"I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread. They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing."
Psalm 37:26
Our North Star
As many of you know, next year, I am planting a church in Celina, TX.
In preparing to plant the church, I have sought the Lord to help me see His vision for our new church and our unique call to Celina. In doing so, I have been crafting cultural values that will be a north star for how we will operate. One of those cultural values is openhanded generosity.
God blesses our finances and other gifts and resources. They are not ours to hoard. If we keep our hands closed, we are revealing a problem within our hearts.
Do you trust God?
Do you seek for His glory and kingdom to increase over yours?
Read what scripture says about this:
"I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing." Psalm 37:26
"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11:24-25
"For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; I needed clothes, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me. The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-36, 40
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7,11
This is the promise of openhanded generosity: It not only blesses others but also enriches one's own life. In the end, what we have to give is for God and by God. Open your hands and let go.
That is the blessing!
Travis Sellers
MD5 Facilitator
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