Monday, March 10, 2014

The Spirit of Generosity - Lesson 6

In our past five posts on this subject we learned.

1) Personally we should not borrow,
2) We should not pledge our resources to the debt of another
3) By implication the Church should not borrow either.
4) We need to train believers in Biblical financial principles.
5) The benefits to the church when we train believers in Biblical financial principles
6) We need to renew our minds by "thinking generously"

But is this enough, are we finally at the end of our journey? Read on...
Exodus 35:21 "And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for its service, and for the holy garments."

Read this verse carefully, it says, "they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him."

This is talking about the Holy Spirit working in the congregation of believers. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of generosity. This isn't some weird emotional experience, but the conviction in our hearts to give!

The New Testament confirms that the Holy Spirit is one of our resources for generosity. The third member of the trinity is a miraculously generous Spirit.

Titus 3:5-6  "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

From this verse we see the role that the Holy Spirit plays. Again pastor Steer pointed out.

He convicts us. We have a need that can only be met by Christ. The Holy Spirit doesn't give up

He converts us. Makes us new in Christ through a new birth. John 3:5

He confirms us. He give us assurance. Ephesians 1:13-14

He empower & instruct us.    John 14:26

He Directs Us Romans 8:26-27

He Guides us

Through the Holy Spirit we become generous in love, sympathy, concern, time, money & service

Psalm 112:5

Proverbs 11:25

The Spirit working His generosity in us makes a better home, community, nation and world.

The Church needs to do its part in "training up a child" of God and teaching Biblical financial principles. But it is the work of the Spirit, to bring our hearts to generosity for the work of the Kingdom, just like it is his responsibility to bring us to Salvation in Christ

Wow, that takes a lot of the pressure off of the pastor and church leadership. I can train people in Biblical financial principles all day long, I love that ministry, it is such a natural discipleship process full of wisdom, common "Biblical" sense, and spiritual transformation, with the end result being peaceful and happy believers. I can teach the principles of giving and the process of getting our financial house in order so that we can give generously. But I don't have to twist anyone's arm or put pressure on them in any way. "Conviction" is the job of the Holy Spirit! I have seen people start on the path to financial freedom, just taking the first few baby steps, start to give with joy for the first time in their adult lives. They love to give, because it is from the Holy Spirit. Is this cool or what.

We now have the knowledge of the Theology of Generosity and the Spirit of Generosity, but where do we get the resources to give?

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