The Secret: The Contentment and Camaraderie of a Generous Life

REFLECTION QUOTES

“We’re in a time where we exclude one major component out of this whole thing called life: God.”

~Kendrick Lamar, rapper, songwriter and producer

“The Bible consistently and directly indicates that when we give generously, we’re serving, honoring, and glorifying God. After all, generosity is fundamental to God’s nature.”

~Craig Groeschel, pastor and writer

“He who is not liberal with what he has, does but deceive himself when he thinks he would be liberal if he had more”

~William Swan Plumer (1802-1880), Presbyterian minister

“One of the effects of the gospel going deeper into our souls is that it frees our fingers to loosen their grasp on our goods.”

~David Mathis, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines

“The happy man is content with his present lot, no matter what it is, and is reconciled to his circumstances.”

~Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC- 65 AD), Roman statesman and philosopher

“There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontent.”

~Laozi, ancient Chinese philosopher

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. When good things increase, those who consume them increase.”

~Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 (NASB)

“When we are content, we ‘spy mercy in every condition’ and have our hearts laminated with thanksgiving.”

~Erik Raymond, pastor and writer

SERMON PASSAGE

Philippians 4:10-20, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (NASB)

Philippians 4

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-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 the glory forever and ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 8

1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. 8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.