Sermon Money Matters Part 3 The 6 P’s of Generosity 2 Corinthians 8-9 Introduction

“…for the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.” There are some really important things that money can’t buy – love, happiness, godly kids. – “If it comes to me, it’s mine.”

“How much of our wealth will we give to God?” BUT “How much of God’s wealth will we keep for ourselves?”

FINANCIAL DECISIONS ARE NOT AN ISSUE OF FINANCES, THEY ARE AN ISSUE OF THE HEART.

Your use of your money is an act of worship. Your spending depicts a worship of the Creator, the creation, or a troubling mix of both. You and I never spend money neutrally.

We always worship our way through our bank accounts. And often our use of money reveals that at some level we have exchanged worship and service of the Creator for worship and service of his creation. Remember, worship is not just something we do in formal church gatherings.

No, you and I worship our way through every moment of every day. So it really is impossible that our use of money not be an act of worship. Eternity reminds us that God alone is worthy of the moment-by-moment worship investments that will shape and direct our life.

It is right to spend money in the enjoyment of the creation, but only in a way that worships the One who made it. What does your spending reveal about who or what commands the worship of your heart? – Paul Tripp

GENEROSITY ISN’T -Spontaneous or Random Acts of Giving -Determined by cash flow- shaped by money in hand -Giving huge sums -Being Rich

2 Corinthians 8:3-5 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

2 Corinthians 9:5-7 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

THE 6 P’S OF GENEROSITY GENEROSITY - A prioritized predetermined plan for being a progressive, percentage, and pleasant steward of what God has entrusted to you.

Plan- Tripp "An acknowledgment of the reality of eternity can free me from the ‘my money belongs to me to better my life and to make me happy’ view that we all tend to fall into." Priority- Give, Save, Live

Saving is how you say yes to you and your future; generosity is how you say yes to what is important to you.” (Andy Stanley) Predetermined- 9:1-5 They planned and prepared for giving this gift for those in Judea

Percentage – A percentage is better than a fixed amount because it means that when you make more, you also give more. Progressive- 9:6 “With increasing income, the Christian’s standard of giving should increase, not his standard of living.” – John Wesley

Pleasantly (cheerful)- 8:4; 9:7

But when it comes to generosity… “Nobody regrets giving too much.”

APPLICATION- Take a step of faith and GIVE, SAVE, LIVE Become a First time giver Become a Punctual giver Become a Priority -Percentage giver Become an extravagant Giver -

What would it look like if we all took a step of faith from where we are in giving? The impact of the body of Christ would expand in this community and around the world.

Things I’ve never seen on a tombstone:

“I wish I’d spent more on me.” “I really regret helping those folks who were in need.”

“It was a big mistake to be a tither all my life.” “Why did I give so much away?”

Borden of Yale "No reserves.“ "No retreats.“ “No Regrets.”