A Generous Life: November 6
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November 6, 2022
Pastor Nate Levering
God owns what is already His. The money we have, included. The possessions we carry, included. So what is God doing in our hearts while we give back what is already His?
Pastor Nate ventured to say that a generous life engages our heart to trust. Consider a time when you were asked to stretch beyond what you thought possible and God showed up. How did He show up? How was His faithfulness displayed and how did you faith in Him grow? The apostle Paul, a disciple of Jesus in the New Testament, displays for us how to live a generous life. Not by a sense of guilt, but a plan.
So how do we start? What if we first considered others above ourselves? And you do, in so many ways, consider others. We see it and feel it and are often recipients of your generous heart. It seems to be, for Paul, the compass by which we should realign ourselves and our perception of giving.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
How much do I give? This is tough. Or maybe easy depending on how you look at it because it's simply between you and God. For some of us it's 5%, some 10%. Consider the faith of the widow, who knew what Jesus had to offer her and gave Him back everything.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. (Mark 12: 41-44)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Living a generous life is not based on spontaneous, emotional giving. We are stewards over what God has given us.
Where should I give? What does it look like to give to a place you can trust? Pastor Nate doesn't shy away from the present reality that many institutions, organizations and people lack transparency, which is seen, for better or worse as a breach of trust. Therefore, many people have a difficult time wanting to give or knowing who and where to give to. Understandable. So what would it look like to give to where you see God moving. What matters to you and what pulls at your soul to funnel generosity there? Awesome! Let us hear it. Celebrate those places!
Why should I give? We fully believe that God is active and here with us in the local church. The ministry of God is this world is through us.
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:10-15).
Through your generosity, through all of us, God's work and love for His people are shown. All of what we see and do and give engages us into a more intimate relationship with God. A generous life invests in our future, future. We are investing and laying up treasures in heaven. We see God work in new ways, trusting His hand to work over your life and through your life.
Pastor Nate Levering
God owns what is already His. The money we have, included. The possessions we carry, included. So what is God doing in our hearts while we give back what is already His?
Pastor Nate ventured to say that a generous life engages our heart to trust. Consider a time when you were asked to stretch beyond what you thought possible and God showed up. How did He show up? How was His faithfulness displayed and how did you faith in Him grow? The apostle Paul, a disciple of Jesus in the New Testament, displays for us how to live a generous life. Not by a sense of guilt, but a plan.
So how do we start? What if we first considered others above ourselves? And you do, in so many ways, consider others. We see it and feel it and are often recipients of your generous heart. It seems to be, for Paul, the compass by which we should realign ourselves and our perception of giving.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
How much do I give? This is tough. Or maybe easy depending on how you look at it because it's simply between you and God. For some of us it's 5%, some 10%. Consider the faith of the widow, who knew what Jesus had to offer her and gave Him back everything.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. (Mark 12: 41-44)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Living a generous life is not based on spontaneous, emotional giving. We are stewards over what God has given us.
Where should I give? What does it look like to give to a place you can trust? Pastor Nate doesn't shy away from the present reality that many institutions, organizations and people lack transparency, which is seen, for better or worse as a breach of trust. Therefore, many people have a difficult time wanting to give or knowing who and where to give to. Understandable. So what would it look like to give to where you see God moving. What matters to you and what pulls at your soul to funnel generosity there? Awesome! Let us hear it. Celebrate those places!
Why should I give? We fully believe that God is active and here with us in the local church. The ministry of God is this world is through us.
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:10-15).
Through your generosity, through all of us, God's work and love for His people are shown. All of what we see and do and give engages us into a more intimate relationship with God. A generous life invests in our future, future. We are investing and laying up treasures in heaven. We see God work in new ways, trusting His hand to work over your life and through your life.
Announcements:
- Women's Ministry invites all the ladies to another round of BUNCO & BOARDS on Nov. 8 from 6:30-8:30 in the Kids Building. Bring your competitive spirit and a charcuterie board to share!
- GriefShare invites you and your loved ones to "Surviving the Holidays" on Nov. 10 from 5:00-7:00 in the Kids Building. Join us for a dinner and video seminar as we are encouraged to live joyfully this holiday season while we walk in grief.
- MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is beginning again on Nov. 10 from 9:00-11:00 in the Worship Center. We are still in need of childcare for the little ones. Please contact our Kids Min. Director if you would like to serve, rachel@sierrabible.com.
- Disc Golf: if your family or business would like to sponsor a sign/hole on our disc golf course, please get in touch with Emily Turner (emilyt@sierrabible.com) for details. Sponsorship closes on November 15th.
- Get Your Financial House in Order: The seminar on Nov. 13-14th will be here at SBC, featuring Dave Bragonier with Barnabas Financial Ministries. This sermon will teach on how to communicate finances in your marriage, what and why we give/tithe, the value of budgeting and saving, and ultimately show you that you are not alone in the financial struggle...God does amazing things when we surrender what's already HIS. The cost is $35 per couple or $30 per person. Sign up on our website or at our table in the Commons today!
- Food Pantry Christmas List: We will be collecting Christmas gifts to give out to our Food Pantry clients. Grab a list of gift ideas at our Welcome Center. You can drop these off in the Welcome Center on Sunday, Nov. 13 and 20, or bring to the church office during the week.
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