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Introduction:
Giving: Taboo Topic A.
Preachers Don’t Teach On It 1.
Some don’t feel qualified … some feel hypocritical. 2.
Some do not want to be labeled as greedy. 3.
Some do not want to “rock the boat” with the church. B.
Members Don’t Want To Hear It 1.
The preacher or elders do not know my circumstances. 2.
The preacher or elders cannot tell me what to do with my
money. 3.
It is between me and God. C.
See, It’s A Sensitive Issue 1.
Churches have divided over the subject of money. 2.
There is a risk of “class envy.” 3.
There is a risk of self-righteousness by some toward
others. 4.
Etc., etc., etc. … Discussion: I.
The Facts A.
Barna Research Group 1.
Less (percentage of income) is given today than during the
Great Depression. 2.
2003 - “Only 3 out of 10 twenty-something’s donated to
a church in the past year …” 3.
Stopped all giving to churches: 24% in April 2011. B.
2010 “State of the Plate” Survey Statistics (“750
Christian households surveyed”) 1.
While most people only give 1-3% of their income … survey
responders indicated their household made it a priority to be
faithful and generous givers. 2.
23% give under 10%. 3.
18% give 10%. 4.
51% give 10% to 20%. 5.
8% give over 20%. II.
The Scriptures A.
From Law … 1.
“Tithing” was practiced well before the Law of Moses
nor limited to Hebrews. Cp. Gen.
14:17-20 2.
Tithing (10%) Law of Moses: a.
From among crops/animals. Lev.
27:30-33 b.
Additional sacrifices: sin, free-will, etc. Lev.
1-6 B.
… To Grace 1.
“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the
altar, and there remember that your brother has something against
you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first
be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your
offering.” Matthew
5:23–24 2.
“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn
away from him who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew
5:42 3.
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something
to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to
drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you
clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in
prison, and you came to Me. …” Matthew
25:35–40 4.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that
to you? ... If you lend to those from whom you expect to
receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to
sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But
love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in
return; and your reward will be great.” Luke
6:32–35 5.
“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make
yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing
treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.” Luke
12:33–34 6.
“When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your
friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors,
otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will
be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means
to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the
righteous.” Luke
14:12–14 7.
“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this
manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than
to receive.’” Acts
20:35 III.
Your Heart A.
When the Lord Comes First In Your Life 1.
You will think of Him and others … and less of self. Phil.
2:3-4 2.
You will give generously … no matter your economic state.
2
Cor. 8:1-5; Mk. 12:42 3.
Giving will NOT be a matter of “law” but of
“grace!” B.
Applying Your Heart to Our Needs 1.
Building, supplies, maintenance, etc. 2.
Evangelism/Teaching. 3.
Benevolence among saints in need: disaster, widows. Conclusion:
Final Admonitions A.
Test Yourselves 1.
Where is your treasure? Lk.
12:34 2.
Do you sow sparingly (if at all) or bountifully? 2
Cor. 9:5 3.
God LOVES a cheerful giver! 2
Cor. 9:6 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” 2 Cor. 9:8
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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