The Generosity Journey

1)      Intro  - Brad to call people back from coffee and connection time; remind people of series purpose and where we have been; intro panelists and format

2)      Personal journeys

a)      Al – Dad modeled generosity (never taught us verbally); running shoes J.  Journey: How do I be generous outside of 10% scenario (tight amount).

b)      Brad – key touch points: Felt entitled as a young adult to things I saw others had (parents, grandparents) and spent my way towards that; ended up with consumer debt = guilt; had to re-learn to think and talk about money and my relationship to it in a different way)

c)       Diane – personal history (parent’s culture of not talking about money). “Test me in this” – making a choice of obedience in the middle of a very tight time.   

3)      Submitted Questions:

a)      “Should you give while you are carrying debt like student loans?” – Diane & Al  

i)        Starting working your way out of this hole- God will join you in this process. 

ii)       There’s no blessing going into debt to give God money. 

b)      “What if you feel an impulse to give (i.e. – toward an immediate need like relief work) and want to give but don’t have the resources – how should you respond? – Brad

i)        Having a good financial plan helps you think through this kind of thing (otherwise you don’t know if you can afford to be generous).

ii)       Gives you the freedom to say “no” if you have a plan to say “yes” (Good Samaritan – setting aside money )

iii)     Store up food in the freezer;  store up money in benevolence fund, etc.

iv)     Commitments: Be willing to re-assess them when your circumstances change.  

c)       “Can you talk about differences in life-stage and what giving looks like in each of those?” – ALL

i)        Nothing catches God off guard – He knows what is coming ahead and what stage of life you are in now (kind of like serving). 

ii)       Do you really think you can do better with God than your money?  (trusting in your abilities versus allowing God to do his part).  Even the ability is

d)      “What should you do when a husband and wife disagree about the amount (or where) to give?” – Diane

i)        Really tough.  Some things are relationship issues not money issues. (external help and input).  There are some things that only the Lord can change.

ii)       God is concerned about our hearts way more than He wants or needs our money. 

e)      “I am always conflicted between giving to charities that help the poor, widows and orphans in the world and to our local church.  Like now, for example: should I be helping out with relief in the Philippines, supporting the Guatemala team or giving to JRCC?” - Al 

i)        When Jesus left, He set up the local church as his primary mission outpost.  The health of para-church ministries draw upon the church for their support.  The entire endeavor is only as healthy as the local church. 

ii)       We make decisions now about 2014 and make commitments.  So when your giving changes toward the local church, it adjusts the pre-commitments that we have made.      

f)       “Is tithing an Old Testament concept?  What guidelines apply from the New Testament?”

i)        OT background 

ii)       Not a formula – BUT do we need guidelines?  (so long as it doesn’t become the measure of your spirituality).  Guiding principles – cheerful, giving what you have not what you don’t have (note: for some people having a fixed number is easier).    

g)       “Is there a difference between a tithe and an offering?” – Al

i)        First fruits – a good idea vs. a biblical principle?

h)      “Should I tithe or my gross or net income?” (pre or post taxes?) – Diane & Brad

i)        “Is it possible to give too much to God’s Kingdom purposes?” – ALL

i)        There’s no formula A+B = C for God but we do have some guidance in this process

ii)       Could it be that some people are using finances to try to help God be pleased with them (

iii)     Look after your own family (Timothy; Pharisees); paying your bills on time

j)         “There seems to be a tension between the desire to declare the glory of God through building beautiful things that try capture the scope of His glory AND the desire to build the Kingdom of God through charity and giving money away. There is clear scripture for both. (ie. the temples of Solomon on the one hand, and the call to sell everything and give it to the poor).   How do we resolve this tension or strike a good balance?” – Al

k)      “I’ve never given to Jericho before but I’m thinking of trying.  I can’t afford to give a large amount, though, so I feel a bit defeated even before I start. What advice could you give me?”

i)        Just start J

4)      “What does success look like for you personally in this area?  What would it look like for JRCC?”

a)      Diane – money doesn’t have power over me anymore.  It is SO freeing to give it away! 

b)      Al – It’s an upward spiral J. 

c)       Brad – Ministry effectiveness could increase here at JRCC.  

5)      Foundational Summaries / Statements   

a)      Brad – It is tough, but we need to keep our lives free from the love of money.

b)      Diane – trusting God for the future and taking Him at His word is critical. Take the step of obedience.  You will be amazed at how God will bless you.   

c)       Al – My church; God’s money (versus “The Church Just Wants MY Money”); God Owns, We manage (if it isn’t working, which part is the iffy part? J).  Our part vs. God’s part

6)      Closing thoughts – Brad

a)      Remember the book we want to give to everybody – “The Genius of Generosity”

b)      Thanks to our question askers as well as to the panel for their participation. 

c)       Call the worship team up and the ushers forward to receive the offering as an act of worship.