Giving My Resources | BELIEVE | Scott Jones

Believe

Mar 3

KEY QUESTION: How do I best use my resources to serve God and others?

Generosity is rooted in the character of God.

When it comes to giving our resources, God doesn’t want something FROM us; he wants something FOR us.

“Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?” Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
BELIEVE, PG. 304; 1 Chronicles 29:5-9

Godly giving comes from a heart that is willing.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. BELIEVE, PG. 314; Matthew 6:19-21

Generosity is restrained when our money has our heart.

Generosity is released when our heart has our money.

“You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
BELIEVE, PG. 316; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

KEY VERSE: But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

BELIEVE, PG. 316; 2 Corinthians 8:7

Generosity is the key to leaving a legacy.

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. BELIEVE, PG. 318; 2 Corinthians 9:13