A Generous Heart // Uncommon Generosity [Part 2]

“Remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’” Acts 20:35 (GN)

BENEFITS IN BECOMING A GENEROUS PERSON

1. Giving makes me more like God.

“God so loved the world that he gave…”  John 3:16 (NIV)

2. Giving draws me closer to God.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Luke 12:34 (NIV)

3. Giving is victory over materialism.

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to put your hope in wealth, but to put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Tim. 6:17-18 (NIV)

4. Giving strengthens my faith.

“‘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.” Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

5. Giving is an investment for eternity.

“…Give happily to those in need, always be ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven. It is the only safe investment for eternity!” 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (LB)

6. Giving blesses me in return.

“Good will come to those who are generous.” Psalm 112:5-6 (NIV)

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

7. Giving makes me happy.

“The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”  1 Chronicles 29:9 (NIV)

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF GIVING

1.  Give willingly.

“Who am I that I should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand. It all came from you! It was all yours in the first place! I know you want us, our true selves—and so I have given from the heart, honestly and happily. And now see all these people doing the same, giving freely, willingly—what a joy!” 1 Chrn. 29:17-19 (MES)

2. Give generously.

“Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! The measurement of your generosity becomes the measurement of your return.” Luke 6:38 (TPT)

3. Give joyfully.

“Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity!” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (TPT)

4.  Give eternally.

“And the quality of each person’s work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone’s work; the fire will test it and show its real quality. If what was built on the foundation survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward.” 1 Cor. 3:13-14 (GN)