Miserably Happy People: What is Your Life Producing?

What is Your Life Producing?

Series: Miserably Happy People

November 26, 2023

Central Baptist Church

Dr. Clayton Chisum

Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT)

Your life is

Jesus told this parable because he wants you to think about the product of your life.

Investor  —

9-to-5er —

Prepper —

They had to give an account for their actions (Matthew 25:19 NLT)

Application:

The prepper’s was all about himself — while the other two were on mission for their master

Are you for the Master?

Jesus expects you to be with what you have, not with what you don’t have

The early believers were an example of how to be generous in our giving:

-They were moved to

-We are guilted into

-God doesn’t want a , he wants your

If you want God’s hand in your life — he has to have your heart — “and where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

How can you begin to be intentional with your generosity?

where you are

Regardless of your income, you can be generous

Moving forward:

This week, start with what you have, not with what you don’t have, and put that money to work for good.

• If you’re not spending any meaningful money beyond yourself, start giving this week.
• If you’re close to tithing, perhaps this is the time to bump things up to a full 10%.
• If you’re tithing, consider what going above and beyond into extravagant generosity might look like for you.

Jesus expects you to be faithful with what you have. We want to help you live that generous life. Check your email this week for some easy ideas.

Download our church app as a tool for generosity

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you know someone who has lived a generous life? What have you appreciated about that person’s generosity? 
2. What inspires you more—stories of sacrifice, or stories of accumulation? Why? 
3. How does the servant’s fear in the parable prevent him from being generous with what he has? Can you think of an example from your own life where fear held you back from using or sharing your gifts or resources?
4. Why do you think God’s reaction to the servant with the five bags and the two bags was identical? Why wasn’t God more impressed with the five bag guy?
5. In the sermon, Clayton emphasized that Jesus is asking you to be generous with what you have, not with what you don’t have. How does that principle challenge you?
6. Two of the servants didn’t just add to their talents, they multiplied them. As you think about this over the course of your life, in what ways do you think you might be able to multiply what God has given you?