GIVING

GIVING

Introduction

-It seems that we don=92t hear very = many lessons=20 on the topic of giving.

-A couple of reasons:

-1. Preachers sometimes = feel=20 ackward presenting a lesson on giving because their salaries

come=20 from the contribution.

-Making = a living=20 preaching the word is scriptural and so is the topic of = giving..

-I Cor 9: = 9-15

-vs 14 - = =93live of the=20 gospel=94 =3D to earn their living

-NAS - = =93So also the=20 Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their

= living from=20 the gospel.=94

-2. Money is a = sensitive topic and=20 some don=92t like lessons aimed at their pocketbooks. But, =

=20 before this lesson is over, I hope you=92ll see that giving is more of = an issue of=20 the heart.

-Yet, remember, giving is an act of=20 worship. It is something that is commanded.

&nbs= p; -Also=20 remember, the Lord=92s Supper and giving are separate acts of = worship. =20 Because we do them

&nbs= p; =20 together for convenience sake, I=92m afraid we sometimes blend those = together in=20 our minds.

-1 Cor 16: 1-2

-The = saints in Judea=20 were in need and the other churches were helping them.

-Acts=20 11:27-30

-2 Cor = 9:1-2 -=20 We find that the Christians in Corinth responded.

-superfluous - (Coll=20 Dict) - unnecessary or needless

-II = Corinthians=20 8:1-13

-This is an extremely important = passage when it=20 comes to the topic of giving.

-We know that Paul had commanded the = other=20 churches to give when he commanded the = Corinthians to do=20 so (1 Cor 16:1).

-In 2 Cor 8, we find some = information regarding=20 the response of the churches in Macedonia.

-Philippi,=20 Thessalonica, Berea and others

-Notice some unusual contrasts: = (what we might=20 think unusual)

-vs 2 - great trial of = affliction -=20 abundance of joy

their deep poverty - abounded = unto riches=20 of their liberality

-vs 3 - great willingness

-vs 4 - prayed for Paul and those = with him to=20 take the gift

-praying - (Vines) -=20 desire, beseech (Beseech carries with it the idea of = earnest=20 begging.)

-They = wanted badly to=20 help those who were in need.

-vs 5 - = =93but first gave=20 their own selves to the Lord=94

-Because they first=20 gave themselves to God, they were willing to give of their finances to=20 God.]

-Explain vs 1 - =93grace of God = bestowed on the=20 churches of Macedonia=94

-Hopefully, we see by this = passage that=20 giving isn=92t as much a matter of the pocketbook as it is a matter of =

the heart.

-Matt = 22:37

-2 Cor = 9:7=20

-purposeth - (Vines) -=20 =93 to bring forth or forward=94 - can mean =93to take by choice, =

prefer, = purpose=94

-We = don=92t put every=20 penny in the collection today and expect to buy groceries = tomorrow.

-It is = not a part of=20 the Lord=92s Supper but usually done immediately after for = convenience.

-Store = - (Vines) -=20 comes from the Greek word meaning =93to amass or reserve=94 - in = treasury

-There = was a physical=20 treasury. Now our treasury is in the form of a bank = account.

-In = other words, we=20 get the idea of giving based upon our excess - what is left = over.

-Think = about that for=20 just a moment. Should God get our leftovers? A portion of=20 them?

-prospered - (Vines and = Strongs) -=20 comes from two Greek words: 1. well 2. A way or journey

-NIV - = =93each one of=20 you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his=20 income=94

-In other words, our = giving should=20 not be based upon what we have left when all is said and

-You do so initially = by=20 obeying the Gospel - Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32, =

Rom 10:9), = Repent (Luke=20 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)

-Then, we continue to = give=20 through faithful living (Rom 6:4, Eph 4:22-24). However, if

you=92ve quit = giving=20 yourself to the Lord, come back to Him - confess your shortcomings,