Real Joy: Continue Being Generous

Real Joy: Continue Being Generous
Philippians 4:14-20
Page # 1177

I. Blesses our teachers    

II. Blesses many people     
1. The church

Luke 14:13-14 - Jesus said, “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

2. Others

Matthew 25:34-36 – “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’”

III. Blesses the Lord 

IV.   New Testament instructions

1. Willingly

2 Corinthians 9:7- "Each (believer) should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion…"     

2. Joyfully

2 Corinthians 9:7   "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart, for God loves a cheerful giver."                   

3. Generously

2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”                                                            

4. Consistently  

1 Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”

5. Completely

2 Corinthians 8:5 – “And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.”

V. Being able to give

1.Stay out of debt
Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave.”

2. Work
Proverbs 28:19 – “He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.”

3. Save some
Proverbs 21:20 - “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.”

4. Pay our bills 
Psalm 37:21 - “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.”

5. Do not love money
1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.”

6. Enjoy some
1 Timothy 6:17 – “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”

7. Give to gain friends
Luke 16:9 - (Jesus said), “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

Faith Sheet

Transformation Verse -  "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”   John 8:36 

Main Points: Learning to be financially generous blesses us, others, and God. It also reveals our ultimate heart treasures. Those who do not desire to be generous so that others can know and mature in Christ are either growing cold to God’s grace, or they do not have His heart for others. (2 Peter 1:8-9 and Matthew 7:17-23)

#1- Reviewing this Past Sunday
Real Joy: Continue Being Generous
Philippians 4:14-20  

1.Read Philippians 4:14-20. Discuss with someone.
2. How are we blessed to give generously?
3. How are others blessed by our generous giving?
4. How is God blessed by our generosity?
5. What is our ultimate motivation to be generous with the resources God has entrusted to us? (2 Cor. 9:15)

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
Real Joy: Continue Loving God and His People
Philippians 4:20-23

1. Read Philippians 4:20-23. Discuss with someone.
2. Whom did Paul praise? (20)
3. Who does he want greeted? (21)
4. Who wanted to greet the Philippians? (21-22)
5. What is his prayer for the saints? (23)
6. Why is experiencing God’s daily grace so important?
7. Is there anyone you know right now who could use some encouragement from you or your family? Take action!