Podcast Summary: North Point Community Church
Episode: Deeper, Wider, Part 2: Defining Terms // Andy Stanley
Release Date: March 2, 2025

Introduction

In the second installment of the "Deeper, Wider" series, Andy Stanley, the lead pastor of North Point Community Church, delves into the concept of generosity from a New Testament perspective. This episode builds upon the foundational ideas introduced in Part 1, aiming to redefine how individuals and communities engage in giving to maximize their impact both locally and globally.

The "Deeper, Wider" Series Overview

Stanley introduces the "Deeper, Wider" series as more than just a sermon series—it marks a new season for the church community. The overarching mission is to "maximize our generosity individually and collectively in order to maximize our impact locally and globally" [00:00].

Personal Stories and Impact

Stanley emphasizes the personal nature of generosity, encouraging listeners to share their stories of how the church has impacted their lives. He suggests that "if you've been attending one of our churches for a year or more... you can stand up right now or turn to somebody next to you and say, let me tell you the story about how this local church has impacted, impacted a family member" [00:00]. These personal anecdotes serve as evidence of the church's influence and inspire others to contribute further.

The Irresistible Church Network

Highlighting the expansive reach of North Point Community Church, Stanley reveals the existence of the "irresistible church network," which spans over 100 churches in the United States, South Africa, South America, Australasia, the UK, and Ireland. He shares that "on a weekly basis, you are impacting about a half a million adults, children and adults and children every single week" [00:00]. This network approach allows for significant global impact through collective generosity.

Generosity: Definitions and Concept

Building on the first part of the series, Stanley provides a working definition of generosity grounded in New Testament teachings. He contrasts "average American generosity" with the "Jesus version of generosity," highlighting the deeper spiritual implications behind true generosity [00:00].

Average American Generosity vs. New Testament Generosity

Stanley categorizes average American generosity into three "S" words: spontaneous, sporadic, and sparing [00:00].

• Spontaneous: Emotional and reactive giving in response to immediate needs, akin to the Good Samaritan story.
• Sporadic: Inconsistent giving that occurs only when opportunities arise.
• Sparing: Limited giving based on what one feels they can afford at the moment.

He points out that while these forms of generosity are commendable, they fall short of a structured, intentional approach advocated in the New Testament [00:00].

The Trust Issue in Giving

At the core of New Testament generosity is the concept of trust. Stanley explains that true generosity requires individuals to trust God as the ultimate provider rather than relying on wealth and possessions. He asserts, "the issue isn't are we giving? That's not the issue. The issue is who am I trusting in on a daily basis?" [00:00]. This trust transforms how believers view their resources, seeing everything as tools to further God's kingdom [00:00].

Working Definition of Generosity

Stanley presents a comprehensive definition of New Testament generosity as the "premeditated, calculated, designated emancipation of assets" [00:00]. Breaking it down:

• Premeditated: Planning and deciding in advance how much to give, mirroring responsible budgeting.
• Calculated: Determining the exact amount or percentage to allocate towards giving.
• Designated: Allocating funds to specific causes or organizations intentionally.

He underscores the importance of giving a consistent percentage of income, recommending at least 10%, to ensure generosity is a stable and reliable practice [00:00].

Emancipation of Assets

The concept of emancipation in generosity signifies "freeing your money, which demonstrates that you are free of your money" [00:00]. This act symbolizes liberation from material possessions and the relinquishing of control over financial resources. By giving first, believers prioritize God's kingdom over personal financial security, fostering a life of trust and reliance on divine provision [00:00].

Practical Steps for Generosity

Stanley offers actionable steps for listeners to adopt a New Testament approach to generosity:

1. Create a Giving Plan: Just as one has a spending or savings plan, establish a predetermined plan for giving, ideally based on a percentage of income [00:00].

2. Avoid Waiting to Be Asked: Proactively decide where to give rather than responding reactively to requests, ensuring that generosity is intentional and aligned with one's values [00:00].

3. Embrace Discipline: Developing a giving habit fosters financial discipline and prioritizes generosity in all financial decisions [00:00].

Stanley includes a practical exercise encouraging listeners to lay out ten bills and give one to visualize and practice consistent giving without being overwhelmed by the actual amounts [00:00].

Conclusion and Call to Action

Stanley concludes by challenging listeners to transition from average American generosity to Jesus follower generosity. He emphasizes that true generosity is not just about money but about a fundamental shift in trust and priorities.

Key Quotes:

• On Generosity and Impact:
  "We're moving to the next level. So as I said last time, we're not asking you to give because your church needs your money. We're asking you to be extraordinarily generous because the world needs your influence." [00:00]

• On Trust and Wealth:
  "Jesus has already spoken. It's done. You don't have to wait. You have permission to be all in and to be as methodical and as thoughtful with your giving as you are with the bill you pay." [00:00]

• On Emancipation:
  "It demonstrates that you are not controlled by that. You're not controlled by worry... You're not serving two masters." [00:00]

Stanley urges listeners to pray about their generosity, envisioning the collective impact if 40,000 adults in the Atlanta area churches commit to sustained, intentional giving [00:00]. He shares an inspiring story about a middle schooler committing to the cause, illustrating the ripple effect of generous actions within the community [00:00].

Closing Prayer:

Stanley leads a prayer emphasizing gratitude, trust in God's provision, and the courage to prioritize God's kingdom through generosity. He reinforces the message that "when this gets ahold of your heart, it doesn't just change your giving, it changes your living" [00:00].

Key Takeaways:

1. Intentional Generosity: Move beyond spontaneous and sporadic giving by establishing a planned, percentage-based approach to support the church and broader missions.

2. Trust Over Wealth: Shift the focus from relying on personal finances to trusting in God's provision, ensuring that generosity reflects this deeper trust.

3. Collective Impact: Embrace the power of community by recognizing that individual generosity contributes to a larger, global impact through the irresistible church network.

4. Personal Transformation: Adopting New Testament generosity not only enhances giving but also fosters greater financial discipline, peace, and a redefined sense of prosperity.

Final Encouragement:

Stanley leaves listeners with a compelling vision of what can be achieved through collective, intentional generosity. He encourages everyone to take the next step in their giving journey, reinforcing that this transition will lead to profound personal and communal transformation.

Next Episode Teaser:

Stay tuned for Part 3 of the "Deeper, Wider" series, where Stanley will continue to explore the foundations of generosity and its profound impact on believers' lives and communities.

Visit North Point Community Church:
For more information and resources, visit northpoint.org.