Matthew 6:1-4 - Regular Giving
Introduction
A. Read Matthew 6:1-4
B. Context: Hypocritical Actions
1. When you give (v.1-4), pray (v.5), and fast (v.16)
2. Hupocritay-hypocrite as in the actor who wore a mask
a. Hypocrites – comes from the word actor in Greek those who wore a mask hupocrotas-refer to an actor on a stage who masks his real identity, is not genuine.
C. Motive is key
1. Purpose / motive to be seen by men due to 5:13-16
2. A.B. Bruce-we are to show when tempted to hide and we are to hide when tempted to show
3. Dikaiasunay-righteousness(es)-but in verse 2 is alms
D. Today I want to speak to you on the subject of giving
1. How to avoid hypocritical giving by learning the principles found in the Word
2. I wish you would have told me so that I could watch the paint dry or grass grow
3. Issue: If I do not teach on it then you will not understand the biblical principles and the aversion is due to abuse so you do not have to grip your wallets because we are not going to take another offering.
4. 2 types of giving: Systematic giving to the Church and the spontaneous to the poor
5. I have 6 principles for today
I. Giving Needs To Be Regular and Systematic (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)
A. 1st day of the week: Regular
1. Giving is letting go of my heart getting wrapped around money
2. Giving is letting go of my greed
B. As God Prospers You
1. The amount is not the main aspect but as God prospers
2. Example – the story of the Dollar Bill and the 100.00
II. The Handling of Your Finances Relates To The Handling Of Your Spiritual Responsibilities Luke 16:11
A. God Doesn’t Need Your Money
B. God is Testing Me with paper (money)
III. God Desires Faithfulness Luke 16:10
A. Some are misguided and are waiting for a big load to come in and then they will give: If your ship comes in you will sail right out!
B. We, as fathers, must teach our kids how to give.
People Ask About Tithing
IV. God Want’s You To Purpose The Amount In Your Own Heart
A. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – Purpose in your own heart, then stay committed
1. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – cheerful giver-heart attitude, not grudgingly, rejoice as a cheerful giver
2. 2 Corinthians 9:12 – not what you do not have
3. 2 Corinthians 8:5 – Willingness-first give yourself to the Lord, if you are not save, He does not want your money.
4. 2 Corinthians 8:12 – Willing mind
B. Tithing
Jesus said: Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law.
Luke 11:42
"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. (Luke 11:42 NKJV)
Luke 18:12
`I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' (Luke 18:12 NKJV)
Hebrews 7:5-9
And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, (Hebrews 7:5-9 NKJV)
V. Sacrificial
A. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 poverty and beyond their ability, giving should be sacrificial
1. Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24).
2. The ultimate example of giving is our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 8:9 cf. Philippians 2:1-11).
3. 2 Corinthians 9:15 – the example of Jesus
VI. Giving Takes Faith
1. 2 Corinthians 9:8-10 – God is the provider. You are just giving back to God a portion of what he gave to you.
VII. Giving Brings A Blessing
1. Luke 6:38 - “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 NKJV)
Illustration – Pressed Down – in contrast to the Dorito bag
2. Proverbs 11:25 - The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. (Proverbs 11:25 NKJV)
3. Acts 20:35 – The Blessed Life – it is more blessed to give than to receive.
4. Philippians 4:17—not that I seek the gift but the fruit that abounds to your account.