Believer's Give Toward the Kingdom

Genesis 28:22 NIV84

22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

2 Corinthians 8:1–7 NIV84

1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 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. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 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.

2 Corinthians 8:7 NKJV

7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

2 Cor. 8:1-

Believers should give monetarily

Because we are different

Notice that Paul isn’t commanding the believers to give. They are giving from the heart.

They want to give.

How?

2 Corinthians 8:3 NIV84

3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,

The spirit of giving here at Concord is why I can stand with confidence and let you know about all the giving opportunities in one Sunday!

“Ok church, we have the AAEO, H2A, the Gideons, and Voyager to take care of today.”

Christians give because when they are born again and receive forgiveness in Christ, their WHOLE LIFE is made new!

This new life teaches the believer that nothing is theirs, they are simply stewards, or managers of what God has provided.

Not only this, but believers should be the ones setting the pace, being the best example of what giving looks like.

Independent research has confirmed this. According to one study, almost 80% of evangelical Christians give to their church or a charity during the course of a year.

Now granted, I would say their bar is very low, but even with this low bar, the Christians give substantially more people who don’t claim to be of the Christian faith

Because we want to give

2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV84

2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

Look at these Christians here from Macedonia.

They gave despite their own poverty.

Despite not seeing or personally knowing the believers from Jerusalem.

Paul was actually using the example of a poor church to encourage the church at Corinth to give!

Examples like this are effective!!

When we started our partnership with the SEND city of Cincinnati, no other church in our association was partnering with another church.

Very shortly after this, Slaughters Church started partnering with Indianapolis, along with New Salem and a couple others.

It was your testimony that encouraged these other churches to give and partner with these new church plants.

It was God’s plan to use a country church who gives a little, and loves a lot to encourage the other small congregations in the area to do the same!

We give because we want to give.

Let me give a short warning and then I’ll more on.

If you don’t know this already, there are “believers” who would try to “punish” the church by withholding their money.

They think they are hurting the little “c” church, but are in fact hurting the big “C” church.

Not only this, they are hurting their relationship with the Lord.

:

Because we know who provides for us monetarily

Psalm 51:14–17 NIV84

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

When?

King David has sinned and came before the Lord to ask for forgiveness and knows in his heart that God doesn’t want his stuff as a sign of a correct heart toward God, but a correct spirit.

If a friend or family member tells you they are withholding their tithe or offering because they are angry, remind them of this verse.

Because we know who provides for us monetarily

Take a look at

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV84

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.

He is not talking about monetary riches here, but riches in Christ.

A change from who we once were to who we are now.

We give because He has changed our lives.

Believers should give physically

2 Corinthians 8:5 NIV84

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.

Because it’s good for the kingdom

2 Corinthians 8:5 NIV84

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.

It’s good for the kingdom because we get out of our pew and into kingdom work.

We have a team heading to Cincy at the end of the month.

We have faithful volunteers at Hope2All, Door of Hope, saturating our county with the Good News, and people willing to give a portion of their summer to join our association on mission trips.

We serve the kingdom by partnering with other churches in our association, by leading training in our state convention, going overseas, volunteering at the hospital, and working with other churches in our own city on things like the Freedom Fest.

It’s good for the kingdom because His Word is spread, your shoes get dirty from spreading the Good News, and encouraging other churches to do the same.

Friends, if you are a Christian, you can and should be giving physically.

Because it’s good for the local church

It’s good for the local church for several reasons:

It shows we’ve giving ourselves to the Lord ()

How?

It gives evidence of life in the church.

It gives an avenue for service, leading to Gospel conversations.

Lord help us if we ever get to a point where we are happy to gather on Sunday, sing Kumbaya, and go home!

Because it’s good for the believer

When?

It’s good for the believer for several reasons:

Giving physically allows you to put in action

Matthew 28:19 NIV84

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

2. Giving physically puts feet to the our words.

We love talking about missions, evangelism, service, and loving people don’t we?

3. Giving physically places you in a better position to disciple another believer.

Who wants to sit under a more “mature” believer who never gets out to share the Gospel; never serves the community; or never spontaneously loves people?

Before I move on, let me say this to those who may not be physically able to do as much.

You can still be “physically” active in the Kingdom.

You can:

Write letters at home encouraging the community leaders.

Create a prayer list for the lost and pray through it 5-10 minutes a day.

Create an email prayer ministry.

Prepare Red Books for distribution by writing a contact name and number on the back.

Get a copy of the volunteers at H2A, Door of Hope etc, and pray for them weekly

You can organize a pastoral prayer team, and be a line of defense for him each week.

Believers should give mentally

How?

When?

they were freely willing, ()

Our attitude of giving is really mental.

It’s not really a matter of “can I give,” but “will I give.”

Concerning our finances, Concord is very generous. Most give sacrificially.

If you are here today and are struggling with this, or know you aren’t giving sacrificially, how is your attitude?

Is it one of “I’m not sure I can,” instead of “how can I do this?”

Our attitude to give physically starts with a mental decision to follow Him

Matthew 4:19–20 NIV84

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Our attitude to give monetarily starts with a mental decision to allow Him to be Lord of our entire lives.

Our decision to follow Christ starts with realizing who He is, what He’s done, and responding.

John 1:12 NIV84

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Have you received the Christ as your Savior today?

Maybe you don’t give monetarily, physically, or mentally and you’ve realized it’s because you aren’t a child of His.

Take a look at the ABC’s of salvation of the screen above.

You need to ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER.

BELIEVE God sent Jesus to die in your place. and

CONFESS Him as Lord and Savior.