 hours this week — How much do we give to God?

*American Time Use Survey — 2023

Talent

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

1 Peter 4:10–11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Natural talents

abilities honed and developed during life’s journey

Spiritual talents

special abilities / talents (@22 total)

Spiritual Gifts Test — https://giftstest.com

Treasure

500 verses pertaining to faith and prayer

2,350 verses that address money

@ 15% of Jesus preaching & teaching was about money; 11 of 39 parables!

Jesus’ most talked-about topic

1. We are managers of God’s resources, not owners

Possession does not equal ownership

God created everything (Gen 1:1) and everything belongs to God (Ps 24:1).

Parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30)

“Christians are God’s delivery people, through whom he does his giving to a needy world. We are conduits of God’s grace to others. Our eternal investment portfolio should be full of the most strategic kingdom-building projects to which we can disburse God’s funds.”

- Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, and Eternity

What would happen in our churches if everyone recognized God’s provision, joyfully and willingly embraced a new perspective on stewardship, and took clear steps towards loving God and others with the gifts He’s given? (Rooted)

2. Giving is one of the clearest gauges of your devotion

Jesus demonstrated sacrificial giving by his life

“If everyone gave as you did, what would your church look like? What would it accomplish?”

“There are three levels of giving—less than our ability, according to our ability, and beyond our ability. It’s fair to say that 96 percent of Christians in the Western world give less than their ability. Perhaps another 3 percent or more give according to their ability, and less than 1 percent give beyond their ability.” - Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, and Eternity

I give because I want to obey Him and please Him, out of love.  It is not what I have to do, but what I get to do! - Liberty Live Church

3. Giving is an act faith

Sacrificial giving is risky! It reduces or eliminates your safety net. This is where faith comes into play! Trusting God for your daily bread and your future needs. — Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, and Eternity

Don’t let your money control you. Don’t believe the lies it tells. Give the first tenth to the Lord. There is great blessing when we tithe. He can make 90% go further than you can make 100% go. Had you rather have a blessed 90% or a cursed 100%? —Liberty Live Church

God asks His people to be generous in proportion to what He has given. If you have nothing, you give nothing. If you have a little, you give a little. If you have a lot, you give a lot, as God has prospered you. There is no exclusion clause. No one is too rich or too poor. —Liberty Live Church

Giving leftovers is not sacrificial.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches us that giving is not optional for the believer.

If we are the people of God then we give, because that’s what God’s people do

Giving is an heart issue; it’s a decision of faith.