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Welcome to the second week of our "Shut Your Pie Hole" series! We're glad you're here. Now, let's dive into today's message on sharing generously.
Before we delve into the topic, let's address the elephant in the room: the title. "Shut Your Pie Hole" might raise a few eyebrows, especially if you're a pie enthusiast like me. Growing up, pies were a staple in my household, thanks to my mom's incredible baking skills. From pumpkin to blueberry to lemon sponge, my mom's pies were legendary. But what made them truly special was her generous spirit. She didn't just bake pies for our family; she shared them with anyone who needed a little sweetness in their life. That's the essence of generosity we'll be exploring today.
Why Generosity?
Generosity is a fundamental aspect of the "Shut Your Pie Hole" pie. It's not just about giving money; it's about sharing our time, resources, and love with others. When we assess our spiritual habits, generosity is a crucial indicator of our relationship with Jesus. Today, we'll examine two stories from the Gospel of Luke that highlight the different responses to Jesus's generosity.
In Luke 18, we encounter a wealthy young man who approaches Jesus with a burning question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Despite his adherence to the commandments, Jesus sees beyond his outward righteousness and challenges him to sell his possessions and follow Him. However, the young man's attachment to his wealth proves too strong, and he walks away saddened by the cost of discipleship.
What can we learn from his story? The rich young ruler's struggle reflects our innate desire to earn salvation through our own efforts. He trusted in his wealth and achievements, rather than in God's grace. Jesus's response challenges us to examine our priorities and let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him.
1 Timothy 6:9-10
9 People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
In the following chapter, we encounter Zacchaeus, a notorious tax collector despised by society. Despite his wealth, Zacchaeus is curious about Jesus and seeks Him out, climbing a tree for a better view. Jesus not only notices him but invites Himself to Zacchaeus's house, shocking the crowd with His generosity toward a sinner.
Zacchaeus's encounter with Jesus transforms him from a greedy tax collector to a generous giver. He pledges to give half his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he's wronged fourfold. Jesus declares salvation over his household, emphasizing that He came to seek and save the lost.
What sets Zacchaeus apart? Unlike the rich young ruler, Zacchaeus embraces Jesus's generosity and experiences true life change. His response challenges us to trust God with our lives and possessions, allowing His generosity to flow through us.
1 Timothy 6:6-86 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
As followers of Jesus, generosity is not optional; it's a natural outpouring of our faith. Just as Jesus shared His life with Zacchaeus, He invites us to share our lives generously with others. Whether it's giving financially, serving in our community, or simply offering a listening ear, generosity reflects the heart of Christ.
So, what steps can we take to live generously? It starts with trusting God with every area of our lives and asking Him, "What good thing will You do with my life?" By aligning our priorities with His kingdom, we can experience the joy and freedom of a generous life.
As we reflect on the stories of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus, let's consider our own response to Jesus's generosity. Are we clinging to our possessions and achievements, or are we willing to surrender everything to follow Him? Let's embrace the call to share generously, knowing that true wealth lies in godliness with contentment.
So, whether it's baking pies for a neighbor, giving financially to support ministry, or serving those in need, let's take a step of faith in generosity. Together, let's shut our pie holes and open our hearts to the abundant life Jesus offers.
Did you like Shut Your Pie Hole – Week 1? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.
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