WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.399 Welcome to Gateway Churches Podcast. 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:06.959 Wherever you're tuning in from, we hope you're encouraged by today's message. 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:16.559 Hey, welcome to church, everybody. 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:19.600 We want to welcome all of our locations, our prison campuses. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:22.000 You're not a project to us, you are family. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:24.000 And all of our gateway gatherings. 00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:29.359 And I want to say a special welcome to everyone that is visiting for the first time, or maybe the first time in a long time. 00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:31.359 Can we put our hands together at every location? 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:34.159 Let's welcome all that with us today. 00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:38.719 It's a great weekend to be in church. 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:43.759 We are um bringing in canned goods as we shared last week. 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:46.880 And uh already throughout the week, I saw some of the campuses. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:49.359 People were already dropping them off during the week. 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:54.799 And if you missed that last week, because for some reason you weren't in church, and I'm guessing you were sick. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:58.399 I mean, that's the only reason you'd miss church on a weekend. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:05.359 Uh, but if you miss that, then hey, run to the grocery store real quick after service and then run back over and uh we'll take that. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:16.400 And uh we're gonna help distribute that to those that are in need that I shared last week that we learned from some of our partners around that demand is up and supply is low. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:18.319 And so we're helping bridge the gap. 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:21.359 And we're gonna make a big difference together this weekend. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:22.879 So I'm excited about that. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:29.760 And uh last weekend uh we shared in this beginning of the series on the book of Proverbs that you could jump in on the Bible reading plan. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:31.280 Want to let you know that again. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:42.480 If you're a week behind, don't worry about it, just jump in where we're at together, and you can text 71010, the word Proverbs to 71010, and that'll get sent to you every week. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:44.640 And um, it's connected to our website. 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:46.480 I want to let you know this is pretty amazing. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:51.920 More than 31,000 views of the Bible reading plan last week alone. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:55.599 So that's a whole lot of people reading the Bible, everybody. 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:04.159 I don't know if you know this, but God is moving in a significant way in the nation as it comes to Bible reading. 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:07.120 Bible sales are up dramatically. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:12.560 Gen Z is driving those sales, which is wonderful. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:15.280 The people are hungry for the Word of God. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:23.680 Um, and I don't know if you know this, but in next week, the UVersion app is celebrating one billion downloads. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:25.680 One billion downloads. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:30.080 I mean, you know, it's a good thing that the word of God is getting into the hearts of people. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:34.879 We believe that the word of God is powerful, it's sharp as a double-edged sword. 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:38.319 And uh it can change and transform someone's life. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:45.199 So God's doing so many wonderful things around the nation and revival's in the air, everybody. 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:53.599 These are signs of awakening, and so it's a great season to be a part of the church, and it's a great season to be a part of Gateway Church. 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:55.680 Can I get a good amen in the house of God? 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:57.520 God's moving in great ways. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:05.039 We've been working uh from this foundational verse, and I'll read this and then we'll pray. 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:08.080 Says this wisdom is supreme. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:12.960 In other words, it's highly valued, therefore, get wisdom. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:18.240 And then it says this though it cost all you have, get understanding. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:26.000 Meaning that no matter the price that you've got to pay for wisdom, pay that price because it's worth having. 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:32.400 Last week we began talking about the beginning of wisdom, and the scripture tells us the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:38.000 And that may not be exactly what you've grown up thinking, and so I'd encourage you to go back and check that out if you missed it. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:39.919 And I'm excited to jump into today. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:40.800 So let's pray together. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.840 Father, our hearts and minds are open to your word. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:48.240 So speak to us, and we believe we'll never be the same because of it. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:49.759 In Jesus' name. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.240 Everybody said, Big amen. 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:53.120 Amen. 00:03:53.360 --> 00:04:00.159 So we were driving down the road the other day, and the two little ones, Jonas and Abigail, which he turns seven today, everybody. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:02.159 Little man turns seven. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:05.199 He was very excited this morning. 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:08.000 And uh so they were in the back of the car. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:13.680 He had his iPad, which really my kids don't have iPads, they're Kindles, but they call them iPads, and I'm letting them think it. 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:17.120 Um, and so he had his little iPad and he was playing Minecraft. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:22.879 I don't know if you have any kids, grandkids that are playing Minecraft, but he was playing Minecraft and was all about it. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:30.879 And so Abigail wanted to play with him, and then ensued an argument uh where she wanted the iPad, he wouldn't give her the iPad. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:35.120 And I'm sure this situation is exclusive to the Floyd household. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:42.639 I'm sure within your own household, it's lots of praying together and sharing, sharing is caring, and right, parents? 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:43.120 Okay. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:45.519 I know it was just my heathen children. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:48.959 Um sanctification is a process, everybody. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:50.240 It's a step at a time. 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:51.040 Come on, all right. 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:59.519 So, anyways, they were they were going after it, and of course, you know, uh we get out of the car and I'm having this conversation because Jonas didn't want to share it. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:08.639 And so I I I have a conversation, it goes something like this, and it's a repeated conversation, and it's something to the effect of, hey bud, why why weren't you sharing with Abigail? 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:10.480 Why wouldn't you let her use your iPad? 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:13.519 And the response was, I don't know. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:16.800 Any other parents get that response? 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:19.600 Okay, they'd have no idea why they're and I feel bad for him. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.199 He's got five parents. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:26.480 He's got me, Tammy, Owen, his older brother, Faith, and Abigail. 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:28.399 I mean, the guy's the youngest, right? 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:30.240 And everybody's trying to parent him. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:33.600 And so, but I have this conversation, and it goes something like this. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:35.120 Hey, bud, why weren't you? 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:36.079 I don't know. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:38.959 And then I'll ask, what was in your heart? 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:41.600 What was in your heart when you were doing that? 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:46.879 Because I don't want behavior modification, I want heart transformation in him. 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:52.639 I mean, you know, you can get a kid to act right for so long, but if it isn't in the heart, then it doesn't really matter. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.000 Can I tell you something else? 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:57.040 You can get an adult to behave right for so long. 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:03.680 But if it isn't in the heart, it doesn't really matter. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:07.279 Because it's out of the heart that everything flows. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:23.120 And so it doesn't matter how much I tell Jonas to be generous, if I don't get his heart connected to a generous spirit, then I can get behavior for a moment, I can get behavior for a season, but the heart never grabbed it. 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:33.600 And I would propose for some of you, maybe you had a season where you walked away from church and you were like, I did all the church things, and that's the problem, is you did all the third church things. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:43.279 But if you ever let Jesus get a hold of your heart, heart transformation will begin to turn into behavior modification, and it'll last a whole lot longer. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:44.879 Can I get a better amen? 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:53.120 And so I want to talk to you around this thought today, and it's this is a generous spirit. 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:56.000 A generous spirit. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:07:03.360 Now, I know for some of you, you're thinking 87 days on the job, and you're tackling this topic? 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:08.720 You're going after generosity and you've only been here less than 90 days. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:14.000 Well, just let me say, Proverbs talks a lot about it, and so I'm not going to avoid it. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:23.040 And then number two, if you'll come with me on the journey in this message, I think you'll find yourself at a different place than maybe you expected. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:23.839 Are y'all with me? 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:28.240 Because I want us to get to the heart of the matter. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:33.279 Because the Bible says where your treasure is, that's where your heart is. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:42.079 And so at the end of the day, a spirit of generosity isn't a resource issue, it's a heart issue. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:54.560 As a matter of fact, whenever Solomon writes in Proverbs about this idea of generous, of living a generous life, he often doesn't do talk about it with what is how it's affecting the person on the receiving end. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:58.240 He's talking about it from what is in us as we do it. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:03.199 Matter of fact, in Proverbs chapter uh this one. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:04.800 11. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.959 I forgot it for a moment. 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:11.199 It says, the world of the generous gets what? 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:18.879 It gets larger and larger, but the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:38.320 So the the approach of a spirit of generosity, and I'm really hoping that you'll come on this journey because I want you to, I want you in some way to kind of detach the act of generosity from what I'm wanting you to get today, which is a spirit of generosity. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:42.879 Because you can have an act of generosity and not be a generous spirit. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.039 Are y'all tracking with me? 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:47.759 Anybody can write a check. 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:53.840 But some of us are willing to write a check to a need, but we're greedy with our business. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:56.720 So there's not a spirit of generosity. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.080 Are you following me? 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:08.399 We're good to drop something in the Salvation Army bell when it comes around Christmas time, but we won't give people an extra 30 minutes of our time. 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:10.320 Are y'all tracking with me? 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:15.440 Because there's a difference between the act of it and having the spirit of it. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:20.320 When I have the spirit of generosity, I don't mind to let someone merge in. 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:28.159 I'll let that one sit for a minute. 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:36.480 When I have a generous spirit, it's no problem to cover the check. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:40.480 Are y'all following me? 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:44.559 It's a difference between the act and the spirit of it. 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:50.799 And I want you to get the spirit of it, because if you get the heart of it, then it'll bleed into every area of your life. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:57.440 And this is what Solomon is trying to get us to get in this wisdom book. 00:09:57.679 --> 00:10:02.480 So I want to show you three characteristics of the spirit of generosity. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:06.320 And I want to give you three points of application. 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:08.559 Maybe four, we'll see. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.360 Depends on how much you amen me, honestly. 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:12.399 Okay, I'm kidding. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.200 I'm joking. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:15.840 Number one, if you're the note-taking type, write this down. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.960 If not, go ahead and write it down anyways. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:24.320 Number one is this a generous spirit is selfless. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:38.960 A generous spirit, a generous, spirited person, uh, a big-hearted, a larger and larger, not smaller and smaller, is a person that is selfless. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:44.960 Proverbs chapter 11 says this a generous person will prosper. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:49.039 Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.559 You may have heard this verse before. 00:10:50.799 --> 00:11:02.320 The word prosper here, I want you to look at for a moment, is not the idea that if I give God something, that then he's a supersizer machine and he'll give back to me something. 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:03.840 Are y'all tracking with me? 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:06.720 If I give him a dollar, he'll give me a Mercedes. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:09.759 That's not the scripture. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:11.039 Are y'all tracking? 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.639 Is this okay? 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:15.279 It's always amazing to me with churches. 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:20.240 Whenever you hit a generous topic, it's like the amens go out of the building. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:21.759 It's like, what is happening? 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.399 It's the Bible. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:25.840 You amen the Bible last week, amen the Bible this week. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:27.840 Okay, can I get an amen? 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:29.600 All right, there we go. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:32.879 The word prosper is this idea. 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:41.360 This is one of the best explanations I've heard to give you a mental picture of it, is this is in our human capacity, we have limitations. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.840 We can only go so far. 00:11:44.480 --> 00:12:01.120 Meaning, I can only go so far in my intellect, I can only go so far in my relational capacity, I can only go so far in my emotional capacity that there is a limit that I have in and of my own abilities and my own strength and my own knowledge and my own experience. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:02.080 And are y'all trying? 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:02.879 Are y'all getting it? 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:04.240 Like I have a limit. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:11.840 The prosperity comes in, is this idea, it's when God puts his hand in your back and pushes you beyond you. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:23.279 And this is what the Bible says is that a generous person will prosper, meaning that God will push you beyond what you can do. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.799 It's a divine blessing. 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:29.279 You may call it the favor of God on your life, where you go, I didn't deserve this. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:35.120 This isn't within my capacity, I couldn't generate this on my own, I couldn't create this. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:38.799 No, it's like God pushed me beyond me. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:42.399 How many of you would say in your life you've experienced that from God? 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:46.720 That you look around at your life and go, I did not create this. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:49.279 This is what that scripture's talking about. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:53.200 And it says this this is the result, this is the action. 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:56.879 Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:13:03.679 In other words, the refresher of people become the prospering people. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.679 Are y'all following that? 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:11.519 You're getting the result, and then you're getting the idea of what got you to the result. 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:20.159 In other words, the person that doesn't wake up in the day and think me first is the kind of person that prospers. 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:24.080 The person that lives the crucified life. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:28.799 The one that goes, No, I'm not living for me. 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:30.559 I've been crucified with Christ. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:32.000 Nevertheless, I live. 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:37.440 The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who died and gave himself up for me. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:48.639 So whatever is in my hands, God, that you can use to be a blessing, whatever is in my talent, God, what is ever in my network, what's ever in my relational capacity, I have died to me. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:51.919 In other words, I died in my wants. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:53.440 I died in my greed. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.600 I died to my preferences. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.240 I died. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:58.639 I am crucified with Christ. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:02.799 Have you ever been to a funeral and a dead man be like, Why'd you say that? 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:07.679 You can't offend a dead man. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:15.279 You can't upset a dead person? 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:20.159 You can take the flowers off the coffin. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.759 They would not care. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.960 Paul says that's how we're supposed to live. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:35.679 Matter of fact, he says that I'm supposed to live so selfless. 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:41.039 That if someone asked me to go to mile, then I should give them another mile. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:49.120 He said, I'm supposed to live so selfless that if he asked for clothes, I should take my own jacket off and give it to them. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:55.360 One of the greatest examples I have in my life of this was my dad. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:58.240 He'd been in heaven ten years ago last month. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:03.679 One of the most selfless, generous-spirited men I ever been around. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:10.320 He wasn't, he didn't amass a lot of resources. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:18.240 But I want you to see a generous spirit isn't about what you have or don't have, it's about the heart you live with. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:26.080 I don't know how many times I've shared this story throughout my life, but it's so seared in my little high school mind. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.399 We were living in North Carolina. 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:38.799 One day I'll tell you the story of how he was sick for seven years and God healed him, and it was a miracle, and it was a horrible seven years, though. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:45.039 We were living in North Carolina, and my dad comes in one night, and it was cold. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:50.320 And I just see him walk in the door and he goes to the closet and he takes out his best winter coat. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:53.360 And I said, Dad, where are you going? 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:58.320 He goes, I saw a young man hitchhiking, and it's gonna be a cold night. 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.799 And I've got to go find him. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:05.440 Because a generous spirit is selfless. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:11.200 It's not about what you have or don't have, it's about the heart you live with. 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:18.639 Because when you have a selfless spirit, you see others, not just you. 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:24.720 You see what's happening around you, not just what you've got to get to and the thing that you've got to go to. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:29.679 A generous spirit is selfless. 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:33.600 The Bible says, whoever refreshes, others will be refreshed. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:35.759 It says all day long he craves for more. 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:40.639 This is talking about the unrighteous, but the righteous, they give without sparing. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.960 They're not even thinking about themselves. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.960 They're selfless. 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.320 Number two. 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:50.639 Someone with a generous spirit is others focused. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.799 You may be thinking, didn't you just say that before? 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.240 No, two different things. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:17:04.400 Selfless begins with me, not being a selfish person, others focused is the next step to go. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:07.200 I'm no longer thinking about me, I'm gonna think about you. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.880 Are y'all tracking with me? 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:12.079 I'm gonna see how I can be a blessing to you. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:20.079 Proverbs tells us this the righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:23.680 In other words, you know what the righteous do? 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:30.559 They fill a lobby with food, of cans, and dry goods. 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:36.640 I'm wanting you to see the scriptures aren't just something you get in your mind, but they should be something you live out in your life. 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:42.240 Like it should, heart transformation should lead to community transformation. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.519 Is that not? 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:54.160 If our lives are radically changed by the gospel and we actually believe the book that we share and preach and read, then it should lead to some action. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:18:00.000 I mean, even the commission that Jesus gave us, the most important words, the last thing he said, begins with the word go. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:05.039 So this is what this verse looks like in flesh. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:08.000 This is what it looks like in living color. 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:16.079 It's what it looks like whenever we are living it out before us, is that we fill the lobbies of our canvases with dry goods and with canned goods. 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:16.559 Why? 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:20.720 Because the righteous, because we're righteous, we care about justice for the poor. 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:23.279 We care about the people that can't buy the food. 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:28.400 Well, they should have got a job and really that's where we go? 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:31.680 Well, they should take care of themselves, and there are enough opportunities. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:36.880 Aren't you glad that the Good Samaritan didn't look at the person in the ditch and go, well, how'd you get there? 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.880 And did you finish school? 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:42.559 Did you not get a good education? 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.400 Are y'all tracking with me? 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:46.559 It doesn't matter why he's in the ditch. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:49.279 The righteous get him out of the ditch. 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.079 We can help him on the other side. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:54.319 Hello, somebody. 00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:02.799 Yes, we should help them not get back in the ditch, but let's get them out of the ditch. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:10.720 It's hard to listen in your class whenever your stomach is growling because you've had nothing to eat as a child. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.279 This is too much. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:17.279 We think about others. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:21.839 We think about the people that can't go to the grocery store. 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:30.799 And our little act of kindness, of being righteous, of thinking others first. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:35.279 Creates a pathway for the gospel. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:38.960 It creates a pathway for lives to be changed. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.079 All because we determine. 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:53.119 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vacancy, but in humility think of others. 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:57.440 And man, in the culture we live in. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.839 They want us thinking about us, right? 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.440 What makes me comfortable? 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.960 What makes life easy for me? 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:07.920 How do I get what I want when I want it? 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:12.319 But not the righteous, according to Proverbs. 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:16.960 They're looking out for people that can't look out for themselves. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:21.119 I love the way that Mother Teresa said it. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:26.319 She said, a life not lived for others is not a life. 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:29.200 How true is that? 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.279 Because here's the deal. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:35.920 If life is all about me, I'm living a very small life. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:48.640 But when I can get my eyes on others and give myself away, my world gets larger and larger and larger and larger. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.759 Are you getting this, Church? 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.160 Number three. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:58.559 A generous spirit is rewarded. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:03.759 This isn't the motivation, but it is an outcome. 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:06.079 Look what the scripture says. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:11.839 It says, He who gives to the poor will lack nothing. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:16.160 But he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:20.720 I'm going to show you one more verse, and this is a shocking one to me. 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:28.400 It says, Whoever is kind to the poor, look at these next four words, lend to the Lord. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:34.880 I don't know if you've ever seen this verse, and he will reward them for what they've done. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.319 Think about this for a moment. 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:38.319 I mean, wrap your mind around that. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:48.079 Whoever is generous to the poor is loaning to God, which makes God indebted to you. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:49.359 That's what the text says. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.720 That's not heresy. 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.480 That's what the text says. 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:56.720 And then he will reward them for what they have done. 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.759 So God's on the hook to reward. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:03.599 You when you're generous to the poor. 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.599 How amazing is that? 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:10.559 How would it change the spirit we lived in if we really believed that verse? 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:21.279 How would it change how we have eyes to see the needs of people around us if we really lived and believed that that verse was true? 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:27.440 I think about a businessman that lived late 1800s, early 1900s. 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:31.440 His last name was, I think I'm saying this right, Les Tourneaux. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:35.119 He was known for creating earth. 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:38.240 He had like 200 patents on earth-moving equipment. 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.559 He was extremely, extremely successful. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:42.000 And I love this quote that he says. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:48.160 He goes, The more I shovel to God, the more he shovels back to me, and his shovel is a whole lot bigger. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.680 Is that not the truth? 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:56.880 I heard it say like this one time I can't outgive God. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.720 Because God is a rewarder. 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:02.400 That's not the motivation. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:04.079 I'm not getting to give. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.599 I get to give. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.599 I don't have to. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:10.640 I don't get so God will give something back to me. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:16.640 I've been more blessed than I ever imagined, but I get to live with a generous spirit. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:25.680 I get to see the young couple behind me in the drive-thru line and just say, I'll take care of that. 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:32.480 Not for anything, not for any benefit, just to live with a generous spirit. 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.200 Are y'all with me? 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.920 Say amen. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:37.759 Luke 12, 15 says this. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:41.440 And it should keep ringing in our mind. 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:44.079 He said, Beware, guard against every kind of greed. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:48.480 Life is not measured by how much you own. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:52.079 It's not measured by how much you own. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:58.000 It's actually, I think heaven's going to measure it by what you did with what God gave to you. 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:06.240 Matter of fact, God's not only going to reward you, I believe, in this earth, but the Bible says that he'll reward you in heaven because there's two judgments. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:10.240 There's the judgment seat of Christ, and there's the great white throne judgment. 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:15.440 And the great white throne, they'll deal with sin, but the judgment seat of Christ, he's going to deal with what you did with what he gave you. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.599 And the Bible says he'll give crowns. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.920 Some translation says he'll give rewards. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:26.880 So there's coming a moment where God's going to reward you for what He did, what you did with what He put into your hands. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:33.519 I don't know about you, but I don't want to get to that day and be like, I had some great cars, God. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:43.839 If you'd have seen my shoe collection, Lord, even you would have been impressed. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:48.960 I'm being tongue-in-cheek, but you get what I'm saying? 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:55.200 I want him to go, great is your reward. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:59.279 You did a lot with what I gave you. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:04.799 Because life isn't about what I own. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:11.759 And what I'm wanting to stir in you is this is that you live your life for something that's bigger than you. 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:22.559 That you stir your life, that stirs something in your heart that goes, I'm living for something that's bigger than me and greater than me, and doesn't even benefit me. 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:27.440 Because everything in our life, in some way, it ends up benefiting us. 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:29.119 I think God wants us to live. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.799 I think it's the example of Jesus. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.960 Like, I'm gonna give my life for you. 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:35.039 And this cross does nothing for me. 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:43.680 But I'm gonna live my life for something that's bigger than me and greater than me and doesn't even benefit me, that makes the difference in the world around me. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:47.519 I like to say it like this: I hope you're living for a legacy. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:52.880 I hope you're living for something that will outlast you and live for eternity. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:55.680 That you don't get caught in the rat race, everybody. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:26:01.200 And I'm just, if I could, I'm just wanting to go, hey, hey, wake up! Don't get caught in the rat race. 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:08.400 Don't get caught in the nine to five, don't get caught into this thing, to that thing, to the better contract, to the this goal, and all that is wonderful. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.839 And and and do it. 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:11.680 Just don't let that be the thing. 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:14.640 Don't let that be the pursuit. 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.240 Don't let that be the heart. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:19.599 Live for something that that will outlast you. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:26.240 That when you're gone, your influence will go on because you invested in something that was eternal. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:28.480 Are you all with me? 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.200 That's what Psalm says. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.279 Psalms 112. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:33.920 Look at this. 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:37.599 It says, they share freely and they give generously to those in need. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:41.920 Their good deeds, watch this, will be remembered forever. 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:45.039 This is the life I want for you. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:58.160 That you would live such a generous spirit, others-focused life that you would be remembered forever, that you'll have influence and honor because of how you lived your life. 00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:01.039 What you did with what God gave you. 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:10.000 Someone, when you're not even on the earth anymore, would be like their life. 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:17.920 Their generous spirit is why I know Jesus. 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:23.680 That would be the story of your life. 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:27.680 Second Corinthians says this. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:36.640 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and your generosity will result in what? 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:39.279 In thanksgiving to God. 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:44.559 This is what happens when you live with a generous life and a generous spirit. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:59.920 Is that your flow of generosity touches the lives of other people, and it results in God getting thanks in your everyday, everybody? 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:03.839 I think we think generosity within the walls of a church. 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:06.319 I'm wanting you to break out of that. 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:09.519 I'm wanting you to break out of generosity. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.680 It must be my tithe. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.240 No, no, no. 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.200 I'm wanting you to break out. 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.119 There's a generous spirit. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:19.759 How do you treat the server that brings you your meal? 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:24.400 How do you treat the barista that makes your coffee? 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:33.200 How do you treat the person that does the front of your car before you go into the car wash? 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.960 You know that kid? 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.839 Are y'all tracking with me? 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:47.599 Like, how is your do you live a generous spirit, a big spirited, uh I'm gonna give my life away kind of life? 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:50.160 That is the life that I believe Jesus wants us to live. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:56.240 And does it involve resources and does it yeah, it does all that, but it's bigger than all that. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:59.279 Don't make it so small that it's a check. 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.519 But it isn't what he had in mind. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:06.000 It says for God so loved the world that he gave his only son. 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:14.720 Giving to him was a lifestyle, it was an everything, it was an omelin, it was a lovely, it was an I'm dead, I'm crucified with Christ. 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:19.759 And if you want something off my coffin, take it off my coffin, and I won't be offended. 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:22.079 And if you need something out of my hand, take it. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:26.640 If you speak to me, I'll do it, I'll give the prayer, I'll give the encouraging word. 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:28.880 I'm living with the generous spirit. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:30.799 It's bigger than that. 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:34.640 So let me give you a few points of application, okay? 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:36.559 Of how you can live this. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:40.640 Number one, be generous with your time. 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:44.079 It's free. 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:48.240 I know some of you are thinking, no, your time is your most precious commodity. 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.680 I agree. 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:55.920