FULL PLATES, GRATEFUL HEARTS – PART 3 “When Full Turns to Flow”
Generosity Starts With A Seed – Obedience
James 1:22, 22 “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
Obedience. James calls out believers in this passage, reminding each of us that it does not do us any good to have the head knowledge of Scripture without putting it into practice. We are called to take what we know and live it as God is calling us to do. And we must be careful that we do not pick and choose which parts we want to obey. All of Scripture is what God is calling His children to follow.
Proverbs 3:9-10, 9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
Generosity is never accidental. God’s blessings are meant to be shared, not hoarded. We honor God and all He is doing in our lives when we live with open hands and pour from a generous heart. As Pastor Shaun shared, if our hands and hearts are closed, not only can things not be poured out of them, but it prevents God from pouring blessings into His children. Let us be vessels of overflow onto those around us – not just of physical things, but the overflow of Joy that comes from walking in intimacy with Jesus.
Hosea 10:12, 12 “I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come
and shower righteousness upon you.’”
Hosea reminds us that God blessed Israel to be a blessing to the nations of the world. But Israel forgot their calling and did not walk in obedience, so they suffered judgment and the punishment that accompanied it. If we seek our own gain, follow our own path and ignore God, we will never be able to plant seeds of righteousness and reap a harvest of love. God wants to shower righteousness upon us, but if we walk contrary to His instruction, that is not possible.
OBEDIENCE AND GENEROSITY BOTH COME FROM THE OVERFLOW OF ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US. WHEN I GRASP HOW GOD HAS CHANGED MY LIFE, THE ONLY RESPONSE IS TO WALK IN OBEDIENCE. AND BECAUSE OF THIS LIFE CHANGE I HAVE EXPERIENCED, I CAN’T HELP BUT BE GENEROUS FROM THE OVERFLOW, SHARING FREELY WITH OTHERS, THE JOY OF MY SALVATION.
John 12:24-26, 24 “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
Jesus teaches us that if we hold on tightly to things in this world, we will have them for now, but in the end, lose everything. But when we live to serve and follow, when we walk in obedience, we freely place our lives in God’s hands to use, and we gain eternity with Jesus. Dying to self, living a life of generosity, enables us to plant seeds and produce a harvest of the only thing we can take with us into eternity – the souls of the people whose lives we have helped to discover the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6:8-9, 8 “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Do not despair if you have yet to see the harvest you are anticipating and for which you have been praying. Ask God to refine your prayers and to turn your heart ever closer to Him. Paul knew that God’s timing was perfect. Sometimes there can be a little adjustment that God is waiting for us to make, so that He knows He can trust us when He sends the harvest. Remember the promise from Jeremiah 29:13, “if you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
Reflect on your current level of obedience to God.
Are there areas of your life that you are fighting God, resisting His call to obey?
Read Ecclesiastes 11:4-6. What point do you think Solomon is trying to make in this passage? Why?
What are some steps you can take today to move closer to obedience in areas where you are resistant? Share with a trusted friend or your small group, someone who can hold you accountable. Commit to start today. What are you waiting for?
Read 1 Peter 1…Peter reminds us that we are called to obedience as children of God.
Because we are chosen, we are called to a higher standard. What is one thing that Peter warns believers against in this passage? Why do you think he says this?
What does Peter say the prophets were told? Share the name of your favorite prophet and one way that they walked in obedience to their calling.
Think about how amazing it is to be living on this side of Jesus. Share one thought that you would tell your favorite prophet about their prophecy that was fulfilled.
What is one area of your life where you can plant seeds of obedience through generosity? Get vulnerable and share this with your small group.
Look for a passage in Scripture that we have not covered that speaks about the importance of obedience. Share in your small group.
Reflect on your life. Can you recall a time when you planted seeds and saw how God multiplied? Share in your small group. Use this example as a reminder to encourage you to do more planting.
Read James 1:22 in a different translation. Sit with this passage and ask God to reveal steps that He would like you to take to grow in doing what Scripture teaches. Write out a prayer to pray through this week to help you move forward in the way He is calling you to go.
