In Habit - inhabit Generosity

3:33 - Welcome back…

How many of you have heard of Sarah Breedlove?

Sarah had to navigate one of the most difficult eras of American life. She lived in a time where she was dismissed, disregarded, and disadvantaged—but she was also fiercely determined.

With grit and tenacity, Mrs. Breedlove found herself a widowed single mother by the age of 20

I want that to sink in for a moment.

Young. Widowed. Single mother. A woman of color. Living in the Deep South. In 1887.

Mrs. Breedlove literally had every possible obstacle in front of her. The odds of success? If we’re honest—no one was betting on Sarah.

But through God’s divine grace and her own God-given determination, this woman Shaped By Faith not only became known through a product line that is still strong today—her story also includes a life marked by extraordinary generosity toward the church and the community.

Born Sarah Breedlove, you may know her as Madam C. J. Walker.

(Slide: Image – Madam C. J. Walker)

Today, I get to talk about something that personally encourages me.

The funny thing is, when this conversation comes up—this topic, this habit we want in our lives to help us better inhabit the presence of God—it tends to get… a response.

Some of you know exactly what I mean.

It reminds me of that old commercial from way back in the day. The guy rolls out of bed, half-asleep, moving like he’s drowning in life, repeating the same phrase over and over again:

“Time to make the donuts.”

Time to make the donuts. I made the donuts. Time to make the donuts.

I get it—there was a season when it felt like all the church ever talked about was donuts. And I remember thinking, Didn’t we just talk about donuts?

Well church… today…yup We’re gonna talk Donuts

I want to help us embody the generosity of people like Sarah Breedlove—people like you and me.

She wasn’t a perfect human. But she understood something powerful: She worked hard—harder than most, I’d argue—for a comfortable life, and she recognized God’s hand in and through it.

She worked tremendously hard for what she had, and she held it with open hands.

She is recorded as saying:

“I want to use my wealth for the benefit of my people.” ~ Madam C. J. Walker

And she lived that out—giving generously to churches, educational causes, and community and civic organizations, especially those serving Black communities.

In other words, she gave generously from a joyful heart.

So the question becomes— How do we get there? Together?

How do we move from “Time to make the donuts” to cheerful, faith-filled generosity?

The Apostle Paul puts it this way:

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 “The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.”

Over the last several weeks, we’ve been in the series IN HABIT—learning how to build habits that help us inhabit the presence of God.And today, I want to explore what it means to IN HABIT GENEROSITY.

In Habit - Generosity

I’m gonna go on a limb, and say that most of us in this room, if not all of us long to be people who Sow Generously…Thats I think we all want to be people who are able to be exceedingly generous. In every way possible. We want to sow generosity.

BUT BUT - there is an inner conflict. There is the constant challenge of how do I make sure I have enough…my financial advisors say I need to plan for the future and I don’t have margin to give…the giving will come later…like the truck will come later, or the house, or the _______.

OR OR - its not about the later its about the now…We want to be generous BUT…

So here’s what I want to do today. I’m gonna give you the big idea just straight off. Here’s what I want you to know. I want you to know that

Financial Freedom = Inhabiting Generosity

When we inhabit generosity, we live a financially free life.

I am not making this conversation around the idea or the concept of Tithing. And you gotta hear me on this. Yes, TITHING is instrumental in who we are as a people of God. Giving to the work of the church is simply what we do as gods people.

For those who are like what is that - its giving a portion of what we earn - provided by God through our gifts, our talents, our abilities, and our circumstances - giving 10% to our local church. Not because we have to, not because we are supposed to, not because we are told to, not because we are obligated to -

No we give the tithe because we have decided to, we planned to, we chose to. It is an invitation not an obligation - its an invitation not legislation.

BUT BUT BUT…

Inhabiting Generosity isn’t about Tithing - or giving to the local church…Inhabiting Generosity is far bigger than our tithes and offerings…

CUE - ROUTINE - REWARD

Over the last several weeks, we talked a lot about what it means to build a habit. That every habit has three essential functions. There’s a Over the last several weeks, we talked a lot about what it means to build a habit. That every habit has three essential functions. The Cue - The Response - The Reward

So, let me ask you a question. Just had a curiosity. Asking for a friend. You don’t have to answer at Lauder raise your hand or any of that stuff. But let me just ask you a question.

On average, how many times a day are you queued to be generous?

Maybe maybe every day as many times. On average, how many times a week are you queued to be generous?

Do you know what I mean by that? The opportunity for generosity comes before you and you have a decision to make. Although the decision that you’re making is probably not known to you. Remember habit starts with a CUE and you go into a response.

For example - CUE - you learn of a

Co-worker who is struggling to make ends meet.

By the way - If you get to this point with any of the people you work alongside WELL DONE! You have broken through a huge barrier - the one that presents itself as “In Fine” or No no We are good” “Thanks for asking but we’re ok”

You did it! You made it beyond niceties and you got into the real place where people live!

Or OR

Church member who has a need

Kids at your child’s school

Curious what the habit loop is…we all have one.

Full disclosure, the needs around us are so great at times it is so difficult to know what to do. In our hearts and in our Spirit we know there is blessing in blessing others…

From the wisdom literature of the Scripture:

Proverbs 22:9 (CSB) A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 11:25 (CSB) A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.

To the words of Jesus:

Acts 20:35 (CSB) … ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

AND AND we have our own struggles and battles. The need is so overwhelming sometimes we just simply don’t know where to start to make a difference, OR We would love to be able to afford to be generous…

Affording Generosity - That is an interesting concept isn’t it. Actually, if we go back to the Pauls letter to the church in Corinth - the one that was encouraging them to be cheerful givers. Thats what he was addressing with them to some extent.

Let me give you a little context for this passage in 2 Cor.

Paul is riding to one of the churches that he established while he was on one of his mission of journeys. The church that he established help set up the leader ship for and was checking in with.

Not that it’s super important for this conversation, but there was some conflict within the church, where they had some struggle with the apostolic leader ship. Do they trust Paul or not. He sent a letter that clearly rubbed some of the people the wrong way.

But the good news, they obeyed his disciplinary directions. The thing that they were supposed to change, they changed, and that was all good. But Paul, not being able to be there, gave them paws to believe that he had their best interest in mind.

They Didn’t know what they didn’t know - Paul was delayed because of his own intense persecution or pressures.

Ok- Here’s the generosity component. There was a great need among the believers in the 1st century. Turns out the Gospel of Jesus is tremendously appealing to those who are in need of a savior AND know it!

So, Paul and others were gathering resources for those in need. At first the church is Corinth was all about it, but becasue Paul was delayed - they were also not as excited as they once were. Add to that they were experiencing thier own difficulties. - you guessed it. the generosity dried up - or at least slowed.

So Paul is writing to encourage them in the faith, and to return to their generous nature.

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (CSB) We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.

Paul is sharing the example of the other churches - also struggling as an example. AND reminds the church of Jesus’ example:

2 Corinthians 8:9 (CSB) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Before you think this is just an early example of the church exploiting emotions…

He qualifies all of it. He says this is not command - this is simply pastoral advice - Advice that is actually for their benefit!

I love that he does this. Just like the Tithe - the 10% is not legislation but an invitation for our good and God’s glory - so too is this opportunity for generosity - generosity for people who are close tot he heart of God.

Do you know the poor, and those in need are mentioned something like 200 times throughout the 66 books of the Bible. Specifically mentioning those who have a higher risk of poverty - the widow, the orphan, and the foreigners - more than 100 times.

Paul is providing examples to the people of Corinth to inhabit generosity toward those whom God has consistently said he will provide for.

How? Well it sure seems like in this case - it is through a shared habit of generosity.

To use our habit lingo - Paul is trying to reshape the habit loop by providing an example for them to follow.

Turns out - Survey data suggests a direct connection toward experience and expression.

The vast majority of people who have experienced personally - either through receiving OR OR through watching others practice generosity as more likely to be generous themselves.

In other words - Step 1 to changing the Habit Response is to witness acts of generosity!

Inhabit Generosity - SEE IT

Experience it for yourself - First hand!

If you want to see a change in your habit response - put yourself in places to see and experience the generosity of others. Why? It reshapes your understanding!

Ok PC great - But I still don’t know how to afford to be generous. I have experienced it, I have recieved it - From Jesus and from others…but I still can’t afford to be generous right now…so what do I do?

Fear not! Paul didn’t leave you hanging either. Actually…

2 Corinthians 8:11–14 (CSB) Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality. At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality.

Generosity is not about how much can be done, but what is done with what we have.

There are two misunderstandings that can come from conversations around passages like these. There is a challenge to either see the POVERTY GOSPEL

That is the message that makes us all believe that we must abandon all possessions, to live communally - Listen I love you guys but but I am not interested in creating communal living. We have seen how those things shake out…they have a word - CULT - no thanks.

Paul is not saying they have to surrender everything so it can be distributed - He is saying that what they have in abundance will provide for those who are lacking.

AND if you feel like you don’t have enough to give - maybe reconsider - and he points back to the time when the people of God were in the wilderness and relied on the manna - the provision from God - Literally their Daily Bread.

Essentially - those who gathered a lot used it all up, those who gathered a little didn’t lack anything. Essentially - God will provide for your needs…do you trust Him? Do you trust those around you to care for you, as you care for them?

Here’s the Key -

The KEY IS WE - The collective church community.

Inhabit Generosity - SHARE IT

Practice it in community!

Without a doubt, this side of heaven - there will be people in need among the cities we live in and around. There will be those within this community - our church who have needs.

Independently, well that is a daunting task…but Collectively we can have an impact!

Together - We have an opportunity to Inhabit Generosity together and make a difference!

How ?

Inhabit Generosity - PLAN IT

Back to Paul and the verse we started with.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (CSB) The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

Prepare to be generous by deciding to be generous.

When you make a plan - when you pre-decide to act generously - you can change the default response to a generous one!

The Cue - the needs of the community, the friend who is unable to make rent - the co-worker who needs legal help - the person st the stop light in need of help - Your Church.

Community Needs - Contribute / Serve / Invest in places where you know the needs of others can be met. - Love Your City Market

LETS TALK ABOUT DONUTS - Practical way to support a local business affected deeply by the fear they and thier regular customers are experiencing right now…so the least we can do is support a local business and enjoy some delicious treats - WIN WIN

Family Services - Benevolence fund at the church - Gospel Patrons - or a personal benevolence you create - you make a plan for to meet needs as they arise for those you know personally

On the Corner - Food bag, extra gloves, hats, socks, etc. Buy a meal when you go through the Drive thru - just make a plan to inhabit generosity

The Local Church - Every time you receive income you set aside a portion for your church - your home church

When you prepare to be generous Paul is right - you will not lack. Why - you planned it? When you budget your time and your mney you tell it where to go. Financial Freedom comes from deciding to allow the heart of Generosity God placed within you to lead, to make a plan for the provision God has given.

Watch what comes next…before you know it you will find yourself growing in generosity beyond what you ever though possible!

Can you imagine with me - Picture this in your mind -

You alongside your friends - your church - Planning and Practicing Generosity and making a difference in your life and the lives of others.

Let’s pray.