Acts 20:35 – . . . Remember that our Lord Jesus said, “More blessings come from giving than from receiving.” (Contemporary English Version)

How does giving benefit my life?

1. Giving makes me ____________________________God

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, . . . (New King James Version)

2. Giving draws me _____________________ to God

Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (New King James Version)

3. Giving is a ______________________ over materialism

1 Timothy 6:17-19 – 17 Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage – 18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. (The Message)

Deuteronomy 14:23 – . . . The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. (The Living Bible)

4. Giving ___________________________ my faith

Malachi 3:10 – Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. (The Message)

Proverbs 3:5, 9 – 5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. . . . 9 Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. (The Message)

5. Giving is an ____________________________ in eternity

1 Timothy 6:18-19 – 18 . . . give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. 19 By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! (The Living Bible)

6. Giving _____________________ me in return

Proverbs 22:9 – Generous people will be blessed, . . . (New Century Version)

Psalm 112:5-6 – 5 All goes well for those who are generous, . . . 6 . . . Those who are righteous will be long remembered. (New Living Translation, 1st ed.)

Proverbs 11:25 – The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (New Living Translation)

7. Giving makes me ____________________

1 Chronicles 29:9 – And the people were full of a sense of celebration – all that giving! And all given willingly, freely! (The Message)