The Joy of Giving.

Welcome:

Sing 2 songs: Michelle

Bruce recap announcements

a) Thank you for coming and worshiping with us today. We want you to feel
welcome, please let us know if you have questions.
b) Nana will be baptized today
c) We are talking a break from Bible studies for a while.
d) Thank you to the individuals who signed to bring a treat.
e) Please grab a Bible so you can read along. Eng and Span
f) I want to remind people to give your offering each week. Black Box on wall
g) We will be gone July 14, 21, 28. See the pictures of Tim and Conrad
preaching

Sing 2 songs: Michelle

Prayer: Let me pray

1. TEACH us your word today
2. Open hearts and minds to receive your word.
3. Speak through Franklin and Me.

I. OPEN Bibles to 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

v The subject of Giving is a bad subject for some of us.

1. In fact, many of us would rather not talk about this at all.
2. Some believe it is a personal matter and I will agree
3. This matter is something that should be discussed between you
and God.
4. But this subject is no different than the other subjects we are
commanded to do.
5. Like: reading the Bible, going to church, praying, sharing your
faith. Helping others. Loving God, others and making
disciples.
6. Giving to the church is commanded by God
7. If I am to preach, teach and remind people about the
commands I am also to teach about Giving.

v I’m not trying to guilt you into giving beyond your means
1. This is a subject that we talk little about.
2. I feel if I don’t talk about this subject, you might believe it is
not important.
3. Maybe you will feel that the church doesn’t need your money.
4. Giving is commanded by God.
 5. We give because God is helping us to remember he owns all
things
6. When we give, we only give to him a portion of what he has
given to us, everything
7. Let’s read what he has to say

II. Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

v Giving to God is not a new concept.

1. We sometimes think giving in the OT was a simple gift of 10%
2. It was much more difficult than that.
3. In the OT giving was a way of life
4. And with two tithes it could exceed 20%
5. With many special offerings

v The apostle Paul has a lot to say about the subject of Giving to the
church.
v It starts by Paul addressing the church, the body of believers

A. Gifts should be brought to the church 2 Corinthians 8:1-8

1. Paul is giving instructions again about giving because they did not
obey the first time.
a. He said on the first day of the week “the lord’s day”
b. The believers “the lord’s people”
c. Were to bring their offerings “the lord’s tithes and
offerings”
d. To the local church.
2. Paul is teaching that the believers first responsibility is to his own
local church.
a. This offering was to be a witness to the Jews from the
gentile churches,
b. It is important that each congregation be represented.
3. Spiritual giving is biblical giving.
a. If Christians do not bring tithes and offerings to the local
church.
b. Their hearts are not in the ministry of the local church.
c. Giving to individuals is allowed, even Paul received help
from other people
d. But, our first obligation is to the church where we
fellowship and serve.
4. Paul’s writing this letter from Macedonia
a) He is hoping that the news of the generosity of these
churches would encourage Corinthian believers
b) That it would motivate them to solve their problems
c) And unite in fellowship
 B. Gifts should come from the heart 2 Corinthians 8:1-8

1. Christian giving does not depend on material circumstances so

much as spiritual convictions.
2. The believers in Macedonia leading the way to giving from the
heart
a. They were poor and going through suffering.
b. Yet because they loved Jesus they wanted to share in the
offering.
c. They did not say we must keep this for ourselves.
3. They were willing to give so that others might be helped
a. They looked at their giving as a grace “unmerited favor”
b. Christian giving flows from the heart
c. It an expression of love to Christ for his full and free
salvation.
4. Paul also uses the example of Jesus Christ
a) Jesus was rich in heaven.
b) But became poor
c) To give is to be Christ-like
d) His whole life was spent giving.

C. Gifts should be measured proportionately 2 Corinthians 8:1-8

1. Paul explained the way of proportionate giving in verse 12

a. Tithing is the only fair way to give. Tithing robs no man;
b. it is fair to rich and poor alike.
c. It permits all men to give and receive God’s blessing.
d. It is not the portion but the proportion that God seeks.
e. This is the only way there could be any “equality” (v. 14) in
the project.
f. Paul explains that just as God blessed the Jews as they
obeyed Him, so He will bless Christians who obey His
Word concerning giving.
g. God does not send more blessings on the person who gives
10 percent of $500 than He does on the person who gives 10
percent of $100, if this is what they have to give.
h. The person who opposes tithing is opposing the only fair
way of giving

Conclusion: The Principles of Giving in the New Testament

v This is what we are to know:

1. God owns everything... and we are His “money-managers.
a. God has given us all good things, including money.
b. He owns it all.
 c. Our role is to manage it as best we can in building up His
kingdom.
d. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. 1 Corinthians
10:26
2. Giving is God’s best antidote to materialism.
a. Those who have the most are not automatically the
happiest.
b. Happiness is gained far sooner by who you have (God)
rather than by what you have (stuff).
c. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 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.
d. 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one
of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his
income
3. The emotionally secure Christian gives anonymously.
a. Our temptation in giving is to do it to gain a better
reputation among our friends.
b. But Biblical giving is a decision before God alone.
c. Matthew 6:1-4 But when you give to the needy, do not let
your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that
your giving may be in secret. Then, your Father, who sees
what is done in secret, will reward you.
4. The knowledgeable person gives expectantly.
a. To not expect God to bless is ignorance.
b. Whether God blesses now on the earth, or later in heaven,
He will indeed bless.
c. We are smart to expect it when we are generous.
d. 2 Corinthians 10:8 You will be made rich in every way so
that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us
your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
e. The Macedonians gave as much as they were able, and even
beyond their ability. Entirely on their own they urgently
pleaded with Paul for the privilege of sharing in this service
to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:3-4
5. The Spirit-filled believer can give with joy and thanksgiving.
a. When our hearts are guided by God through His Spirit, we
are naturally joyful and thankful to give back to Him what
He deserves.
b. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has
decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
6. God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise
our standard of giving.
a. The prosperous man has learned that prosperity is always
in the hand of God.
 b. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will begiven to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be
poured into your lap. For with the measure you used, it will
be measured to you.
c. Give sacrificially, Mark 12:41-44 But a poor widow came
and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a
fraction of a penny.”
7. If we are to follow these principles of generous giving, every
Christian should decide in his own heart a percentage of his
income to give to the church on a regular and consistent basis.
a. This amount given to the Lord’s word we call a TITHE

8. Here is a good example to follow, immediately give back to Him

and His work the first 10%. Then discipline yourself to save 10%.
Finally, teach yourself how to live on the remaining 80%.

v The OT offering concept was not done away with when Jesus came.
1. Jesus never abolished the concept of a tithe
2. He never spoke against it nor did he teach that it should end.
3. NT giving should never be minimized to 10%
4. Jesus teaches that our whole life
5. Everything we have belongs to him
6. So, 10% is not a good place to stop, but 10% a good place to start.

v Just as you are commanded to obey Christ, read word, pray, worship
and spread the Gospel.
1. You and I are commanded to give
a. We should be willing to live a life of giving
b. Of both our time, talents, and possessions.

v If we go through life with our hands clinched close

1. We will not be able to let go of anything to give to others.
2. And if our hands are clinched close; we will not be able to
receive from God the blessings he has in store for us.
v The point of giving is not so much the amount we give, but why and
how we give
1. God does not want gifts given grudgingly
2. Instead he wants us to give as the churches did
3. Out of dedication to Christ
4. Love for fellow believers
5. Out of the joy to help those in need
6. And because it is simple the good and right thing to do
7. How does your giving measure up to the Macedonian Chruch?

v Let’s pray
v Baptism of Nana at the beach. Explain some! Show video
If you would like to pray, please repeat after me or get with me after the service.

Please pray with me if you want to receive him:

Dear God, please forgive me, I am a sinner.
I confess Jesus is lord and that he died on the cross for my sins.
I believe that you raised him from the dead.
By faith I ask Jesus to be my personal savior. Amen!
I turn from my sins to you.
, 2024

Communion: 1 Corinthians 11:24. The lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took
bread and when he had given thanks said: This is my body which is for you; do this
in remembrance of me. And in the same way after supper, he took the cup saying:
this cup is a new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it in
remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup you
proclaim the lord’s death until he comes.