A. So that our wealth will not become a stumbling
block (Matthew 19: 23 – 26).
B. To keep our eyes on God (1 Timothy 6: 17 -
19).
C. To be commended by God (Luke 21: 1 – 4).
D. Because it has been commanded (1 Corinthians
16: 1, 2).
II. How Are We To Give?
A. Give to God first.
1. God wants us to to give to Him from the first, not
what we manage to scrape up (Genesis 4: 3, 4).
"And in the process of time it came to pass
that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of
the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the
firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the
LORD respected Abel and his offering"
2. God wants us to give of ourselves, then, what He
has given us will be used for Him. (2 Corinthians 8:
5)
"And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave
themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of
God"
3. We are stewards of all that God has given us to
watch over.
B. Give to God purposefully" (2 Corinthians 9:
7).
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart,
not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful
giver
C. Give to God willingly" (2 Corinthians 9: 7).
D. Give to God cheerfully" (2 Corinthians 9:
7).
E. Give to God regularly (1 Corinthians 16:
2).
"On the first day of the week let each one of you lay
something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that
there be no collections when I come.
F. Give to God as prospered (1 Corinthians 16:
2).
III. What Are Some Other Ways We Can Give?
A. Work to give to others.
"Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let
him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he
may have something to give him who has need."
(Ephesians 4: 28)
B. Give thanks to God.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5: 18)
C. Be rich in good works.
"Let them do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to give, willing to share." (1 Timothy 6: 18)
D. Give a defense of why you are a Christian.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always
be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a
reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and
fear" (1 Peter 3: 15)
E. Use our gift to minister to one another.
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
(1 Peter 4: 10)
Conclusion:
A. Giving Is A Reminder Of God’s Blessings And
God’s Sacrifices.
B. How Much Are You Giving?
Confederate Currency Worthless at War’s End
Imagine you’re alive at the end of the Civil War. You’re living in
the South, but you are a Northerner. You plan to move home as soon as
the war is over. While in the South, you’ve accumulated lots of
Confederate currency. Now, suppose you know for a fact that the North is
going to win the war and the end is imminent. What will you do with your
Confederate money? If you’re smart, there’s only one answer. You should
immediately cash in your Confederate currency for U.S. currency—the only
money that will have value once the war is over. Keep only enough
Confederate money to meet your short term needs. As a Christian, you
have inside knowledge of an eventual worldwide upheaval caused by
Christ’s return. This is the ultimate insider trading tip: Earth’s
currency will become worthless when Christ returns—or when you die,
whichever comes first. (And either event could happen at any time.)