Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states: every object in the Universe attracts every other object with a force directed along the line of centers for the two objects that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the separation between the two objects.
““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, NASB)” 1
“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. (Philippians 4:14-17, NIV)” 2
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21, NASB)” 3
“for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (1 Timothy 6:7, ESV)” 4
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot
New Testament Principles for Generosity
- Purposeful
- Intentional
- Voluntary
- Passionate
- Sacrificial
- Love
- Cheerful
- Planned
- Systematic
- Proportional
- Equality
- Blessing
“that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, (2 Cor 8:2-4, NASB)” 5
“I am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Cor 8:8-9, NASB)” 6
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you are to do as well. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save as he may prosper, so that no collections need to be made when I come. (1 Cor 16:1-2, NASB)7
“For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality—14 at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality; (2 Cor 8:12-14, NASB)”8
“Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:6-7, NASB)” 9
The Treasure Principle
- Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation: more mass equals more pull.
- We are encouraged to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven and not on earth
- Our treasure develops mass, mass has gravity, and our heart follows our treasure
New Testament Principles for Generosity
- Purposeful
- Passionate
- Planned
- Proportional