Generosity opens the door to a bigger, more fulfilling life! In this week's message, Pastor Rod shares how giving with a cheerful heart brings true joy, releases God’s blessing, and sends eternal rewards ahead.

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THE JOY OF GIVING

MY STORY LEARNING TO GIVE

Proverbs 11:24 NLT

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

Mark 10:17-31 NLT

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

(18) “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. (19) But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

(20) “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

(21) Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

(22) At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

(23) Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” (24) This amazed the disciples. Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. (25) In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

(26) The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

(27) Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

(28) Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

(29) “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, (30) will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. (31) But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

2 Corinthians 8:12 NLT

Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

Luke 16:9 NLT

Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

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CONNECT GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. What is something you have given — time, money, or a gift — that brought you joy?
2. The rich young ruler struggled to let go of his wealth. Is there something you find hard to let go of?
3. How has God’s generosity toward you inspired you to give to others?
4. What is one small act of generosity you can do for someone this week?

Did you know that you were created on purpose for a purpose? In this week’s message, Ps. Masashi teaches us how discovering our true identity in Christ allows us to overcome fear, step past our excuses, and walk in the great plans God has for our lives.

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KNOW YOUR IDENTITY TO WALK IN YOUR PURPOSE

CHOSEN BEFORE CREATION

Jeremiah 1:4-5 NIV

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, (5) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

IDENTITY COMES FROM GOD, NOT FROM OUR ABILITIES

Jeremiah 1:6-8 NIV

"Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." (7) But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. (8) Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT m

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

LET GOD TOUCH YOUR FEAR

Jeremiah 1:9-10 NIV

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "I have put my words in your mouth. (10) See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

1 John 4:18-19 NIV

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (19) We love because he first loved us.

YOUR IDENTITY HELPS YOU BECOME BEACON OF HOPE

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

John 1:5 NIV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In the darkest moment, he was a beacon of hope and light

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CONNECT GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Where do you tend to look for your identity — your job, achievements, or what others say about you?
2. Jeremiah felt too young and unqualified. Have you ever felt that way? How does God’s response to Jeremiah encourage you?
3. Ephesians 2:10 says you are God’s masterpiece. How does that change the way you see yourself?
4. What is one way you can carry the kingdom into your life this week, even if things are hard?

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God has entrusted each of us with unique gifts, but true purpose begins when we faithfully use what’s in our hands. In this week’s message, Pastor Monty shares how stewarding our gifts with a good and faithful heart frees us from comparison and launches us into a fruitful, purpose-filled life.

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DON’T WASTE THE GIFT

Matthew 25:14-15 NIV

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. (15) To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

WE ALL HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GIFT

Matthew 25:16-18 NIV

The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. (17) So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. (18) But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

WE ALL MUST LEARN TO STEWARD THE GIFT

Matthew 25:19-23 NIV

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. (20) The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ (21) “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (22) “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ (23) “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

GOOD

FAITHFUL

CHARACTER > COMPETENCE

Matthew 25:24-30 NIV

“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. (25) So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ (26) “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? (27) Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. (28) “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. (29) For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. (30) And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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CONNECT GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. What is one gift or talent you feel God has given you?
2. The servant who buried his talent was afraid. What fear might be stopping you from using your gifts?
3. The master said “well done, good and faithful servant.” What does faithfulness look like for you this week?
4. What is one small step you can take to use your gift more?

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Web: mylifehouse.com

Instagram: instagram.com/lifehouseglobal/

Facebook: facebook.com/lifehouseglobal

Want to listen to our messages in other languages?

Lifehouse Japan (Japanese & English): https://lifehousejapan.captivate.fm/listen

Lifehouse Hong Kong (Cantonese & English): https://lifehousehongkong.captivate.fm/listen