A CHEERFUL GIVER

"A CHEERFUL GIVER DOES NOT HOLD BACK"

When it comes to gifts, whether you are on the receiving end or the giving end of the gift, we fall into one of two groups of people. The first group of people are the ones who love and enjoy receiving gifts from others. This group is most happy when they are on the receiving end. The second group of people are the ones that enjoy giving more than they do receiving. This is the cheerful group. It is not just the giving, it is also the doing that brings happiness to so many.

Paul tells us in "For God loveth a cheerfull giver

acts 5

The sermon this morning is about the responsibility of the christian giver. The sermon this morning is all about you and I and how we are to give to the Lord and its also about the condition of our hearts as givers. So this morning as we read and learn from God's word, keep in mind that Christian giving falls into at least 4 categories and each should be equally prayed about before doing:

Giving of our time

Giving of our love

Giving of our abilities

Giving of our Tithes

I. GIVING OF OUR TIME:

That should be simple enough to understand but I am confident that we all struggle with that daily. Trying to find time for God, or trying to find a way to fit God into our busy schedules.

[ KJV] 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

[ KJV] 17 Pray without ceasing.

[ KJV] 8 Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

II. GIVING OF OUR LOVE:

John writes to us and tells us that God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son. "WOW", now that is love. God does not require us to do the same to show our love but he does require you and I to give to him the love that is due him.

[ KJV] 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

It is a simple process of just telling him we love him.

It is a simple process of just showing him we love him.

"Actions speak louder than words".

III. GIVING OF OUR ABILITIES:

We are all gifted with various degrees of abilities. Some play the piano, some sing, some teach, some preach, many learn, some paint, some build, some pray:

[ KJV] 10 I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

[ KJV] 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

VI. GIVING OF OUR TITHES/OFFERINGS:

In the Old Testament, God required of the people to give a percentage of their land, animals, crops, and their money. God required these offerings for many different reasons but all offerings and givings were given to glorify and further the kingdom of God.

Today in a New Testament age, God does not require us to sacrifice our animals necessarily as an offering, but he does still require us to preserve and promote and to keep his church going forward through our faithful giving of our Tithes and offerings.

We are not bound by the same 10 percent that was used in the O/T. We are free to give even more now.

We are free to give even more now.

God calls us to give according to our means.

[ KJV] 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

It takes money to Purchase Sunday School material

It takes money to pay the light bill

It takes money for the upkeep of the church

It takes money to pay the staff; Pastor, cleaning personal, yard maintenance

There will always be a debate on how the church should or should not spend money. However, there should never be a debate on whether or not we are to give back to God what is his in the first place. Our bodies belong to him and so do the talents he has given us. The money we have comes from God so he expects us to give back accordingly to further his ministry.

King James Version Chapter 5

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.