GENEROSITY | PASTOR ADAM PETERSON
Generosity: The Heart of God's Kingdom
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be generous? Generosity isn't just about money—it flows directly from the heart of God. When we understand God's incredible generosity toward us, our perspective on giving changes completely.
What Does True Generosity Look Like?
Generosity is more than an action; it's a reflection of who God is. Think about it: "For God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16). God didn't give sparingly—He gave generously, offering His first and His best in Jesus Christ.
Most of us want to be known as generous people. If someone asked whether you'd prefer to be known as stingy or generous, you'd likely choose the latter. Yet many of us struggle to live generously, especially when it comes to our finances.
Why Do We Struggle with Financial Generosity?
For some, it's simply an obedience issue. You know what God is asking, but you haven't taken that step yet. For others, there's a misconception about ownership. We think, "It's my money—I worked hard for it."
But here's a perspective shift: Where did you get the breath in your lungs to go to that job? Who gave you the ability to work? Everything we have ultimately comes from God.
When we hold our money with clenched fists, we can never allow God to use it as He desires. And interestingly, we also can't open our hands to receive more from Him.
How Are Our Hearts and Money Connected?
Jesus said something profound in Matthew 6: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This reveals a spiritual principle—your heart follows your money.
When you invest your treasure in God's kingdom, your heart naturally follows. You become more invested in seeing lives changed, people saved, and the kingdom advanced. But when your treasure doesn't go toward God's kingdom, neither does your heart.
God doesn't want your money—He wants your heart. And He knows that our finances often grip our hearts more than anything else.
What Does the Bible Say About Giving?
The Bible teaches the principle of tithing—giving the first 10% back to God. Some might think, "If I gave 10% of my income, I'd have to rearrange everything!" That's exactly right, and that's part of the invitation.
We rearrange many aspects of our lives as followers of Jesus—the music we listen to, the shows we watch, the words we speak. Our finances should be no different.
The beautiful truth is that God can do more with your 90% than you can do with your 100%. It's similar to how parents manage finances for their children. God isn't calling you incapable; He's simply saying He's better at managing resources than we are.
How Can We Develop Trust in God's Provision?
Generosity ultimately comes down to trust. Do we believe God is trustworthy? Do we believe He's our provider? Do we trust that our church will use our giving to advance God's kingdom?
Creating a budget can help tremendously. Instead of wondering where your money went, tell your money where to go. Include God in that budget—not giving Him leftovers but giving Him first, just as He gave us His best.
What's the Long-Term Impact of Generosity?
Think about sitting under a shade tree on a hot day. You enjoy the shade, but you didn't plant the tree. Someone years ago put a seed in the ground, and now you benefit from their foresight and generosity.
In the same way, when you give to your church, you're planting seeds that will provide "shade" for people you may never meet. Your generosity today creates a legacy of changed lives for years to come.
As 2 Corinthians 9:6 reminds us: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
The harvest of generosity isn't always more money in your pocket—it's souls being saved, lives being transformed, and God's kingdom advancing.
Life Application
This week, take some time to evaluate your perspective on generosity. Ask yourself these questions:
Am I holding my finances with clenched fists or open hands?
Do I truly believe that God can do more with my 90% than I can with my 100%?
What one step can I take this week to grow in generosity?
Beyond finances, how can I be more generous with my time, talents, and words?
Challenge yourself to take a concrete step toward greater generosity this week. Whether it's beginning to tithe, increasing your giving, or creating a budget that prioritizes God's kingdom, remember that you'll never regret living a generous life for the kingdom of God.
When we give generously, we're not just supporting a church or ministry—we're investing in eternal impact. And one day, we'll see the full harvest of that generosity when we meet those in heaven whose lives were changed because we chose to give.
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be generous? Generosity isn't just about money—it flows directly from the heart of God. When we understand God's incredible generosity toward us, our perspective on giving changes completely.
What Does True Generosity Look Like?
Generosity is more than an action; it's a reflection of who God is. Think about it: "For God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16). God didn't give sparingly—He gave generously, offering His first and His best in Jesus Christ.
Most of us want to be known as generous people. If someone asked whether you'd prefer to be known as stingy or generous, you'd likely choose the latter. Yet many of us struggle to live generously, especially when it comes to our finances.
Why Do We Struggle with Financial Generosity?
For some, it's simply an obedience issue. You know what God is asking, but you haven't taken that step yet. For others, there's a misconception about ownership. We think, "It's my money—I worked hard for it."
But here's a perspective shift: Where did you get the breath in your lungs to go to that job? Who gave you the ability to work? Everything we have ultimately comes from God.
When we hold our money with clenched fists, we can never allow God to use it as He desires. And interestingly, we also can't open our hands to receive more from Him.
How Are Our Hearts and Money Connected?
Jesus said something profound in Matthew 6: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This reveals a spiritual principle—your heart follows your money.
When you invest your treasure in God's kingdom, your heart naturally follows. You become more invested in seeing lives changed, people saved, and the kingdom advanced. But when your treasure doesn't go toward God's kingdom, neither does your heart.
God doesn't want your money—He wants your heart. And He knows that our finances often grip our hearts more than anything else.
What Does the Bible Say About Giving?
The Bible teaches the principle of tithing—giving the first 10% back to God. Some might think, "If I gave 10% of my income, I'd have to rearrange everything!" That's exactly right, and that's part of the invitation.
We rearrange many aspects of our lives as followers of Jesus—the music we listen to, the shows we watch, the words we speak. Our finances should be no different.
The beautiful truth is that God can do more with your 90% than you can do with your 100%. It's similar to how parents manage finances for their children. God isn't calling you incapable; He's simply saying He's better at managing resources than we are.
How Can We Develop Trust in God's Provision?
Generosity ultimately comes down to trust. Do we believe God is trustworthy? Do we believe He's our provider? Do we trust that our church will use our giving to advance God's kingdom?
Creating a budget can help tremendously. Instead of wondering where your money went, tell your money where to go. Include God in that budget—not giving Him leftovers but giving Him first, just as He gave us His best.
What's the Long-Term Impact of Generosity?
Think about sitting under a shade tree on a hot day. You enjoy the shade, but you didn't plant the tree. Someone years ago put a seed in the ground, and now you benefit from their foresight and generosity.
In the same way, when you give to your church, you're planting seeds that will provide "shade" for people you may never meet. Your generosity today creates a legacy of changed lives for years to come.
As 2 Corinthians 9:6 reminds us: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
The harvest of generosity isn't always more money in your pocket—it's souls being saved, lives being transformed, and God's kingdom advancing.
Life Application
This week, take some time to evaluate your perspective on generosity. Ask yourself these questions:
Am I holding my finances with clenched fists or open hands?
Do I truly believe that God can do more with my 90% than I can with my 100%?
What one step can I take this week to grow in generosity?
Beyond finances, how can I be more generous with my time, talents, and words?
Challenge yourself to take a concrete step toward greater generosity this week. Whether it's beginning to tithe, increasing your giving, or creating a budget that prioritizes God's kingdom, remember that you'll never regret living a generous life for the kingdom of God.
When we give generously, we're not just supporting a church or ministry—we're investing in eternal impact. And one day, we'll see the full harvest of that generosity when we meet those in heaven whose lives were changed because we chose to give.
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