Bible, Purpose, Finances, Giving, Generosity, Choices, Regret

4 Ways To Be More Generous

How do you become a more generous person? We all want to think of ourselves as being generous people, but sometimes we feel like we don’t have the money or the time to be really generous. But it doesn’t take a lot of money or time to be generous. Maybe what we really face is that we’re just distracted. In this video, Pastor Sean Sears talks about the secret ingredient to generosity and gives 4 simple ways you can work to become a more generous person to those around you.

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MESSAGE NOTES

Gratitude is the greatest motivation for generosity.

Gratitude builds Generosity and Generosity builds Legacy.

[2 Corinthians 8:10-12]
“Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.”

FOUR WAYS TO BE GENEROUS

[Luke 10:30-37]

“Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

1. MONEY is given to meet the needs of others

[Romans 12:13]

“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them…”

Gratitude is the response to getting something you don’t deserve.

When I recognize that EVERYTHING in my life is a gift from God, I hang on to it more loosely.

[2 Corinthians 8:1-5]

“Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”

2. LOVE that sees more than just yourself

[Colossians 3:12]

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

3. TIME to invest in others

[Ecclesiastes 3:1]

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”

4. ABILITIES & ASSETS leveraged for others

[1 Peter 4:10]

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

[James 2:15-16]

“Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?”

[Matthew 19:27-29]

“Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”

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Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?

How do you become a more generous person? We all want to think of ourselves as being generous people, but sometimes we feel like we don’t have the money or the time to be really generous. But it doesn’t take a lot of money or time to be generous. Maybe what we really face is that we’re just distracted. In this video, Pastor Sean Sears talks about the secret ingredient to generosity and gives 4 simple ways you can work to become a more generous person to those around you.

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