Randy preached at his home church, Good Shepherd, as part of a series on The Spirit of Generosity. He talked about the happiness that can be found in being a generous giver.
Here are the segments, if you wish to jump to any of them:
0:00 - The Beginning of Good Shepherd Community Church
1:25 - Paul’s Words in Acts 20:32-35
Paul gives some final words regarding how he worked hard as a missionary and as a layperson in order to provide for his own needs as well as the needs of the poor. He shares Jesus’ words that happiness comes from giving.
9:00 - Caring about the Right Kind of Gain
Are the things you’re devoting your life to going to make a difference for eternity?
11:10 - When Believers Rob Themselves of Joy
Sometimes secular people discover the joy of giving. while believers miss out because they don’t believe Jesus’ words about the happy-making nature of generosity.
12:49 - It's Smart to Give
Science shows the truth that giving to others does indeed make people happier.
14:29 - The Dangers of Wealth
Randy shares 12 warnings about the dangers of wealth, from 1 Timothy 6:9-11.
18:40 - The Solution to the Problem of Materialism
1 Timothy 6:17 helps us understand the joy that comes from finding our security in God, rather than our wealth. We can enjoy what God has provided, while still being generous with our money.
24:32 – Giving Generously and Cheerfully
Generous giving brings happiness in life now, not just in eternity. God wants us to learn to be a cheerful giver.
29:52 – Randy’s Personal Story of Giving
Randy shares the joy that has come from giving away the royalties of his books. He contrasts this with the false teaching of the prosperity theology.
35:38 – We Are God’s Delivery People
Don’t assume that because God puts wealth in your hands that He intends for you to keep it.
38:03 – The Lightning of God’s Grace in Our Lives, and the Thunder of Our Giving in Response
If we know the grace of God, giving is a natural response. As thunder follows lightning, so giving follows grace.
42:01 – Do You Have a Heart for the Things of God?
Your heart will naturally follow where your money goes just as Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21.
47:48 – A Story of Great Generosity
Randy reads a story from his book Giving Is the Good Life about a family that was blessed in business with great wealth, and how they built a legacy of generous giving.
56:18 – Increasing Your Giving, and Passing on a Vision of Generosity to the Next Generation
Randy shares some suggestions on how to increase your generosity, and some thoughts about giving inheritances to grown children.
58:38 – Our Testimonies of Giving Can Bring Praise to God
There is a time for giving stories, told in humility to bring praise to God. When we do so, we follow Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, by letting our light shine so our good deeds bring glory to God.
1:02:42 – Next Steps in the Generosity Journey
Randy offers some suggestions for moving forward in giving. He shares some questions we should ask ourselves to grow in our thinking about generosity.
