30 min
I Surrender All (Generosity) NHCC Sermons & Teaching
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- Christianity
Acts 4:35… There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
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Sadly, the perception some have of the church is that we are simply an organization with our hands open, asking for donations. Also, sometimes even within the body of Christ, there is a feeling that if you ever mention giving or offerings that it can be intrusive and/or bothersome.
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The problem with this perception is that it completely avoids the sobering truth, that there are those in need who have no other alternative than the generosity of the Christian family. While we can have an understanding that there have been those who have exploited this truth for selfish purposes, it is reckless to simply generalize all churches and all Christians as selfishly motivated. The truth is, the majority of Christians who ask for and offer offerings do so out of a desire to reflect Godly generosity.
Frank shares such an example from the early church this Sunday, as the family of God offering sacrificial gifts to make sure that the needs of the whole body were addressed. God’s grace had moved them from a place of ownership of what they had to a place of stewardship of that which God had given them for the purpose of providing for His whole family.
Acts 4:35… There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
—————
Sadly, the perception some have of the church is that we are simply an organization with our hands open, asking for donations. Also, sometimes even within the body of Christ, there is a feeling that if you ever mention giving or offerings that it can be intrusive and/or bothersome.
—————
The problem with this perception is that it completely avoids the sobering truth, that there are those in need who have no other alternative than the generosity of the Christian family. While we can have an understanding that there have been those who have exploited this truth for selfish purposes, it is reckless to simply generalize all churches and all Christians as selfishly motivated. The truth is, the majority of Christians who ask for and offer offerings do so out of a desire to reflect Godly generosity.
Frank shares such an example from the early church this Sunday, as the family of God offering sacrificial gifts to make sure that the needs of the whole body were addressed. God’s grace had moved them from a place of ownership of what they had to a place of stewardship of that which God had given them for the purpose of providing for His whole family.
30 min