Church Online

“Generosity”
February 23, 2025
Cityline Church
Jack Anthony Sheets
Lead Pastor

35  In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

As followers of Jesus, generosity flows from our identity, not from guilt or obligation.

19  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  20  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22  “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  23  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:19-24

The biggest competitor with Jesus being first in our life and following him completely is money.

“One of the most concrete indicators that a person is genuinely experiencing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit is that their relationship towards money is changing.” -Ken Shigematsu

7  But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8  I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

To practice living generously will require a plan.

“In measuring the effects of generosity on happiness, bodily health, purpose in living, avoidance of depression, and interest in personal growth, across the board the result is strong and positive. Being more generous is simply better for you by any measure. But it isn’t simply generous acts that matter; it’s generous practices. One does not reap the benefits of the occasional generous action; rather, it is lifestyles of generosity that show the strongest return.” –Smith and Davidson, Paradox of Generosity

GENEROSITY AS PRACTICE

• Priority
• Percentage
• Progressive
• Practice of simplicity

31  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  32  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33