Habits of Grace, Part 8

We all feel it — that gravitational pull toward more. More stuff, more comfort, more control. But what if the way to real freedom isn’t in getting more, but in giving more? In this message, Pastor Paul wraps up our Habits of Grace series by exploring the grace habit of generosity — not as a duty or donation, but as a response to the generosity of God. Discover how returning to God a portion of what He’s given you can actually open your heart, reshape your priorities, and lead you into a deeper experience of joy and freedom.

Great Things
Phil Wickham

Crowns Down
Gateway Worship

Pursue / All I Need
Hillsong Worship

Mark #2
A disciple, follower, apprentice of Jesus is one who adopts the lifestyle of Jesus

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Generosity
1. Why does it matter?
2. How do you do it?
3. What is my next step in engaging this habit?

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Generosity
Returning to God a portion of the money He has given me out of my love and devotion for Him in order to open my heart to His transforming power, while at the same time, expressing His, and my, heart toward others.

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Matthew 6:1-2
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So, when you give …

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1. Generosity begins and grows as our view of our Father in heaven grows.

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Matthew 6:2
So, when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

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2. Generosity is not so people see you, it is so they see God.

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Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

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3. Generosity is more about transforming your heart then it is about money.

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Matthew 6:19-24
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

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4. Generosity steers and changes your heart toward God and others.

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1 Timothy 6:6-10
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

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1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

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1. Grow in contentment
2. Embrace Simplicity
3. Learn to say ‘no’ to stuff
4. Have a plan to be generous

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