Giving – excel also in the gracious act of giving 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT) Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. Members Are Givers Romans 12:1 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 1. Give of your . Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 (NLT) But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 2 Timothy 3:14 (NLT) So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NLT) 2. Give of your . We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV) 3. Give of your . A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—… 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT) In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. Romans 12:6 (NLT) 4. Give of your . If your gift is…giving, give generously. Romans 12:8 (NLT) You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Matthew 23:23 So two things will result from this ministry of giving – the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12 TYPES OF TREASURE GIVING 1. TITHE 2. OFFERING 3. GIFT FRUITFUL BENEFITS TO YOUR LIFE 1. Giving you closer to God. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 2. Giving is the antidote to . Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 3. Giving faith. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. — Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Proverbs 3:5,9 4. Giving is an in eternity. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 5. Giving blesses in return. Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 Good comes to those who lend their money generously… Psalm 112:5 What now? GIVE FROM A GRATITUDE ATTITUDE – Give . On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2 – Give . Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. 2 Corinthians 8:11–13 (NLT) “You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” Matthew 23:23 – Give . “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure…” 2 Corinthians 9:7a (NLT) When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 (NLT) – Give . …And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7b (NLT) For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 2 Corinthians 8:3–5 (NLT) – Give . For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. 2 Corinthians 8:3 (NLT) – Give . Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NLT) And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT) 3 MOTIVES FOR GIVING OF YOUR LIFE Guilt. “I make sacrifices so I won’t have to carry the guilt I’d feel for saying ‘no’”. Glory. “I make sacrifices because someone might notice and think more highly of me.” Gratitude. “I am so thankful for all God has given me I am overflowing with generosity and express my gratitude as ‘self-giving worship’”. Colossians 2:7 CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION QUESTIONS 1. Have you noticed what or who you spend your money on most easily? (Self, home, tech, kids, car, savings, etc) 2. Why do you think Jesus says that if you’re enslaved to your money, it's impossible to serve God? 3. How have you been (or how could you start) relocating your time, talent or treasure into God’s church family? 4. Jesus forfeited his heavenly wealth to pursue & rescue you (whom he treasures) and to make you eternally rich. Have you ever noticed that as you discover this eternal meaning & value you become less addicted to the meaning & value found on earth?