Rich toward God

God has blessed me with more than I need, so I can make an eternal difference in the lives of others.

What is my giving strategy?

1. I will intentionally share my resources which is not necessarily my money.

We don't all have equal giving, but we all have equal sacrifice.  

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV)

2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 

2. I will intentionally share my time.

There is more to this life than this life.  The greatest deterrent to radical generosity is the illusion that this earth is our home.  

3. I will intentionally share Christ. 

Rich toward God.

Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Luke 12:16-21 (NIV)

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Because this life is preparation for the next life, I will value...

1. Stewardship over ownership.  

2. People over possessions.

3. The eternal over the temporal. 

Philippians 3:18-20 (NIV)

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven.And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/rich-toward-god