Statements we have heard, endorse but honestly find a bit impossible or put them in the file with a perfect world.
It is better to give than to receive
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
You can’t out-give God
God loves a cheerful giver
I love to give. But I want God to live by faith in me!
Big Idea: Jesus has given you a new heart, but the powers of this world shutdown a generous and cheerful heart.
Love of Stuff locks down a cheerful heart.
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
Trying to love both worlds locks down a generous heart.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24
"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity." Ecclesiastes 5:10
Waiting to give locks down a Joyful heart.
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." Proverbs 11:24
"A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him." Proverbs 28:22
Giving from anything but love and faith locks down a bountiful heart.
“I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me. Hosea 6:6
"A large crowd was listening to Jesus gladly. As he taught them, he said, “Watch out for the teachers of the Law, who like to walk around in their long robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplace, who choose the reserved seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts. They take advantage of widows and rob them of their homes, and then make a show of saying long prayers. Their punishment will be all the worse!” Mark 12:37-40
Trusting God to provide unlocks a cheerful heart.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Seeking God and his kingdom over the world grows a generous heart.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24
Giving sacrificially NOW produces a contented heart.
"I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:18-19
Giving because you trust God’s promises over the promises of the world releases a bountiful heart!
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
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