As Christians, we are called to grow in our faith. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, which means that we are to grow through the practice of certain spiritual disciplines: Bible study, prayer, witnessing, forgiveness, and the discipline we will consider over the next few weeks—giving.
As we think about growth in giving, we will consider how giving contributes to our personal growth as believers, to the growth of our church, and the growth of the kingdom of God. READ TEXT)
In verse 6, we read that if we give generously to the support of God’s work, we will always receive more than we give. If we sow generously, we will reap generously. And what is the nature of the harvest we will reap? Paul tells us in verse 10 that it is a “harvest of righteousness.” In other words, growth in giving means personal growth. Why? Because as we grow in giving, we will grow in our appreciation of . . .
1. God’s Love - v. 7
When we grow in giving, we will grow in our appreciation of the love of God. Why? Because the nature of God’s love for us was expressed through giving.
“For 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 (NIV)
In response to the cry of sinful man, God demonstrated His love by deciding to give of Himself unhesitatingly, willingly, and enthusiastically. Likewise, we grow to appreciate the love of God as we, in response to the call of a holy God, decide to give of ourselves unhesitatingly, willingly, and enthusiastically.
“We love because he first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” - John 14:21 (NLT)
As with any type of obedience, when we obey God in the area of giving to support his work, we come to know more of Him, which causes us to grow in His love!
2. God’s Grace - vs. 8-9
Notice how Paul emphasizes the sufficiency of the grace of God - “All grace,” “All things,” “All times,” “All that you need.” Paul makes it clear that as we respond to God’s call to give in support of His work through his church, we will not lack anything we need!
“And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (Amplified)
This same Apostle who testified that God’s grace was sufficient to sustain him in times of trial and sickness, also testifies here that God’s grace is sufficient to supply our needs, even though when we give to God’s work, it will mean we actually have less to live on! Through the discipline of giving, we learn that God’s grace is always sufficient!
Notice that Paul tells us that we can give and still have enough to live on because God is able!
Which brings us to a third thing we will grow in appreciation of as we seek to grow in our giving . . .
3. God’s Supply - v. 10
While verses 8 and 9 emphasize God’s power to provide for our need; verse 10 emphasizes God’s power to provide for our obedience. Not only does God promise to provide your need, He also promises to provide your seed! There are two types of giving we can practice: Reason giving and Revelation giving.
Reason giving depends upon human calculation to determine the amount to be given. Reason giving figures from me to God. Therefore, my concerns come first and whatever is left (if anything) is given to God.
Revelation giving depends upon divine revelation for the amount to be given. Revelation giving figures from God to me. Therefore, God’s concerns come first as all I have is given to God and used as he supplies and directs. Reason giving is giving by sight, as I take into account my resources. Revelation giving is giving by faith, as I take into account God’s resources.
Reason giving determines the amount to be given by counting pennies. Revelation giving determines the amount to be given by committed prayer.
Reason giving says, “Oh, let’s see . . . I have so much and so, I guess I can give this much.” Revelation giving says, “Faithful is he who has called me, who also will do it,” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Revelation giving says:
A. God knows what the need is.
B. God knows how much He wants to make available
through me.
C. God is pleased to let me know what He wants to give through me - a tithe, plus.
D. God will enable me to be sufficient to do anything which He leads me to give.
When I give from His resources instead of mine, I do not have to be limited by the amount of my resources.
This is giving which requires the presence and power of God.
This is giving which glorifies God and grows the believer.
It’s time for us to trust God to supply not only our need, but our seed! It’s time to step out on faith and obey the guidance that God gives us!
The bride bent with age, leaned over her cane,
Her steps, uncertain, needed guiding;
While down the church aisle with a toothless smile,
The groom in a wheel chair came gliding.
And who is this elderly couple thus wed?
You’ll find, when you’ve closely explored it;
That this is that rare, most conservative pair,
Who waited ’til they could afford it!
If you wait until you can afford to give regularly to support God’s work through your church, you will never do it! Step out in faith! Grow in your giving and you will grow in your appreciation of God’s love, God’s grace, God’s supply, and . . .
4. God’s Blessings - v. 11
Notice that Paul speaks of our being made rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion. There are several biblical truths which underlie Paul’s statement here:
Truth #1: God possesses and presides over all the wealth in this world and the next.
Truth #2: God wants His wealth used for His purposes.
Truth #3: All of God’s wealth legally belongs to His children.
Truth #4: God expects his children to appropriate His wealth so as to use it for His purposes and for His glory.
Truth #5: The means whereby we appropriate God’s wealth and use it for His purposes and His glory is the discipline of giving.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Three observations about this promise from the Lord:
1) This is a profitable word -
A) Look at the promise - “give and it will be given to you.”
B) Look at the principle - The measure of your getting will be in proportion with the measure of your giving.
2) It is a personal word -
A) It is inclusive - The command is plural - it
includes every one and everything.
B) It is continuous - Giving to the Lord is to be a lifestyle attitude.
C) It is imperative - This is the Lord’s command.
D) It is unconditional - There are no “ifs” - no excuses!
3) It is a possible word - (God’s imperatives are a promise!)
When Jesus, standing outside the tomb of Lazarus, said, “Lazarus, come forth!" (John 11:43), Lazarus didn’t say, "I can’t Lord, I’ve been dead four days!” He came forth. He wasn’t even dressed for the occasion of life. He was dressed for death. Have you ever
considered how he got there to the mouth of the tomb? He was bound, head, foot, hand, and face, but he got there! What Jesus commanded, he enabled!
One day Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, and there came in a man with a withered hand. Jesus stopped his teaching and said, “Stretch forth your hand!” (Matt. 12:13; Mark 3:5; Luke 6:10). The man didn’t stand there and say, "You wouldn’t mock a cripple would you? I cannot stretch forth my hand.” No, he stretched it forth. Jesus enabled what he commanded. What he states as imperative is not impossible.
There was the lame man who had residence on the same pallet for thirty-eight years (John 5:5-9). One day Jesus came by and said, "Rise, take up your bed and walk.” That man didn’t say, "I can’t. I’ve tried a thousand times, but I can’t!” He did it! He did just what Jesus commanded him to do. He found that anything Jesus demanded was backed by His dynamic! His command was a promise!
Aren’t you glad that he never asks us to do something that we cannot do? Thus, we should never be shocked at any com¬mand. The fact that Jesus makes the command is the statement of the promise that we have in him the power to perform it!
God’s imperatives are a promise! Claim this to be true concerning the discipline of giving and what God do miracles of provision in and through your life!
