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?
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"Our mission is the most critical mission on planet Earth."
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Louie Giglio
Discussion Questions
God doesn't need your money. How has that statement freed you from the guilt you may feel associated with giving?
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?
How have you seen generosity impact someone's eternity?
How do you feel about giving in this current season?
Why do you give if you do give?
Have you ever given with a bitter heart? How does it feel knowing that God only wants your offering if your heart is pure?
What are you trusting God with in this season?
What can you offer up to God now that you aren't trusting Him with?
Scripture References
Psalm 50A psalm of Asaph.1.The Mighty One, God, the Lord,speaks and summons the earthfrom the rising of the sun to where it sets.2.From Zion, perfect in beauty,God shines forth.3.Our God comesand will not be silent;a fire devours before him,and around him a tempest rages.4.He 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.”6.And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,for he is a God of justice.50:6 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text for God himself is judge,50:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.7.“Listen, my people, and I will speak;I will testify against you, Israel:I am God, your God.8.I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrificesor concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.9.I have no need of a bull from your stallor of goats from your pens,10.for every animal of the forest is mine,and the cattle on a thousand hills.11.I know every bird in the mountains,and the insects in the fields are mine.12.If I were hungry I would not tell you,for the world is mine, and all that is in it.13.Do I eat the flesh of bullsor drink the blood of goats?14.“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,fulfill your vows to the Most High,15.and call on me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”16.But to the wicked person, God says:“What right have you to recite my lawsor take my covenant on your lips?17.You hate my instructionand cast my words behind you.18.When you see a thief, you join with him;you throw in your lot with adulterers.19.You use your mouth for eviland harness your tongue to deceit.20.You sit and testify against your brotherand slander your own mother’s son.21.When you did these things and I kept silent,you thought I was exactly50:21 Or thought the ‘I am’ was like you.But I now arraign youand 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:23.Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,and to the blameless50:23 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; the meaning of the Masoretic Text for this phrase is uncertain. I will show my salvation.”
8.But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”10:8 Deut. 30:14 that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9.If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10.For 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. 11.As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)12.For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13.for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”10:13 Joel 2:3214.How, 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? 15.And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”10:15 Isaiah 52:7
39.Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40.So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41.And because of his words many more became believers.42.They 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.”
