Elements City Church
The Generous Life
Today we dive into a counter-intuitive teaching of Jesus who pushes back on our society’s take on what will bring about true happiness in life. The call to growing in generosity is the challenge Jesus issues to all who will align themselves as his follower. He is saying that it is in growing in generosity that will unlock the life that we seek. It is more blessed to give than to receive he says - the question for us is: do we believe him?
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Welcome to Elements City Church
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https://share.fluro.io/form/6329f633da0feb00250cbd5f"A generous man will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” -Proverbs 11:25
Jesus would often say things and have takes on reality that were so radically different then what was thought to be true.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)
Some folks hear that it is more blessed to give than to receive and they make the decision -- well, then I’d like other people to be more blessed than me…
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)
Some folks hear that it is more blessed to give than to receive and they make the decision -- well, then I’d like other people to be more blessed than me…
Studies show: that generous people are:
-happier and healthier
-show lower levels of stress and anxiety
-they have better quality of relationships
-they are more interested in & pursuing personal growth
-they have a higher life expectancy, by quite a bit
-in one study — they literally laugh more; they’re less grumpy
-happier and healthier
-show lower levels of stress and anxiety
-they have better quality of relationships
-they are more interested in & pursuing personal growth
-they have a higher life expectancy, by quite a bit
-in one study — they literally laugh more; they’re less grumpy
Sociologists Hillary Davidson and Christian Smith in their research book
The Paradox of Generosity conclude:
“People rightly say that money can not buy happiness, but money and happiness are still related in a curious way. Happiness can be the result not of spending more money on oneself, but rather by giving money away to others.”
*the Western mindset and equation that “more money = more happiness”
It is simply not true…
Rather, it’s the Jesus teaching that: “more generosity = more happiness”
that is the pathway to a happier life.
Jesus had much to say about what he called the deceitfulness of wealth and the joy of generosity.
I will suggest:
A paramount task of our apprenticeship of Jesus is discovering the joy of living and growing a generous life.
The Paradox of Generosity conclude:
“People rightly say that money can not buy happiness, but money and happiness are still related in a curious way. Happiness can be the result not of spending more money on oneself, but rather by giving money away to others.”
*the Western mindset and equation that “more money = more happiness”
It is simply not true…
Rather, it’s the Jesus teaching that: “more generosity = more happiness”
that is the pathway to a happier life.
Jesus had much to say about what he called the deceitfulness of wealth and the joy of generosity.
I will suggest:
A paramount task of our apprenticeship of Jesus is discovering the joy of living and growing a generous life.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Abundance mindset -vs- Scarcity Mindset
2 people can have the exact same income, live in the same neighborhood, have the same economic responsibilities… and experience the world so differently!
How do you see the world?
Abundance mindset -vs- Scarcity Mindset
2 people can have the exact same income, live in the same neighborhood, have the same economic responsibilities… and experience the world so differently!
How do you see the world?
If you lean even 10% - 20% toward a more scarcity mindset — reflect on this question - get alone and ponder:
Q) If you had absolute assurance that God would provide ‘enough’ for you - how would that change your relationship with money and to generosity?
Q) If you had absolute assurance that God would provide ‘enough’ for you - how would that change your relationship with money and to generosity?
v.24 You CANNOT SERVE both God and money
Money is neutral, yes -- but it is also powerful!
Money will take over your heart unless you find a way to resist it’s gravitational pull. How do we do that?
Through practice of generosity…
Money is neutral, yes -- but it is also powerful!
Money will take over your heart unless you find a way to resist it’s gravitational pull. How do we do that?
Through practice of generosity…
Truth: God doesn’t practice generosity - it is not something he does, a behavior he has…it is who He is! In deepest parts of his whole being.
Generosity is woven through the entire fabric of the Scriptures.
Everywhere Jesus goes there is abundance - when the kingdom comes there is more than enough…
Generosity is at the heart of the gospel itself - John 3:16 = God gave.
The practice of generosity must be more than a one time event, more than a random act of kindness or a one and done moment… it must become ingrained into your MO — your modus operandi — your "way of operating"… who you are…generosity has to become habituated.
Generosity is woven through the entire fabric of the Scriptures.
Everywhere Jesus goes there is abundance - when the kingdom comes there is more than enough…
Generosity is at the heart of the gospel itself - John 3:16 = God gave.
The practice of generosity must be more than a one time event, more than a random act of kindness or a one and done moment… it must become ingrained into your MO — your modus operandi — your "way of operating"… who you are…generosity has to become habituated.
Family Chat update: 'celebration and invitation'
We're so grateful for our financial partners...
Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings. They enable us to be the church, and they help fuel the mission of Elements City Church. They enable us to advocate for justice and blessing in our city! Our capacity to function as a church on a daily basis is directly impacted by your support, and we are so grateful for it! You can give online at the link below or through the Elements City Church app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/give
Thanks for being with us tonight!
Gathering together as a church body to worship in song and in the Word is a great way to be refreshed in God's presence. We pray tonight has been a blessing to you as you start your week.
Next Sunday we launch our Christmas series. Join us next Sunday evening for worship and stay current with all upcoming events in the Elements app.
Gathering together as a church body to worship in song and in the Word is a great way to be refreshed in God's presence. We pray tonight has been a blessing to you as you start your week.
Next Sunday we launch our Christmas series. Join us next Sunday evening for worship and stay current with all upcoming events in the Elements app.