FREED UP 4 – GENEROUS GIVER, 2-22-26, Pastor Jeff Aenk, New Hope Christian Church
Key Verses – Matthew 25:14 - “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.
1 Corinthians 4:2 - Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
a prudent spender IS A GENEROUS GIVER 1ST. *We are created in the image of a generous God, who calls us to generosity.
1● Cultural Messages
A○ Give if it benefits you. B○ Give if there is anything left over. C○ Give out of a sense of duty.
2● The Mind and Heart of God
A○ There is a unique joy in giving. 2 Corinthians 8:2 - In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
B○ We are created to give - to be channels / rivers, Not reservoirs. Luke 12:20-21 - 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
3● The Generous Giver - one who gives with an obedient will, a joyful attitude, and a compassionate heart.
A○ Why God wants us to give:
1■ To respond to God’s goodness.
James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
2■ To focus on Him as our ultimate source of security. Matthew 6:19-20 - 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
● “Would you be more upset to find out there was no God, or that you had no money in any of your accounts?”
3■ To help achieve economic justice. 2 Corinthians 8:14 - At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality
4■ To bless others and to be blessed. Acts 2:45 - They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
5■ To break the hold money can have on us. Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
6■ To reflect God’s love. 1 John 3:17 - If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person
B○ How God calls us to give:
1■ Generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Romans 12:8 - if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully
2■ Cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Deuteronomy 15:10 - Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
3■ As a priority – the 1st & Best, Not the last & worst. Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
4■ Consistently & Systematically. 1 Corinthians 16:2a - On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income…
5■ As a Percentage Returned Back to God, from All God has Provided Us.
Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter (Tithing), without neglecting the former.
Malachi 3:8-10 - 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes (10%) and offerings (Anything Beyond 10%). 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe (10%) into the storehouse (Jesus Church), that there may be food (Provision for My Work) in my house (My Church). Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
6■ Sometimes, lavishly. John 12:3a - Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
C○ Generosity is for everyone:
1■ For those struggling financially: Start somewhere.
a● Give according to what you have. 2 Cor. 8:12 - For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have
b● Occasionally, God may call for extravagant giving. Mark 12:44- They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on
2■ For those with means: Maximize impact.
a● Look for opportunities. Acts 2:45 - They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
b● Take advantage of means to give. Luke 19:8a - But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor,…….
c● Ask God to give a vision for ongoing generosity. Luke 8:3 - Joanna ……..; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them (Jesus & his Disciples) out of their own means.
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
1. Commit to Being a Generous Giver, by Consistently Investing the 1st & Best Percentage of your Income, to Jesus Mission through New Hope, of Transforming Broken Lives Through Christ’s Love. Ideally do a 10% Tithe, but at least Start with Something. Set up a Re-Curring Donation Quickly through the ScanCode below to the Left, so that you will Automatically Give Every Time you get Paid, With-Out Forgetting. All Gifts to New Hope are Tax Deductible.
2. Do the Daily Devotions & Assignments for Week 4 – Generous Giver in the FreedUp App.
1 Corinthians 4:2 - Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
a prudent spender IS A GENEROUS GIVER 1ST. *We are created in the image of a generous God, who calls us to generosity.
1● Cultural Messages
A○ Give if it benefits you. B○ Give if there is anything left over. C○ Give out of a sense of duty.
2● The Mind and Heart of God
A○ There is a unique joy in giving. 2 Corinthians 8:2 - In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
B○ We are created to give - to be channels / rivers, Not reservoirs. Luke 12:20-21 - 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
3● The Generous Giver - one who gives with an obedient will, a joyful attitude, and a compassionate heart.
A○ Why God wants us to give:
1■ To respond to God’s goodness.
James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
2■ To focus on Him as our ultimate source of security. Matthew 6:19-20 - 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
● “Would you be more upset to find out there was no God, or that you had no money in any of your accounts?”
3■ To help achieve economic justice. 2 Corinthians 8:14 - At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality
4■ To bless others and to be blessed. Acts 2:45 - They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
5■ To break the hold money can have on us. Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
6■ To reflect God’s love. 1 John 3:17 - If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person
B○ How God calls us to give:
1■ Generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Romans 12:8 - if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully
2■ Cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Deuteronomy 15:10 - Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
3■ As a priority – the 1st & Best, Not the last & worst. Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
4■ Consistently & Systematically. 1 Corinthians 16:2a - On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income…
5■ As a Percentage Returned Back to God, from All God has Provided Us.
Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter (Tithing), without neglecting the former.
Malachi 3:8-10 - 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes (10%) and offerings (Anything Beyond 10%). 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe (10%) into the storehouse (Jesus Church), that there may be food (Provision for My Work) in my house (My Church). Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
6■ Sometimes, lavishly. John 12:3a - Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
C○ Generosity is for everyone:
1■ For those struggling financially: Start somewhere.
a● Give according to what you have. 2 Cor. 8:12 - For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have
b● Occasionally, God may call for extravagant giving. Mark 12:44- They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on
2■ For those with means: Maximize impact.
a● Look for opportunities. Acts 2:45 - They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
b● Take advantage of means to give. Luke 19:8a - But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor,…….
c● Ask God to give a vision for ongoing generosity. Luke 8:3 - Joanna ……..; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them (Jesus & his Disciples) out of their own means.
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
1. Commit to Being a Generous Giver, by Consistently Investing the 1st & Best Percentage of your Income, to Jesus Mission through New Hope, of Transforming Broken Lives Through Christ’s Love. Ideally do a 10% Tithe, but at least Start with Something. Set up a Re-Curring Donation Quickly through the ScanCode below to the Left, so that you will Automatically Give Every Time you get Paid, With-Out Forgetting. All Gifts to New Hope are Tax Deductible.
2. Do the Daily Devotions & Assignments for Week 4 – Generous Giver in the FreedUp App.