Jesus and We: Part 3 - "Irrationally Generous" with Craig Groeschel - LifeChurch.tv

Irrational Generosity: It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

Scripture References

Primary text

• Acts 20:35
• 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

Other references

• Isaiah 32:8
• Matthew 23:23
• Acts 4:33-34

Overview

God’s people are designed to live with an abundance mindset, not a scarcity mindset. Jesus’ own words—“It is more blessed to give than to receive”—shape a core value of the church: we lead the way with irrational generosity. Drawing on the Macedonian believers’ example, Craig Groeschel traced his journey from fearful scarcity to joyful giving and cast a vision for a church that meets real needs, funds the gospel freely, and reflects the lavish heart of God.

Context

This message is part of a month-long series unpacking the church’s cultural values. Earlier weeks covered big faith and serving; this week centers on the value of generosity—an addition God birthed in the congregation years after its founding in 1996.

Main Points

We lead the way with irrational generosity

“We will lead the way with irrational generosity because we truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

• The value comes straight from Jesus’ words in Acts 20:35.
• It was not one of the original seven values; God had to renovate hearts first.

Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset

• Stephen Covey’s language helped Craig see himself: scarcity says “there’s not enough”; abundance says “God can always provide.”

• Illustration: A cherry pie—scarcity protects the last slice, abundance says, “Take half; we can bake another.”

• Scarcity led Craig to fear giving and to practice “holy” re-gifting—until a Chili’s gift card with $2.43 left on it exposed his stinginess.

The Macedonian model of generous grace (2 Corinthians 8)

• Though in “extreme poverty,” they overflowed with joy and “urgently pleaded for the privilege of giving.”
• They first gave themselves to the Lord, then exceeded expectations with their gift.
• Convicting question: “When was the last time I gave as much as I was able, and even beyond?”

Measuring our own generosity

• A 1–10 self-assessment: not about how much we give, but how much we keep.
• Warning signs of scarcity thinking: irritation when churches talk about money, planning mainly to consume.
• Isaiah 32:8: “Generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.”

Practical steps toward irrational generosity

1. Tithe first. Returning 10 % shifted Craig from robbery to trust (Matthew 23:23 affirmed).
2. Round up. Whatever you intend to give—tip, offering, gift—add more.
   • Story: A Sonic carhop received an oversized tip, visited church, met Christ.
   • From tips to giving away a car—“round up” became culture-wide.
3. Plan giving like you plan purchases. Budget for generosity; look for needs.

Church-wide expressions of abundance

• 2006 decision: instead of selling resources, give them all away.
  • 160,000 churches have downloaded 6.2 million free resources.
  • 8,700 churches host services through the free Church Online platform.
  • 28,000 churches track data with free Church Metrics.
• YouVersion Bible App: 166 million installs—“Our Bible is not for sale.”
• Every campus launch now includes blessing schools, neighborhoods, and mission partners before the first service.

Vision: no needy persons among us (Acts 4:33-34)

• Early believers’ everyday generosity erased need.
• Craig believes modern churches, set on fire with irrational generosity, could do the same—meeting community needs and spotlighting the gospel.

Invitation to surrender

• The only reasonable response to Christ’s total gift is to give Him our whole lives first—then our resources follow. Many publicly surrendered to Jesus during the service.

Key Truths

• Jesus declared that giving places us in a more blessed position than receiving.
• A scarcity mindset resists God’s generosity; an abundance mindset trusts His provision.
• True generosity begins with full surrender of ourselves to the Lord.
• Generous people plan, initiate, and stand firm in their giving.
• When the church lives irrational generosity, practical needs are met and the world notices the generous God we serve.

Response

• Surrender your whole life to Jesus before you calculate any gift.
• Return the first 10 % of all income through your local church as a starting point.
• “Round up” every opportunity—tips, offerings, gifts—to train your heart in abundance.
• Create a giving plan that is as strategic as your spending plan.
• Seek out needs in your community and meet them quietly and extravagantly.

Closing

The Macedonians begged for the privilege of giving, and God’s grace “was powerfully at work in them all, so that there were no needy persons among them.” That same grace is available today. As believers live and give irrationally, communities change and the gospel is amplified.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Prayer

Craig led new believers in a public prayer of surrender, asking God to forgive sins, make them new, fill them with the Holy Spirit, and empower them to live for Jesus. He prayed that all believers would grow in generosity, seeing themselves as entrusted, not entitled, so the world would know the extravagant love of God.

Resources

• Stephen Covey, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
• YouVersion Bible App (free)