NOTES:

1. Deal with a selfish heart.

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 15:7–10 (NIV)

2. Deal with a fearful heart.

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.

Malachi 3:8–9 (NIV)

THE BIBLICAL PLAYBOOK FOR GENEROSITY

1. Start with the tithe. (10%)

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

2. MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.

Isaiah 32:8 (NLT)

3. PUT THE PLAN INTO ACTION.

And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

Philemon 1:6 (NLT)

BOTTOM LINE:

Generosity is an attitude strengthened by a habit.

THE CHALLENGE:

NOT TITHING (10%): Put God to the TEST and TITHE for 3 months.

CURRENTLY TITHING (10%): INCREASE your generosity for 3 months.