Giving Matters
WHY? Giving Is A Spiritual Thermometer
Cold: “not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of…greed…not even to eat with such a one. (1 Cor 5:11)
Hot: “they had everything in common. (Acts 4:32) (also Acts 2:44)
Stealing from God: Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. (Malachi 3:8)
Pleasing to God: the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)
Too Little: how does God's love abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
Too Much: So the people were restrained from bringing (Ex 36:6)
HOW: Prioritize God in Your Giving. Give…
Generously: give, and it will be given to you. … For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38)
Proportionately: On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Sacrificially: for in a severe test of affliction…their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, (2 Corinthians 8:2-3)
Cheerfully: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Regularly: On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (1 Cor 16:1-2)
HOW MUCH? Aim for the Tithe.
1. A tithe is not a tip.
2. Tithe and trust.
3. The Tithe is a Joyous Floor, Not a Legalistic Ceiling.
