Generosity: is our privilege

Intro: *Talk about the 7 Values Series.

7. Honor. is our commitment

6. Love is our motivation

5. Servant Leadership is our calling

4. Excellence is our pursuit

Today we are going to talk about our 3rd value at Pinewood Church, which is “Generosity is our privilege”

Story: My tithing journey and getting married

God has taken care of our family. We have never missed a meal. We’ve never been in need of clothing. We’ve always had a roof over our head. He has blessed us above and beyond in every way!

Passage: 1 Chronicles 29:14-18

14 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. 15 For we are aliens and temporary residents in your presence as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.16 Lord our God, all this wealth that we’ve provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand; everything belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and that you are pleased with what is right. I have willingly given all these things with an upright heart, and now I have seen your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to you. 18 Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of your people, and confirm their hearts toward you.

Background on David: David was a man that was passionate about serving the Lord and was also passionate about His house.

Psalms 69:9

Title: Why we give

Main Points:

3 wrong approaches to generosity

3 biblical approaches to generosity

1. We don’t give out of obligation

   1. We don’t give because we have to.

   2. Have you ever done something out of obligation?

      1. Maybe you’ve bought a wedding gift because you felt obligated
      2. Or you showed up to a birthday party because you felt obligated.

      3. How many of you know that nothing GREAT comes out of a spirit of obligation?

         3. Obligation says “I’ll do it because I have to”

      4. This is not giving willfully as we see in the text.

         4. Text: Both the tabernacle (Exodus 35 & 36) and the temple were built from the voluntary gifts of people.

      5. The same is true of the local church today.

      6. “Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. 2 On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. 3 When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it is suitable for me to go as well, they will travel with me.” - 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
      7. Pinewood Church is here because of the faithful generosity of God’s people. Our partners don’t give because they have to, or out of obligation, they give out of opportunity!
      8. Over and over I hear our partner say that they are honored to be on the team. Blessed to support the ministry.
      9. We don’t give for an incentive

   3. We don’t give to receive.

   4. True generosity is not giving to get something in return.

   5. Illust: buying my wife a diamond for her wedding ring.

      1. I didn’t buy this gift thinking “Where’s my diamond?” NO! This was me wanting to be generous with my wife with no strings attached.

         4. Often people are turned off by the conversation of money because of what they have seen on tv.

      2. There are televangelists out there that will promise miracle water if you send them a small donation of $70. I’m here to tell you that is not biblical, that is false and it’s a lie from the enemy.

      3. There are preachers that will present a gospel wrapped up in prosperity where you get EVERYTHING you could ever dream of if you are generous with your finances. Prosperity gospel is evil and a lie from the enemy!

         5. This approach will leave you empty, angry, and unfulfilled.
         6. Text: David gave not so that he could get something in return, but so that future generations would have a place of worship to God!

      4. If you look deeper in the story, David would actually never be able to experience the temple that his provisions provided. He gave knowing it would be for his son and future generations.

      5. We don’t give for self gratification

   6. We don’t give to feel better about ourselves.

   7. It is not possible to deceive God. He knows our heart and our motive. If our motive is self interest and self gratification then it is not true worship.
   8. If we’re being honest, being generous does make you feel good. It is satisfying when you provide backpacks and school supplies for kids that otherwise wouldn’t have the resources to buy them. It feels good to provide meals for families in times of need. It feels good to give of our time, treasure, and talents to love others, but that CANNOT be our motive in being generous!

   9. Here we see three wrong motives for giving.

      1. Got to give - obligation
      2. Give to get - incentive
      3. Give and get - gratification
      4. God is calling us to so much more! This motive of generosity will only lead pride, let down, arrogance, and self indulgence. There’s a better way.

2. We give from a heart of humility

   1. “Who am I?”
   2. Everything we have is from God
   3. Text: 1 Chronicles 29:14-16. “For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
   4. We need a change in perspective as far as our finances are concerned.
   5. Illust: Borrowing Dan Huddlestons tools

3. We give with a joyful spirit

   1. “Giving joyfully and willinging”
   2. It’s a joy and privilege to give to God’s house
   3. “The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 CSB

4. We give as an act of worship

   1. “Hearts toward you”
   2. He wants both our hearts and our authenticity. Not ulterior motives.
   3. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21

   4. “You may have no other gods, but me.” Exodus 20:3

      1. The love of wealth and money can easily become a god in our lives. Something we worship. Whether we say it with our words or not, we say it with our actions.

      2. Anything we trust more than God, becomes our god. And the ones we worship!

         5. He’s not after your money, he’s after your heart. It just so happens that those two things are often together! He’s desires your worship!
         6. Submission and adoration is the posture to begin any generosity initiative.

      3. Everything belongs to Him, He is worthy, He has called us toward generosity, He has blessed us beyond anything we deserve, our posture should be mere submission and adoration to our Father!

      4. You have my job! You have my family! You have my purpose! You have my comfort! You have my future! You have my MONEY! There is nothing that I’m going to withhold from you God! You have my ALL!!!
         7. When we talk about giving God our relationships we says “Yes God, take my relationships.” When we talk about giving God our job “Yes God take my job, I trust you!” When we talk about giving God our kids “Yes God, take my kids!” When we talk about giving God our money “Hold UP!”

Closing: Investment in the eternal

We are here because people gave generously to start a church in Boulder

There are many other churches in Colorado, this Nation, and the world that we will invest in because we believe the message is life changing! The church is unstoppable! You don’t have to give, but it’s a privilege to come alongside the work God is doing here and around the world because it is about His kingdom, His glory!

Illust: Penny in hand with closed fist

Story: God’s provision on our lives

We have not missed a meal

We have been clothed for every season

We have been blessed beyond anything we deserve

We have been given an opportunity to give above and beyond

He doesn’t call us to give what makes sense. He calls us to trust him!

When our belief outweighs our reality our faith and trust increases, when we see God and trust that He owns it all, it will propel us into generosity!

Calling is not hinged on our circumstances, but on His sovereignty.