Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 4:32-37, Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Generosity in our...Time, Talents: Treasures

Acts 4:32a, Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul,

Philippians 2:2-5, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

What was the Generosity Mindset?

Acts 4:32b, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Generosity Mindset #1 - Nothing is Mine

Psalm 24:1, The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Generosity happens when “mine” gives way to “Thine”.

Generosity Mindset #2 - Meet Needs for the Mission

Acts 4:33-35, And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Meeting physical needs gave opportunity to meet spiritual needs.

Generosity happens when you see Jesus as the more that people are looking for.

Generosity is a gospel act—laying down what we have so God can raise it up into life-giving impact.

John 12:24, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Generosity Mindset #3 - New Name, Make, and Model

Acts 4:36-37, Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 11:24, Barnabas…for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Generosity begins not with tasks to pursue, but with the heart that is being made new.

Acts 9:26-27, And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.