The Promise with a Premise

I. Healthy Churches practice generosity

a. Characteristic of a healthy church

Truth, worship, leadership, excellence, faith, harmony, participation, and fellowship.

Topic rarely preached, but is recorded thousands of times in the scripture - Money/generosity.

Church will be blessed by God only when we give up our money and become extremely generous.

b. Why be generous?

God is generous (John 3:16). Generosity is love in action. Without generosity we are not loving towards others. Godliness and giving going hand-in-hand. Humanity cannot out give God.

It’s the only way to truly live. We must master the art of generosity. Dave Ramsey says the happiest people are the most generous people.

II. Generosity transforms people

a. Reading from Mark 10:17-31

Jesus says perfection comes at a cost. The rich ruler had a choice and kept his riches - justified not giving and following Christ. We have our same hurdles to overcome debt/obligations, poverty, greed, or lack of trust in God. When you don’t practice generosity you’re heart will remain calloused.

Peter and the disciples ask Christ, what they will get from their sacrifice. What about my generosity? Every promise comes with a premise. You’ll have hundredfold of houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land land with persecution along with eternal life. These men were changed by giving up everything to follow Jesus.

When we open up our wallets, our hearts realign with God’s divine purpose. When we’re generous it transforms those who we bless and also ourselves.

III. Generosity is necessary to advance the gospel.

Reading 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Money supports ministry. (mission organizations, local churches, benevolence, supporting those who serve, maintaining the needs of the body) Ministry is extremely costly. The cost to Ubly Christian and our dreams for the future.

Paul exhorts us those who are rich to focus on Christ. To enjoy our riches and to continue to do good and being generous. When we give we’re storing up treasure in heaven. Wherever your treasure is there your heart will be there also.

The church can continue to promote the gospel by your generosity. The gospel needs to be funded more than any social program in the world. But without generosity, we will not be able to bless and share the good news. (Compassion ministries, I.D.E.S., Wolverine Camp)

I want my dollar to be the reason someone comes to faith and follows Jesus. I want God’s money to change the world for eternity.

IV. Generosity leaves a positive testimony

Reading Acts 2:42-47

They were known for their giving and joy. Making friends with others. People love cheerful givers and even the Lord favors them by adding those who were being saved.

Generous churches are healthy churches which then leave a positive testimony to the world. (Food distribution) People don’t forget when you give to them. Neither did those who had needs. I remember friends who helped me when I was in tough spot. (College when I was sick and needed naked juice.)

Leave a positive testimony just like Mary did as she cleaned anointed Jesus. (John 12:1-8) Gospel was spread in memory of her and she left a positive testimony for others to follow.

V. Generosity creates healthy churches

a. Be generous so you have be godly.

b. Be generous so we can advance the gospel

c. Be generous so we can leave a positive testimony.