Giving is a GIFT

ATTN

Text:

ATTNATTN

Attn

VIDEO – CHAN

Chan goes on to say:

To give largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.

Now, I’ll admit that hearing this testimony and this quote from Chan is a real challenge, yes, even to me, your pastor. Yet, I think it is a perspective we need in this me-first, giving-averse country! We are so negative about this idea of giving our money for a lot of reasons. After seeing so many scams and charlatans, and being selfish because of our sinful nature, we are very cynical about any preacher who dares to mention “the green stuff.” And yet, Jesus was very willing to talk about it. He said more about money than just about any other subject. His disciples mentioned it too.

BACKGROUND

One of them, the Apostle Paul, spends two chapters in 2 Corinthians talking offering a very different perspective on our stewardship. He was writing to a group of Gentiles in Corinth about their willingness to give to their Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. You see, the Jerusalem church was in dire need. Because of persecution, many had lost their job. On top of that, a famine had struck the area. In addition, many believers made trips to the area to see where Jesus had lived and to communicate with the “home church.” All of this had drained the people of resources and led to great poverty. In , he urges the Corinthians to give help to these brothers and sisters in Christ. Read : Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

One of them, the Apostle Paul, spends two chapters in 2 Corinthians talking offering a very different perspective on our stewardship. He was writing to a group of Gentiles in Corinth about their willingness to give to their Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. You see, the Jerusalem church was in dire need. Because of persecution, many had lost their job. On top of that, a famine had struck the area. In addition, many believers made trips to the area to see where Jesus had lived and to communicate with the “home church.” All of this had drained the people of resources and led to great poverty. In , he urges the Corinthians to give help to these brothers and sisters in Christ.

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 NKJV

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

Paul makes his appeal to the Corinthians based on the response other churches, specifically those in Macedonia, had given. He is not doing that to create “competition” giving, although that approach may have worked well with the some of the egotistical Corinthians. He is genuinely amazed at how God had worked in the hearts of the Macedonians and, in speaking of them, he makes a profound observation. He says that the grace of God was bestowed (given) on the Macedonians so that they were willing to give, even though they were suffering themselves. In short, he tells the Corinthians that the reason the Macedonians were so willing to give was that God GAVE THEM A DESIRE to do it. That’s why this message is entitled: Giving IS a Gift. It’s because anyone who is able to give for the right reasons and with the heart God wants them to have must be GIVEN that ability by God. Giving is a GIFT!

NEED

And I really want you to listen today. You may be here and you really wish you weren’t. Every time you hear me say anything on this topic, your first reaction is guilt. You realize that you do not give as you should or could and you feel guilty about that. Messages like this make it worse, yes, but it never gets bad enough to make you repent and change. So here’s my question for you: How would you like to give and actually ENJOY it? What would it be like to simply give as God gave you a burden to give? Listen!

And this message isn’t just for you personally, it’s for us as a church family. We have a great vision here. A couple of years ago we made a biblical and strategic decision that we were not going to be about us. We were going to be about reaching the world.

And this message isn’t just for you personally, it’s for us as a church family. We have a great vision here. A couple of years ago we made a biblical and strategic decision that we were not going to be about us. We were going to be about reaching the world. So we set a goal to plant at least five churches by 2030. We also said that we wanted to see 2000 come to Christ in the next 10 years through our direct ministry.

And this month we have been focused on our mission to reach all of the world. We want to continue to be a part of what God is doing, not only in Wilson, but in Irvine, Vera Cruz, Timisoara, Gilbert, St. John, Yentai and many other places all around the world. Now, if we are going to do that; if we are going to fulfill this mission God has given us, it will take an outpouring of the Spirit of God. And here’s the deal: Part of that outpouring must be God’s gift of Giving! The supernatural mission we have is so big that just ordinary commitment will never do it. He is going to have to GIVE us a supernatural desire to give.

O listen! God’s got all the money in the world already! He owns it all! But here’s the problem. He’s put it in your wallet and in your bank account. He did that because He wants us to partner with Him to achieve the mission. He did that because He wants to give us the GIFT of giving.

TRANS

Do not miss this: Giving is a gift. I think you see a great biblical support for this in the first 15 vv of 2 Corinthians chapter 8. In fact, there are at least three reasons I say giving is a gift right from this passage of Scripture. In the first place, giving is a gift because of:

D1 –

EXP

Now I know that to some of you saying “giving is a gift” sounds like some kind of televangelist buy-me-another-gulfstream kind of double-speak. How in the world can giving in itself be a gift? Just what kind of gift is giving? Well, it is clearly laid out in these verses.

First, the gift of giving is SUPERNATURAL JOY. Now, as I said before, this great Macedonian generosity occurred during a time of absolute destitution. It says that they were in a great trial of affliction and, furthermore, that their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their giving. Hey these were generous people who had been made poor by the trouble that they were going through.

2 Corinthians 8:2 NKJV

that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

And yet their trouble and their poverty had not made them bitter. Notice again what is said in v2 that in a great trial of affliction the ABUNDANCE OF (what’s that word?) JOY. How is that possible? It wasn’t that these folks were giving because they felt guilty because they had so much. O no! They were poor and yet their giving gave them great joy. Why did it give them such joy? I think it was because of the second gift that giving gives. You see, giving didn’t just bring joy, it also brought:

SURRENDERED WILLINGNESS.

2 Corinthians 8:3 NKJV

For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,

Look at v 3. It says, For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing. One commentator I read on this passage said that giving is not something that ever comes naturally, at least not giving for the right reason, at least. It simply goes against your sinful nature. As a matter of fact, one reason you get a knot in your stomach when I start to preach about this topic is because giving does not come naturally and you don’t want me trying to coerce you to do what you just don’t want to do.

That’s why I say giving is a gift: If you have a “freely willing” heart, that is not something you can work up in your flesh; no! it is the powerful work of the Holy Spirit living on the inside of you. You cannot work it up. It is a gift

APP

So let me just stop right here and ask you: Are you a willing giver? Is all of your checkbook surrendered to God? Does He have control of every asset you control? What about your IRA? What about your 401k? What sort of legacy giving will you do? What will happen to what’s left over when you leave?

And even more than that, does the giving you do bring you great joy? Do you give until it hurts and enjoy it? Now I think you see why this kind of grace giving has to be a gift. It just isn’t something that will happen on its own. It has to be a gift of God’s grace that gets bestowed on you. That gift makes brings supernatural joy and surrendered willingness, but it also brings . . .

EXP

SPIRITUAL PASSION.

2 Corinthians 8:4 NKJV

imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

These first few verses of are very passionate verses. V4 says that the Macedonians were “imploring with much urgency.” To “implore with much urgency” means “to beg with intense sincerity.” These givers weren’t just grudgingly sticking something into the offering plated, they were like a congregation standing and shouting to the preacher. “Hey Preacher, Please! We’re begging you! Pass the plate! Give us a chance to give.”

Now I tell you! That’s just not natural! That kind of passion is a gift of God. That gift He gave them was supernatural joy, surrendered willingness, spiritual passion and then also . . .

POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP. Look at v 3 again. It says, For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we should receive the gift AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS.

What an usual way to put that. This verse says that the people were begging for the opportunity to be a part of the “fellowship” of ministering to the saints. In using that word fellowship in the context of giving, Paul actually coins a new use for it. The word, “fellowship” is actually one of the few Greek words that might be familiar to us. It’s the word “koinonia.” By using it in this way, Paul goes beyond the simple handshakes and conversations you might have in your life group or Sunday School class. The word is actually “partnership.” In this context, he says that these people became his partners as he sought to give funds to the church in Jerusalem.

Unlike so many believers, the Corinthians were not willing to settle for “cheap” fellowship. They didn’t want to simply be “acquaintances” of other believers without being partners. Sadly, that is the case with many “believers” in the church today. They want to be connected without being a partner.

Now, if you are a giver, don’t resent those who are mere acquaintances and not partners. Please remember: Becoming a genuine partner in the gospel is a gift of grace that God bestows on us. It is the result of the work of the Spirit in your heart. It is that work that allows you to be part of something like this:

ILL

Video from Missions

Get a video from Brad from a partner church and show the victories. Listen, if you give from your heart to our missions fund, you’re not just and acquaintance, you’re a partner. If you don’t give you’re merely an acquaintance.

APP

We have ____ families in our church and ____ support our Faith Promise Missions Fund.

So let me ask you: Are you a partner or just an acquaintance. Right now we have _____ families in our church; At present only we have ____families that actually support the mission fund. Now, please, you can’t rob your tithes to do this. It is above and beyond your tithes. Quite frankly, before you give a dime, I want to ask you to ask God to give you a burden for missions, then give out of that burden. Why do I say that? I say it because giving is a gift! It’s a gift of supernatural joy and surrendered willingness and spiritual passion and powerful partnership and finally, it is a gift of:

EXP

PROPER PRIORITY.

2 Corinthians 8:5 NKJV

And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

V5 says, And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. This is the gift of giving that puts the rest in their proper perspective. It is this priority that shows that the hearts of the Macedonians were in the right place. It says that they first gave themselves to the Lord. Their giving was just an overflow of the gift that they were given. The Lord as first in their lives and in their giving.

APP

Which just leads me to this application: Your giving reflects who comes first in your life. If you don’t give financially to the Lord, you can say all you want that Christ comes first in your life, but the truth is, HE DOES NOT! You are just kidding yourself.

And here’s the bottom line: This kind of surrender—this kind of prioritized living is a gift from God. It is His gift that He must give you.

TRANS

That’s what we can learn from these Macedonian givers: Giving really is a gift. It’s a gift because of what giving brings and then giving is also a gift because of:

D2 –

EXP:

2 Corinthians 8:6 NKJV

So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.

2 Corinthians 8:10–11 NKJV

And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

2 Corinthians 10:1 NKJV

Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

2 Corinthians 8:10 NKJV

And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;

2 cor 10

V6 of this chapter begins what I call “The tale of two churches.” On the one hand, the churches in Macedonia had been given God’s gift of Grace which had resulted in them giving sacrificially so that they were filled with joy, surrender, passion, partnership and priority. When you get to v6, however, the tone changes a bit. Paul says So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. He continues his urging down in v10: And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

Sounds like the church at Corinth had fallen off the giving wagon. They had talked a good game and had even started to give, but something had happened to them. It may even have been that, because there was a controversy about the Apostle Paul, that some had used their hurt feelings to excuse their lapsed giving.

APP

That may be someone here. You’ve shut down your giving because you’ve fallen out with me or one of the staff, or maybe you’re just disagreeing with some misdirection you feel the church has taken. I want to say this with all the love in my heart for you: You are at a crossroads, actually. If you can’t give where you go to church, you may need to go to a church where you can give. I don’t say that vindictively; for right now, I am your pastor and I need to tell you the truth. If you are withholding your giving because of me or anything in this church you are not hurting me or this church, you are just hurting yourself. If you are not giving, you are just keeping God’s blessing from your own life.

And Paul is writing to this church to challenge them back to giving. Now in these verses, he gives three motivations to help them accept this challenge. He says that the kind of giving that God is looking for is motivated by three attributes.

EXP

2 Corinthians 8:7 NKJV

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.

v7 says that grace giving is motivated by maturity. That verse says, 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. Now, without going into great detail about what each item in Paul’s list means (you know “in faith, in speech,” etc.) this list details all the things the Corinthians THOUGHT showed their maturity. Paul lets them know that they have a good list, but it is an incomplete list. If they are not mature in their sacrificial giving, they are not mature.

APP

It’s amazing how people will try to “trade off” their giving for something else. Some say, “I give my time so I don’t have to give my money.” Others say, “I’m a good teacher, so I don’t have to give my money” or “I’m a good witness so I don’t have to give my money.” Paul debunks that idea right here. He says that, if you don’t abound in this grace, something is missing. Why does he make such a big deal of this? It’s because your giving is a direct reflection of the spiritual condition of your heart. As Jesus said, Where your heart is there your treasure will be also. Grace giving is motivated by maturity, and then it is motivated by

REALITY

EXP

2 Corinthians 8:8 NKJV

I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.

Paul says in v 8, I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love. Now to really get what Paul is saying here, consider the Greek background of a couple of these English words. The word “testing” means “to scrutinize in minute detail IN ORDER TO PROVE THE CHARACTER OR THE REAL NATURE OF SOMETHING. “Sincerity” means to be unpretentious; to be the “real deal.” If you put it together, Paul is saying that this grace giving thing is the test for them to take to see if their love is really sincere or not. I’m reminded of what James says in :

James 2:15 NKJV

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

James 2:15–16 NKJV

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

James 2:15

Paul tells that he is using the generosity of the Corinthians to test whether or not their love is real

APP

So how real is your love? When you test what or who you say you love against how you give, how does it stack up. Being a grace giver is motivated by maturity and reality and then it is motivated by one more critical attribute

THE GOSPEL

EXP

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Look at v 9: For you know the grace ofour Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Don’t miss it! The Scripture here makes a direct connection between God’s gift TO us to God’s gift THROUGH us. We are to become givers who imitate our giving God. Notice that this great gift God gave us was a work of grace. V9 says, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . What did that grace do? It says that grace caused Jesus to become poor. It caused Him to leave the glory of heaven, laying aside His rights as God to become a poor, destitute human being. Why would He do such a thing? So that, through His POVERTY we might become RICH. That’s grace! As we say it, that’s Grace-God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

APP

The bottom line is this: If you do not give sacrificially, you do not understand this grace. If you do not give sacrificially, you do not understand the gospel. You may know it here (head) but you do not know it here (heart). That’s why I say that our giving really is a GIFT. When the lights go on in your soul and the Holy Spirit brings you to understand the grace of God, you will give. PERIOD. You will not be able to stop yourself!

Listen! My aim in preaching this message is not to get more money out of you! Do we have financial needs in this church? Absolutely! Do we need money if we are going to reach the world with the gospel? Yes! But that is not the main reason I preach this message. The main reason I preach this message is to shake you up and help you evaluate whether or not you truly understand the gospel. It is to see if you have really received the gift, because giving really is a gift that reflects Christ’s ultimate gift!

ILL

Pic - Tim Keller

In his best-selling book The Reason for God, Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in Manhattan, shares the story of a woman in his congregation who was learning how the grace extended to us through Christ's work on the cross can actually be more challenging than religion. He writes:

Some years ago I met with a woman who began coming to church at Redeemer and had never before heard a distinction drawn between the gospel and religion [i.e. the distinction between grace and what is often a works-based righteousness]. She had always heard that God accepts us only if we are good enough. She said that the new message was scary. I asked why it was scary and she replied: If I was saved by my good works then there would be a limit to what God could ask of me or put me through. I would be like a taxpayer with "rights"—I would have done my duty and now I would deserve a certain quality of life. But if I am a sinner saved by grace—then there's nothing he cannot ask of me."

This is why giving matters: It tells you whether you truly comprehend the gospel or not. Don’t get this wrong. There is absolutely no way you could possibly give enough to buy your way into heaven. But when you see what Jesus did, you realize that there is nothing you can keep from Him. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!”

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich . . .

TRANS

Giving is a gift because of what giving brings and giving is a gift because of why giving matters, but, last of all, giving is a gift because of

D3

D3 – Giving is a gift because ofWHAT GIVING MEANS

EXP

Now, right off the bat you might be tempted to roll your eyes and say, “Rusty, why are you making this complicated? Either you give or you don’t? Giving means giving . . . right?” Well, not so fast! I think you see in this passage that, while giving IS giving, not all giving is the same. In fact the kind of giving that comes from the heart and is a real response to the gospel is a different kind of thing. The challenge Paul issues here has more to do with what is in the heart than what is in the wallet. I would even tell you that there is a kind of giving that really doesn’t qualify as grace giving. The giving of the Macedonians that Paul was urging on the Corinthians had some very specific characteristics that made it what I call “Grace” giving.

The first characteristic is WILLINGNESS.

2 Corinthians 8:12 NKJV

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

2 Cor

V 12 says For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. In other words, the Bible is saying here that giving is not about the AMOUNT, but about the WILLINGNESS. Giving has to begin with a willing heart.

APP

So, if you are here, but you are not giving this morning, this is where things have to begin with you. ARE YOU WILLING? I didn’t ask you if you were tithing, but are you willing? I didn’t ask you if you give above your tithe to the Missions Fund, but are you willing? If you are willing, the amount will take care of itself. On the other hand, sometimes people begin to give before they have a willing heart and they find that, as God shows up and takes care of them, they develop a willing heart. But the other side of it is also true. If you give without seeking God, your unwillingness to give will eventually cause you to stop. The first characteristic of grace giving is willingness. The second characteristic is:

EXP

2 Corinthians 8:13 NKJV

For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;

2 Cor

2 Corinthians 8:13–14 NKJV

For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.

2

says: For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. I think Paul anticipates a possible objection that the Corinthians may have raised at this point. It might be one you raise as well. Paul anticipates that the Corinthians might say, You’re asking us to impoverish ourselves and make things hard on ourselves so that other people can have it easy. I think Paul would have said “No, No way! I’d never do that! What I am doing is helping you to care for your brothers and sisters in Christ so that there is “equality.” You prosper together and you suffer together.

In essence he is telling them that they are in a family, just like we are. We belong to the family of God and just like you would not allow one of your children to go hungry while another one got fat, you should care that all the members of God’s family are cared for.

ARG

You might say, “Well, that’s great, Rusty, but how does me tithing to this church or giving to Faith Promise missions insure that the members of God’s family are cared for. Well, as Senior Pastor, I minister the word to this family, provide guidance for our vision, and help make sure that our people are cared for. Pastor Carl makes sure your children are cared for and administrates the business of the church. Pastor Adam makes sure that we are connected through media and that we are impacting an increasingly digital world. Pastor Bryan helps connect our hearts with the heart of God in Worship. Pastor Aaron seeks to reach this city with the gospel as we seek life change through the Christ-centered relationships that flow out of Life groups, d-groups, and one on one discipleship. Pastor Brad keeps us focused on the world and develops our strategy to plant 5 churches by 2030. Pastor Brian Tippett is starting a new ministry to help us care for our elderly, our hurting and mobilize those over 55. And our new pastor, Mike Aldridge, is helping us reach out to students to create an army of evangelists and disciplers who reach around the world. When you give to this church, you are caring for God’s family.

Faith Promise Missions Fund helps ___missionaries reach ____ countries with the gospel.

And your giving to the Faith Promise missions fund helps ___ missionaries reach____ countries through the gospel. When you give you participate in the family to bring equal sacrifice and equal blessing.

Grace giving is characterized by Wilingness and Devotion, but last of all, it is characterized by:

EXP

FAITH

2 Corinthians 8:15 NKJV

As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

When you first read v15, you may struggle to see how that quotation fits. You will struggle, that is, unless you know what is being quoted. The quotation is taken from Exodus. You remember that, in the wilderness, God fed his people with Manna. He specifically told them to gather only what manna they needed for the day and to trust Him with the future. Instead, they tried to gain control of the situation and “plan ahead.” The result was the manna rotted. The idea here is that the people were to trust God instead of trying to scheme and control things.

Nowhere do we struggle with this concept like we do when we are talking about money. We all want to control our money and use it for ourselves. When we receive the gift of giving, however, we are called out to trust God. Grace giving means that you and I have willing hearts that trust God enough for us to let go of our wallets.

ARG

And someone might say, “Well, I evidently don’t have the gift and, to be honest, I don’t want it! I’d rather just keep my money for . . . ME! Listen! That strategy makes sense if you are playing a zero sum game. But your finances aren’t like a bank account, they are more like a field. In your bank account there is a finite sum of money. You can spend it for this, or you can spend it for that, but when you’ve spent it all, it’s gone!

Pic - Florishing farm

But the Bible teaches that the finances of a believer are less like a bank account and more like a field. For instance, if the farmer says that food is a zero sum game, he’d never plant his butter beans because he would keep them to feed him and his family and, when all the beans were gone, they’d be gone. But the farmer knows that food isn’t a zero sum game. He can keep some of the beans and eat them, and he can take some of the beans and plant them and then he’ll have even more beans.

2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

The Christian’s finances are like the field. He plants, God increases. This is why, at the conclusion of this encouragement given to the Corinthians, the Bible says in 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

You know what conclusion that leaves me with? Simply this: If you have not received this gift of giving, you are missing out on the blessing of God. If you don’t believe that, just ask a tither. Most tither I talk to say they would not DARE stop because they don’t want the blessings of God to stop. Ask a Faith Promise giver if they have been blessed and watch them as they shed tears of joy when they hear how God is using their giving to make an impact on the world.

GIVING VIDEO

APPEAL

So what do you do if you’re here today and, if you’re honest, you’re more like the Corinthians than the Macedonians. What do you do if you’ve never had that move on your heart like the Macedonians had? How do you receive the GIFT of giving?

Well I think it all starts with DESIRE. You must want to be willing. I would encourage you this morning if you don’t have a desire to give, ask for it. Paul said in v7 that we should . . . see that we abound in this grace also. I think that means that we should seek to desire to give.

Secondly, BELIEVE. What I mean is believe the truth of this passage. Believe that God loves a cheerful giver and He will bless you and believe that, if you step out on faith, He will sustain you.

Last of all ACT. If you don’t tithe, make your mind to begin. By the way, even though this is missions month, tithing must come first. If you already tithe, step out on faith and give to Faith Promise. I believe that, if you ask God and believe Him, then act on that faith, HE WILL CHANGE YOUR HEART and you will receive the gift of giving.

VIS

Pic - Stack of bills

Craig C. had been an alcoholic for more than a dozen years. He'd lost everything he had, including his wife and son, due to his selfishness and addiction. Things began to change after he gave his life to Christ, but he still fell regularly into his old habits. It didn't help that he'd lost his well-paying job and was clerking at a local grocery store that was well stocked with all his favorite drinks. After a few years of going back and forth between Christ and the bottle, he finally cut the ties, and, out of obedience to Christ, quit his job.

With no income and hope only in Christ, he was in desperate condition. After an interview with a sheet metal company down the street from his new church, he cried out to God. "God, if you give me this job I will give you my first paycheck." Surprisingly, he got the job.

He clearly remembers the day when he got his first paycheck. Stacks of bills needed to be paid. Penniless but determined, he endorsed it over to the church and walked it to the church office without waiting for the Sunday offering. That was the moment, he says, that changed his life because now he understood what it meant to trust God. He answered a radical call with a radical obedience.

And as of today, Craig has been sober for 25 years, he's a manager at that sheet metal company, and he serves as an elder at his local church.

Listen! That is what some of you need to do. You need to boldly ask for the gift of giving. You need to step out on faith and give and watch God begin to bring great dividends into your life. You need to receive the gift of giving

Giving is a GIFT

Series: Mission Conference

Title: Giving IS a Gift

Giving is a gift because of what giving brings.

What kind of gift does giving give? Supernatural Joy.

Supernatural Joy.

What kind of gift does giving give? Surrendered willingness.

What kind of gift does giving give? Spiritual passion.

What kind of gift does giving give? Powerful partnership.

What kind of gift does giving give? Proper Priority.

Giving is a gift because of hy giving matters.

Three attributes that help you accept the challenge of giving: Maturity

Three attributes that help you accept the challenge of giving: Reality.

Three attributes that help you accept the challenge of giving: The gospel.

Giving is a gift because of what giving means.

Characteristics of “grace giving”: Willingness.

Characteristics of “grace giving”: Devotion.

Characteristics of “grace giving”: Faith.

How do you receive the gift of giving? Desire.

How do you receive the gift of giving? Believe.

How do you receive the gift of giving? Act.

Giving is a GIFT

Series: Mission Conference

Title: Giving IS a Gift

Giving is a gift because of what giving brings.

What kind of gift does giving give? Supernatural Joy.

​

Supernatural Joy.

What kind of gift does giving give? Surrendered willingness.

What kind of gift does giving give? Spiritual passion.

What kind of gift does giving give? Powerful partnership.

What kind of gift does giving give? Proper Priority.

Giving is a gift because of hy giving matters.

Three attributes that help you accept the challenge of giving: Maturity

Three attributes that help you accept the challenge of giving: Reality.

Three attributes that help you accept the challenge of giving: The gospel.

​

Giving is a gift because of what giving means.

Characteristics of “grace giving”: Willingness.

Characteristics of “grace giving”: Devotion.

Characteristics of “grace giving”: Faith.

How do you receive the gift of giving? Desire.

How do you receive the gift of giving? Believe.

How do you receive the gift of giving? Act.