Scripture II Corinthians 9:6-7, 13-15
To GIVE = Greek – didomi /// Hebrew – Nathan
READ: p 19-22 “How to increase giving in your church”
Giving is rooted in the heart of God shown through JESUS!!!
John 3:16 For God so love the world, that he GAVE…
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to GIVE his life as a ransom for many."
He gave his LIFE – even to the point of death. Phil 2:6-8 Jesus had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
What did Jesus say about GIVING?
Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to GIVE than to receive.'
This is a new saying for the Christians – it is nowhere recorded in the gospels.
Great illustration is the end of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” He thought it was more blessed to receive than give until he realized the people in Whoville didn’t need presents to know the joy and love of Christ’s birth, it was instead about the love shared which gave him the strength to keep the presents form being destroyed and returned them to the people in Whoville where he learned it is truly more blessed to GIVE than to receive!
Paul establishes weekly giving
1 Cor 16:1-2 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
One of the historical signs of weekly giving – the usher and the offering plate.
VIDEO “during sermon Sports Sunday
10 Characteristics of Giving like God gives:
2 Corinthians 8:1-12 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. (GRACE-CENTERED GIVING) 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. (GENEROUS GIVING) 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. (SACRIFICIAL GIVING) Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. (COMPASSIONATE GIVING) 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. (CHRIST-CENTERED GIVING) 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. (FULFILLED GIVING) 7 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (SPIRITUALLY EQUAL GIVING* important later)
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. (LOVE-MOTIVATED GIVING) 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (CHRISTLIKE GIVING) 10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. (RESPONSIBLE GIVING)
2 additional Characteristics of Giving like God gives:
9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (CHEERFUL GIVING) 9:13 Because of the service/giving by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (GRACE-FILLED GIVING)
(I thank God for my daughter Gretchen = Pearl and son – Nathan = gift, but more so for God’s son – Jesus – the Pearl of Great Price and our indescribable gift.)
CONCLUSION
How can we give all this a laser focus? And besides giving, where is tithing specifically mentioned in the New Testament? It is mentioned though not often because by this time among the Jews it is assumed. But even that assumption is pointed out by Jesus himself.
Background - Luke 18:12 “I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’’
Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. (also in Luke 11:42)
Some people act as if Christ liberates us from the law so that we can keep more physical blessings for ourselves. That is false — Christ liberates us so that we can be free to serve him more, as loving children and not merely as slaves. He frees us so we can have faith instead of selfishness.
When it comes to money, the real question is, Is our heart in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we putting our money where our heart is? We can tell where our heart is by seeing where we are putting our money. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Jesus said (Matthew 6:21).
Closed Fists = inability to give or receive /// Open Palms = ability to give and receive
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