God’s Generosity Changes Us

Show Notes

• God gave His only Son for our salvation, demonstrating the ultimate generosity (John 3:16).
• Our generosity will always fall short in comparison, but this shouldn’t discourage us from giving.
  
   

The Bible does tell us of the transformative power of acknowledging God’s generosity.

• God’s generosity is evident in His sacrificial love, even when we were sinners (Romans 5:8).
• Embracing a generous spirit is part of our faith journey and a way to trust and participate in God's kingdom.

• What about financial security when giving? 
• Trusting in God’s provision is crucial when fear of not having enough arises.
• Generosity is a tangible way to show trust in God and engage in His work.

• Giving is not a competition or a means to earn God's favor.
• We already have God’s favor through grace; our call is to extend grace to others (Ephesians 4:32).
• Generosity should stem from a desire for heavenly reward, not material gain or favor.

King David is an example of having a right attitude toward giving. 

• Everything we have is from God, and our generosity is a response to His provision (1 Chronicles 29:14).
• Generosity leads to a closer relationship with God and aligns our hearts with His.

• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
• Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
• Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
• Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
• 1 Chronicles 29:14: "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."
• 2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

• I've been reading Leviticus and noticed that if we redeem back a part of the tithe, we are supposed to add a fifth to it. If I haven’t paid tithes for a long time, do I need to pay it all back?
• As a widow with three adult children, where two are doing well financially and one is not, I am concerned about how to fairly divide my estate, taking into consideration the financial help given to the one child over the years. What is your advice? 
• I'm a 56-year-old retired teacher with no debt, drawing a pension, and working part-time; I have $28,600 in a 403(b) in a fixed account and am uncertain about moving it to the stock market. What should I do? 

• Splitting Heirs by Ron Blue
• Schwab Intelligent Portfolios