SHIFT WEEK 4

INTRO

We started this series talking about imagining what we would want our lives to look like in 5 years and that if we were going to experience something different in the future then we would have to embrace a shift today.

Something has to change in order for something to change.

So far, we have talked about shifting into new wineskins, new ways to treat our physical bodies, shifting into prayer and confession, and today we are talking about shifting into generosity.

GENEROSITY

I am fully aware of how much you love it when I talk about money!

Couple of emotions that take place when we talk about this subject...

Shame

Guilt

Pride

Let’s demistify this for a minute...

MY GIVING STORY...

Have had seasons of doing this better than others.

My wife has way more faith than I do with this! She would give our house away If I was in agreement. I am learning from her.

MALACHI

Background

God sees generosity as partnership

Malachi 3:10 NLT

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

Malachi

Not being generous is a breach of contract. It is refusing to participate in the invitation to partner with God.

The bible project guys - Sin is a failure to partner with God in managing and ordering his creation well.

God has chosen to act on this earth, through his people! He is not a puppet master, pulling strings in background and all of us are just mindlessly moving through this life brainless. He works through his people, his people and his church.

Story of partnership?

2. There is incredible blessing in generosity (Partnership pays!)

...If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

Generosity Story - Donna Lyon?

3. The Father went first -

He is not asking us to do something that He hasn’t already done.

New Living Translation Chapter 1

6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

YOU

How about you? Are you ready to embrace generosity?

Practical for a moment.