Giving Vs. Receiving Series

Series: Practical Proverbs

Thesis: The primary message of Proverbs is “Get wisdom or act and look like a fool!”

Sermon 1 & 2: Wise vs. foolish

We learned that wisdom is God given not manmade but foolishness is manmade not God given. We learned that wisdom is given by God to us so that we use knowledge rightly and correctly and if we don’t have God then we don’t have wisdom and therefore we are unable to use knowledge correctly or rightly.

Sermon 3: Wickedness vs. godliness

We need to be able to recognize and avoid wickedness in our lives and instead embrace godliness.

Sermon 4: Laziness vs. diligence

The writers of this ancient wisdom literature inspired by God try to convey the message to us of “Don’t be lazy - be diligent!” In other words “Make a commitment to work hard at being all God wants you to be!”

Sermon 5: Pride vs. humility

Pride is very subtle and crafty and loves to work or weave its way through our lives, our hearts and our minds. It wants to convince us that all the blessings come from our work, our talent our pride tells us that God did not help or intervene – you did it all yourself – it’s your gifting – it’s your insight – it’s your knowledge. God had nothing to do with it --- you did it all! Humility is the opposite of pride because it knows it needs God! Humility knows it cannot do anything in life without Him and His assistance. Humility recognizes what Jesus did for them! It sees the sacrifice and it sees the love!

Sermon 6: Poor versus Rich

Proverbs reminds us that wisdom from God looks at what is poor and rich different than the world does. A person with money can be called poor and a poor man with no money can be called rich in the eyes of God.

Sermon 7: Giving versus Receiving

Thesis: We need to remember that God gave us the perfect gift of Jesus and we in return need to give Him the perfect gift which is our hearts!

Scripture Text: Proverbs 11

24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Proverbs 21:26-27:

26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with evil intent!

Proverbs 25:21-22:

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Acts 20:35

35In 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.’”

Introduction:

Proverbs addresses how giving and receiving is suppose to be a part of the life of the wise or the godly. Remember the wise are those who have surrendered their life to the Lord and in turn received God’s divine wisdom which enables them to use knowledge rightly and correctly. This means that because the Holy Spirit lives in them then they know how they should be using the money, the resources and the gifts that the Lord has given them.

The New Testament also reminds each of us as Christians the following about using our gifts, money and resources wisely:

John 3:27: John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows

Hebrews 13:16: And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Gifts –giving and receiving just all get wrapped up in our Christmas celebration – don’t they? The book of Proverbs along with other teachings of the Bible tell us to make sure we give, and we receive as wise people of God do.

Prop have some Christmas gifts up on stage – or under the trees.

Many have been in search of the perfect gift:

Question to group about their shopping: How is your Christmas shopping going? Or if you are done - How did it go this year in regards to finding each of your loves ones the perfect gift?