#271 W.I.J.D. Series# 6, Be Outright Generous

#271 W.I.J.D. Series# 6, Be Outright Generous
By: Pastor Karl Thomas

We can’t talk about W.I.J.D. without talking about giving.
Bible mentions:  Believed — 272 Pray — 371   Love — 714 Give — 2162
John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”

Acts 10:38 “… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Euergeteo:— to bestow benefits, from the root Benefactor.

Benefactor:— a person who supports or helps a person, institution, esp by giving money.
Acts 20:35 “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

John 12:1-8  “Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus … Judas Iscariot, … “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; he used to take what was put in it.”

John 13:29  “For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.”

Mark 4:25 (Message) “Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

Mark 12:17  “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

Generosity is not just an attempt to add a little kindness to the world … It’s an action that will transform the world, bringing His kingdom.

Generosity is not just Christians being nice people …  It’s God, through us, expressing His goodness, compassion, and attention to the needs of people.

Luke 16:1-12  (NLT)
Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. (steward of others money … not doing it right you are corrupt or stealing) 2 So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ 3 “The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. 4 Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ (If I want another job Home I better be good to these other business partners) 5 “So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ 6 The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons.[a]’ 7 “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.[b]’ 8 “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. 9 Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.[c] 10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

Jesus uses a strictly secular framework to tell His followers how to use their resources.
… he was wiser about his use of money than you are … my disciple.
1 You’re Managing God’s Stuff
1 Chronicles 29:12,14 “Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all … For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You.”

Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits (First 10%) of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

2 Invest In What Is Eternal
Money, which is temporary, is supposed to bless people and build relationships.
Use your TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE to bless others and you will have ETERNAL blessings!

 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

God is generous because he lives in a condition of abundance.
His provisions can never be exhausted.
We are managers of His inexhaustible abundance.
We should engage others with that mindset.

Real security is found in helping others and build eternal relationships:
1 Be Generous To Others
2 Invest In The Gospel Missions Local Church  Proclamation 

Jim Elliot — His journal entry for October 28, 1949, expresses his belief that your whole life is to be spent on behalf of others: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

271 W.I.J.D. Series# 6, Be Outright Generous, PowerPoint Slides

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