Biblical generosity isn’t giving because you have to, nor is it giving so you can get stuff from God. In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally explains the true results of giving as he concludes our Open Handed series.
Being open handed is adopting a lifestyle of holding loosely to your resources so you can live a generous life.
Give to get to give: If we are going to be open handed, generous Christians, we need to understand WHY we give and HOW we give.
Why do we give?
2 Cor. 9:8,11 “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
“Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
Give –religious
Give to get – greedy
Give to get to give – generous
How do we give?
- Purpose.
Sowing and reaping.
Genesis 8:22
Galatians 6:7
2 Cor. 9:6-7
Luke 6:38 - Percentages.
Luke 21:1-3
Jesus was impressed with the percentage given, not the total. In the New Testament, tithing is not a law, but an opportunity. If a Christian wants to tithe, they should give 10%of their increase (gross income) to their home church. Offerings are other amounts given to other ministries. - Planning.
1 Cor. 16:2
First fruits giving: giving your best, first. - Perspective.
If someone asked you for $100 how would you react? If you recently won 100 million dollars in thelottery, how would you react?
Romans 8:32 “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”
If you have Jesus, you already have everything.
Are you open handed?