Do I Have To? Series

“Do I Have To?”

Recovering An Essential Truth – part two

Today is our second week in a 3 week series called, “Recovering An Essential Truth” – a series about stewardship and giving…

Now, last week I shared with you 5 reasons why NOW – was the time for me to talk about giving & stewardship…. First time I have ever done this in 9+ years of ministry.

1) God through people has told me to. And because I love God I want to obey Him. And God has made it abundantly clear that I was going down the wrong road… And when God tell me to turn around, I never want to be too proud to hang a U-turn.

2) I want to preach all of God’s truth – and there is a lot of talk in the bible about stewardship.

I do not want to – “withdraw, to shrink back’ to avoid, to hold back any of God’s word - especially when it is helpful to you….

3) I want you to grow spiritually – and giving & growing spiritually are inseparable.

4) Central is an alive church – (a dead Church doesn’t cost much but would you rather have?)

5) God is concerned about your heart… And Jesus said where your treasure is – there is your heart also…

[if you were not here last week I encourage you to pick up a tape of the message see Mike Gavin or Debbie Hansen]

As you can see from your outline – this morning in regards to giving I want to answer the question – “Do I Have To?” The two major points in your outline ARE –

1) Why should I give?

2) How should I give?

Okay let’s get to it:

Why Should I Give?

Giving, Makes You More Like God

God is a giver. Understand – everything we have is a gift from God. When you give you are like God. The most well known verse in the bible – says, “God so loved the world that He gave…”

And throughout scripture we see God giving again & again

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rm. 6:23

“Every good & perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..” James 1:17

A minister wrote to a wealthy businessman, and requested a donation for the church. He promptly received a blunt refusal, which ended with these words: "As far as I can see, this Christian business is just one continuous GIVE, GIVE, GIVE!" Not long after, the minister wrote the following reply: "I wish to thank you for the best definition of the Christian life that I have yet heard!"

Reason #1 for giving is it makes us more like God – and let me ask you a question - can you think of anyone better to imitate?

A 2nd reason is that -

Giving, Draws You Closer To God

As we saw last week – Scripture teaches that, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also…” If I put my money into entertainment, that’s where my heart is. If I put my money into my house, that’s where my heart is. If I money into my car, that’s where my heart is.

Understand that where you put your money is where your heart is. AND if you put your money with the Lord, it will always draws you closer to Him.

Now the first 2 reasons for giving are pretty good ones… to be more like God and to draw closer to Him.

A 3rd reason why we should give is that –

Giving, Is The CURE To Materialism

We live in a very materialistic culture. Advertisers are not even subtle any more. They just pretty much come right out and say, "You can buy happiness." Hey, that’s America! Life, liberty, and the purchase of happiness.

Question - How can you live in a materialistic world and not be a material girl?

In 1 Timothy 6:17-18 we read;

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. [Circle "enjoyment". God wants you to enjoy what you have.] Command them to be generous and willing to share In this way they may take hold of the life that is truly Life!"

First it says, "Command those who are rich..."

Question – who is rich? all of us.

Imagine the following and you will see how Dailey life si for as many as a billion people in the world.

1. Take out all the furniture in your home except for one table and a couple of chairs. Use blanket an pads for bed