Being Generous | Kyle Warren
What we have is a gift from God
Either we believe all that we have is FROM GOD, or we will act like what we have IS GOD.
What we have is a gift from God to steward well
What we have is a gift from God to steward well and bless others
2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV
11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Acts 20:35 ESV
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
What we have is a gift from God to steward well and bless others; therefore, avoid greed at all costs.
Luke 11:39-42 ESV
39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. 42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
Luke 11:42 ESV
42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
Luke 12:16-21 ESV
16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:32-34 ESV
32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Acts 2:45 ESV
45 And they were SELLING their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, AS any had need.
“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc, is up to the standard COMMON AMONG THOSE with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them.”
— C.S. Lewis
Don't let YOUR WANT be greater than THEIR NEED.
Luke 12:34 ESV
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
What we have is a gift from God to steward well and bless others; therefore, avoid greed at all costs.
Practical Stewardship
- Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
- Avoid anything that produces addiction in you.
- Develop a habit of giving things away.
- Don't fall for trends.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for creation.
- Avoid anything that distracts you from seeking first the Kingdom of God.
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” — G.K. Chesterton
7 Marks of Discipleship
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