Giving Is …

¨        An acknowledgement that God owns everything.  We are simply stewards.  “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it…”  Psalm 24:1

¨        A mark of Christlikeness.  “For God so loved the world that he gave…” John 3:16

¨        Our response to God’s goodness.  “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”  1 Chronicles 29:14

¨        A demonstration of contentment. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”  1 Timothy 6:6-9

¨        A measure of our faithfulness. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?  And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?  No servant can serve tow masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money.”  Luke 16:10-13

¨        To be joyful.  “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7

¨        To be sacrificial.  “…I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”  2 Samuel 24:24

¨        To be systematic.  “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, ...”  1 Corinthians 16:2

¨        To be proportional.   “Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.”  Deuteronomy 16:17

¨        To be given first priority.  “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing…”  Proverbs 3:9-10  “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.”   Nehemiah 10:35-39

¨        To be done willingly.  “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints...For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”  2 Corinthians 8:3-4 & 12 “You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.”  Exodus 25:2

¨        To be done generously.   “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”  1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”  2 Corinthians 9:6

¨        To be done expectantly.  “Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

¨        To be rewarding in this life.  “Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”  Deuteronomy 15:10 “…the Lord Jesus himself said:  ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  Acts 20:35

¨        Gaining an everlasting reward.  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”  Matthew 6:19-21

¨        To support those who teach you.  “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”  Galatians 6:6  “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”  1 Corinthians 9:14

¨        To support God’s work.  “And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”  Exodus 35:21

¨        To take care of special needs.  “At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes…so that the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”  Deuteronomy 14:28-29

¨        Commanded.  “..you rob me.  In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse… because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that here may be food in my house.  Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  Malachi 3:8-10

¨        Worship.  “…they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts…”  Matthew 2:11