A Disciple Is Generous

Preaching For Change

In this church we have people who are searching, new believers and mature believers. My hearts desire for you is that you are fully mature, growing, disciples of Jesus Christ. We are going do a cannonball into the middle of the pool this morning when it comes to Discipleship. Jesus talked a lot about $ 16/38 parables had to do with $ or possessions. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer. 500 on faith but more than 2k on $ and possessions. Jesus talks about $ more then Hell and heaven combined. How to become financially healthy and generous. 1. Stay away from Debt a. Cut the credit card b. Don’t spend $$ on kids B-days etc, or drop $$ on Christmas. 2. Pay your bills a. If you can’t pay your bills, contact your collectors. NEGOTIATE I want to pay this off here is what I can do. b. I don’t want you putting your money into the plate if you can’t feed your kids. 3. Give yourself a raise. Get rid of some of your monthly bills. Get a steady income and place yourself in a position for growth. Look for better paying / steady work. rewarded.” God keeps track of our giving. New Haven Missouri. A couple at the church would go to the local grill for lunch and split a hamburger and order waters. Lived in a small 2 bedroom house that was paid off and had a net worth over $1 million. a. Cable b. Reduce cell phone c. Find a way to keep more of your $ don’t pay for check cashing services etc. d. Cut up credit cards and call and ask reduce the rate come up with payment plan. e. Save enough $ to have up to 6 month emergency fund. If you already have that start a growing money plan. 4. Start somewhere when you are giving. 1. Can’t do 10% start at 1% What percent of anything is yours if you have submitted yourself and fully to Jesus Christ. My personal debt and journey towards giving. College credit card offers for 120K 2 Thessalonians 3:10-14 10Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister. Worship through Giving. The mission of Jesus keeps going even when you are on vacation. Are you a percentage giver? Start somewhere intentionally. Giving and generosity are a sign of a mature believer. If you can give to Starbucks or Casey’s, you can give to the church. Investing in the church & Kingdom We are called to mission. How is this biblical? Acts 4:34-35There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. The testimony of the church isn’t that everyone is rich but that everyone is cared for and called. We need you. And you need us. Started out with little to nothing. Not able to give very much and was giving only infrequently… $5-$20 Began feeling God calling me to be more generous with individuals around me. Called to give percentages. We are not any more saved or loved by God when we give. What we are doing is placing ourselves in a place to become people with the gift of generosity. Romans 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 1. Do not love $ 2. Give for the right reason. 3. Make generosity your reason for gaining wealth. 4. Invest in Kingdom of God Church of Corinth founded 51 A.D. by Paul Corinth is Paul’s messed up church. Communion was served after potluck but the rich wouldn’t share or eat with the poor. Corinth was abusing the gifts of the spirit and some had rejected Paul’s authority over them. The Corinthian church had an adulterous affair going on between a step son and step mother and they didn’t address it. They also had all types of lawsuits going on against each other. 2 Cor. 8:7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us[a]—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 2 Cor. 9:6-11 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”[a] 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”[b] 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity[c] in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. Proverbs 11:24-25 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Matthew 10:42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be