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Grace Giving

October 10, 2004

The rule of giving

Acts 20:35 “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The testimony of grace in giving

Acts 4:32-35 Now the multitude of those who believed (in the church at Jerusalem) were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own (1Cor.7:30), but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Andgreat grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Grace is power to be sufficient

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Grace to give beyond our means

2 Corinthians 8:1-3 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily.(NET)

Our giving is not by commandment

2 Corinthians 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.

our giving is by example

2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Sow bountifully

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

How much to give is up to you

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart (you make up your own mind, it is up to you), so let him give; not grudgingly [sorrow or grief], or of necessity [coercion or force]: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Grace abounds so you can abound in giving

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Learn from the poor widow

Mark 12:41-44 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow (“the poor of this world rich in faith,” Jam.2:5), and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but sheof her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Give according as God prospers you

1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside (money),storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

Overcome coveteousness by giving

Proverbs 21:26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not (“does not hold back” NASB).

Love for A brother is shown by giving TO HIM

1 John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Labour to give

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Labour not to be rich

Proverbs 23:4-5 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

You cannot serve God and money

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (worldly gain or wealth).

What manner of persons ought you to be

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that ALL THESE THINGS shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness

Do not store up treasure on earth

Matthew 6:19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Store up treasure in heaven

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Treasure in heaven is entering into the Kingdom

Matthew 19:21,23 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come (take up the cross, Mk.10:21), and follow me. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Where are your affections?

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Where your treasure is so your heart

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The heart is where we make decisions

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Giving abounds to your account

Philippians 4:15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (NKJ).

Freely you received freely give

Matthew 10:8 “… freely ye have received, freely give.”

Recompensed at the resurrection

Luke 14:13-15 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind (they have no way to repay you): 14 And thou shalt be blessed (you gave not expecting a return now –that is faith); for they cannot recompense thee (now in this life): for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

The first resurrection to reign a thousand years

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him A THOUSAND YEARS.