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choosing to be a generous giver


Choosing to be a giver and not a taker is something I believe every follow of Jesus has to go.  We see examples all around us and throughout our culture of people who seek their own pleasure over the good God has for them.  That is one reason we talked about deciding to be generous.


If you want to be generous when you have more, learn to be generous when you have less. We're pre-deciding today to be generous as God’s people. I want to show you a couple of principles that's true for all generous people.  Giving is not just something we do but being generous is an identity; it's who we are.


Choose to be blessed and a blessing.  Jesus said it this way…


Acts 20:35  NLT  

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”


It is the choice of a follower of Jesus to be a blessing.  Be a giver and not a taker.  There are many truths in the Bible that help us understand why we should be generous givers.  Here are just a few.


2 Corinthians 9:6-8  NLT  

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.


Do anything sparingly or only to benefit yourself, and you will miss the best that God has for you.  Then you get to the place where you find joy in giving rather than finding it a chore.  God is generous as we should be.


How do we look at the people who have needs?


1 John 3:17  NLT   

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?


We ought to be known by how we love God and how we love others.  Every action, every word and even every thought should point us and others toward God’s best of each person.  Showing you know God is a big and important character trait.


I will close with this last two verse.  BY being generous we see God meet needs and we give God glory.  That is the wisest choice we can make.


2 Corinthians 9:11-12  NLT  

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. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.


Pre-decide to be generous.  Why?  It is because God guides His children to be like Him.  

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