26.10.2021
IBC Admin
"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Mt 6:20–21
Jesus told us that “It is more blessed to give than receive.” (Acts 20:35) What this essentially means is that our ‘happiness’ or our sense of ‘well being’ will be more tied to a lifestyle of giving than a lifestyle of selfishness and personal gain.
During the next few weeks we will journey together as a church and discover why God has called us to live life generously. We will discover that “we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared before hand.” (Eph 2:10) And the ‘good works’ here are related to how we choose to use our time, our talents and our money. The Bible teaches us that when we invest what we been given by God back to God than we will be ‘blessed,’ which is the Bible’s way of saying we will be a happier people.
The most miserable people are the most selfish people. We see evidence of this so often with the wealthy and the rich. Years ago the great artist Delacroix asked James Rothschild, the great European banker and one of the richest men during the 18th century to pose as a beggar for a painting, ‘since he had exactly the right expression.’ Amazingly, Rothschild agreed and came the next day dressed in rags. He was so convincing that on his way to see Delacroix, a passerby gave him money.
God is pleading with us to put away the false notion that happiness is tied to getting more of what I want, when I want it. Jesus wants us to know that the surest way to misery and spiritual bankruptcy is a stingy and greedy heart. He wants us to know that when we tie our happiness to selfish desires, we will only be like the proverbial horse ever chasing the carrot on the stick.
Jesus wants us to know that the key to the joyful abundant life here on earth is ‘living a life of generosity’ which is the purpose for which God created us. When we discover that everything we have comes from God and is given by Him to be used to generously invest back into His kingdom we will be closer to the blessed or happy life. So join us this September as we gather together in worship, community groups and small groups in homes to discover this great journey God has called us to, to “live a life of generosity.”