What Is Love? Week 4

Bloom Church Podcast

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 NLT

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 NIV

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 NLT

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 NLT

SIMPLY PUT, A GENEROUS LIFE IS A BLESSED LIFE.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT

THERE IS NOTHING MORE CHRISTLIKE THAN TO SELFLESSLY GIVE

'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

3 MINDSETS THAT SHAPE YOUR GENEROSITY

1. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH

You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Haggai 1:6 NLT

GENEROSITY DOES SOMETHING SPIRITUALLY IN OUR LIVES

'Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. 1 Kings 17:13-14 NIV

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.” 1 Kings 17:24 NIV

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NLT

2. THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT

3. THERE IS INFINITELY MORE THAN ENOUGH

“The lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. Deuteronomy 28:8 NLT

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 NLT

ACTION STEPS

• GIVE JOYFULLY

And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT

• GIVE INTENTIONALLY

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. 2 Corinthians 9:7

• GIVE EXPECTING

YOU CAN’T OUT GIVE GOD!

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10 NLT