A Picture of Generous Giving
A Generous Life • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
A few years ago Geico Insurance had a commercial with an Alligator in the commercial. The Alligator and a few people were sitting at the table finishing up dinner and the waitress gave them the check. The Alligator said I got this but when it came time to reach the check he couldn't reach it because he had alligator arms.
See the video...
The truth be told, there are many people in church today just like that.
We’ll sit down and eat all day at the church but have Alligator arms when it’s time to give to the same church.
The sad news this is a direct response in how many churches have handled the money.
Yet we are not to use what some churches have done as an excuse to your lack of willingness or desire to give.
I'm reminded of last weeks message the Certain Poor Widow gave her money even after Jesus turned over the money changers and indicted the Scribes and Priest for devouring the widows.
But she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Paul took painstakingly steps to make sure the collections were handled the right way.
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Here in the text the Apostle Paul is giving the second of two appeals concerning one collection in one letter.
Here in the text the Apostle Paul is giving the second of two appeals concerning one collection in one letter.
The 1st appeal is in Chapter 8 and the 2nd is in Chapter 9.
Chapter 8 - He uses the eagerness of the Macedonians as an example.
Chapter 9 - He uses the good example of the believers in Achaia to stir up the Macedonian Churches.
Paul transitions in chapter 9 as to say let me approach the subject of collection from another angle.
Paul begins to paint a picture of a Generous Giver.
The First Stroke of the Brush is...
Don’t Limit Yourself to 10%...
Don’t Limit Yourself to 10%...
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2 Corinthians
The Tithe is the standard… it is the practice of offering God a tenth of the harvest of the land and of the livestock, as holy to the Lord.
Tithing was practiced before the giving of the OT Law.
Abraham offered a tenth of the goods taken in battle (Heb 7:5)
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Genesis 14:18
22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Genesis
Tithing under the Law
It extended to all kind of produce and livestock.
The Levites collected the tithe.
Tithes were to be paid in a designated place.
Levites offered a tenth to the Lord ()
In the New Testament
Jesus talked much about money.
Sixteen of the thirty-eight parables were concerned with how to handle money and possessions.
In the Gospels, an amazing one out of ten verses (288 in all) deal directly with the subject of money.
Jesus’ teachings was and is ALWAYS to go beyond what the law required (lust, love, murder, etc.)
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:
Matthew 5:17
Paul introduces us to the simple law of sowing and reaping
God is saying, “I want to bless you far beyond where you think I want to, but because you don’t trust me you give reluctantly.”
God wants you to grow – so that just as you are growing in other areas you are growing in your giving as well (make a goal to give one more percentage a year).
God doesn’t promise that His blessings to you will be financial. He just promises that He will bless you according to what you give.
God says, “I’m giving you a blank check where you determine how much you’ll be blessed.”
The second stroke of the brush is...
Attitude is More Important than the Amount...
Attitude is More Important than the Amount...
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.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Personal not prescribed – If you want to give 10% then that’s great.
Personal not prescribed – If you want to give 10% then that’s great.
Don’t give because you are afraid if you don’t God will punish you. This passage doesn’t say God will punish you. Rather, it says that the more you give the more God will bless you in return (the law of sowing and reaping).
Reluctantly – In other words if you are giving because you’ve been pressured to give it but you’re giving it RELUCTANTLY, God says...
Don’t give because you were made to feel guilty by a church leader if you didn’t give.
Don’t give because you think it will cover up something bad you did.
Questions to ask yourself...
Do I not trust God with what I am giving?
Do I not trust the church with”my” money?
Do I think I will give more when it’s convenient for me?
When God decides to bless you He is looking at the condition of your heart not your checkbook.
Give because God’s Word says it!
Give because what God has done for me!
I’m giving to God not the Church!
Because He loves a Cheerful Giver...
The Last Stroke of the Brush is...
Giving Should be a Sacrificial Act of Faith...
Giving Should be a Sacrificial Act of Faith...
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
– Paul is speaking here of one of the poorest churches that gave liberally in the midst of a severe trial.
– Paul is speaking here of one of the poorest churches that gave liberally in the midst of a severe trial.
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
The point here is that even in times of lack we can still be liberal because giving is a sacrifice.
The point here is that even in times of lack we can still be liberal because giving is a sacrifice. David said, “I will not give to the Lord that which costs me NOTHING.”
David said...
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
“I will not give to the Lord that which costs me NOTHING.”
“I will not give to the Lord that which costs me NOTHING.”
I want to encourage you today, if you are struggling with giving.
to trust God to do more with what you give him than what you can ever do on your on.
or holding on to it by yourself...
Christian giving is always a response. The motivation for our giving is that we have received. This doesn’t mean we try to pay God back, for that is an impossibility. It does mean that our giving begins in gratitude.