1. WE FIND CONFIDENCE IN AUTHENTICITY.
2. WE HUNGER FOR GROWTH.
For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has his way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures. Galatians 5:17 TLB
WE ARE NOT CONSUMERS, WE ARE CONTRIBUTORS. THE CHURCH DOES NOT EXIST FOR US; WE EXIST FOR THE WORLD!
God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts and ministries that are uniquely ours. So if God has given you the grace-gift of prophecy, you must activate your gift by using the proportion of faith you have to prophesy. If your grace-gift is serving, then thrive in serving others well. If you have the grace-gift of teaching, then be actively teaching and training others. If you have the grace-gift of encouragement, then use it often to encourage others. If you have the grace-gift of giving to meet the needs of others, then may you prosper in your generosity without any fanfare. If you have the gift of leadership, be passionate about your leadership. And if you have the gift of showing compassion, then flourish in your cheerful display of compassion. Romans 12:6-8 TPT
CHURCH WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE A SPECTATOR SPORT.
3. WE GRASP THAT EXCELLENCE REFLECTS CHARACTER.
We will be stewards of the blessings we have been given and honor God and the people of Bloom by giving our absolute best.
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted…that all of the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
EXCELLENCE IS JUST BEING A GREAT STEWARD.
DREAMS ARE RECEIVED ON OUR KNEES, BUT ARE ACHIEVED ON OUR FEET.
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” James 2:17-18
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10
4. WE LAVISH OUR GENEROSITY
We believe it is better to give than to receive and we will give generously of our time, talents, treasures, and our testimonies.
GENEROSITY IS GRATITUDE IN ACTION
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Haggai 1:5-7
For even during a season of severe difficulty and tremendous suffering, they became even more filled with joy. From the depths of their extreme poverty, super-abundant joy overflowed into an act of extravagant generosity. For I can verify that they spontaneously gave, not only according to their means but far beyond what they could afford. They actually begged us for the privilege of sharing in this ministry of giving to God’s holy people who are living in poverty. 2 Corinthians 8:2-4 TPT
BEING GENEROUS IS NOT SOMETHING WE DO. BEING GENEROUS IS WHO WE ARE!
But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. Isaiah 32:8
3 KEY ELEMENTS OF GENEROSITY:
1. WORDS –
2. ACTIONS –
3. GIVING –
TAKE HOME
I AM GOING TO LIVE OUT STEWARDSHIP AND GENEROSITY WITH MY:
· TIME
· TALENTS
· TREASURES
· TESTIMONY