Grace Church
How To...#7 - Be Generous
In our October and November series, we'll be looking at many "How To" topics from God's perspective.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our memory verse this month is Philippians 4:8
Our Fall series is entitled "How To". Each week a topic will be added to make a complete statement. These topics will be looked at from God's perspective.
So far our topics have been, How To...Be a Friend, Pray, Deal with Difficult People, Forgive, Use the Bible, and Live Like Jesus. Today's topic is How To...Practice Generosity.
So far our topics have been, How To...Be a Friend, Pray, Deal with Difficult People, Forgive, Use the Bible, and Live Like Jesus. Today's topic is How To...Practice Generosity.
The word generous in the Bible carries the meaning of "openhandedness." It implies that a person is grateful for what he or she has received and as a result they are moved to willingly give to others for their benefit, without mixed motives or desire for selfish gain.
The Bible has much to say about the idea of generosity.
Psalm 112:5 [Message]
Proverbs 11:25
2 Corinthians 9:6
1 Timothy 6:17-18
Psalm 112:5 [Message]
Proverbs 11:25
2 Corinthians 9:6
1 Timothy 6:17-18
These verses apply to the totality of our life; the giving of our time, talents, treasure and our testimony.
John 3:16
James 1:17
Luke 21:1-4
Our generosity reveals the reality of our faith and progression toward Godliness. "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."
John 3:16
James 1:17
Luke 21:1-4
Our generosity reveals the reality of our faith and progression toward Godliness. "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."
The practice of generosity should stem from our love for and our gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done for us.
Paul reminded Christians about this in 2 Corinthians 9:11 as they provided resources to his ministry.
The TLB version says, "Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help."
Paul reminded Christians about this in 2 Corinthians 9:11 as they provided resources to his ministry.
The TLB version says, "Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help."
Here are a couple of practical benefits of our being generous:
1. Generosity HONORS God, DEMONSTRATES our faith, and BRINGS God's blessings.
Psalm 24:1
Proverbs 22:9a
1. Generosity HONORS God, DEMONSTRATES our faith, and BRINGS God's blessings.
Psalm 24:1
Proverbs 22:9a
2. Generosity DRAWS you close to God, REVEALS your character, and PROVIDES the cure for idolatry.
Matthew 6:21, 24
Matthew 6:21, 24
God is the giver of our fries!
We don't seem to realize that God prospers us, not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.
1 Timothy 6:10
We don't seem to realize that God prospers us, not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.
1 Timothy 6:10
Here are some hints on how we can begin to practice generosity in our lives:
1. STUDY the subject of generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:7
1. STUDY the subject of generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:7
What Does It Really Mean To Be Generous
https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/5/23/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-generous2. EXAMINE your lifestyle as it relates to generosity.
2 Corinthians 13:5a
2 Corinthians 13:5a
Ask yourself 4 questions -
1. Am I setting aside time for spiritual growth (individual and family)?
2. Am I ministering somewhere in my church (talents)?
3. Am I providing financially for the Lord’s work? (Giving online or with envelopes)
4. Am I sharing my faith with people who need Jesus?
1. Am I setting aside time for spiritual growth (individual and family)?
2. Am I ministering somewhere in my church (talents)?
3. Am I providing financially for the Lord’s work? (Giving online or with envelopes)
4. Am I sharing my faith with people who need Jesus?
3. CHOOSE to serve one Master.
1 Kings 18:21
1 Kings 18:21
4. LEARN to be cheerful and contented.
Philippians 4:11b-13
Contentment is not found by focusing on the problems we face, but on the person who is with us in that place.
Philippians 4:11b-13
Contentment is not found by focusing on the problems we face, but on the person who is with us in that place.
Generosity should be a delight from our devotion to God, not a drudgery stemming from a sense of duty.
Your priorities matter to God, just as they do to the devil...one of them you will obey.
Your priorities matter to God, just as they do to the devil...one of them you will obey.
Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/Meet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held November 24th, following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
Christmas Tree Decorating Contest
Christmas Tree Decorating Contest
This annual event is designed to give you an opportunity to unleash your creativity, serve the church with friends/family, and to HAVE FUN!! This year we invite you to "Tell the Christmas Story". We ask that you decorate your tree in a way that tells the story of CHRISTmas.
Use the link below to sign-up to decorate a tree.
We need to know that you/your group would like a tree no later than Wednesday, November 20th so that we can have a tree set up and ready for you to decorate on Sunday, November 24th following our anniversary lunch. If you can't decorate your tree on the 24th, please set up a time to do so before the following Sunday (December 1st). This is a "friendly competition" with Grace attenders voting to award their favorite tree which will take place on December 1st.
All trees need to be lit so you'll need to add lights if your tree isn't pre-lit. We look forward to seeing what you will come up with! Contact Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org) with any questions.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/treesH.O.M.E. Groups
Grace Church H.O.M.E. Groups have started back up! You can learn more or sign-up for a group at the link below.
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Coat Collection
The deacons at Grace Church are partnering with Helping Hands in Charlotte for a coat drive.
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver (dennisshaver49@gmail.com).
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver (dennisshaver49@gmail.com).
Church Anniversary - November 24th
Grace Church Anniversary
On Sunday, November 24th, Grace Church will celebrate its 31st anniversary. We invite everyone to stay after the service for lunch which will be provided by the hospitality team.
On Sunday, November 24th, Grace Church will celebrate its 31st anniversary. We invite everyone to stay after the service for lunch which will be provided by the hospitality team.
Wednesday Nights in CJ's
CJ's coffee shop will be open on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a great time to invite others and "pull up a chair" to have conversations.
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Wednesday, November 20th - Amanda Simons
Saturday, November 23rd - Cathy Felder, Denny & Kelly Shaver
Saturday, November 23rd - Cathy Felder, Denny & Kelly Shaver