Stewardship

Seizing the Moment by LIVING GENEROUSLY

Sunday, Jan 20, 2008

 

Acts 20:35 (NIV) 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Seven benefits…

…of becoming a generous person. And we will find these in 2 Cor. 8, 9

 

Congregation: We won’t be reading the entire two chapters but I URGE you to do so. Instead we will be looking at selected verses from the two chapters.

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-24 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 9:1-15 (NIV)

 

1.     GIVING MAKES ME MORE LIKE GOD.

2 Corinthians 8 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

 

2.     GIVING DRAWS ME CLOSER TO GOD.

2 Corinthians 9 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

 

3.     GIVING IS A VICTORY OVER MATERIALISM.

2 Corinthians 9 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 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. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

4.     GIVING STRENGTHENS MY FAITH.

2 Corinthians 9 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

 

5.     GIVING IS AN INVESTMENT FOR ETERNITY.

2 Corinthians 9 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

 

6.  GIVING BLESSES ME IN RETURN.

2 Corinthians 8 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

 

  1. GIVING MAKES ME HAPPY.

2 Corinthians 9 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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.

 

ATTITUDE OF THE GIVER

 

1.  GIVE WILLINGLY

2 Corinthians 9:12 "For if the willingness is there, your gift is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don't have."  He's not saying equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. It's the willingness that makes the difference. 

 

2.  GIVE GENEROUSLY

2 Corinthians 8:3-4 "They gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability.  Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in the service to the saints."  These people are begging Paul to take an offering.

 

3.  GIVE JOYFULLY

2 Corinthians 9:7 "For God loves a cheerful giver." 

 

4.  GIVE THANKFULLY

1 Corinthians 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

 

5.  GIVE EXPECTANTLY

 

You cannot out give God. 

 

2 Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 

 

2 Corinthians 8:5 "They first gave themselves to the Lord."  God doesn't need money.  He wants what it represents.  He wants you.  But He doesn't have you unless He's got your money, too.  Unless you say, "God, all of it belongs to You.  My time, my money, my energy, my efforts.  I'm Yours."  That's what it's all about.