Kingdom Driven Generosity – Pt 1
1. God is the first and most generous giver.
Genesis 1:27-28 NLT
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
John 3:16-17 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
2. Jesus is the chief example of generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
3. What is Kingdom-driven generosity?
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Kingdom-driven generosity is the joyful, willing, sacrificial, and strategic sharing of God’s resources entrusted to us in response to His grace to meet the needs of others and advance His kingdom.
4. We are generous toward God’s kingdom because we love God and people.
Acts 4:32-37 NLT
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE:
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: We are generous towards God’s kingdom because we love God and people.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Genesis 1:27-28. We are created in God’s image. He gave us life, then responsibility, purpose, and provision. How have you learned to reflect His image?
▶ Consider Pastor Matt’s statement, “We don’t give to earn His love, we give because we are learning to love like Him.” Share your insights.
▶ Share about a time when someone was generous to you. How were you impacted and what do you think was the motivation for their generosity?
▶ Read Matthew 6:19-21. Do you “do corn”? Do you “do heavenly treasures?” What are you doing today to store up heavenly treasures? How are you impacting your world as an image bearer of God?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Choose a way to be generous this week. Share this with your group.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Help us imitate God by reflecting His generosity.