Daring To Be Generous

Dear Saddleback Family,

In last weekend's message, Pastor Rick taught about the 12 benefits of generosity. As you go through your week, use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you've learned into practice.

If you missed this message, click here to watch it online.

DARING TO BE GENEROUS
Daring Faith: The Key To Miracles – Part 9

To strengthen your generosity read through these 12 benefits and do these three things:

• Change your mind! Write the twelve truths about generosity on flash cards and read though them once each day.
  
• Change your heart! Choose your favorite verse below and put it in your heart by committing it to memory.
  
• Change your actions! Find a way this week to be generous in a way you normally wouldn't have been generous.

What Happens Every Time I Give: 12 Benefits

1. Generosity Honors God
   
   You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. Your generosity will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.  2 Corinthians 9:13 (NLT)
   
   Whoever is generous to the needy honors God.  Proverbs 14:31 (ESV)
2. Generosity Draws Me Closer to God
   
   The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first
   in your lives.  Deuteronomy 14:23b (LB)
   
   "Your heart will be wherever your treasure is."  Matthew 6:21 (NCV)
3. Generosity Makes Me More like Jesus
   
   The greedy always want more, but the godly love to give!  Proverbs 21:26 (NLT)
   
   "Purity is best demonstrated by generosity."  Luke 11:41 (LB)
   
4. Generosity Is the Cure for Materialism
              
   "You cannot serve both God and money."  Matthew 6:24
   
   Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them... to be generous and willing to share. In this way... they will take hold of the life that is True Life.  1 Timothy 6:17-19
5. Generosity Demonstrates My Faith
   
   Your giving proves the reality of your faith...  2 Corinthians 9:13 (Ph)
   
   You are generous because of your faith.  Philemon 1:6
   
   Bring your whole tithe to my storehouse. Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you won't have room enough for it!   Malachi 3:10
6. Generosity Reveals My Character
   
   "If you are untrustworthy with worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?"  Luke 16:11 (NLT)
7. Generosity Brings God's Blessing
              
   Generous people will be blessed...  Proverbs 22:9 (NCV)
   
   Give generously… then because of this God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.  Deuteronomy 15:10
   
   God loves the one who gives gladly. And God will make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.  2 Corinthians 9:7-8  
8. Generosity Increases My Happiness
              
   Jesus said, "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."  Acts 20:35 (TEV)
9. Generosity Expands My Influence
   
   The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy will get smaller and smaller.  Proverbs 11:24 (Mes)
   
   Those who give generously to those in need... will never be forgotten... they will have influence and honor.  Psalm 112:9 (NLT)
10. Generosity Multiplies My Money
    
    A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.  Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
    
    You will be enriched so that you can give even more generously.  2 Corinthians 9:11a (NLT)
11. Generosity Brings God's Protection
    
    All goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly. Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God's constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it.  Psalm 112:5-6 (LB)
12. Generosity Will Be Rewarded in Heaven
               
    Use your money to do good... always being ready to share with others whatever God has given you. By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.  1 Timothy 6:18-19 (LB)
    
    " I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven."  Luke 16:9 (NLT)