Giving to God

2 Corinthians 9:6–15 NKJV

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

1. Giving to the work of the Lord Kills our Greed.

2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Proverbs 11:24–31 NKJV

24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. 26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. 27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil. 28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage. 29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. 31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Of course if you remember last week we taught that God gives us everything.

We talked last week about paying our bills

we talked about saving for a rainy day.

we talked about saving for retirement and our Children's, Children.

We talked about vacation.

We talked about giving to God with our first fruits.

2. No one can afford to give or tithe until they do it because it is an act of Faith.

Proverbs 11:24 NKJV

24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

Are you a trustworthy steward of the things God has given you?

Do you give of your first fruits?

Proverbs 11:24 tells us plainly that if we will scatter than the Lord will increase But if we withhold, it leads to poverty.

If you cant make it on 90% with the blessing of God you will never make it on 100% by yourself.

Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

when we are Christ Like with our money. Christ becomes your accountant.

As we allow The Lord of all creation and ownership of all that we have order our spending then he makes sure we have all that we need, some of we want and enough to be a blessing to others.

Proverbs 11:26 NKJV

26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

don’t fear the economy to the point that you start hording.

now there are two kinds of hoarders in the world.

there are those that hoard out of fear who don't

trust the God that saved you, healed you. will also provide for you. Then there are those who hoard cause they don't know when to stop buying. don’t hate on those who don’t know when to stop buying because they might be buying for you before you have need.

Proverbs 11:27 NKJV

27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

When you seek to Good with your money favor finds you. seeking evil will always be found.

Proverbs 11:28 NKJV

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

the riches of this world is not my provider the Lord of Glory is.

3. Giving is an act of Faith not merely a discipline.

Givers ought to be cheerful.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

your attitude is important.

When we give we become a miracle funnel.

2 Corinthians 9:8–10 NKJV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

When we Give on Sunday Morning we not only provide for the The Rock, we also provide for other work as well.

1 Corinthians 9:11–15 NKJV

11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.

3. The first fruits go to your church! its the place that you get fed. Its the place that the gospel moves forward in your community.

Malachi 3:8–12 NKJV

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 12 And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Proverbs 3:9 NKJV

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

Genesis 4:1–7 NKJV

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”