My kids love the Berenstain Bears stories and so do I. They tend to always share some value or virtue that I know are good for my children.
One we read recently was The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand.
In it, Brother and Sister Bear are encouraged by Mama Bear to help their elderly neighbor to clean out her attic. They begrudgingly obey and, in the process, get to know Miz McGrizz and hear about her life. They help her organize her attic and a garage sale to make some money. In the end they make a friend in her and both siblings find a toy that brings them great joy Miz McGrizz gives to them for their hard work.
As I said, these books teach values and virtues. Sometimes we find value and reward when we serve and love others.
This week we're beginning a new series called The Road to Real.
Over the next six weeks, we'll be identifying and reforming practices and perspectives we may have learned from the world as we do our best to reorient ourselves toward God's design, His intent, and the way His Word calls us to live.
This week we're looking at what it means to be generous. Don't worry, this isn't a tithing
message. While I do believe generosity encompasses our finances, it's about even more than that.
Paul quotes Christ's words in Acts 20:35: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
In this passage, Paul isn't even talking about money. He's talking about serving the needy. He's talking about giving not just his financial resources, but also his time, his effort, and really, his heart for the sake of others and in service to the Lord.
Here's a question I'd like you to ponder as we head into this weekend:
"What has God given you that you can generously use to love others in the name of Jesus?"
There are three important parts to that question.
First, God has given it. Nothing we have comes from ourselves; it is a gift that God has
entrusted to us to use and steward.
Second, generosity isn't a calculation where we ask, "How much do I have to give?" Rather, it's the question, "How much can I generously give?" When we give generously, we often discover that there is more joy in giving than in keeping things for ourselves. We might think like the Bear Siblings and begin begrudgingly, but God turns it into joy.
Finally, it's all for the sake of Jesus. Whether it's your time, your words, your assets, your
money, your gifts, or your passions, we do it all for the name of Jesus, that He would be lifted high and glorified.
I'm excited to walk this Road to Real with all of you, and I'm looking forward to seeing how God calls us to live generously this week.
Blessings,
Ben Griffis
One we read recently was The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand.
In it, Brother and Sister Bear are encouraged by Mama Bear to help their elderly neighbor to clean out her attic. They begrudgingly obey and, in the process, get to know Miz McGrizz and hear about her life. They help her organize her attic and a garage sale to make some money. In the end they make a friend in her and both siblings find a toy that brings them great joy Miz McGrizz gives to them for their hard work.
As I said, these books teach values and virtues. Sometimes we find value and reward when we serve and love others.
This week we're beginning a new series called The Road to Real.
Over the next six weeks, we'll be identifying and reforming practices and perspectives we may have learned from the world as we do our best to reorient ourselves toward God's design, His intent, and the way His Word calls us to live.
This week we're looking at what it means to be generous. Don't worry, this isn't a tithing
message. While I do believe generosity encompasses our finances, it's about even more than that.
Paul quotes Christ's words in Acts 20:35: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
In this passage, Paul isn't even talking about money. He's talking about serving the needy. He's talking about giving not just his financial resources, but also his time, his effort, and really, his heart for the sake of others and in service to the Lord.
Here's a question I'd like you to ponder as we head into this weekend:
"What has God given you that you can generously use to love others in the name of Jesus?"
There are three important parts to that question.
First, God has given it. Nothing we have comes from ourselves; it is a gift that God has
entrusted to us to use and steward.
Second, generosity isn't a calculation where we ask, "How much do I have to give?" Rather, it's the question, "How much can I generously give?" When we give generously, we often discover that there is more joy in giving than in keeping things for ourselves. We might think like the Bear Siblings and begin begrudgingly, but God turns it into joy.
Finally, it's all for the sake of Jesus. Whether it's your time, your words, your assets, your
money, your gifts, or your passions, we do it all for the name of Jesus, that He would be lifted high and glorified.
I'm excited to walk this Road to Real with all of you, and I'm looking forward to seeing how God calls us to live generously this week.
Blessings,
Ben Griffis