Christian Giving

Pastor Will Swem

Giving Month 2020 • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Introduction:

Joke: On the Sunday that a church was supposed to make their giving commitments, the pianist got sick so a substitute was brought in. The pastor gave her a schedule of the service and asked her to think of something to play during the commitment time. At the scheduled time in the service, the pastor said, “I want anyone who is committing $1,000 to the building fund to stand up.” The organist immediately began playing the “Star Spangled Banner.” And that is how the substitute pianist became the regular pianist.

On the Sunday that a church was supposed to make their giving commitments, the pianist got sick so a substitute was brought in. The pastor gave her a schedule of the service and asked her to think of something to play during the commitment time. At the scheduled time in the service, the pastor said, “I want anyone who is committing $1,000 to the building fund to stand up.” The organist immediately began playing the “Star Spangled Banner.” And that is how the substitute pianist became the regular pianist.

We have been preaching on Giving all month long, culminating in our messages today. When you spend a whole month on the subject of giving, you are bound to have a little overlap here or there. Today, we will be back in , but before you think, we’ve done this before, stick with me, because we are approaching it from a slightly different angle this morning.

Churches today are struggling. All across America we hear of Churches closing their doors. Too many of today's churches are in financial debt. And it's not for a lack of members either. Here at this very church we have felt the fear of whether or not we will make it financially. We have had the threat of closing hanging over our head, until God took us out from under that, gave us a brand new start, and put us where were are now. . God has been faithful to provide, but my question for all of us is this: Has God been faithful to provide for this Church through your faithfulness in giving? Or has He been faithful in spite of your lack of giving? The problem with Churches closing because of financial lack is not the fault of the economy, or of the government. It is the fault of Christians.

Transition:

In the book of Second Corinthians, God tells us all about giving. Turn with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 8.

2 cor 8:1-

2 Corinthians 8:1–15 KJV 1900

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

Proposition:

It is clear in Scripture that every Christian should be involved in giving to his Church. In this passage in 2 Corinthians we see three truths about giving. The first truth we come across is that of the PreRequisites to Giving.

Transition:

Let's look first at the PreRequisites to Giving as found in 2 Corinthians

The PreRequisites to Giving

first gave their own selves to the Lord

2 Corinthians 8:5 KJV 1900

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Giving is a Christian’s Response

2 Corinthians 8:5 KJV 1900

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

– And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

1. Are you saved? Have you given yourself to Christ?

2. Is He your:

Savior

Master

Friend

3. If you have not given yourself to Christ, why are you giving to His Church?

Giving will earn you no merit before God

Giving will not get you into heaven

Giving, done incorrectly, is an offense to God

Matthew 6:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

– Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Giving is a Christian Trait

B. Giving is a Christian trait:

2 Corinthians 8:7–8 KJV 1900

7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

– Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

It is a proof our sincerity before God and men -- Real Christians Give!

�� It is a proof our sincerity before God and men -- Real Christians Give!

** We Give Because Christ Gave to Us — We follow His Example!

He gave up His environment – Heaven

He gave up His prestige — From his throne to earth

He gave up His wealth — King to Carpenter

He gave up His Life — On the Cross

He gave us Eternal Life

So why don’t we seek out opportunities to Give To Him? Why do we find ways to get out of it?

ILLUSTRATION:

According to the Report "The State of Church Giving through 2009, the average Christian gives just over 2% of his income to the Church. For every ten dollars a Christian in America makes, only two dimes make it into the plate on Sunday.

Where is your focus?

Giving is a Eager Endeavor

2 Corinthians 8:12 KJV 1900

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

1. You should want to give -- because of what Christ did

2. You should not be giving out of pressure

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV 1900

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

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

Necessity = peer pressure, compelled by another, doing it for show

This is not talking about this message, but about pleasing God with your gift and not man.

Not just willing, but doing!

2 Corinthians 8:11 KJV 1900

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

– Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

Statement — Good intentions are great, but they don't meet any needs, and they don’t count with God.

3. You shouldn't need to be asked to give --

2 Corinthians 9:1–2 KJV 1900

1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

1 Corinthians 9:1–2 KJV 1900

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

(superfluous)

Transition:

Not only are there PreRequisites to Giving, there is also a Prescription for Giving.

The Prescription for Giving

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV 1900

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

Give in Proportion to What You Have

1. No one group should be holding up the Church – they are!

2. All are expected to give

3. Everyone should give according to how God has blessed Him

— If God has given you more, you should give accordingly

— If God has given you less, you shouldn't feel guilty for not being able to give as much as others

Give in a Proper Attitude

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV 1900

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

To God, the attitude associated with your gift counts!

"Cheerful" = "hilarious" i˚laro/ß merry, happy

Give from the Place of Gratitude

2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV 1900

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Paul's focus is on the recollection of what God gave!

– Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Paul's focus is on the recollection of what God gave!

Psalm 50:14–15 KJV 1900

14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

– For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Transition:

-- Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Transition:

We have seen the PreRequisites to Giving (why), and the Prescription of Giving (how); let's look finally at the promises of giving.

The Promises of Giving

2 Corinthians 9:7–9 KJV 1900

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. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

God Enables the Giver

2 Corinthians 9:7–9 KJV 1900

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

– Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Quote

When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will never lack God’s supply.

- J. Hudson Taylor

God promised the same to Israel --

Malachi 3:8–12 KJV 1900

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, And he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: For ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

– Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

ILLUSTRATION

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 156: Thieving Money

A twelve-year-old member of the church I pastor recently left a five-dollar bill on my desk with a note that read, “I have my thieving money,” along with her signature.

I couldn’t figure out what she meant. Had she stolen money she was now returning? When I saw the girl’s father the next Sunday, I mentioned the money and note and asked if he could tell me what she meant. With no hesitation, he said that it was her tithe. She obviously had misspelled tithing.

As I thought about the misspelling, I realized that for those who do not tithe, they really do have a stash of “thieving” money, for as the Bible suggests, the one who refuses to tithe is stealing from God.

We serve the same God today! Different nation, different land, but the same God!

When you neglect the grace of giving, your are shortchanging yourself!

Proverbs 3:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

– Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Ask anyone here who is a faithful giver and you will hear of the faithfulness of God!

ILLUSTRATION:

A few years back, a Galveston church had a Tithing Demonstration Sunday for its members. On a designated Sunday everyone was asked to give a tithe of one week’s salary. They urged everyone … whether or not they usually tithed … to give a tithe that one time. As you could imagine, the offering that Sunday was the largest ever given. In fact, it was 6 times the usual offering. The aftermath was even more exciting. Many who had never tithed before changed their attitude and decided if they could do it once, they could do again. By the end of that year giving was up almost 3 times what it had been before the demonstration. The enthusiasm was up more than that. Over and over, people gave testimonies of the many changes in their lives as God fulfilled his promise in . All of this came from a simple obedience to Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.

God Enjoys the Giver

There was an offering that got God's attention.

Mark 12:41–44 KJV 1900

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

– And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

About 2 dollars of our money.

1. This was an offering of sacrifice. -- all that she had

2. If you have little, your opportunity is far greater to prove the faithfulness of God! **Don't be foolish**

God’s Edict for Giving

2 Corinthians 9:6–10 KJV 1900

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 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. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

– Just like farming. You will only grow what you plant.

God will increase your harvest.

He can't do that if you never plant!

God is Exalted by Giving

2 Corinthians 9:11–15 KJV 1900

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Your gift will bring glory to God because of the ways He will use it to provide for others! Every time they thank God for His provision, it is your gift bringing Him praise!

Wanna give God the gift that keeps giving? Give to His church so that He can give it to others and be glorified. It is a privilege that we can get in on!

Conclusion:

The Why:

PreRequisites:

1. Are you saved?

2. Are you right with God?

3. Are you giving willingly?

4. Do you give for the right reasons?

The How:

Prescription:

1. Do you give what you should?

2. Do you give cheerfully?

3. Do you give in a spirit of thanksgiving?

The Result:

Promises:

1. God will enable His people to give if they are willing to trust Him

2. God will be pleased with a sincere gift.

3. You will get out what you put in

4. Your gift will bring glory to God through the thanksgiving of others

— How about you? Has God been faithful to provide for this Church through your faithfulness in giving? Or has He been faithful in spite of your lack of giving? And before God, what will you commit to give to Him?

INVITATION: #496 — I Surrender All

Regular Invitation

Seat the Congregation

Pass out Commitment Cards & Remind about Faith Building Offering

Encourage Prayerful Commitment / Faith Building Offering

Prayer

Moment of Quiet

FAITH BUILDING OFFERING

Pass the Plates

Announcements

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