Week 3 - Give
This week in summary| Day 1 : Why Give? | 2 Corinthians 9 |
| Day 2 : A Generous Community | 2 Corinthians 10 |
| Day 3 : Money Pits | 2 Corinthians 11 |
| Day 4 : Prepare | 2 Corinthians 12 |
| Day 5 : Donate Together | 2 Corinthians 13 |
| Day 1 : Why Give? | 2 Corinthians 9 |
| Day 2 : A Generous Community | 2 Corinthians 10 |
| Day 3 : Money Pits | 2 Corinthians 11 |
| Day 4 : Prepare | 2 Corinthians 12 |
| Day 5 : Donate Together | 2 Corinthians 13 |
Giving is a delight to God
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16
Giving moves our faith from money to God
Money wants to replace God. Money offers false promises of security, fame, power, happiness, a rich and full life. When we love and trust money instead of God this is idolatry.
Giving breaks the hold money has on us and allows us to put God back on the throne of our life.
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Matthew 6:20-21,24
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Tim 6:10
Giving makes God look Good
By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others
2 Corinthians 9:13
Giving is a delight to us
Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
1 Chronicles 29:9
Giving is better than receiving
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Acts 20:35
It doesn't belong to us anyways
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof the world and those who dwell therein
Psalm 24:1
Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Deuteronomy 10:14
We give because God provides
Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
Genesis 22:8
God will supplies even more according to our generosity
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
Luke 6:38
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:24-25
Authentic love requires giving
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?
1 John 3:17
And the crowds asked [Jesus], "What then shall we do?" And He answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.
Luke 3:10-11
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Acts 2:45
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Acts 4:32-35
... because they love God
And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
2 Corinthians 8:5
... trusting God's continued provision
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20
... Joyfully and gladly
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2
... thankfully
They give with gratitude for what they received from God
Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:8
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
... out of God's abundant overflow
God has provided abundantly more than we need, so we give abundantly.
And God is able to bless you abundantly...
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corinthians 9:8,12
... sacrificially
Love compels us to give beyond our means.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-
2 Corinthians 8:3-4
Surprising as it may seem few things can devour the soul as quickly as money. The following list describes some of the ways you can use money to destroy yourself.
It's easy to get caught up in the idea that all our possessions belong to us, but the truth is everything belongs to God. All our money and possessions really belong to God; He just lets us manage them. God invests His money in us so that we use it to grow His Kingdom not ours.
Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11
God wants our heart even more than he wants us to give.
"You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving." Authentic love compels sacrifice, however obligatory giving accomplishes nothing.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Proverbs 21:3
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:17
There's a saying "Penny wise, pound foolish" Jesus offered a similar warning to the religious community. He reminds them of God's priorities:
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
Matthew 23:23
Self-worth and social standing is erroneously based on money income or material possessions or the amount that we give. Expensive=valuable, so people of means are better, lucrative jobs are better etc... This is a farce. Unfortunately we often use our money to make ourselves look good to our neighbors.
Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6
Caution is understandable in new territory. Letting go of money to pursue God may be unfamiliar. Guard yourself from reluctance. God wants us to give cheerfully based on our trust in His provision and our love for him. Beware asking "How much do I have to give?" You may as well be asking: "God, how much do I have to love and trust you?"
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed [Abram] and said,"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,Owner of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:18-20
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Malachi 3:8-10
Make a donation as a team. Each member should research ways the team can make a donation. Look for volunteer programs in the area as well as worthy causes online. Meet together and discuss how you would like to make a team donation.
What is it about the cause that appeals to you? Remember not everyone on the team will have the same favorite charity. And it's unlikely that the team will pick your favorite. How can you support the team's choice as well as your own?