God Is The Perfect Model Of Generosity

God Is The Perfect Model Of Generosity Tonight, I ask what matters most to you? What are the top three or four values in your life? Here's a firm decision you need to make: Choose God's values, not the world's. Moses made this life-shaping resolution. And that's why God used him! Hebrews 11:26 (NIV) "[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." Moses made a value in judgment. He clarified what mattered most to him. He knew what his top values were. Today I can easily name my top values: integrity, humility, and generosity. I decided long ago that I wanted to build my life on these three things-because they're the antidotes to the three traps of leadership. Can you name the three most important values in your life? If you can't, then you certainly can't live by them. Before you let another day go by, sit down and ask yourself, "What's most important to me? What are the top values in my life?" Write them down, because until you clarify your values, you can't live by them. Why is this so important? If you don't decide what's important in your life, other people will decide for you. They'll push you into their mold, and you'll live your life by their values, not your own. When you know what's most important to you and live by your values, God will use you and bless your life too. 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NLT) "As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ." As a follower of Christ, why is it so important to be generous? I want to give you three ways it can make an impact on your life: 1. It makes you happy. Acts 20:35 (NLT)., "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" The world will tell you that you will be happiest when you receive. But Jesus turned that idea around and said that you will be happier when you give than when you receive. 2. It just makes sense. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6(NIV), "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" You want other people to be generous with you. But do you think that by sowing selfishness, you can reap generosity from God and others? God says that's not the way life works. There is a law of sowing and reaping. If you want to reap generosity, you have to sow generosity. 3. It shows the world what God is like. The Bible says, (2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT). "As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ" I've found that the best way to learn to be more generous is to remember the incredible generosity of God. Even when life is difficult, you can always find God's gifts when you look for them. Look at the world you get to live in. Look at the life he gave you. Look at the way he meets your needs. God is the perfect model of generosity. And when you are generous with others because of God's generosity toward you, it points others to God. Proverbs 13:20 (NCV) new century Version "Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer." If you want to be wise, invite wise people into your life. You don't need a lot of friends. You don't need to be popular. You just need a few good friends who build you up, not tear you down-who are wise, not fools. If you hang around with fools, that's what you become. But if you spend time with wise people, you'll grow wiser. It's like the old saying: "If you want to soar with the eagles, you can't run with the turkeys." People grow best in community. You can't grow to spiritual maturity by yourself. You could become a monk and move to the top of a mountain and spend your life in silence and reading books. You would grow in knowledge, but you wouldn't grow in wisdom. Why? Because wisdom is all about love. Wisdom shows up primarily in relationships. That's why a lot of people have academic degrees, but their marriages and relationships are falling apart. They're educated, but they're not wise. The Bible says in Proverbs 13:20(NCV)., "Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer" If I stand on the edge of a stage, and I'm trying to pull you up while you're trying to pull me down, which is easier to do? It's always easier for somebody to pull you down than pull you up. People who pull you down are not your true friends. Real friends pull you up. They encourage you in your pursuit of godly wisdom by offering their own. Do you have anybody in your life who is sharing their wisdom on a regular basis? You need that kind of encouragement in your life if you want to be a wise person and live with a generosity spirit and have set value's in your life because, why? Because God first shows us his generosity in all we have, and allows us to be that to others. Amen.... Apostle Doc Dennis Full Armor Fellowship/Biker Church Apostle Doc Dennis Full Armor Fellowship/Biker Church