Talk

Why Give? // Cultivating a Lifestyle of Generosity

Louie Giglio
August, 11, 2024

Louie Giglio teaches that God doesn’t need our money, but He invites us to participate in the story of generosity to propel His mission forward. God already owns the cattle on 1000 hills, but He is looking at the heart of the giver rather than the amount.

Key Takeaway

We give because "our story" becomes "your story."

Start and end with why. Why generosity? Why give?

Dr. Crawford reminded us previously that God doesn't need your money. So, you may be asking the question, "If God doesn’t need my money, why do I give?"

1. The mandate of God on earth does need your money.

The most essential enterprise on the planet (getting the story of Jesus to people and helping people get to Jesus) is expensive.

Many people are funding political campaigns, but how much more essential is the call of Jesus?

We have a message of hope that requires finance, and people are sent out because of people who give.

An eternity can change because of something like an ice cream social in a park, and that ice cream itself costs money.

 

2. Your generosity writes you into the story of God

God doesn't just want our church to have a story; He wants you to have a story.

God doesn't want your money if your heart and affection aren't for Him. He's interested in your heart.

Generosity isn't about the amount you give; it's about the heart of worship behind your giving.

What do you trust God with?

“
"Our mission is the most critical mission on planet Earth."
”
Louie Giglio

Discussion Questions

  1. God doesn't need your money. How has that statement freed you from the guilt you may feel associated with giving?

  2. For the message of hope to be sent out to the world, there must be generous people behind it. How has this perspective shift helped you better understand the need for giving in the local church?

  3. How have you seen generosity impact someone's eternity?

  4. How do you feel about giving in this current season?

  5. Why do you give if you do give?

  6. Have you ever given with a bitter heart? How does it feel knowing that God only wants your offering if your heart is pure?

  7. What are you trusting God with in this season?

  8. What can you offer up to God now that you aren't trusting Him with?

Scripture References

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

1The Mighty One, God, the

Lord
,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

2From Zion, perfect in beauty,

God shines forth.

3Our God comes

and will not be silent;

a fire devours before him,

and around him a tempest rages.

4He summons the heavens above,

and the earth, that he may judge his people:

5“Gather to me this consecrated people,

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,

for he is a God of justice.

,

7“Listen, my people, and I will speak;

I will testify against you, Israel:

I am God, your God.

8I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices

or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9I have no need of a bull from your stall

or of goats from your pens,

10for every animal of the forest is mine,

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11I know every bird in the mountains,

and the insects in the fields are mine.

12If I were hungry I would not tell you,

for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws

or take my covenant on your lips?

17You hate my instruction

and cast my words behind you.

18When you see a thief, you join with him;

you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19You use your mouth for evil

and harness your tongue to deceit.

20You sit and testify against your brother

and slander your own mother’s son.

21When you did these things and I kept silent,

you thought I was exactly like you.

But I now arraign you

and set my accusations before you.

22“Consider this, you who forget God,

or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

23Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,

and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”

8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:
9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
11As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
40So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.
41And because of his words many more became believers.
42They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio is the Visionary Architect and Director of the Passion Movement, comprised of Passion Conferences, Passion City Church, Passion Publishing and sixstepsrecords, and the founder of Passion Institute.