10/17/2021 - Generosity - Bigger, Smaller, Deeper - Pastor Jason Fritz

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

It’s not like Jesus needs money. It’s not like he’s poor and has to take out a loan. The truth is, the money is already his because he is God and God owns everything.

Jesus gave several powerful sermons and parables about giving and generosity and never once did he say to his disciples: "Now pass the plate.” He’s not after the money, he’s after your heart and your money is the quickest way to your heart. We know this to be true in our own lives. We spend money on what we value and what we’re passionate about. Our heart follows our money and our money follows our heart. So when we are intentional about giving to God what we’re saying is, “Our hearts are following you God, just look at where our money goes." It goes not to the temporary happiness of yet another purchase, but toward that which has eternal consequence.

When we started our Bigger, Smaller, Deeper vision series I began by saying this will be a journey of transformation. No better way to have your heart transformed than to evaluate its' affections. Those affections are made tangible by following the money.

Thankfully, we have the example of a generous first century church in the city of Philippi. Yes it’s true, words like “joy" and "cheerful” are the consequences of giving to the God whom you cannot possibly outgive. Think of God’s generosity toward you by sending his son to give you eternal life! The Illuminate family has all we need to accomplish the future vision of the church. That’s the good news. So there remains a challenge for each of us to speak with God and ask him, “What is my part?"