CONTAGIOUS GENEROSITY

“Lead the Way”
Pastor Doug Heisel - November 27, 2022

2 Corinthians 8:7 — I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

Why I personally want to excel in generosity:

1. Generosity is a DIFFERENCE-MAKER. Some people take the LEAD, some WAIT, while others neglect doing their part.
   
   Philippians 4:14-16 — Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.
   

2. Generosity has an ending DATE on earth, but a return RATE that lasts for eternity.
   
   Philippians 4:17 — …I want to see profit added to your account.
   
   1 Timothy 6:18-19 — …Give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven -- it is the only safe investment for eternity!
   

3. Generosity connects me to the 419 promise and gives me a front row seat to the miracles the Lord will do to backup His Word.
   
   Philippians 4:19 — My God will use His wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.
   

4. Generosity is pleasing to GOD.
   
   Philippians 4:18 — I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
   

5. Generosity enables me to reach more people FOR JESUS, including many I would otherwise not reach.
   
   Philippians 4:21-22 — Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
   
   Proverbs 11:24-26 — The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

We could play it safe. We could maintain a comfortable status quo. BUT WE BELIEVE WE ARE TO EXCEL! Playing it safe would involve reducing expenses to cover just the bare minimum of ministry, fixed expenses, and current missions obligations. EXCELLING in ministry and missions would require excelling in our current level of giving.

Our main goal is 100% participation of the people who consider New Life Church their church home. This would involve every household doing their part in expressing ridiculous generosity. This would be in the form of a special year-end offering and/or increased commitment to giving in 2023.

Filling out a Commitment Card is NOT a financial contract, but a sacred expression of faith that we believe will do at least three things:

1. God honors faith and generosity. If we all do our part we believe it will be a spiritual tipping point where God will do new things in and through us.

2. The reach of our ministry (locally, regionally and globally) will be in proportion to the commitments people make. The more we do the more people will be reached for Christ.

3. We will be able to set our 2023 budget more accurately, based on tangible expressions of faith. We sign our names to many things. Let’s be willing to do it for God’s Kingdom too.

If you are part of the New Life Church family, this is our time to excel in ridiculous generosity! We could maintain a status quo, but we believe the Lord is inviting us to do more and influence more.

Join us in taking a bold and generous step of faith and fill out a Generosity Commitment Card. Let’s be a part of all God invites us into!