Living And Giving That Pleases God

In just about everything we do in life, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. The other day I was called to bail out a man from jail. My advice to him was, “The principle for which you acted was right, but the way you did it was wrong.” I will be the first to admit I have acted for some right principles in the wrong way, even in the things of God. It is possible to be sincere about what you are doing, and what you are doing be right, but the way be wrong in the sight of God.

1. A good example of this concerning our salvation is seen in Matthew 7:21

2. Another example of doing right things in the wrong way is seen in Luke 18:9-14

a. This Pharisee is a good man, good church member. He prayed, fasted, and tithed.

b. All this did not please God. All his deeds were to exalt the flesh all outward, nothing inside.

3. The Question is, is there a wrong way to give?

a. No, but there is a way of giving that pleases God and brings the blessings of God upon our lives, greater than other ways.

b. One case where God was displeased. Acts 5:1-5

c. One case where God loved the giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

d. One case where God was more pleased with one gift than the other. Mark 12:41-44

4. It’s not wrong for you to give, but perhaps your giving has not been pleasing to God.

If we please God, it does not matter who we don’t please, and if we are not pleasing God it does not matter who we do please.

Living and giving that pleases God is a one that lives and gives by faith

God is never impressed with the amount, small or large. He is always impressed with the

means in which we gave it.

I want to give you four thoughts concerning living and giving by faith. The only life that pleases God.

I. The Importance of Living and Giving by Faith.

1. I feel the importance of living and giving by faith is seen in the commands of the word of God.

a. Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11

b. Hebrews 10:38; 11:1

2. Again, the importance can be seen in the cries from the Savior.

a. Most of Christ teaching was to correct a weak faith. Faith that was in the wrong objects.

1) Matthew 6:30

2) Matthew 8:26

b. Our Lord’s greatest limitations in working in our life is because of our faith, or the lack of it. Matthew 9:29

c. In the matter of trials and temptations, our faith was the Lord’s greatest concern. Luke 22:31-32

3. The importance of living and giving by faith is seen in the commands of the father, and the concern of the Son, but the importance is also seen by faith. Faith is the only means by which we can communicate with God. the only means by which God can be real to us in this life….

a. God has given most of us the five senses to relate to this world with…see, smell, taste, hear, touch.

b. The bible says the Christian is a person that is to live in two worlds.

1) 1 Peter 2:11, this world is not my home, we are strangers and pilgrims, just passing through.

2) Romans 6:11-13, our senses are to be dead to this world, but alive unto God.

3) The only way we can experience heaven, relate to the things of God is by faith. Hebrews 11:1-39

c. Can you imagine what this physical world would be like if we could not see, hear, taste, smell, feel?

d. By the same comparison can you imagine what some Christians lives are like that never exercise faith in God? How dull, how boring, look at what they are missing.

4. Yes, living and giving by faith is important.

II. The Improvement of Living and Giving by Faith

1. No Christian is at birth full grown, or all God wants him to be, much in the bible about growing in the Lord.

2. The same is true of a Christian faith, at no time does his faith reach a max. there is always room to add to it. For his faith to improve.

a. Ephesians 2:8; Romans 12:3

b. 2 Peter 1:1-5

3. Improving and increasing faith was a desire of the apostles. Luke 17:5

4. Improvement of faith is seen in a helpless Father. Mark 9:21-23; Help thou mine unbelief.

5. The improving of faith has been real in my life.

a. Faith promise in Springfield, MO. $3 a week, now $50 per week

b. The faith you exercised last year, may not be faith this year.