10 and 10 - Entries tagged "Generosity"

SatSaturdayOctOctober20th2012 October 20

Posted Saturday, October 20 2012 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged 2 Corinthians Generosity Stewardship 0 comments Add comment

Day 6 – October 20, 2012

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

A Note from John…

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this week’s 10 and 10 lessons on stewardship and tithing. I hope it has been interesting, informative and challenging to you and your discipleship. Financial giving is a difficult topic for churches, even though, as you have seen, the Bible is not shy about speaking to it. Often when the minister starts talking about money, the congregation feels he or she has moved from preachin’ and gone to meddlin’. But the truth is giving to the ministries of Jesus Christ through the church is an important reflection of our faith.

This year’s stewardship campaign theme is “Oh, The Places We’ll Go!” named after the book with a similar title by Dr. Seuss. It emphasizes the power of combined giving and the vision that giving can fund. Church members often forget that when their gift is combined with the gifts of a thousand others, what a difference it can make. An additional ten dollars per week from every giving family at FUMCG becomes another half million dollars for the ministries of Christ. Can you imagine the places our church could go in the name of Christ with another half million dollars?!

Also, I hope you will consider giving proportionally and regularly. Proportional giving shows we are taking our giving seriously enough to calculate what percentage of our income we are investing in the work of the Lord. It also shows us how close we are in our giving to the biblical imperative of tithing. Usually, tithing is not where you begin. It took my wife and I a few years before we were able to grow our giving into a tithe, but that endeavor has enabled me to tithe to the church for the past 30 years. Regular giving is also important. Not only does it help the church with budgeting for the ministries we plan, but it also causes you to prayerfully consider your personal support of those ministries every Sunday. That is why your pledge to the church is so important.

These are challenging times for the church. According to the Barna Group, 34% of Americans said, due to the poor economy, they had to reduce their giving to the church over the last three months of 2011 and 11% had completely drop all giving to the church. That trend has continued in 2012 and will persist in 2013. However, with people willing to give proportionally and regularly, combining their gift with the gifts of so many others, “Oh, the Places We’ll Go!”

If our church had plenty of funding, where would you want us to go in ministry?

Tomorrow (Sunday, October 21) is Commitment Sunday! This is your chance to play an active role in supporting all the "places we'll go" in 2013 and beyond. Please prayerfully consider your commitment. Commitment cards will be available in the pew backs, or you may bring the card you received in the mail. Alternatively, you may choose to submit your commitment online. Click here to do so now!

FriFridayOctOctober19th2012 October 19

Posted Friday, October 19 2012 @ 5 AM by Tagged 2 Corinthians Faith Generosity Stewardship 0 comments Add comment

Day 5 – October 19, 2012

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.

The early church showed generosity to one another by giving and sharing resources.

How can a person give joyfully if it is beyond their means?

Why is selflessness important to the process of giving?

ThuThursdayOctOctober18th2012 October 18

Posted Thursday, October 18 2012 @ 5 AM by Tagged Deuteronomy Generosity Stewardship 0 comments Add comment

Day 4 – October 18, 2012

Read Deuteronomy 26:1-15.

Today’s scripture reading tells of how the Israelites were to show their gratefulness to God for his blessings. God was faithful to them, and they would be faithful in return.

We may choose to give to God for many reasons…

Obligation - We owe it to God
Reward - God will give me so much more back when I give to God
Fear - If I don’t give, God can take away all I have
Generosity - God has blessed me, how can I share this blessing

What is your motivation for giving to God?

What kind of rewards do you see as a result of your faithfulness?

SatSaturdayOctOctober29th2011

2 Corinthians 9:7

Posted Saturday, October 29 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged 2 Corinthians Generosity 0 comments Add comment

2 Corinthians 9:7

"Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don't force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes."

Generosity is contagious. I’ve never met anyone who said, “My problem is I gave too much.” Instead those who are generous seem to have the most fun finding new and creative ways to help others. Are you a grumpy giver? Maybe you should try giving more to catapult you into the cheerful giving zone!

FriFridayOctOctober28th2011

Luke 6:38

Posted Friday, October 28 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged Generosity Luke 1 comments Add comment

Luke 6:38

"For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give--large or small--will be used to measure what is given back to you."

Do you give just so that you will receive something back? No! I think what this passage means is that God has some amazing math skills. When you and I are generous…our one little bit of generosity gets added and multiplied and overflows in something we could have never imagined.

ThuThursdayOctOctober27th2011

Matthew 25:34-46

Posted Thursday, October 27 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged Generosity Matthew Poverty 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 25:34-46

"Then I, the King, shall say to those at my right, 'Come, blessed of my Father, into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' "And I, the King, will tell them, 'When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!'

When we love those in need in practical ways, we love Jesus. That seems simple enough, yet so difficult to practice. How much should we give? How much should we help? What if our helping is hurting? Those are all valid questions but the reality is that over and over again scripture keeps reminding us to love those in need.

WedWednesdayOctOctober26th2011

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Posted Wednesday, October 26 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged 1 Timothy Generosity 2 comments Add comment

1 Timothy 6:17-19

"Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven--it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well."

One of the joys of ministry in this church is that we see people giving happily to those in need. In fact, as one of your pastors, I have confidence in the fact that if we share specific needs with you, those needs will be met. You understand how to use your money for good.

TueTuesdayOctOctober25th2011

Proverbs 14:31

Posted Tuesday, October 25 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged Generosity Poverty Proverbs 1 comments Add comment

Proverbs 14:31

"Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God."

We are all aware that the causes of poverty are complicated and far-reaching. There are systemic issues around poverty that make it difficult to address. Rarely do we look at what we might be doing to oppress someone else or to keep them in the cycle of poverty. What a radical idea to imagine that we are insulting God when we allow the poor to stay oppressed.

MonMondayOctOctober24th2011

1 John 3:17-19

Posted Monday, October 24 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged 1 John Generosity Gratitude 0 comments Add comment

1 John 3:17-19

"But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him? Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord."

Yesterday’s sermon was about giving to needs rather than to an institution. We are called to really see those in need around us and to find ways to meet those needs with our resources and our actions.

ThuThursdayOctOctober20th2011

Galatians 6:7-10

Posted Thursday, October 20 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Galatians Generosity Stewardship 1 comments Add comment

Galatians 6:7-10

“…let us not grow weary in well-doing…”

On Sunday I said we reap how we sow. The more we plant the great possibility of a bountiful harvest. If we “grow weary of well-doing”, it is the kingdom of God that will suffer.

WedWednesdayOctOctober19th2011

Proverbs 11:24

Posted Wednesday, October 19 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Generosity Proverbs Stewardship 1 comments Add comment

Proverbs 11:24

“One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”

I have found I only feel fulfilled when I am generous to others. That is when I become richer.

SatSaturdayAugAugust13th2011 Luke 12:35-38

Posted Saturday, August 13 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Blessings Generosity Luke 1 comments Add comment

Luke 12:35-38

“From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

There is no question, I am one of the blessed. The Lord has entrusted me with much. So, now the question is, what am I going do with it? What about you? How has the Lord blessed you? What is it the Lord has entrusted in you? What are you going to do about it?

FriFridayAugAugust12th2011 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Posted Friday, August 12 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged 2 Corinthians Generosity Gratefulness 1 comments Add comment

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

“…God loves a cheerful giver.”

There is a legend about a man who finds the barn where Satan keeps the seeds he sows in the hearts of human beings. On looking through the barn, the man discovers the bins holding the seeds of discouragement are full to overflowing. The man asks Satan, “Why are these seeds more numerous than the others?” Satan proudly responds, “These seeds can take root and be grown almost anywhere.” The man asked, “Almost anywhere? Is there any place where these seeds will not thrive?” Satan reluctantly answered, “In the heart of a grateful person.” Gratitude is our greatest tool in overcoming the discontentment of greed.

ThuThursdayAugAugust11th2011 Matthew 6:25-33

Posted Thursday, August 11 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Generosity Matthew Prayer Worry 2 comments Add comment

Matthew 6:25-33

“…strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness…”

Much of our time is wasted on unproductive worrying. I will wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat worrying about something. I will toss and turn until finally, out of frustration and futility, I will ask for God to send me his peace. Inevitably, God’s peace will come and I will go back to sleep. The problem is still there in the morning, but with a good night’s sleep and a new perspective I have the energy to tackle it.

Pray for God’s gift of peace to overcome your worry and spend your time in helping bring about his kingdom and living in his righteousness.

WedWednesdayAugAugust10th2011 Luke 12:13-21

Posted Wednesday, August 10 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Generosity Luke 0 comments Add comment

Luke 12:13-21
“Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

“All kinds of greed?” How many kinds are there?

Repeat the sentence prayer, “Guard me, O God, against all kinds of greed.” Say it over and over, listening to where God leads you. Then pray for God to forgive all the kinds of your selfishness.

TueTuesdayAugAugust9th2011 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Posted Tuesday, August 09 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged 1 Timothy Generosity 0 comments Add comment

1 Timothy 6:17-19
“As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not…to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God…”

As the Dow Jones continues its free fall, this is a good time to be reminded of how God, rather than the stock market, has richly blessed us. Spend some time today being thankful for your blessings and then respond faithfully by blessing the life of someone else.

MonMondayAugAugust8th2011 Matthew 22:34-40

Posted Monday, August 08 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Generosity Matthew 2 comments Add comment

Matthew 22:34-40

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets."

Generosity is, in its purest form, loving God. To love God is to love your neighbor. To love your neighbor is to love God. We show our love of God in the way we love God's children. In John 14, we are told that the spirit of God dwells with us and is in us. In 1 John 4, we are reminded that God is love. When we love our neighbor we are sharing the very presence of God with them. How are you showing God's love through your life and action? How is your generosity a way God is loving the world?

Set Campus PreferenceAll Locations

All Locations
Downtown Campus
Heritage Campus

Español

422 Church St. | 4344 Heritage Ave.

10 and 10Read Scripture for 10 minutes. Pray for 10 minutes. Every day.

by Read Scripture for 10 minutes. Pray for 10 minutes. Every day. These daily readings are chosen by the pastor to relate to the sermon that was preached the previous Sunday.

First Methodist Church Grapevine
Downtown Campus 422 Church St. Grapevine, TX 76051 817-481-2559	Heritage Campus 4344 Heritage Ave. Grapevine, TX 76051 817-571-1111