Encourages Christians to embrace the joy of giving generously, reflecting Christ's love and service, as a fundamental aspect of their faith.
Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a joy to see all of you gathered here today, ready to receive the nourishing word of our Lord. I trust that you all come with hearts open, ready to be filled with the divine wisdom that only our God can provide.
We are gathered here today to talk about something that is very dear to our faith - giving. Now, when I say giving, I'm not just talking about the act of offering a portion of our worldly wealth to the church or to those in need. No, giving, in the context of our faith, is so much more than that.
Giving, as we will discuss today, is a reflection of our love for God and our desire to serve Him. It's about living generously, not just in terms of material wealth, but also in terms of our time, our talents, and our very selves. It's about reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our everyday lives.
The great Charles Spurgeon once said, "You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." This is the heart of what we're discussing today - contentment in what we have and the joy of giving out of that contentment.
Let's turn to our scripture for today, Matthew 20:28 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
In the book of Matthew, we find Jesus, the Son of Man, not seeking to be served but to serve. This is a profound truth that we, as followers of Christ, are called to emulate. We are called to serve, not to be served. This service is not just about doing good deeds or helping others. It's about giving of ourselves, our time, our talents, and our resources. It's about living a life of generosity, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our everyday lives.
The idea of giving as a service: When we think of service, we often think of actions - helping a neighbor, volunteering at a local shelter, or participating in a mission trip. These are all wonderful ways to serve, but service goes beyond just actions. It's about a mindset, a way of life. It's about seeing everything we have - our time, our talents, our resources - as gifts from God that we are called to use for His glory. When we give, we are not just doing a good deed; we are fulfilling our duty as Christians.
The idea of cheerful giving: In 2 Corinthians, Paul tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. But what does it mean to give cheerfully? It means to give out of a heart of gratitude, not out of obligation or guilt. It means to give because we understand that everything we have is a gift from God, and we are simply returning a portion of what He has given us. It means to give with joy, knowing that our giving is a reflection of our love for God and our desire to serve Him.
The principle of sowing and reaping: Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. This is not a promise of material wealth or prosperity. Rather, it's a spiritual principle that speaks to the condition of our hearts. When we give generously, we are sowing seeds of love, grace, and generosity. And in return, we reap the spiritual fruits of joy, peace, and contentment.
God is able to bless us abundantly: This is not a promise of material wealth or prosperity. Rather, it's a promise of spiritual abundance. When we give, we are not depleting our resources; we are opening ourselves up to receive God's blessings. These blessings may not always come in the form of material wealth. They may come in the form of peace, joy, contentment, or spiritual growth. But whatever form they come in, they are a testament to God's faithfulness and His promise to provide for our needs.
In the life of a believer, the act of giving takes on a deeper, more profound meaning ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
