Open Handed, Part 3

We live in a culture that has been meticulously designed to make us believe that the quality and condition of our lives can be measured by our stuff. Our time, our money, our possessions, and our resources. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The practice of simplicity from the way of Jesus has helped followers of Jesus avoid the trap and cultivate an ‘open handed’ lifestyle.

Take You at Your Word
Cody Carnes

Christ is Enough
Hillsong Worship

Jesus We Love You
Bethel Music

I Love You Lord
Phil Wickham

“There’s a world of difference between policing the boundaries and pursuing the person.”

–

If all of life is a gift from God, then how should I view and what should I do with the gifts God has given to me?

–

Matthew 13:22
“…refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

–

1 Timothy 6:9-10
“…fall into temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and dangerous lusts which drown people in devastation and destruction. The love of money, you see, is the root of all evil. Some people have been so eager to get rich that they have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves painfully in several ways.”

–

Luke 12:13
Someone from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!”

–

Luke 12:14
‘Tell me, my good man,’ replied Jesus, ‘who appointed me as a judge or arbitrator over you?’”

–

Luke 12:15
‘Watch out,’ he said to them, ‘and beware of all greed! Your life doesn’t consist in the sum total of your possessions.’

–

Luke 12:16-21
“There was a rich man whose land produced a fine harvest. “‘What shall I do?’ he said to himself. ‘I don’t have enough room to store my crops! “‘I know!’ he said. ‘I’ll pull down my barns—and I’ll build bigger ones! Then I’ll be able to store all the corn and all my belongings there. And I shall say to my soul, Soul, you’ve got many good things stored up for many years. Take it easy! Eat, drink, have a good time!’ “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you! Now who’s going to have all the things you’ve got ready?’ That’s how it is with someone who stores up things for himself and isn’t rich before God.

–

Luke 12:21
That’s how it is with someone who stores up things for himself and isn’t rich before God.

–

Our limited time, energy, and money are only as valuable as what we choose to spend them on.

–

John Mark Comer
“Limiting the number of possessions, expenses, activities, and social commitments we allow into our lives so that we remain free to live into God’s Kingdom.”

–

Start with ‘why’

–

Practice saying ‘no’ to yourself

–

Simplify something in your lifestyle

–

Luke 12:22-34
“So let me tell you this,” he said to the disciples. “Don’t be anxious about your life—what you should eat; or about your body—what you should wear. Life is more than food! The body is more than clothing! Think about the ravens: they don’t sow seed, they don’t gather harvests, they don’t have storehouses or barns; and God feeds them. How much more will he feed you! Think of the difference between yourselves and the birds! “Which of you by being anxious can add a day to your lifetime? So if you can’t even do a little thing like that, why worry about anything else? Think about the lilies and the way they grow. They don’t work hard, they don’t weave cloth; but, let me tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed up like one of them. So if that’s how God clothes the grass in the field—here today, into the fire tomorrow—how much more will he clothe you, you little-faith lot! “So don’t you go hunting about for what to eat or what to drink, and don’t be anxious. The nations of the world go searching for all that stuff, and your father knows you need it. This is what you should search for: God’s kingdom! Then all the rest will be given you as well. Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your father is delighted to give you the kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give alms. Make yourselves purses that don’t wear out, a treasure in heaven that lasts forever, where the thief doesn’t come near and the moth doesn’t destroy. Yes: where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.”

–