The Power of Christian Generosity - Proverbs (Part 15)

Revision – Prayer for Moderation Prov 30:7-9, Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. Reflection What’s the most generous gift you have ever received? Generosity Prov 14:21 - Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Prov 14:31 - Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. Prov 19:6 - Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. Generosity Prov 19:17 - Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. Prov 28:8 - Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. Generosity Defined “A willingness to give, especially more than usual or expected.” Christian Generosity in the Church Truth #1 – Part of our Worship to God 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. Christian Generosity in the Church Truth #2 – Part of our Mission to Make Disciples 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Christian Generosity in the Church Truth #3 – Supporting Church Leaders is Strategic Galatians 6:6, Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. The Power of Christian Generosity #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You Danger of Reckless Spending Prov 21:17, Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. Prov 23:21, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You Learn to Budget Prov 27:23-24, Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? Prov 21:5, The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You A Budget Helps You Save Prov 13:11, Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Prov 13:22, A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You Empowered to Give Generously Prov 11:24-25, One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Prov 21:26, All day long [the sluggard] craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. The Power of Christian Generosity #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You #2 You Will Have Joy in Helping Others #2 You Will Have Joy in Helping Others 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. The Power of Christian Generosity #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You #2 You Will Have Joy in Helping Others #3 You Wisely Invest in the Future of God’s Kingdom #3 You Wisely Invest in the Future of God’s Kingdom Prov 13:22a, A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children The Power of Christian Generosity #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You #2 You Will Have Joy in Helping Others #3 You Wisely Invest in the Future of God’s Kingdom #4 You Display the Generosity of Jesus #4 You Display the Generosity of Jesus 2 Corinthians 8:9, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. The Power of Christian Generosity #1 You Control Money; Money Doesn’t Control You #2 You Will Have Joy in Helping Others #3 You Wisely Invest in the Future of God’s Kingdom #4 You Display the Generosity of Jesus