Being Generous Isn’t About How Much You Give

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Christmas is For All People

Being Generous Isn’t About How Much You Give By Rick Warren — Dec 19, 2015 “You must 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.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT, second edition) Christmas isn’t primarily about compassion. It’s about generosity. First and foremost it’s about God’s generosity toward us that was demonstrated when he gave his one and only Son so that we could have new life. Because of this truth, as we are in the Christmas season, there’s no better attitude we can develop than generosity. Being generous isn’t about how much you give. The amount is irrelevant. It’s all about your attitude! The Bible says, “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have” (2 Corinthians 8:12 NLT, second edition). Generosity isn’t about your wealth; it’s about your willingness — to help others, to show love to other people, and to honor God. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, God gives us three specific characteristics of an attitude of authentic generosity: “You must 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.” This kind of biblical generosity is: Always thoughtful. “You must decide in your heart …” You need to think about how much you’re going to give. Don’t do it impulsively or emotionally. You make up your own mind — and you plan it. Always voluntary. “Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.” Never, ever, ever give out of guilt. When you do, you don’t get credit for it, and it won’t grow your heart. Always cheerful. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” The word “cheerful” in the Bible is the Greek word “hilarious.” You know the word we get from that — “hilarious.” If you can’t give hilariously, don’t. Just be a Grinch. Be a miser. Be a Scrooge. You don’t get any credit for giving unless you give to somebody cheerfully. Be generous with your giving. Again, it’s not about the amount you give — it doesn’t have to be about money at all. You can be generous with your time or with your talents. Whatever you give, do it thoughtfully, voluntarily, and cheerfully. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over Why is your attitude important when giving? Of the three characteristics of biblical generosity (thoughtful, voluntary, and cheerful), which do you find the toughest to apply? Why do you think this is so? Can you tell when someone gives something to you but one or all of the elements are absent? How have you responded to that?   Where will the journey for truth lead you.   CURRENT RADIO SERIES Relentless Faith   CURRENT TV SERIES God is With Us.   After listening to the king, [the wise men] went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:9-10 What is the fundamental question that fuels how we look at the universe? It’s bigger than, “What’s the meaning of life?” And it’s deeper than, “Is there a God?” No, I believe the deepest question our souls long to answer is this: “Why is there something instead of nothing?” And our answer to that question will determine exactly how we look at our universe and ourselves. So how does a wise man or woman begin to search for answers to that question? By sincere investigation. The magi knew this… and although they worshipped false gods, they had a longing to know the truth. So when they saw the star in the East that directed them toward Bethlehem, they risked life and limb to seek the truth. More than our presuppositions and assumptions about the universe, we must first begin by asking that same question and sincerely investigating possible answers if we want to discover the truth. For these magi, it meant traveling to Bethlehem. Maybe for you, it means seriously investigating the claims of the Christian faith. Above all else, our pursuit should be for the truth. And for millions, that pursuit – like the magi’s – has led them straight to the feet of Jesus. Pursue truth. You may be surprised to find your answers at the feet of Jesus.