The Blessed Life - Dec 6, 2009 - Champaign, IL
A Heart of Generosity
December 6, 2009 - A Heart of Generosity by Craig Groeschel - Grace Community Church Champaign, IL
More Blessed
Acts 20:35 NIV84
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Refreshing Generosity
Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV84
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Sowing and Reaping
2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV84
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
A Bag-Full
Haggai 1:6 NKJV
You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.
A Basket-Full
Deuteronomy 28:4-6 NIV84
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
A Barn-Full
Deuteronomy 28:8 NIV84
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
How much can God bless you with?
See Luke 16:10-11, Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 12:16-19, and Luke 12:20-21
True Riches
Luke 16:10-11 NIV84
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
Overflowing
Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV84
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Bigger Barn Mistake
Luke 12:16-19 NIV84
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’
Rich Toward God
Luke 12:20-21 NIV84
“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?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Talk It Over
Share some of the blessings in your life. How aware of God’s blessing are you on a day-to-day basis? Describe your generosity mindset. How is this the key to how blessed your life feels? Share the part of the message that spoke the most to you personally. What steps will you take this week to act on how God is leading you?
Share a Prayer Request or Need
Please tell us how we can pray for you or a way we can help you this week.
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