More Blessed
... “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
At the Journey Church, we must foster generous hearts.
Generous hearts are more blessed.
Question: Do you see yourself as generous? If not, what holds you back from being generous?
We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 2 Corinthians 8:1–4.
“Not enough” is not an amount, it’s a mindset.
We say to ourselves, “I’ll be generous… when…”
During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their generosity OVERFLOWED from their extreme poverty
What is abundant joy?
It is the deep abiding knowledge that my life has purpose, and hope, and direction that fills me to overflowing.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37–39
Question: Does the fear of scarcity affect your ability to be generous? What do you think has to happen to change your mindset?
From “Scarce” to Generous.
We must change our minds from “Not Enough to More Than Enough.”
The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth…Acts 17:24
Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. Acts 17:25
God doesn’t need us to be generous.
God wants us to love like He does.
We have to realize it’s not “My Resources” but “God’s Resources.”
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your own hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14
We must increase our urgency from “I’ll give when ... to I’ll give now.
For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:12
At the Journey Church, we must foster generous hearts.
Generous hearts are more blessed.
Reflection
Do I have a fear of scarcity? Why?
What is ONE thing I can do to be generous every day?