CCNSolutions: Words of Wisdom, 4—Random Acts of GenerosityPage 1
CCN WEEKLY SOLUTIONS SERIES
THE WEEK OF JUNE 22, 2009
Words of Wisdom, 4:
Random Acts of Generosity
Featuring
Dr. John Townsend
Psychologist
Best-selling co-author of Boundaries series,
author of How People Grow
I. Generosity
Generosity can be spontaneous and impulsive
Think: When were you abundantly generous to another?
Generosity: Basically unconflicted love and care
People who give and love expansively receive expansively
II. The purposes of generosity
- Generosity is the foundation of life and growth
When I’m strong, I want to give; when I’m weak, I need to receive
Early Christians messed up the paradigm: they took care of everyone
- Generosity is the highest level of relational development
It feels good to give from my overflow
Why generosity feels so good
We bring someone life when they feel dead inside
III. How to get generous
- Being given to by someone else, generously
The Hebrew word for weaning: ‘to be dealt bountifully with’
If you struggle with stinginess, maybe it’s because you never received
You may have to go back and revisit the season of “I need”
- Developing a sense of ownership—responsibility toward the world
“With great power comes great responsibility”: it’s the same with generosity
- Personal experiences with live people
Go where the needs are: eyeball-to-eyeball connection
IV. Two kinds of generosity
1. Impulsive generosity, day by day
Be aware of “God moments”
2. Mission generosity
How much of my life will I commit to giving?
Put the heart first, not the CPA
V. Relational generosity
Giving people you care about time and focus
“Random acts of calling”
VI. Obstacles to generosity
- People are afraid they can’t hang onto themselves
What cures this: Boundary work
- People don’t trust love
What cures this: Work on trust
- Selfishness: sometimes they just don’t know that world
What cures this: Get out there
VII. Skills
- Learn to ask wholeheartedly, for you
- Begin to experience gratitude
- Learn to evaluate your resources
- Outside of your comfort zone but within the line of taking responsibility for yourself
Those who have a lot and give it end up receiving more
Next week on Solutions:
Words of Wisdom, 5: “Twinge of Envy”
Resources
Leadership Beyond Reason
by Dr. John Townsend
Ignite Men’s Ministry
Leadership coaching
Outliers
by Malcolm Gladwell
Sponsored In Part By:
New Life Ministries is a fully-equipped resource for the treatment of mental and spiritual health issues.
Contact Information
Visit CCN on the web at
CCNSolutions: Words of Wisdom, 4—Random Acts of GenerosityPage 1
Dr. John Townsend
Cloud-Townsend Resources
18092 Sky Park South, Suite A
Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: 800-676-4673
Web:
Church Communication Network
PO Box 1718
Mountain View, CA 94042
Phone: 800-321-6781
Fax: 650-745-0660
Email:
Web:
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