The Heart of a Giver

The Heart of a Giver

Intro

People will wind up giving for different reasons and in different ways towards their goals.  But we identified that missions giving is a mark of maturity for a Christian as well as a church or ministry.   It is the violent act of taking eyes off of SELF, and directing them to the needs of others around you and around the world.  It is a mentality, a lifestyle.

Tonight we are going to talk about the heart of a giver.  A giving lifestyle isn’t simply an outward act, it has to start on the inside. 

Gratitude-the mark of a Christian

What is it that makes a person live a giving lifestyle?

What was it that made Mother Theresa move to the armpit of the world and live out her days loving and caring for children?

What is it that made the Roman Christians sing out praises to Jesus while lions were set upon them and tore them to pieces?

What is it that beats in the heart of a man like missionary Jim Elliot who proclaimed “he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose!” shortly before he was speared by headhunters?

What is it that would turn a murderer and hypocrite into sold out preacher who proclaimed “everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die.  They didn’t shut me up, they gave me a pulpit!  Alive I am Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m His bounty.  Life versus even more life!  I can’t lose!”

--The Apostle Paul (Phil. 1:20-21)??

A person so captured, so consumed by the love of the Lord that it is unthinkable to them not to sacrifice all that they are in His service. 

Not just talking about money, though that is certainly part of it!  It is about EVERYTHING you have, everything you are, everything you need or desire, everything that you will be.

Tithing- the mark of an obedient Christian