Biblical Generosity: An End-Time Strategy Mark 4:18,19 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. The closer we draw to the Lord’s return the more important it is that we understand and live by God’s financial principles.

Evangelist Greg Laurie “Money is such an important topic in the Bible that it is the subject of nearly half the parables Jesus told. In addition, one in every seven verses in the New Testament deals with this topic. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses on money. In fact, 15 percent of everything Jesus ever taught was on the topic of money and possessions – more than His teachings on heaven and hell combined. Why such an emphasis on money and possessions? There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money.”

 Some seed fell along the path and the birds ate it – people hear but Satan steals the word. Mk 4:14,15 Lacking Understanding  Some seed fell on rocky places with shallow soil – people hear and receive the word with joy, but when trouble comes they fall away because they have no root. Mk 4:16,17 Lacking Application  Some seed fell among thorns – people hear but worries of this life, deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things chokes the word making it unfruitful. Mk 4:18,19 Lacking a Kingdom Perspective  We must understand and apply the principles of God ~ in every area including finances ~ and maintain a Kingdom Perspective in order to bear abundant fruit in our lives. Mk 4:20

 2 Tim 3:1-5 The last days will be perilous times and the love of money will be a snare to many.  Rev 13:16-17 In the last days Satan will use money to gain control over people’s lives in order to gain control over their eternal destination.  Rev 13:9 Because of His love God has warned the world in advance in order to spare them the horror of the last days.  John 3:16,17 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 Money is first of all an issue of the heart, before it’s an issue of the wallet or checkbook. Matthew 6:19-21  The love of money ~ NOT money itself ~ is the root of evil. 1 Timothy 6:9-11  You cannot serve both God and mammon. Matthew 6:24  Everything you have belongs to God but He gives you the responsibility to manage the finances He places in your hands. Matthew 25:14-30  No matter what happens in this world God is able to provide for His children. Matt 6:25-34

 YOUR PART:  TRUST GOD  WORK FAITHFULLY  BE A WISE STEWARD  GIVE GENEROUSLY  GOD’S PART:  PROVIDE

 “If we don’t learn to handle our resources the way God intends, we’ll never be able to live the life God created us to live.” Nelson Searcy “The Generosity Ladder”  #1 Initial Giving  Acts 20:35 the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  If you’ve not been giving to the Lord, you start by giving a gift. You act out of a new paradigm - acknowledge that your financial resources are actually God’s and you are just the manager. You decide to give a gift back to Him.

 #2 Tithing  Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. [If you are not tithing we are robbing God]  9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. [Failing to tithe blocks God’s ability to bless you to the extent He would like]  10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. [Today the local church is the storehouse]  Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (NIV) [This is the only place in all of scripture where God says “test Me” in a positive way.]

 #3 Cheerful Sacrificial Giver  2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [You are blessed according to the measure that you give]  7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. [God loves a happy heart when you give]  8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. [God’s grace is above and beyond what you can earn – His favor and blessing is upon your life – so you will have enough for all your needs – and an abundance to give more]

 YOUR PART:  TRUST GOD  WORK FAITHFULLY  BE A WISE STEWARD  GIVE GENEROUSLY  GOD’S PART:  PROVIDE

Are you ready to be blessed and to be a blessing?