Genius of Generosity - The Principle With Secret Power, Part 1

I have a confession to make. When it comes to money. It was the hardest most difficult thing to learn about as a Christian until I learned the principle with the secret power. Are you ready for this is the way, the principal, that's right. The boy economy of principal. You've got to learn it will set you free.

That's today. Thanks for joining us for this Thursday edition of Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram Living on the Edges of international discipleship ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Chip Ingram on debris today.

Chip continues a series genius of generosity in sharing a biblical approach to developing intimacy with God. That's sustainable after the teaching trip will be with us to share some additional thoughts about the connection between generosity and a close relationship with God, so be sure to stay with us for that. Now this message the principal with secret power strip here little part of my journey was very fortunate after I came to know Christ personally to have a a bricklayer and organization that was really helpful teaching you to meet with God in not just go through the motions but really understand that he wanted to talk to you and in the morning and I was a pretty slow learner is really hard to get up and learning to pray was pretty hard for me.

I was little slow thereto, but to after couple years and begin to develop some really good habits and begin to grow spiritually and and then later I after I graduated from college.

I found myself teaching and coaching basketball and then running discipleship ministry on a college campus and I lived behind that the bricklayer we both went there together to launch this ministry and that was a garage apartment so I had two roommates that I was discipling. And so you know I'm a schoolteacher. Imagine this making $1000 a month. It was a while ago but it was not much money.

Even back then and and I had little Volkswagen green beetle. Remember those was my very first car I bought it used, and unit just ran like a little top and so little by little. I was beginning to learn and so I learned to give the first portion of my income in this group was great. They weren't legalistic.

They said you know a tent is a good place to start, but if you want to go percentage below or above, you know, make sure you keep your heart in the right place. So as I begin to grow my my OCD workaholic tendencies that I grew up in this word is shifted into my spiritual life, and I thought to myself, you know, if 10% is good.

I don't have many expenses and they were teaching about proportional giving and not for all the right reasons.

I decided you know what that double and I'm to go 20 and of the few, the proud Marines. The Ingram's anytime and I'm pretty proud of myself and Yunnan and if it slipped out that I was giving 20% of my income. That sounds like a lot, but you're making $1000. It may not be all that much, but it sounded good and and so I did that for a while and and then I thought you not only my expenses were like hundred and 20 or 50 a month and so I still had margin in a saved little bit of money, learning the basics of you know, give save in and invest a little investing real small and so 20% was good and God Blessings.

I'm going 30 as I was given 30% of my income away and I'm coaching and teaching then and unfortunately the Pharisee and he was growing you know more and more I thought you know if if if you give 10%. God loves you this much.

If you get 20% of but he loves you this much in men go 30. Who knows. And I was in this performance orientation, where I was learning to give but I was not at all generous and so I'm driving my little Volkswagen. I had little commute of about 40 minutes were I coached and taught and so I'm in my little green Volkswagen in its early in the morning and I hear this voice literally in my head and I don't know much. I'm pretty new Christians. I don't know when it's God or when it's the Holy Spirit what's going on or whether him having an illusion. So I have this little voice my headset ship whose car is this.

I'm thinking on where that's coming from. The next morning driving to work. Chip scars this third morning fourth morning, I realized I think this might be God.

I didn't want to answer because I thought he might have a plan for it other than the plan I had, because I'd recently married Teresa and we were in a pack everything we had and go to Dallas to go to seminary and so she had a car and I had a car and hers was newer and nicer and so I'm gonna sell this little car. But the gas prices have started go up and the value just skyrocket. It was worth more. Six years later when I bought it and so everything I was actually thinking not, but I can get this for it in the next day I drive. Not that I can get this for admin.

You know, even before Craigslist. I bet I can get this for it and so is my greed inside my mind over here is working in our give 30% was a godly godly man. Of course, God like morning number five. He says, whose car is this, and I say, which hears Lord all good, Chip. I'm glad you know that you know Nancy, the girl in the ministry. You know how she's going to go with Wycliffe Bible translators and she's going to go to remote tribe there. Thailand will yeah will you have two cars right yeah how many does she have I thought this is not good. This is this is going to totally bad direction and I said none. She says will she's going be traveling all over America to raise support and translate the Bible for those people. I want you to give your car to her because you have two and she doesn't have any unit like one of those verses you memorized it. First John, where it says that if you know someone in need, and you have more than you need, and you don't give it how can the love of God in you. I'm thinking of what you would know memorized and I'll be honest with you it was just one of those times where I mean, reluctant, reluctant, so I course. I tell Therese and she does all that's great. Thanks dear, you know, so eventually I mean this is not I want you here. You can give without being generous at all. I begrudgingly out of obedience to the side of him to give my car, it's yours. God I understand it, I'll do it and so I'm done out in the garage and I this is the day this will date some of you, but in the old days. I didn't have my stereos in cars and you could buy the stereos I'd saved up and you you put them in your car and you can unlock him and pull him out and so and so I'm I'm out the doors of that little Volkswagen are out and I've got my knee down and I finally Yunnan got all out of there and I pull it out like this and Tresa walked out to put it in so anyone my doing.

She was what he doing get the staring on my car. God said the car he didn't say the stereo and get many of you men. Her married, did you member this pose.

You know, and you just shamed into all you think the stereo goes with the car and how I stuck it back in their know if you open your teaching notes there's some real truth from the stories that I want you to get and I'm I'm really a little embarrassed to share those but I want you to know that you can give but not be generous. When I told you early on. This is not about money. Money is always probably the most pressing symptom, but I was giving 30% of my income and I wasn't generous. I gave it begrudgingly. In fact, I sat down earlier this week and I wrote down my motivations and what was going on in my heart. Giving is an action. Generosity is a matter of heart so you can give and not be generous but you can't be generous without giving when I was giving I was self-righteous. I was proud. I had a works orientation… Was gonna you know do better for me if I you know give more. I was I was negotiating with God, but I felt superior. When I held when I heard about the people what they gave a thought I was better than they were. I was rigorously religious, but relationally challenged. So what I want to know is that you can actually give and totally missed the boat.

See stewardship is not an obligation to fulfill, but an opportunity to cease now from a strict theological standpoint, it certainly is an obligation original learn why because of who actually owns what's been entrusted to us. But what I find is is that when I hear the word generosity. I think of adventure I think of joy I think of something winsome when I see generous people want to hang out with them the kind of people that you know likes exciting when I hear the word stewardship. Are you a good steward. That word has a lot of emotional baggage with it. I've heard a lot of sermons it as soon as people start talking about stewardship. It feels heavy like you're spending too much. You're not giving enough you could be doing more.

You don't measure up and it sounds like a poke in the eye with a sharp stick and what I want. I think it's got a lot of misperceptions about stewardship and what the meaning of it is because it's a beautiful word to I learned about stewardship from John Seibel. He was that mid-70s man and I was a 28-year-old young pastor and he brought me down to his office in the own this company CPA firm down in downtown Dallas and if you remember he gave me this checkbook in a set pastor's discretionary fund and he put $5000 in it and for five years. I put that my back pocket. Every morning I walked around and my only goal was to figure out who had a need that John Seibel wanted to meet and I was his steward. It was his money and all.

I just played Santa Claus for five years and way better than Santa Claus.

It was God loving and caring and you know writing a check to get a bug bus ticket back for some young runaway teen or writing a check that someone gets her electric bill paid, or an elderly couple that had the house and infested with all these rodents and time after time after time and I will go down and have lunch and then we would laugh and John would lean back and go pray the Lord and I would be embarrassed and and I was a steward and it was a blast. It was an adventure and what I want you to understand is when we start talking about the smartness of the genius of generosity. It's having the same attitude with what God's given you that I had with John Seibel. It wasn't my money. I was uptight about where it went. I'm not had to give an account for, and I want to make you happy and we did become best friends, but I mean when I gave it away. I wasn't worried like him I can eat today or not.

It's his money and every time after we would meet. It was an amazing thing.

I get a bank statement and he would just fill it back up. So what you need to see here's the bright idea the bright idea is stewardship is the path that's a path we are stewards will talk about it and why. But generosity is the adventure generosity is a is a whole new way of living.

It's waiting on money and it's even way beyond your time and way beyond your talents. It's like this winsome amazing adventure where you start walking around with this breakthrough concept.

Everything I have is a gift to me from God and I'm his money manager. It's like my life is like a checkbook and God fills it and he's given me time and talent and brains and opportunity and people and friends that every single thing I have is a gift from him and what he wants me to do is spend it or invest it or use it in a way that pleases him. And as we do, we become best friends and as we do I get the joy of watching his resources flow through me and loving people. That's the breakthrough concept, the genius behind the in-depth relationship.

I enjoy the John Seibel is what God wants for you and me and every single follower of Christ on the face of the earth. Now what I learned even when I was giving 30% of my lavish income that I was getting is that I didn't believe God owned it all. That's when life really changes. See, I was giving thinking it's mine and I'm better than people because look how much I'm giving Lloyd a second if 100% of it is God's. And God says I like 30% of it or 22% of it, or 9% of it or hundred and percent of it which is right so you don't get any brownie points for just giving it where he says to give it but when you begin to understand hundred percent not just of your money. But all that you are and all that you have is his.

It completely changes instead of him having to pry it out of your hands and you feeling all this anxiety and being uptight about this and about that and how you gonna do it in the guilt. All of a sudden you realize what a second. This is yours where you want your time to go today Lord where you want the money entrusted to me where you want these relationships to go. How do you affect notice what the Scripture says up actually put in writing your notes as the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Do you live in the world so you're the Lord's says the world and all who live in it. Later in Haggai. He goes silver is mining gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty. Deuteronomy 8. Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. It's almost like I was thinking that some of us we think well yeah you might say it's all yours. But I worked really hard for neo-Seattle who gave you the brains of talent the opportunity. Oh yeah that's right. Thanks. Even your body. It says you are not your own. You were bought with a price. First Corinthians 619 and 20. The summary here is what I call this is the principle that has secret power. I call to oy, Mia principal, or O is the Greek word for house, you can almost hear the word we get our word for economy literally that the word has to do with being a steward is translated to being a Guardian is translated of being a manager. It's a picture of the member in the Old Testament Joseph were in Potiphar's house. He put them over everything he put them over his his household workers. He put Rovers money pullovers crops. The only thing Potter said was that you know I married you take care of everything else. I entrusted to you. That's this word and or economy. A principal simply stated is all that we are and all that we have belongs to God and he is temporarily entrusted to us to manage. According to his wishes. That's a big thing to swallow meet. Think.

Think about if you actually if that went from an intellectual I don't even know if I agree with it to a celestial.

I agree with it to a I really believe this is true. Can you imagine what that would do everything I have and everything I am belongs to God and he's temporarily entrusted to you to spend invest according to his wishes with the promise that he loves you and he's good and he's kind and what he really wants is to work in you and through you as he directs those things so you accomplish his purposes.

This phrase or this word or this concept of the autonomy of principle is way way beyond money. Notice in Psalm 90 our time is a gift from God. If you're married, our spouse is a gift from the Lord your property in Luke 16 is a gift from God.

Your spiritual gifts says they're given by grace. They been entrusted to you.

There, a gift from God. God's truth.

This is the gospel itself is a mystery entrusted to us people in your life. Ask chapter 20 God. God gives people in your life that there entrusted to you. There a gift. Some of them there a gift that you watch over me responsible for and in others there people that they're just a gift that he wants to enrich your life but you steward friendships and you steward people every good and perfect gift. Everything you have. Just in case we missed something. James 117 every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Every good thing that ever comes into my life the hand of God is behind it to express his love and concern for you and even your physical body meet one of the strongest motivations for whether it's right eating or exercise or what you put in your mind is that you're not your own. You been bought with a price. So this isn't your body that your deciding what to do with this is God's body who says now will you take care of it because I have a great plan for you at the heart of it. Notice the passage there at the bottom for screen things for one into. Here's the responsibility of the manager or the steward let a man regard us.

The apostle Paul says in this manner as servants of Christ and here's our word stewards of the mysteries of God and then in the next verse he gives the number one priority with God. The steward in this case. Moreover it is required of stewards that one be found. Say it out loud with me, trustworthy, circling your notes will you. This is the issue. This is the issue in your life God has given you time and talent in people and money and opportunity in leadership you live in a time of history that is, I mean pregnant with possibilities and he decided from eternity past the place you and me at this time in this place with this group of people with what you have and he's got a plan for you and what he wants you to say Lord I want to fulfill that plan entrusted to me. I want to be found trustworthy. I want to spend my time, my money in a way that I realize it's really not mine.

It's your time and your money.

It's your opportunity and want to honor you and it.

Here's a thing as we do that, God's promises, he he's a heavenly father. He wants the very best for you and so the real issue when it comes to this. The real issue is not stuff the real issue is not what percentage the real issues. Trust coming at the end of the day we went. If I would've gone into my friend John Savoie and pulled out the checkbook and said hey Jon. I had a great time spending your money will go much is left.

I don't know where just meant you really think you track at this time.

Donna, I got a real strong feeling that when I left that launch my checkbook would not get filled up again right. Why the wisest venture capitalist in all the universe is the God of all eternity. The reason some of us don't have opportunities. The reason some of us have relationships that break down the reason some of us are not experiencing even financially all the things God wants for us. You know what were not faithful with what he's given us and and your apparent right you have on your kids. They wrecked the car three times to give him the keys to next car, not know why because they've already demonstrated until they demonstrate they can be faithful with what you gave them here you're not going to trust him with it. So here's the question for believers for followers of Christ can contrast that I can just talk more about this message. But if you're just joining us, listening to Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram chips teaching today is from the series the genius of generosity is this four-part series unfolds you'll discover the generosity is far more than just a financial issue. It's a lifestyle and according to Jesus, it's the smartest way to live. If you'd like to learn more about how to develop living a truly generous life.

This is the series for you better take a closer look at all of the genius of generosity resources go online to LivingontheEdge.org you'll find the book CDs and you can download chips, message notes or the MP3s absolutely free again. The web address is LivingontheEdge.org or just give us a call at 1-888-333-6003 for the genius of generosity will trip the series is helped thousands and thousands of people overcome Satan's live up if I'm generous there won't be enough for me that I'm somehow going to get shortchanged your book on this is just been released. How will it help people understand to see the deceit of this lie will Dave let me tell you I think that lot has kept people from experiencing God's fullness in his grace and his power in their life, but behind that lie really is that God isn't generous that he doesn't want to bless that if I give of my time or if I give of my money or even if I give up my friendship and my energy there won't be enough left over for me and the fact of the matter is that's the law of the flesh, not the law of the kingdom of God is good, kind, he's a son and his shield.

He gives grace and glory no good thing will he withhold from those who walk up rightly and what I've learned is that this kingdom principle that as we give as we hear more and more like him. As we release and given share. He just keeps filling up our life in our heart and even our bank accounts so that we can give to others. Now it's never a give to get in. It doesn't mean your life is gonna work out just perfect, but I can tell you this that when people are generous when you begin to have your antenna up looking for opportunities to love and to care to share it can be as simple as buying a couple coffee for the person behind you were seeing the homeless person and instead of feeling guilty you walk in the restaurant. You don't give them money you're not sure where it's going to go and you bind the hamburger herb I am you know one of those little breakfast sandwiches and you walk out and sit next to them and you give it to him and sit with five or 10 minutes and I will tell you what your heart in your life absolutely changes in this little book, the genius of generosity that have had the privilege of writing is short only hundred pages. It's only 5 x 7 with a beautiful little leatherette cover and what it allows you to do is get your mind and your heart thinking the way God thinks about generosity.

What you begin to grasp is that God has unlimited unlimited resource money, energy, time, and is just looking for a man or woman like you that he could pour through.

Let me encourage you to pick up the genius of generosity, or better yet we bundle them in groups of five deeply discount them get for five people and say hey let's go through this together in our small group Sunday school class or even as a family. I think you love it will chips book the genius of generosity has just been released. It's a beautiful little volume perfect for you or to give as a gift to someone you know, it's just 5 x 7 with a soft leather like cover that fits neatly in a handbag or briefcase. This little gift addition would make the perfect present for anyone you want to bless or to hand out your small group or Sunday school class and hope you do that, we discounted the five pack bumbles so check out the new release of chips book the genius of generosity and order your copies today just go online to LivingontheEdge.org or give us a call at 1-888-333-6003 as we wrap up today's program. This is one of those days that not only do I wish I could sit across the table from you with a good cup of coffee but I wish that we had like three or four years in a Bible study together so we felt comfortable.

We knew it was safe and we could kind of talk almost about anything and I would sit down.

I would look you in the eye, I'd say you know something. This is a very sensitive subject in most Christians never talk to one another about money, I mean we can talk about struggles and paying insects in whole kind of stuff but I mean like money is really taboo but I've observed as a pastor for now you know little over 30 years that money either has a hold on us or God has a hold on us and and I would love to look you in the eye and just out of a heart of compassion, say, you know, today we learned that God owns everything and were his money managers. How are you managing his money and mean do you really get that because what I've experienced over and over and over literally with scores and scores, maybe hundreds of people in the last 30 years is that this seems to be a roadblock.

It seems like the enemy. One of the last things as people were maturing as they let loose of their money.

They they begin to give the first percentage and then they go on the generosity journey and I know a lot of people that really love God to read your Bible to go to church to be good people doing to be good parents state that they really long to love one another and yet when you look at their finances. They really are not generous they don't give the first portion. The idea of a tithe is foreign and there's lots of reasons and denial and excuses and all the rest.

But here's what I like to say would you just ask most generous being in the universe. God what he would like you to do with his money that he's entrusted to you and would you consider for the next 90 days of saying you know this is scary and I don't know how to work out but I am going to take a big step generosity and I'm going to obey with the Bible says about giving, not just my money but that's where I'm going to start and I will tell you what it will be scary. You'll experience God and have joy like never before. And if you happen to take a step that is pretty scary and you see something kinda neat happened. I would love you to email me chip but LivingontheEdge.org and tell me your story. I have a a file folder of stories that's super thick that it always just brings amazing joy to my heart because here's what I'm gonna tell you, God will show up in amazing ways.

Is this is one of the few places he says. Test me in this, and when you test him. He's going to show up. So hey I know this will be a challenge but it is one that, as you take it you will never regret it is a great way to stay engaged and convicted the chip and Living on the Edge is with the chipping remap.

You'll get free access to all of chips recent messages whose message notes and much more.

And not only that, but it couldn't be easier to order resources or call or email directly from the app you can download the free shipping remap when you go to Google play for the App Store will tomorrow chip continues his series. The genius of generosity plans to join us that for chip and the entire team here, this is Dave Drew saying thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge