Core Value - Generosity

Intro:

This morning, we are wrapping up the final message in our Heart of the House Series. Over the past month, we have taken a deep dive into the mission of the church and our core values.

Our mission is to encounter, live for, and advance the kingdom.

We believe that if we are to accomplish our mission we must live out our core values.

Intimacy - We will stop for God and stop for people.

Faith - We will invade the impossible.

Authenticity - We will choose real love, real life, and real character over fake religion.

Development - We will empower the next generation.

Today, we will look at our last core value:

5. Generosity - We will live generously.

I think to properly frame this message, we should start with a proper definition of being generous.

Generosity is rooted in a heart of compassion and kindness, and it is displayed in a readiness to give more than is usual or expected. Generosity can be displayed in your time, treasure, and talents. Our aim is to live selfless without reservation.

Hebrews 13:16 “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

Biblical generosity is a lifestyle of freely sharing what we have, are, or will become, to reflect God's love and grace. The understanding of generosity is that all we have is a gift from God, and it is to be used for His purpose and the benefit of others. 

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Submit:

The heart of generosity is woven through the scriptures.

In Genesis 18:1-15, Abraham before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah offers who he thought was three strangers (but were actually angels), food, water, and a place to rest on their journey.

In Exodus 25, the Lord says to Moses regarding the building of the tabernacle to bring Him an offering. (Giving monetarily and other substance)

Exodus 25:1–8 “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”

It’s easy to think that this is a lot to ask of his people. These are costly gifts. But God has just rescued them from Egypt and enabled them to defeat the Amalekites. He’s provided them with everything they need, and their freedom. He’s asking for far less than he has given them and is giving them something ultimately far better—his blessing and presence, and the promise that he’ll be their God and they’ll be his people.

Exodus 36:2-7. Giving time and talent.

Exodus 36:2–7 “Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work. And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.” So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.”

Leviticus 19:9-10. Generosity to the poor and the stranger.

Leviticus 19:9–10 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God.”

God tells his people to leave some of their harvest so people living on the margins don’t go without. The other laws surrounding this in Leviticus instruct people to treat each other with respect and love, especially those considered outcasts in that culture–like the blind, deaf, workers, servants or women.

Their generosity to the people around them shows that they trust him to provide and helps them to understand how he uses their generosity to help others.

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Apply:

In the new testament we see a continuation of generosity.

When Jesus saw the multitude he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 9:35-38.

The good samaritan Luke 10:29-37.

Each of these stories demonstrate a kingdom value of generosity.

We believe God intends generosity to be transformational. Biblical generosity means changing the way we think about all of our resources, not just money, in order to uplift others, strengthen relationships, and glorify God.

The measure of generosity and how we serve those around us is a reflection of our service to Jesus. Matthew 25:31-40.

Read it. (measuring line Jesus gives when judging the nations) Emphasis Matthew 25:37–40 ““Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

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Closing:

The generous life is about kingdom stewardship. We are caretakers what has been entrusted to us. 1 Timothy 6:17-18.

Paul gave instruction to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17-18 concerning the rich.

1 Timothy 6:17–18 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,”

I want to pause for a moment to consider the definition of rich. I think for most, a rich person is anyone who has more than you.

The scripture reveals in Luke 21:1-4 that kingdom generosity is less about the amount and more about the heart.

In Luke 21:1–4 “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

What I love most about this story is that she offered to God what she had. It was about her heart to trust God with her life. She was in great need and found a way to be generous.

Generosity is not about a transaction to check a box, to feel better about our status in comparison to others, or to receive a worldly write-off for our good deed. 

The heart of generosity is kingdom advancement. Joyfully giving of our time, talents, and treasure produces kingdom transformation, releases joy, blessing, and favor into our lives and the lives of others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

I want to close with a final passage of scripture.

2 Corinthians 9:6–11 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.”

The generous life begins with the purpose of our heart. The one who lives a generous life will see the blessing, provision, and abundance of God.

Let’s Pray!

Help us to gain a heart of generosity.

Salvation.