Grow (Part Three, The Habit Of Giving) Series

IS a giver.

UNDERSTAND B/S – everything we have is a gift from God.

AND WHEN – we give we are like God.

IN FACT - the most well known verse in the bible – says it like this…

God so loved the world THAT HE GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

AND LISTEN - throughout scripture we see God giving again & again… NOW- I went on biblegateway.com and did a word search of the word give in the New Testament… and that search revealed what I already knew…

THAT – the God we love, serve and worship is a giver!

B/S God gives us…

• Us our daily bread

• Rest

• Forgiveness

• An inheritance

• Eternal life

• Every good and perfect gift

• Grace

• Mercy

• peace

• The Holy Spirit (btw the most frequently mentioned gift given by God in the New Testament)

• Life and breath

• New birth

• Freedom

• Insight/understanding/wisdom

• Endurance, encouragement, strength and victory

• Very great and precious promises

• The right to eat from the tree of life

• (if we overcome) the right to sit on His Throne

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

A 2nd reason is that…

2) Giving, Draws You Closer To God

Jesus said that, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… - Matthew 6:21

UNDERSTAND… -

• IF - I put my money into entertainment, into recreation, 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.

YES JESUS SAID – just ‘follow our money’ and we will find our hearts.

AND LISTEN WHEN – we put your money in the Lord…

AND – in the things that matter to Him (like the church)

Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her… – Ephesians 5:25

It - will always draw you closer to Him.

Which I contend is a very good thing.

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…

3) Giving, Breaks The Grip Of Materialism

(the #1 idol and God’s chief competer in this World)

NOW - I am sure that it comes as no surprise that we live in a very materialistic culture. I MEAN - advertisers are not even subtle any more. They just pretty much come right out and say, "You can buy happiness." BUY HEY - that's America! Where many believe in… Life, liberty, and the purchase of happiness.

Question - How can we live in a materialistic world and not become infected by it or bow down to it?

UNDERSTAND – the best way is to become a generous giver…

(yeah, I know that may seem pretty simplistic… but that does not change the fact that it is true)

BECAUSE – often it is materialism (our desire for stuff) that keeps us from giving…

AND – in the act of giving we are saying ‘No’ to materialism.

4) Giving, Is An Essential Way That We Honor God

QUESTION – what is honor?

LIKE - what does it mean to honor someone?

IT MEANS – comminucating through our words and action that someone, is worthy and important to us…