Commands of Christ (4)

Commands of Christ

Recap the commands

Repent and Believe

Baptism

Prayer

Make Disciples

Love

Lord’s Supper

Today, let’s look at the command to Give

I realize some folks will be turned off with this, but is a command of Christ

B. Key Bible Words

Key Bible Words

Believe used 272 times in Bible

1. Believe used 272 times in Bible

Love - 371

2. Love - 371

Pray - 714

3. Pray - 714

Give - 2,162 times

4. Give - 2,162 times

Bible is a book about giving

C. Bible is a book about giving

The command we are looking at can be found in , “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Setting For Today’s Story

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

D. Setting:

Jesus began his ministry and called people to follow Him. As people followed Him, some became proud and wanted everyone to see how good and righteous they were.

1. Jesus began his ministry and called people to follow Him. As people followed Him, some

So Jesus gathered them together and began to teach them about the motives of their heart and what it means to truly follow Him.

2. Became proud and wanted everyone to see how good and righteous they were. So Jesus

3. gathered them together and began to teach them about the motives of their heart and what it

As He taught them, He also told them how to give generously.

4. means to truly follow Him. As He taught them, He also told them how to give generously.

Let’s look at

This is literally “lepton,” which was worth only a fraction (1/24 or 1/96) of a denarius. It was the least valuable Greek copper coin.

This woman’s complete faith is contrasted with the scribes’ religious pride and shallowness.

They rip off widows’ resources.

This widow gives all her resources to God and thereby depends on Him by faith to provide her needs.

In giving, God looks at the heart, not the amount (cf. ).

But also notice the amount was all she had.

Giving, like deeds and words, reveals the heart!

What can we learn from this story about how giving is important to my life.

Here in our society we want to see the benefit before we invest or start something.

Giving to God, in the manner this woman did, benefits us a lot.

F.

I. HOW GIVING BENEFITS MY OWN LIFE

Utley, R. J. D. (2000). The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter (Vol. Volume 2, p. 150). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

HOW GIVING BENEFITS MY OWN LIFE

I. HOW GIVING BENEFITS MY OWN LIFE

GIVING MAKE ME MORE LIKE GOD

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son...”

1. "For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son...”

Can give without love, but can't love without giving

2. Can give without love, but can't love without giving

HOW GIVING BENEFITS MY OWN LIFE

GIVING DRAWS ME CLOSER TO GOD

B. GIVING DRAWS ME CLOSER TO GOD

'' "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I. '' "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 11

Where's your heart?

2. Where's your heart? Car, job, house, boat, guns, or truck.

Car, job, house, boat, guns, or truck.

Every time you give it moves you closer to God.

3. Everytime you give it moves you closer to God

How Giving Benefits My Life

C. GIVING ALLOWS ME TO HAVE VICTORY OVER MATERIALISM

GIVING ALLOWS ME TO HAVE VICTORY OVER MATERIALISM

1. TV says happiness can be purchased

TV says happiness can be purchased

2. Make a living with what you earn or make, but you make a life with what you give

You make a living with what you earn or make, but you make a life with what you give

3. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to be generous and willing to share. In this way ...they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to be generous and willing to share. In this way ...they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

wcry ...they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

God says it's okay to enjoy things

4. God says it's okay to enjoy things

We need to say to the commercials, "Who are you kidding?"

5. We need to say to the commercials, "Who are you kidding?"

"The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives. 11 (LB)

6. "The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives. 11 (LB)

How Giving Benefits My Life

D. GIVING STRENGTHENS MY FAITH

GIVING STRENGTHENS MY FAITH

1. "Bring your tithe to My storehouse. Test me in this" says the Lord, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you won't have room enough for it!"

"Bring your tithe to My storehouse. Test me in this" says the Lord, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you won't have room enough for it!"

2. Proof God exists and builds my faith

Proof God exists and builds my faith

3. & 9 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Honor the LORD by giving him the first part of

& 9 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Honor the LORD by giving him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns to overflowing...”

all your income, and He will fill your barns to overflowz.ng... II

How Giving Benefits My Life

GIVING IS AN INVESTMENT FOR ETERNITY

E. GIVING IS AN INVESTMENT FOR ETERNITY

You can't take it with you.

1. You can't take it with you.

How many of you have seen a hearse pulling a U­ Haul behind it

2. How many of you have seen a hearse pulling a U­ Haul behind it

Can't take it with you, but can send it on ahead by giving

3. Can't take it with you, but can send it on ahead by giving

“... Give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven - it is the only safe investment for eternity!" l Tim. 6:18-19 (LB)

4. 11

... Give happily to those in need, and always be

How Giving Benefits My Life

ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven - it is the only safe investment for eternity!" l Tim. 6:18-19 (LB)

GIVING BLESSES ME IN RETURN

F. GIVING BLESSES ME IN RETURN

''A generous man will himself be blessed"

1. ''A generous man will himself be blessed"

"Goodwill come to him who is generous ... A righteous man will be remembered forever. "

2. "Goodwill come to him who is generous ... A righteous man will be remembered forever. "

''A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed"

3. ''A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed"

What are you going to be remembered for?

4. What are you going to be remembered for?

Calvin Coolige said, "No man is ever honored for what he got out of life, but for what he gave in life."

5. Calvin Coolige said, "No man is ever honored for what he got out of life, but for what he gave in life."

You get what you give: criticism, gossip, encouragement

6. You get what you give: criticism, gossip,

How Giving Benefits My Life

encouragement

GIVING MAKE ME HAPPY

G. GIVING MAKE ME HAPPY

Source of joy

1. Source of joy

Feels good to give. Those who don't know the joy haven't tried it

2. Feels good to give. Those don't know the joy haven't tried it

2 types of people

3. 2 types of people

Givers - happiest

a. Givers - happiest

Takers - miserable - miser

b. Takers - miserable - miser

"Giving is a good sign of mental health. Giving people rarely have psychological problems." Carl Menniger

4. "Giving is a good sign of mental health. Giving people rarely have psychological problems." Carl Menniger

The people rejoiced ... for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David also rejoiced greatly. "

5. The people rejoiced ... for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David also rejoiced greatly. "

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF GIVING

"How to enjoy an offering" -

A God could care less about how much, but is interested in your attitude

God could care less about how much, but is interested in your attitude

Give Willingly (vs. 5, 17)

B. Give Willingly (vs. 5, 17)

1. Giving is a matter of willingness not wealth

Giving is a matter of willingness not wealth

"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have3. "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion ... "

"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have3. "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion ... "

Give Generously (vs. 2,3,14)

C. Give Generously (vs. 2,3,14)

"With all my resources ... over and above … generously ..." vs.2

I. "With all my resources ... over and above ...

generously ..." vs.2

"They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. "

2. "They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. "

Give Joyfully (vs. 9)

D. Give Joyfully (vs. 9)

Can't do it joyfully, don't give because God is interested in your attitude.

1. Can't do it joyfully, don't give because God is interested in your attitude.

"... For God loves a cheerful giver."

2. "... F'or God loves a chee1jul giver."

Give Thankfully (vs. 13-14)

E. Give Thankfully (vs. 13-14)

Thanksgiving - privilege for us to live in America, Tacoma, and be a part of our church

1. Thanksgiving - privilege for us to live in America, Yakima Valley, and be a part of our church

With privilege comes responsibility to be grateful

2. With privilege comes responsibility to be grateful

Giving back to God says thank you

3. Giving back to God says thank you

"How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?"

4. "How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?"

Give Expectantly (vs. 18-20)

F. Give Expectantly (vs. 18-20)

Can't out give God

1. Can't outgive God

''Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generous(v will also reap generously. "

2. ''Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generous(v will also reap generously. "

Farming Principle

3. Faming Principle

Conclusion

IV Conclusion

Characteristics of a generous giver

A Characteristics of a generous giver

Gifts are given with a heart of gratitude.

1. Gifts are given with a heart of gratitude.

The giver never speaks of the funds as “my money.”

2. The giver never speaks of the funds as “my money.”

The giver has zero expectation of personal benefits from the church in exchange for the funds.

3. The giver has zero expectation of personal benefits from the church in exchange for the

1/2

The gifts are viewed by the giver as part of his or her walk of discipleship with Christ.

funds.

4. The gifts are viewed by the giver as part of his or her walk of discipleship with Christ.

The giver seeks no recognition, plaques, or naming privileges for the funds.

5. The giver seeks no recognition, plaques, or naming privileges for the funds.

The giver gives with joy.

6. The giver gives with joy.

If the giver has any regrets about the funds, it is that he or she really wants to give more.

7. If the giver has any regrets about the funds, it is that he or she really wants to give more.

The funds are “first fruits.” They are the first amounts taken out of paychecks and other sources of income.

8. The funds are “first fruits.” They are the first amounts taken out of paychecks and other

sources of income.

Not an obligation, but an opportunity

Not an obligation, but an opportunity

Where do you begin, what's the starting point.

B. Where do you begin, what's the starting point

"... THEY GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD ..."

C. "... THEY GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD ..."

Pray

D. Pray

2.