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Habits of Happiness | Generously Happy

Habits of happiness – We’ve talked a good bit now about how to be happy

One thing we haven’t spent much time on

MONEY and GENEROSITY

Money can’t buy happiness…

You’re right but, it can do a lot

Buy Comfort
Security
Friends

Here’s the problem with money

It is VERY EASY to think that money is the answer to all of our problems…

Habits of Happiness

Going through the letter to the Philippians

Paul in prison wrote this letter

Was a thank you letter for a gift

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul helps us see where money get us into trouble

God will supply all our needs
But it is easy to think money will

Money easily takes the place of God as a refuge for us
So what is the secret for trusting God to supply our needs? Being Happy?

GENEROCITY

Two kinds of people

Givers
Takers

Here is something we all know…

There is NEVER a happy taker… and NEVER a miserable Giver

The church in Philip was in an area in Macedonia

They were a GIVING church
A GIVING people

Paul bragged on them to another church in his letter to the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

8 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: 2 During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, 4 they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.

Paul was bragging about their generosity

They gave even though it was really going to cost them (extreme poverty)

IS YOUR GENEROSITY WORTH BRAGGING ABOUT?
Here’s what we all know…

GENEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAPPY PEOPLE

Near the end of his letter, Paul speaks about Generosity

God will supply ALL YOU NEEDS is a conditional promise

Meaning, you must act in a certain way for the promise to be true

Philippians 4:10,14-20

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.

14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Here is what we learn about being Generous

1: Generosity is God’s way of caring for his church

Story of a man on a roof in a flood

Prays are asks God to save him
Person comes in a paddleboat, but man says no, I’m waiting on God
Person comes in a motorboat, but man says no
Person in a helicopter comes and man says no, I’m waiting on God
Man dies and goes to heaven. Asks God why didn’t you same me? I put my faith in you
God says, I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what else do you want from me?!

Often we are like the man, asking God for rescue

But we are also to be the person in the boat or the helicopter
We are to be doing the work of God for others

Philippians 4:10,14

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.
14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

Paul is thanking this church, this group of Christian for being the hands and feet of Jesus
Jesus once taught that he will one day separate the sheep from the goats

Matthew 25

35 “‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’

40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

When we see a need, WE are to fill it

We are to be the blessing of God for other people

Happens in two ways:

INDIVIDUALLY

COLLECTIVELY

Individually – Each of us is to take what we have and ask God what are we do with what we have

How can you leverage your time, talents, treasure to advance the kingdom of God?

Collectively – The body of Christ coming together to serve others and advance the kingdom of God

Outreach
Giving campaigns
Tithes

This is what the Philippians did for Paul

Their generosity was so great, that 2000 years later it is still being celebrated

Generosity is God’s way of caring for His Church

2: We are to be generous even if we have to stand alone

In Star Wars Episode 8 “The Last Jedi”

A scene where Luke Skywalker Stands alone before an Advancing enemy fleet
Epic shot of just Him and the overwhelming Army
Those kinds of stories are always just so epic – The Lone hero

The lone hero may be an epic story, but it does not feel that way if the Hero is you

Standing alone is tough

Being the only one to do the right thing is hard
Doesn’t always feel epic

Let’s be honest, most of the world would think it’s crazy to willingly and joyfully give money away when it does not benefit you

Culture will only do that if there is something in it for themselves

Philippians 4:15-16

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times.

Generosity shows where your heart really is

If it is to impress others, you will only do it when they are watching
If it is to blend in or fear, you will never do it

We can stand alone because we are not actually ever alone

We have God on our side

We can trust him to take care of us

Are you willing to stand alone in obedience to God’s call of Generosity?

3: Our generosity makes God happy

Parents with children… Are you proud when your kids:

Take something without asking?
Don’t share and fight over everything?
Keep everything for themselves?

NO! We discipline them to be better

We are proud when they:

Share
Are kind and compassionate

We are God’s children

1 John 3:1

1 See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!

When we are generous, God is proud, It makes Him smile

Paul said it this way

Philippians 4:18

18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Our generosity is a demonstration of faith

We trust God will provide for us

Because God is so generous with us…

He gave His some
He gives us life
He Gives forgiveness
He Gives mercy

Our God is a Generous God

Generous in love

James 1:17

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Jesus said

Luke 6:38

38 Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

The Promise: