Message Notes:
Generosity isn’t just about giving money—it’s about giving God your heart.
Big Idea:
[1 Timothy 4:7b-8]
“Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
[Matthew 6:19-24]
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
Generosity Repositions Your Trust
[1 Timothy 6:9-10]
“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
It leads to:
Biblical Tithe
[1 Corinthians 16:2]
“On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.”
“Every time you give, you declare: ‘God is my Provider.’ Not my job. Not my savings account. Not the economy. God alone.”
Generosity Reshapes Your Character
[2 Corinthians 9:6-7]
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
When you resist this discipline, your soul shrinks.
But here’s the warning:Unfaithfulness in stewardship isn’t neutral—it’s dangerous:
“You can’t be spiritually mature and financially selfish at the same time.”
Generosity Redirects Your Impact
[Acts 2:44-47]
“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
[1 Timothy 6:18-19]
“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
“You may never know the full impact of your generosity—but eternity will. Every meal, every dollar, every act of giving—it echoes forever.”
Here’s how to begin living open-handed:
Audit your treasure
Tithe faithfully
Give cheerfully and consistently
Stretch yourself
“I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back – but God has a bigger shovel” – R.G. LeTourneau
“It’s not how much of my money I give to God—it’s how much of God’s money I keep for myself.” – R.G. LeTourneau
“God doesn’t want something from you—He wants something for you.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Application Questions
- What stood out to you from this message and why?
- What is one thing God is telling you to
- What is one thing God is telling you to
- How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?