Sunday's Message: Generosity // Purpose Driven Giving
It's a known fact that I love to give things to people. Whether it be confidence in themselves or a hug, I just can't get enough. Well, this Sunday the church was in Part II of their Generous Series. The idea is you have to see giving as an eternal investment and spread that investment around. So let's jump right into it!
I'll enjoy forever what I invest in Heaven. In order to do that we have to learn one simple concept, "love people, use money." Humans are selfish creatures, let's face it. We love to love money and will sometimes stop at nothing to get it, even if it means harming someone else. It's a sad truth but the change for the better has to start with you. "Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment..."
I invest in heaven every time I use my money for good. I am so guilty of spending money on frivolous things especially this past summer when I had a job. I like to shop, guys. It's funny that when I started being a broke college student again I went out of my way to donate what little extra I had to others. I don't understand it either but I have to learn to give back constantly. "They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always ready to share with others whatever God has given them."
God's Five Eternal Investment Funds
God's Treasury Fund: I invest in eternity by using money to worship God. This is the highest and best use. "Honor the Lord by giving HIM the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns...and overflow your barrels..." We call this tithe. It's the 10% of whatever you have that goes back to God. It's not saying you can't give more, some people give less, but that's the general rule. In fact, I had 7 dollars on me at church on Sunday. I gave away $3. Why? I just felt like it was right. It felt good to give back to the church, especially one that I love being a part of. "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also." "Give up your lust for money...Then the Almighty himself will be your treasure." We should want to "know God and love God."
God's Mutual Fund: I invest in eternity by using money to encourage fellowship. This is probably the one I resonated with the most. Where is your heart right now? Where do you want it to be? I know I'm at a good place right now but that wasn't always the case. We all struggle and go through rough patches. We all stop showing we care and close off the world at some point. That shouldn't be so easy. We should want to stay present and involved. We must learn to "love one another with mutual affection." We must "think of ways to encourage one another with outbursts of love and good deeds." I am very much a people person as much as I try to deny it sometimes. I make friends easily and can connect with total strangers. It's just something I've always been able to do even though I'm actually a very shy person. Dream On Youth lets me easily connect with people and I absolutely love it. "You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving."
- It proves I'm in God's family.
- It creates unity and draws us closer to God.
- It's a witness to unbelievers. "When you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible."God's Growth Fund: I invest in eternity by using money to grow my character. We need to invest in ourselves so we can become better people. We were born with a mission, a purpose. We need to put our faith back into that. "It is better -- much better -- to have wisdom and knowledge than gold and silver.
God's Service Fund: I invest in eternity by using money to serve others. Yes, now we're talking about charity. Not just the organizations trying to make the world a better place but the people who so desperately need us. Just lending a hand or talking to someone does more than you could ever imagine. "Every time I give my heart grows bigger." In fact, I promote random acts of kindness. Doesn't matter what kind of mood you're in, just go out of your way to be kind to someone. Holding the door open for someone. Smiling when a stranger passes by. Texting that friend that you haven't talked to in ages. Telling someone you love them. Sending a handwritten letter to someone who wasn't expecting it. There's so much you could do but the whole point is to go around spreading love. "Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others..."
God's Global Fund: I invest in eternity by using money to bring others to Jesus. This is a little harder. I have witnessed this push people away more times than not. How? Because even though someone's heart was in the right place, they were trying to force an idea in someone's head. You do not accomplish anything by telling but by being an example. I am friends with religious and non-religious people. I have friends that aren't sure which side they want to be on. I'm not going to sit here and tell them "you're going to hell if you don't." And yes people, I've heard others say that before. I just want someone to explain how that is supposed to bring anyone closer to God. It puts fear or indifference into someone's mind and they turn the other way. No, I simply open my arms and live my life like God would want me to. This is why I've started these Sunday message blog posts. So anyone and everyone with the same beliefs I do can discuss things. People that aren't sure if they want to know God can decide for themselves. I know all types of people follow our blog so I have faith that some of them may try to build a better relationship with God. For now, that's all I need. The faith that, when the time is right, they will open their hearts.
This is where my heart is right now. It's always been with giving but I'm just starting to realize how much joy it can truly bring me. Go out and spread a little, or a lot of, love today! You never know whose day you could change!
Food for thought: "The world of the generous grows larger and larger, the world of the stingy grows smaller and smaller."
- Cydney