On a scale of 1-10, how would you describe your generosity?
“I Will Give Generously,” is the title of Chapter 6 of Thom Rainer’s book I Will. It was the core of our Connect Group’s discussion today at Trinity Baptist Church.
The chapter focuses on several tough sins many of us don’t even realize we struggle with. The sin of lust through materialism driven by pride or greed. The sin of idolatry driven by a love for things over Christ.
There are seven solid takeaways I found in this short chapter.
1. Jesus Teaches with Authority
When Jesus spoke at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) he drew a large crowd. One of the things he spoke about was money (more to follow).
**** Matthew 7:28-29 ****
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
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As Christians, the words Christ spoke then, and the words the Holy Spirit speaks to us now through sermons, prayer, fellowship, and scripture, are truth. But we have to be willing to listen to the truth, discern it, and obey when called.
2. Check Your Materialism
Are you materialistic? Are you constantly wasting money on things you don’t really need, chasing an image, or trying to buy your way into acceptance?
**** Matthew 6:19-20 ****
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
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Everything we buy on earth eventually goes away. It can be destroyed, stolen, or depreciated. That which we give to others can save hearts, grow missions, and create testimonies.
2. Invest in Eternity
When we give freely to others, when we give to our church, when we aren’t afraid our resources are limited, we live like Christ. Sure, we can buy fancy cars and clothes, amass debt, and say we just don’t have the money to give to the things Christ has called us to give to, but one day we will have to stand before Christ and answer for where we invested the money He entrusted us with on earth.
3. Don’t Put Your Heart in Money
Money doesn’t follow your heart, but your heart will always follow your money.
**** Matthew 6:21 ****
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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**** 1 Timothy 6:10 ****
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
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4. Your Bank Statement is a Testament to God
Your bank statement reveals a lot about the idols in your life. It shows where you spend your money. If you look at the percentage of things each month where you’re spending money, what percentage are you giving to God? How much of it are you spending to support your family? How much are you squandering on things you don’t really need that you could spend on serving others through Christ’s calling?
5. Trust God
Nothing you have today was acquired by you alone. If you truly trust God with the purpose He has called you to do, you should trust Him to take care of you financially. Yes, you should save money and pay bills. Yes, you should be financially responsible. Yes, when God lays it on your heart to give to someone, to the church, to an organization that could use your support, you should trust Him and be obedient.
6. You Can’t Serve 2 Masters
God provides you with money as a tool for living your purpose. Too often we allow that tool to control our lives instead of using it for its intended purpose.
**** Matthew 6:24 ****
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
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Maybe the control we allow money to have is reflected in our need to work more than we should so we miss spending time with family, fellowship opportunities with other Christians, and going to church. Maybe the control is reflected in our unwillingness to give to others, as Christ has called us to do.
7. Don’t Struggle with Giving
Satan will always convince you not to give. He will always convince you to chase after something that meets the darkest needs of your heart.
If you find yourself struggling with a decision to make a purchase or to give to God, the real struggle is usually rooted in the question, “Do I really need this? What will it do for me?”
Reword those last two questions?
“Do I really need God? What will God do for me?” Now think about your struggle with giving to God. How does your giving reflect your heart’s answer to those two questions?
Serving God, donating to the church, and supporting others God has called you to support are all investments in eternity. Everything else you spend your money on is an investment in the temporary. Spend wisely!
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Additional notes from today’s class discussuin are shared here:
As Josh Mudford lead our group in a discussion on this chapter today, a few of the things he highlighted included:
1. God made us. God gave His only son for our salvation. We owe ourselves to God.
2. God will bless us, the same way we bless our children, if we are obedient.
**** Matthew 7:11 ****
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
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3. God’s commandments are similar to fences we build to protect the things we love. God’s word is full of fences. Those fences are designed to keep us safe.
4. God’s blessings are conditional on us following His word and rules. If you notice many of the verses in the Bible have “If —- will —- then —-.”
5. God is always faithful. You cannot out give him. Jesus doesn’t want your money, he wants your heart. The money He provides for you is a tool by which you can serve your purpose.
6. We call Jesus our savior, but is He truly our Lord? Do we give as we have been called, or do we hold onto our money because we are serving money more than we are serving Christ?
7. Tithe means 10th. We are called to give 1/10th of what we earn back to Christ. There is only one verse in the Bible where God says “Try Me”:
**** Malachi 3:10 ****
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. 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.
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If you are willing to give to Christ, you will be blessed.
If you are willing to give to others who need it more than you, like Christ did, you will be blessed.
And if you’re looking for a church home, I encourage you to join us at Trinity Baptist Church … you will be blessed!