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Abound In This Grace. Acts 20:17-30 – Paul to elders ~ told them what was profitable ~ declared whole counsel of God. Counsel of God about GIVING !. Giving in the New Testament. Every book discusses subject 1 in 5 verses is about money 19 of 38 parables are about money - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Acts 20:17-30 – Paul to elders
~ told them what was profitable
~ declared whole counsel of God
Counsel of God about GIVING !
Giving in the New TestamentGiving in the New Testament
Every book discusses subject
1 in 5 verses is about money
19 of 38 parables are about money
More about money than Baptism
Four Classes of GiversFour Classes of Givers
1. Covetous
2. Unteachable
3. Ignorant
4. Liberal
2 Cor. 8:72 Cor. 8:7
“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
I. Giving In LoveI. Giving In Love
Abound in This GraceAbound in This Grace
““Prove the sincerity of your love”Prove the sincerity of your love” 2 Cor. 8:8-92 Cor. 8:8-9
Giving involves the heartGiving involves the heartWhat we give is evidence of our loveWhat we give is evidence of our loveWhat did Christ do for us ?What did Christ do for us ?
He was richHe was richHe became poorHe became poorWhy ?Why ?That we might become rich
We were poor = lost in sinWe were poor = lost in sinThrough his poverty we are now richThrough his poverty we are now richBecause he left Heaven we can go to Because he left Heaven we can go to
heaven !heaven !We prove our love for God by giving as We prove our love for God by giving as
He CommandsHe Commands
““Prove the sincerity of your love”Prove the sincerity of your love” 2 Cor. 8:8-92 Cor. 8:8-9
Stewards
II. Giving Must Be aII. Giving Must Be aSacrificeSacrifice
Abound in This GraceAbound in This Grace
1. The sacrifice must Cost1. The sacrifice must CostDavid - 2 Sam. 24:18-25David - 2 Sam. 24:18-25Araunah offered to give everything to Araunah offered to give everything to
David David ““Neither will I offer burnt offerings Neither will I offer burnt offerings
unto the Lord my God of that which unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” doth cost me nothing.” v.24v.24
Bought the field and the animalsBought the field and the animals
1. The sacrifice must Cost1. The sacrifice must Cost
The cost of our sacrifice shows our The cost of our sacrifice shows our love to God.love to God.
If we only give that which we do not If we only give that which we do not need, or that which means nothing to need, or that which means nothing to us, then it is not a sacrifice.us, then it is not a sacrifice.
Lesson for us:
2. The sacrifice must be the Best2. The sacrifice must be the Best
Malachi 1:7-14Malachi 1:7-14Polluted bread, blind, sick, lamePolluted bread, blind, sick, lameNot acceptable to governorNot acceptable to governorNeither is it acceptable to GodNeither is it acceptable to God
GOD IS NOT PLEASED WITH OUR GOD IS NOT PLEASED WITH OUR SCRAPSSCRAPS OR OR LEFTOVERSLEFTOVERS
III. How do we DecideIII. How do we DecideHow much to Give ?How much to Give ?
Abound in This GraceAbound in This Grace
Practice of TithingPractice of Tithing 10% 10%
Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, RomansRomans
Many religions all over the worldMany religions all over the worldBefore Law of MosesBefore Law of Moses
Abraham - Gen. 14:17-20Abraham - Gen. 14:17-20Jacob - Gen. 28:18-22Jacob - Gen. 28:18-22
Practice of TithingPractice of Tithing 10% 10%
Lev. 27:30-33Lev. 27:30-33All the tithe is the Lord’sAll the tithe is the Lord’s
Deut. 14:22Deut. 14:22 1/10 was set apart for God1/10 was set apart for God
Devout Jews gave nearly 1/3Devout Jews gave nearly 1/3
How much should we give ?How much should we give ?1 Cor. 16:2 “as God has prospered”1 Cor. 16:2 “as God has prospered”
Should not give less than they did Should not give less than they did under the lawunder the law
$1,000 - Weekly10% = $1005% = $ 5015% = $150
IV. Principles of GivingIV. Principles of Giving
Abound in This GraceAbound in This Grace
Who Should Give ?Who Should Give ?
Every one of youEvery one of youNot just wealthy, working, retiredNot just wealthy, working, retiredRich and poorRich and poorAll Christians are to give as they All Christians are to give as they
have been prosperedhave been prospered
Three rules for GivingThree rules for Giving
1. WillinglyWillingly - voluntary2 Cor. 8:12 “a willing mind”
2. PurposefullyPurposefully2 Cor. 9:7 “as he purposeth” - plans
3. LiberallyLiberally2 Cor. 9:6 “bountifully” - generously
V. Excel in this GraceV. Excel in this Grace
Abound in This GraceAbound in This Grace
2 Cor. 8:72 Cor. 8:7
“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.” KJV
“be in excess” “abundance”“excel” “increase”
2 Cor. 8:72 Cor. 8:7
Abound in...Abound in... Faith, utterance, knowledge, Diligence, Love
Also abound in this grace - giving
Churches of Macedonia - example
Liberality - even in povertyLesson = we should abound in liberality
Tree - must have water to live
must also give water to live
Song - “There is a Sea”
We have been blessed abundantly
Our heart will determine how we Give
Is your heart right?
We will give cheerfully and liberally
It would be a shame to lose our soul over a few dollars !
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road
Evans, Ga. 30809
706-855-1249
www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org
Sunday Morning Dec. 3, 2006
