God’s Generous Heart
1. Filled with a Love that Demonstrates
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us
2. Filled with a love that Gives whatever the cost.
John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
What was the cost?
2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
What kind of love does God have? The kind of love that gives even at a great cost
Luke 6:37-38 Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. 38 If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving – large or small – it will be used to measure what is given back to you.
A Generous Heart – To love like God!
ILLUS> Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea
What keeps us from a Generous Heart? (Keeps us from giving)
1. False Belief – God helps those who help themselves. Judgement
Many falsely believe that God only helps those who pull themselves up, get their act together and put in hard work.
Truth – God’s Grace – God helps those who cannot help themselves!
2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Practices for a Generous Heart
- I will admit my weakness to God and trust Him for the grace to meet my needs.
- I will demonstrate and generously give to others the same grace and love God has given to me.
2. False Belief – Scarcity – If I give it away, I have less
Built on the idea that whatever I give away is now lost, whatever I share is gone and whatever I provide for another contributes to my own lack.
Truth – God’s Love – If we share, we will have enough. We will never out give God’s love.
Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
Omar principle - there is enough for everyone – take only what you need.
Practices for a Generous Heart
- I will give generously to others as God leads, knowing that I cannot out give God! His love is unfailing and everlasting.
3. False Belief – Entitlement – What I have is mine to use for my own pleasure.
“This teaches us that the things that we possess, whether money, time or abilities, are ours to use as we see fit, which often means using them for our own gain and not the benefit of others.” James Smith
Truth – What I have is God’s, to use for His glory!
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.
Practices for a Generous Heart
- I am a steward of God’s gifts; everything belongs to Him. I will begin to ask Him how I should use the gifts He has given.
