1 Let’s Go (Living Generously, Week 6)

Let’s Go!

Prayer/Introduction

Today, we will see the Donavan Family’s story in its entirety. For many this will be a review. If you have

missed a week or two, it will fill in the blanks. When the video is complete, I will share some concluding

thoughts. So sit back and walk this journey with them, one more time.

Video: Living Generously, the Full Story

Today – A New Beginning!

Even though the series officially ends today, today is the first day of the rest of this year. It is the first

day that, for many of us, we will renew our commitment to Living Generously, obeying the “New

Commandment” Jesus gave just before He died where He said:

Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another

will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT)

For others, this may be the beginning of the journey. Perhaps God has laid some things on your heart

you have never understood quite the same way before. And you want to step out on this journey with

Him.

So, what can we begin doing right now, today, that will lead us further along this path of Generous

Living?

Deepen Your Connection

We need to deepen our connection with Jesus. Develop the habit of spending quiet time with Him

reading His Word to come to know Him better and talking to Him in prayer like you would talk with a

friend. Don’t focus on “Religion” (a system of rules and standards to live by), focus on Jesus and getting

to know and love Him. He gave us this invitation – reading from the Message Bible:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll

recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch

how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Mathew 11:28-30, the

Message)

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Remember, it is all about Jesus – getting to know Him, growing in our love for Him, and following Him

wherever He leads us!

Consecrate Your Finances

We need to consecrate our finances to God. If you are not in the habit already, begin paying a faithful

tithe (10% of your increase). Then ask Him with a willing heart to show you how He wants you to spend

the remaining 90% – what He would like you to give away in offerings and what you should use on

yourself and your family.

At a time when His people were wandering away from Him, God gave this warning and promise:

“… Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your

whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be

enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the

windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to

take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” (Malachi 3:7-11, NLT)

What God is really saying here is to make Him first in your finances, and He will take care of the rest. I

have experience the fact that when I give my tithe, the 90% goes further than the 100% if I fail to return

it to Him. He invites you to test Him out – to trust yourself to His care.

A quick word about how tithes and offerings are used in our church. All of the tithe is sent away to the

Conference Office who in-turn sends it to the NAD. It is then distributed all around the world, some

comes back to our Conference to pay the salaries of ministers. All ministers get the same salary

regardless of the size of their church which enables us to maintain many active churches in small

communities.

Our church operates entirely from your offerings, which is beyond the tithe. At least one time each

month the collected offering goes to our church and the other Sabbaths it goes to special projects

around the world. If you use a tithe envelope, it always is used however you designate it. If you have any

questions about how all this works, don’t hesitate to ask me or one of the Elders.

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Ask for Guidance

The next thing we need to do is ask God to guide our steps each day. Ask Him to open your eyes and

hearts to the opportunities He has for you – opportunities in your everyday life to share His love with

the people you rub shoulders with; opportunities to share a smile, a thoughtful complement, a quick

prayer, a listening ear, and even a few dollars. If you ask Him, He will point out needs that you can help

meet

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch

over you” (Psalm 32:5-8, NLT)

Get Involved with a Regular Ministry

Ask God what He wants you to do on a scheduled basis. Make a commitment to regularly scheduled

outreach. Could be serving in some capacity here at the church. It could be getting involved in a regular

helping ministry. It could be giving Bible Studies – in a couple of minutes, John will share some thoughts

and explain how we will explore some options during our potluck coming up.

Live for God

We need to get in the habit of always saying “yes” to God! If God has been convicting you in some area,

don’t question it, but say yes. He will generally not give us more information, new ideas, and new light

until we are following what He has already asked us to do.

It all boils down to this – are we living for God with our eye on eternity or are we living for ourselves

seeking to make Heaven here and now? Do we give God our best or our leftovers? In the words of Re,

our good sheep or our stinky sheep? Are we more concerned about our comfort and security or are we

willing to give all we have to God and allow Him to use us to really make a difference in this world?

There was a young man who came to Jesus wanting to know what he needed to do to be saved. We

often refer to him as the “Rich Young Ruler.” Jesus essentially said to him: “Will you give me everything

you are and have and trust Me with your life?” (See Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22 & Luke 18:18-

23.)

He is asking you and me the same question. Will we, like the young man go away feeling very sorry we

couldn’t do it, or will we say yes and embark on the adventure of a life-time, an adventure that will bring

us into eternity?

As I pray, I invite you to talk with Him about this – I will give you a few quiet moments in my prayer for

you to tell Him or ask Him whatever is on your heart right now. Let’s pray!

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Scripture References

Psalm 32:5-8 (NLT): Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to

myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the

floodwaters of judgment. 7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You

surround me with songs of victory.

8 The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch

over you” (Psalm 32:5-8, NLT)

Malachi 3:6-12 (NLT): “I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not

already destroyed. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and

failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s

Armies.

“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your

whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be

enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the

windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to

take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from

insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of

Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,”

says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 3:6-12, NLT)

Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT): “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust

destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where

moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure

is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

22 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body

is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the

light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

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24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted

to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and

drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father

feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a

single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They

don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as

they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into

the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will

we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father

already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and

he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is

enough for today.” (Matthew 6:19-34, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT): Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy

burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble

and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the

burden I give you is light.” (Mathew 11:28-30, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 (the Message): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get

away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me

and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything

heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

(Mathew 11:28-30, the Message)

Matthew 19:16-22 (NLT): Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I

do to have eternal life?”

17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to

answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” the man asked.

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And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal.

You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”

21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, 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 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

(Matthew 19:16-22, NLT – see also Mark 10:17-22 & Luke 18:18-23)

John 13:34-35 (NLT): “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have

loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you

are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT)

John 14:1-10 (NLT): “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more

than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going

to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will

always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can

we know the way?”

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except

through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you

do know him and have seen him!”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am?

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my

own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.” (John 14:1-10, NLT)

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT): Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never

fail you. I will never abandon you.”

6 So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere

people do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NLT)

James 1:3-8 (NLT): Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an

opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a

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chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect

and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for

asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a

person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the

wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided

between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:3-8, NLT)

1 John 4:7-21 (NLT): Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone

who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God,

for God is love.

9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we

might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved

us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has

ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression

in us.

13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we

have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the

world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in

God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God,

our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face

him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of

punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each

other because he loved us first.

20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t

love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this

command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. (1 John 4:7-21, NLT)

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E.G. White References

The Desire of Ages, pages 518-523: And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running,

and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

The young man who asked this question was a ruler. He had great possessions, and occupied a

position of responsibility. He saw the love that Christ manifested toward the children brought to

Him; he saw how tenderly He received them, and took them up in His arms, and his heart kindled

with love for the Saviour. He felt a desire to be His disciple. He was so deeply moved that as

Christ was going on His way, he ran after Him, and kneeling at His feet, asked with sincerity and

earnestness the question so important to his soul and to the soul of every human being, "Good

Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

"Why callest thou Me good?" said Christ, "there is none good but One, that is, God." Jesus

desired to test the ruler's sincerity, and to draw from him the way in which he regarded Him as

good. Did he realize that the One to whom he was speaking was the Son of God? What was the

true sentiment of his heart?

This ruler had a high estimate of his own righteousness. He did not really suppose that he was

defective in anything, yet he was not altogether satisfied. He felt the want of something that he

did not possess. Could not Jesus bless him as He blessed the little children, and satisfy his soul

want?

In reply to this question Jesus told him that obedience to the commandments of God was

necessary if he would obtain eternal life; and He quoted several of the commandments which

show man's duty to his (519) fellow men. The ruler's answer was positive: "All these things have

I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"

Christ looked into the face of the young man, as if reading his life and searching his character. He

loved him, and He hungered to give him that peace and grace and joy which would materially

change his character. "One thing thou lackest," He said; "go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast,

and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and

follow Me."

Christ was drawn to this young man. He knew him to be sincere in his assertion, "All these things

have I kept from my youth." The Redeemer longed to create in him that discernment which

would enable him to see the necessity of heart devotion and Christian goodness. He longed to

see in him a humble and contrite heart, conscious of the supreme love to be given to God, and

hiding its lack in the perfection of Christ.

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Jesus saw in this ruler just the help He needed if the young man would become a colaborer with

Him in the work of salvation. If he would place himself under Christ's guidance, he would be a

power for good. In a marked degree the ruler could have represented Christ; for he possessed

qualifications, which, if he were united with the Saviour, would enable him to become a divine

force among men. Christ, seeing into his character, loved him. Love for Christ was awakening in

the ruler's heart; for love begets love. Jesus longed to see him a co-worker with Him. He longed

to make him like Himself, a mirror in which the likeness of God would be reflected. He longed to

develop the excellence of his character, and sanctify it to the Master's use. If the ruler had then

given himself to Christ, he would have grown in the atmosphere of His presence. If he had made

this choice, how different would have been his future!

"One thing thou lackest," Jesus said. "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give

to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me." Christ read the

ruler's heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God

in the soul. This lack, unless supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become

corrupted. By indulgence, selfishness would strengthen. That he might receive the love of God,

his supreme love of self must be surrendered.

Christ gave this man a test. He called upon him to choose between the heavenly treasure and

worldly greatness. The heavenly treasure was assured him if he would follow Christ. But self

must yield; his will must be given into Christ's control. The very holiness of God was (520)

offered to the young ruler. He had the privilege of becoming a son of God, and a coheir with

Christ to the heavenly treasure. But he must take up the cross, and follow the Saviour in the path

of self-denial.

Christ's words were verily to the ruler the invitation, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve."

Joshua 24:15. The choice was left with him. Jesus was yearning for his conversion. He had shown

him the plague spot in his character, and with what deep interest He watched the issue as the

young man weighed the question! If he decided to follow Christ, he must obey His words in

everything. He must turn from his ambitious projects. With what earnest, anxious longing, what

soul hunger, did the Saviour look at the young man, hoping that he would yield to the invitation

of the Spirit of God!

Christ made the only terms which could place the ruler where he would perfect a Christian

character. His words were words of wisdom, though they appeared severe and exacting. In

accepting and obeying them was the ruler's only hope of salvation. His exalted position and his

possessions were exerting a subtle influence for evil upon his character. If cherished, they would

supplant God in his affections. To keep back little or much from God was to retain that which

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would lessen his moral strength and efficiency; for if the things of this world are cherished,

however uncertain and unworthy they may be, they will become all-absorbing.

The ruler was quick to discern all that Christ's words involved, and he became sad. If he had

realized the value of the offered gift, quickly would he have enrolled himself as one of Christ's

followers. He was a member of the honored council of the Jews, and Satan was tempting him

with flattering prospects of the future. He wanted the heavenly treasure, but he wanted also the

temporal advantages his riches would bring him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he

desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost of eternal life seemed

too great, and he went away sorrowful; "for he had great possessions."

His claim that he had kept the law of God was a deception. He showed that riches were his idol.

He could not keep the commandments of God while the world was first in his affections. He loved

the gifts of God more than he loved the Giver. Christ had offered the young man fellowship with

Himself. "Follow Me," He said. But the Saviour was not so much to him as his own name among

men or his possessions. To give up his earthly treasure, that was seen, for the heavenly treasure,

that was unseen, was too great a risk. He refused the offer of eternal life, and went away, and

ever after the world was to receive his worship. (523)

Thousands are passing through this ordeal, weighing Christ against the world; and many choose

the world. Like the young ruler, they turn from the Saviour, saying in their hearts, I will not have

this Man as my leader.

Christ's dealing with the young man is presented as an object lesson. God has given us the rule of

conduct which every one of His servants must follow. It is obedience to His law, not merely a

legal obedience, but an obedience which enters into the life, and is exemplified in the character.

God has set His own standard of character for all who would become subjects of His kingdom.

Only those who will become co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I have and

all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God. All should consider what it

means to desire heaven, and yet to turn away because of the conditions laid down. Think of what

it means to say "No" to Christ. The ruler said, No, I cannot give You all. Do we say the same? The

Saviour offers to share with us the work God has given us to do. He offers to use the means God

has given us, to carry forward His work in the world. Only in this way can He save us.

The ruler's possessions were entrusted to him that he might prove himself a faithful steward; he

was to dispense these goods for the blessing of those in need. So God now entrusts men with

means, with talents and opportunities, that they may be His agents in helping the poor and the

suffering. He who uses his entrusted gifts as God designs becomes a co-worker with the Saviour.

He wins souls to Christ, because he is a representative of His character.

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To those who, like the young ruler, are in high positions of trust and have great possessions, it

may seem too great a sacrifice to give up all in order to follow Christ. But this is the rule of

conduct for all who would become His disciples. Nothing short of obedience can be accepted.

Self-surrender is the substance of the teachings of Christ. Often it is presented and enjoined in

language that seems authoritative, because there is no other way to save man than to cut away

those things which, if entertained, will demoralize the whole being.

When Christ's followers give back to the Lord His own, they are accumulating treasure which will

be given to them when they shall hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant; . . .

enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Matthew 25:23;

Hebrews 12:2. The joy of seeing souls redeemed, souls eternally saved, is the reward of all that

put their feet in the footprints of Him who said, "Follow Me." (The Desire of Ages, pages 518-

523)