Sermons & teaching ideas
Generosity is a topic found throughout scripture. It should be preached on regularly. On the areas of finance and giving there are 2350 verses to choose from. This is vital areas God wants us to understand and to teach on.
Here you will find some help with information and sermon outlines and it is hoped they will help you to develop your own material.
There are some sermon series on videos as well as teaching about generosity, giving and what God's wants for us through our resources, one being our finances. Listen to the sermons, allow them to inspire you further. If you have come across some helpful material, we would love to hear from you.
If you would like further assistance and support in this area, please contact a Generous Culture Coach via email: generous.culture@salvationarmy.org.au.
Coming soon from the Generous Culture Team
The Heart of Generosity, a new four-week sermon series is in production with the Mission Resources Team. The resource package will be released after Easter for use in the second half of 2025. Keep an eye out for the Mission Resource Update newsletters. We recommend that corps leaders allocate four weeks of their annual preaching schedule to bring focused teaching on stewardship, generosity and giving using this or other suitable material. The most common block out period is during terms three and four, avoiding school breaks as appropriate.
PLASTIC DONUTS Sermon Series
"Giving that delights the heart of the Father"
Plastic Donuts is the story of a special gift that helped author Jeff Anderson to see giving from God's perspective. It provides a fresh understanding on what it means to please God through our giving. Your gifts can capture God's attention and connect you more intimately with His heart.
Plastic Donuts removes the awkwardness and uncertainty that often accompany discussions about giving. Now you can think differently - and biblically - about what and how you give.
Find all the resources for this easy-to-read book and sermon series here -https://plasticdonuts.com/
Salvation Army series:
“The Generous Life, Blessed to be a blessing”.
This is written by Chris Trodden, THQ Resource Production Manager, with a focus on the three key themes: Honour God, Give Freely, Enable Ministry. The series will give your corps practical tools and insightful Biblical principles to flourish as they live out a generous life in Christ.
see all the resources for this sermon here - https://my.salvos.org.au/toolkit/resource/the-generous-life/2542/
The Devotional Book by Gordon MacDonald is the basis for this sermon series. The devotionals cover 4 weeks.
Inside every Christian is a God-implanted desire for generous living. We want to follow the example of Jesus' generosity. We long to help those in need. But, for numerous rasons, these desires often lie dormant inside us. How do we shake ourselves from complacency and unleash the joy of giving? This book explores how generosity is fundamentally intertwined with our Christian DNA.
Perfect for individual reflection or small-group study, generosity is a powerful tool for anyone that desires to move toward the life that is truly life. This book is available through your Generous Culture Team.
Week 1: We are most like God when we give
Luke 6: 27-36
How do you determine whether or not you are going to give a gift? We all have some system of deciding who receives our generosity –and who doesn’t. Thankfully, God’s generosity isn’t based on the worthiness of the recipient…
The first message in this 4 week series asks us to take seriously some of the most well-known sayings of Jesus and actually live them out! It is an opportunity to have the honour of pointing your congregation toward God’s heart about gifts. It’s about what God wants FOR us – not from us. It’s about deepening our relationship with Him.
The following Sermon is broken up into outline and transcript in PDF and Docx
PDF download: Generous-Sermon-series-week-1-we-are-most-like-god-when-we-give
Word doc download: Sermon-series-week-1-we-are-most-like-god-when-we-give
Week 2: Generosity frees us from the dangers of money
Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23
The second message in this four week series focuses on the fact that our generosity directly impacts the way we experience the kingdom of God. In the parable of the sower, Jesus could have given 1000 reasons for believers missing the Kingdom – but he gave only one – cares of the riches of this world.” Generosity frees us from the thorns of life that so easily choke us out.
Generosity is a call to action – not just for the good of others, but for our good. Throw away your “giving chart” and start listening to the voice of God as He calls you to live generously.
The following sermon includes an outline and transcript in both pdf and docx
PDF download: Generous-Sermon-series-week-2
Word doc download: Sermon-series-week-2-generosity-frees-us-from-dangers-of-money
Week 3: Generous givers experience a life full of joy
2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 9:15
“God loves a cheerful giver”. Maybe the best interpretation of that verse is not that you need to “smile when you give”, but rather, it’s God saying He loves to see the joy that overflows from a generous life!
This week’s Bible passage reflects that interpretation. God is not calling us all to live in poverty, but He’s calling us all to experience JOY! He’s calling us to imitate His ways… He’s calling us to walk away from our lifestyles of materialism and consumerism. He’s calling us to something that initially feels difficult, but ultimately brings a deep satisfaction that is beyond compare.
The following sermon includes an outline and transcript in pdf and docx
PDF download: Generous-Sermon-series-week-3
Word doc download: Sermon-series-week-3-generous-givers-experience-a-life-full-of-joy
Week 4: Generosity accomplishes great things when done in love
Luke 19:1-10
The final message in this series reminds us that true Biblical generosity is a powerful tool for transformation.
Whenever God prompts you to give – whether it is your money, your time, your abilities or your influence - generosity is intended to transform lives. (And many times it’s not the recipient, but the one who is giving the gift!)
The Gospel always begins with the generosity of God. Zacchaeus experienced this and was radically transformed. God wants us to be transformed by his kindness and He invites us into the business of transforming others with our generosity.
It’s about being a true disciple of Christ.
The following sermon includes an outline and transcript in pdf and docx
PDF download: Generosity-Sermon-series-week-4
Word doc download: Sermon-series-week_4-generosity-accomplishes-great-things-when-done-in-love_(1)
Giving generously is genius. It changes our lives, connects us with others, helps us invest in what matters, frees our hearts….
“Regular saving is wise. Careful spending is prudent. But giving generously is genius.
It is the life that is truly life!” In The Genius of Generosity, Ingram explores God’s design for giving and how He intends to bless those who become living expressions of His generous heart.
Ingram suggests that the first steps on the road to ‘genius’ include giving the first and the best of our resources in a regular systematic way; that giving generously and in increasing proportion requires great faith; and that the heart of true generosity is a heart of sacrifice and worship. “God’s wisdom goes so much deeper than human reasoning – an investment in His ways leads to greater fulfilment and joy than most people ever experience.”
He lists four reasons that generosity is really more intelligent than hoarding earthly possessions:
- Generosity is genius because it changes our lives.
- Generosity is genius because it connects us with others.
- Generosity is genius because it helps us invest in what matters.
- Generosity is genius because it frees our hearts.
A 4-part audio message series on The Genius of Generosity is available on YouTube. Go to The Genius of Generosity Series
7_attributes_of_a_generous_church.pdf from Generouschurch.com. This is well worth a read and you may find areas which would be helpful to focus on with teaching and discussion.
Seven_Attributes_of_a_Generous_Church_summary.pdf
Seven_Attributes_of_a_Generous_Church_protected.docx
Here is a one page form which can be used by Corps Leaders to rate between 0-10 where their corps sits in relation to each of the 7 Attritubes. Talk to you Generous Culture Coach about the results.
"13 Things" has helpful and insightful information. It is when our corps are financially suffering that we may panic but it is a time to think about what steps should be taken:
13_things_to_do_when_your_church_is_hurting_financially.pdf
GENEROSITY LADDER:
Where on this ladder would you stand? What about your corps? In any corps we will have people from one end to the other and anywhere in between. And that's ok. But we need to be moving forward. This happens as we teach and preach and share the message of Generosity and our responsibility to be good stewards of what God has given us. Be strategic and intentional in your teaching and you will see spiritual growth and the unleashing of generosity.
CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP NETWORK
A Relationship with Money Defined
There are four different ways people relate to money and possessions. The Self-Absorbed Owner believes everything they have is theirs to use as they please. The Obligated Owner believes they have complete ownership and authority over what they have, but still feel an obligation to some money away. The Obedient Owner seriously seeks to honour God in the giving of the biblical tithe, or 10%, to their place of worship. However, they believe the remaining 90% is theirs to use as they please. The Love-Inspired Steward believes that everything they have comes from and belongs to God. Therefore, all decisions related to money and possessions are made seeking God's direction and wisdom as a faithful steward entrusted with the Master's resources.
Which best describes you? Use this diagram to talk through this concept with your leadership team.
WRESTLING WITH THE TITHE? Then check this out.
This is highly recommended to have a look at. There are helpful ideas and challenging thinking and attitudes.
BRIAN KLUTH - kluth.org/intl.htm
5_Ways_to_Grow_Generous_Givers_and_Giving.pdf Brian Kluth provides this helpful resource. It compliments the clip we have in our video section of Craig & Donna Todd and the story of North Brisbane Corps. Talk to your coach about how you can put these 5 points in place in your corps and you will see growth.
Here is the same outline but with more explanation of each: 5_Ways_to_Create_a_Generosity_Culture_in_Your_Church.pdf
"BALANCED" by Andy Stanley
BALANCED is a 6 part series with ANDY STANLEY. It is a collection of lessons for times like these that none of us can afford to miss out on. These can be watched for free.
You can also view these on YouTube. Just Google (balanced andy stanley youtube) and you'll get the 6 sessions. Well worth looking at and create discussion from them.
norm beckett 1.doc Presenting ourselves
norm beckett 2.doc Gratitute and Generosity
norm beckett 3.doc The Challenge of Giving
norm beckett 4.doc Sacrificial Giving
norm beckett 5.doc Investing into the Kingdom of Heaven
Norm Beckett Notes from TPGC 2010.pdf a series of talks presented at the 2010 TriTeritorial Conference (as above).