The Generous God
Josiah Stewart • Sunday April 16, 2023
Notes
Culture Statement:
“We are generous, openhearted givers. We cheerfully give up things we love for those who we love even more, knowing it is truly more blessed to give than it is to receive.”
“We are generous, openhearted givers. We cheerfully give up things we love for those who we love even more, knowing it is truly more blessed to give than it is to receive.”
Ephesians 5:1 AMPC
Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Ephesians 1:7-8
7 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, 8 which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence),
7 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, 8 which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence),
Luke 6:28 AMPC
Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].
Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].
Philippians 4:5 AMPC
Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is [a]coming soon].
Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is [a]coming soon].
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
One translation says consider others as more important than yourself.
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.
Isaiah 32:8 AMPC
But the noble, openhearted, and generous man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous.
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Acts 2:46 AMPC
And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,
And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,
Four Types of Giving
1. Tithe: One-Tenth
Given to: Your local church
Motivation: Obedience to God
Return: An open windowed Heaven, Blessing, and Protection
Malachi 3:10-12 NKJV
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts;
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts;
12 “And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
2. Firstfruits Offering: Giving your best beyond the tithe
Given to: The ministry or the minister
Motivation: Love for God, Generosity, To break attachment to money
Return: Having more than enough
Proverbs 3:9-10
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
3. Alms
Given to: The poor and the needy
Motivation: Compassion
Return: Reimbursement and Reward
Matthew 6:1-4 NLT
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Proverbs 19:17 NKJV
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
4. Seed: An amount of your choosing purposed in your heart
Given to: “Good ground” of your choosing
Motivation: To be a blessing and reap a harvest
Return: Abundant harvest and enrichment in every area of life
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 AMPC
7 Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He [b]takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
7 Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He [b]takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and [c]earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need [d]be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
Matthew 5:16 KJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.