The podcast explores the concept of love and giving, challenging the belief of scarcity. It emphasizes the importance of renewing our minds to have an abundant mindset and giving the first portion. The speaker shares personal experiences of generosity and breaking free from a scarcity mindset. It concludes with a call to surrender to Jesus for salvation.
Love gives reflects the heart of God and is an expression of true love.
Shifting from a bag mindset to a barn mindset allows us to trust in God's abundant provision and experience the joy and blessings of giving.
Deep dives
The Blessings of Giving and Receiving
Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. While receiving is also enjoyable, giving reflects the heart of God. Just as God loved the world and gave, we reflect His love when we give. Love gives, and if we truly love, we cannot help but give. The Macedonian churches are examples of incredible generosity. Despite extreme poverty and trials, they gave generously, demonstrating a different mindset - the barn mindset. Instead of believing they didn't have enough, they trusted in God's abundant provision. They urgently pleaded for the privilege of giving. Many of us have a money problem, not because we lack resources, but because we have a scarcity mindset. We need to shift to an abundant mindset, trusting in God's ability to bless us when we give.
The Bag Mindset vs. The Barn Mindset
The bag mindset believes there is never enough, leading to fear and lack. However, the barn mindset acknowledges that God can bless us abundantly, and we have more than enough to give. Scripture encourages us to honor God by giving Him the first portion of our increase. When we give to Him first, we open ourselves up to His blessings. Tithing is one expression of the barn mindset. By returning 10% to God, we acknowledge His provision and trust Him to multiply what remains. While some may debate the relevance of tithing in the New Testament, the principle of honor and giving first still holds true. The Macedonians lived with the barn mindset, giving generously despite their poverty. It is essential to recognize that money is a counterfeit God, promising what only God can provide. To break free from the bag mindset, we must prioritize God and rearrange our lives around His purposes.
Break the Cycle of Scarcity, Embrace Abundance
The bag mindset perpetuates a cycle of scarcity: God supplies, we consume without enough, and fear sets in. However, the barn mindset breaks this cycle by honoring God with our wealth and believing in His abundant provision. As we trust God with our finances, He promises to fill our barns to overflowing. The Macedonians exemplified this mindset, giving beyond their ability for the service of the Lord's people. While giving beyond our means may seem daunting, it builds our faith and reveals the abundance of God's blessings. Tithing is a starting point, but generosity extends beyond money. Love gives in all aspects of life - time, resources, and relationships. By rearranging our entire lives around God and embracing the barn mindset, we can experience the joy and blessings that come with giving.
The Generosity of God's Gift
The most generous gift in history is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though we are all sinners, God, out of His love, sent Jesus to die on our behalf. Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection offer forgiveness and salvation to all who believe. Accepting this gift requires acknowledging our need for forgiveness and confessing our sins. When we receive the gift of salvation, we also receive the power to live for Jesus. In response to God's love, we are called to love others and put Him first in all aspects of our lives. Just as God loved us first, we respond by loving Him and reflecting His love through our generosity towards others.
No matter how much you have, more always seems better. But the Bible teaches us that love gives. So how can you trade wanting more for trust that God will provide More Than Enough? We’re talking about it in this message.
ABOUT THIS MESSAGE
We tend to hold tightly to the things that matter most. But soon, the fear of losing them can feel like a heavy weight. What if you could trade fear for trust that God will provide More Than Enough? Let’s learn how in our new series.
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