3 Mindsets That Move Us

This Is What We Do

Scripture References

Primary text

• Malachi 3:10
• Luke 10
• Mark 12

Other references

• Isaiah 9
• Isaiah 32:8
• John 3:16

Overview

Generosity is not a momentary act but a way of life for followers of Jesus. Pastor Craig closed the two-part series by showing how giving moves from spontaneous compassion to strategic planning and finally to sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s gift for us. “This is what we do” became the family banner: we lead the way with irrational generosity because God first gave everything to us.

Main Points

1. Generosity begins with a mindset, not a bank balance

• Most people feel poor yet claim to be generous, but statistics show average giving is less than 2 % of income.
• Giving (an action) differs from generosity (an identity).
• We are richer than we feel and often less generous than we think.

2. Spontaneous giving — moved by compassion

• We give in the moment when a need crosses our path.
• Illustration: Tornado relief links online, friend’s house fire, immediate response.
• Luke 10’s Good Samaritan stopped, bandaged wounds, paid for lodging; he hadn’t planned it yet acted.
• Strength: meets urgent needs; limitation: only happens when we “feel” it.

3. Strategic giving — guided by conviction

• Planned, prayerful obedience; tithing is God’s training ground.
• Malachi 3:10: the tithe is returning, not donating.
• Best way to afford the tithe is to plan for it—re-order priorities.
• Illustration: 18-year-old church member who tithes and adds 1 % each year across specific buckets (YouVersion, campuses, missions, blessing fund).
• Isaiah 32:8: “Generous people plan to do what is generous and stand firm in their generosity.”

4. Sacrificial giving — love that costs us

• Love always gives; John 3:16 is the model.
• Mark 12 widow’s two coins: Jesus commended her because it cost her everything.
• Story: Restaurant worker (foster-care background) secretly pays for Pastor Craig’s dinner; likely two nights’ wages, but he insisted—“Don’t rob me of the blessing.”
• Sacrifice stretches faith and moves God’s heart.

5. “This is what we do”—the Life.Church culture

“This is what we do.”

• From the garage-church start to millions of free resources, giving is baked in: Open Network, Church Online Platform, 165 global & local partners, over a billion YouVersion installs.
• Big enough to reach the world, small enough to care for one.

Key Truths

• Giving happens occasionally; generosity is a lifestyle formed by intentional choices.
• Spontaneous gifts relieve immediate pain, but strategic generosity multiplies long-term impact.
• The tithe teaches priority—returning the first 10 % declares God is provider.
• Sacrificial giving requires faith and testifies to the surpassing worth of Christ.
• A generous church can simultaneously resource global tools and meet a single neighbor’s need.

Response

• Ask God daily to open your eyes to spontaneous opportunities and act.
• Draft or revisit a yearly generosity plan; budget the tithe first, then additional offerings.
• Identify one area where a sacrificial gift would stretch your faith and bless others.
• Teach children or friends the difference between giving “when you feel like it” and living generously.
• Share a personal generosity story this week to encourage someone else to trust God.

Closing

Pastor Craig challenged the church to step forward when culture says “hold back,” to give more when others chase more, and to live by faith when fear suggests safety. Spontaneous, strategic, and sacrificial generosity together change lives and honor God. The service ended with prayer for a generous spirit and an invitation for those far from God to receive the ultimate gift of salvation through Jesus.

Prayer

Pastor Craig prayed that the Holy Spirit would “prompt us with spontaneous generosity, help us plan our giving, and lead us into moments of sacrifice,” then led new believers to surrender to Christ and receive new life.