Beyond The Wrapping
Introduction
Three Principles That Moves Me Beyond The Wrapping
1. Giving Beyond The
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. —Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”
10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”
12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”
13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”
15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. —1 Kings 17:8-16 (NKJV)
To give beyond the wrapping means to let compassion disrupt my comfort.
#WrappedUpInGivng #MoveForward #SundaysAtTheHarvest
2. Giving Through
15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? —Genesis 50:15-19 (NLT)
When someone betrays you, they reveal who they are, not who you are.
#WrappedUpInGivng #MoveForward #SundaysAtTheHarvest
Revenge may seem like justice, but forgiveness holds the power to free your soul and define your strength.
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20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. —Genesis 50:20 (NLT)
21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. —Genesis 50:21 (NLT)
3. Giving Beyond The
6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.
8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” —Matthew 26:6-13 (NLT)
Live for what lasts, not for what fades.
#WrappedUpInGivng #MoveForward #SundaysAtTheHarvest
Conclusion
How To Give Beyond The Wrapping:
Cultivate
Practice
Spiritual
Sacrifice is the currency of heaven—it costs, but it also transforms.
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My Next Steps:
- Identify someone in need who might be easy to overlook or judge and be generous, trusting that my obedience honors God more than my perception of their worthiness.
- Consider an area of my life where I was hurt (financially, emotionally, or spiritually) and be generous in that area as an act of trust in God’s provision and healing.
- If sacrificial giving feels daunting, take baby steps, give up one luxury or unnecessary expense and redirect those resources to be generous to someone else.
My Giving Challenge:
- Help Scholarship Jarvis: College Tuition
- First Fruit Offering
My Upcoming Events:
New Years Eve Expereinces – Tuesday, December 31 – 7:00pm & 10:00pm
Wednesday Online Prayer Gathering
New Series: Fit For The Fight
New Sunday Worship Times: 7:00am, 9:30am and 12:00pm
Crossover Youth Retreat – January 31 – February 2