A. WHAT HAS GOD GIVEN ME?
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (II Cor. 9:15).
1. Life. God has given us life, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). Because we have this gift, “For in Him (God) we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
2. Christ. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (II Cor. 9:15).
3. Salvation. “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living
water” (John 4:10).
4. Our spiritual gifts. “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Eph. 4:8).
5. All things. “The living God who giveth us all things to enjoy” (I Tim. 6:19). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:36). What does all things include?
a. Our family.
b. Our church.
c. Our jobs.
d. Our possessions.
e. Our opportunities to serve God.
f. Our opportunities to make a living.
B. HOW I SHOULD GIVE TO GOD: II COR. 9:1-15
1. Zeal or desire. You give because you want to give. “As touching the ministry to the saints . . . your zeal hath provoked very many” (II Cor. 9:1,2).
2. Prepared. You should give to God what you have prepared. “That ye may be ready lest, . . . find you unprepared” (II Cor. 9:3,4).
3. Bountifully. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (II Cor. 9:6). Everyone will sow something for God. What will you sow . . . a lot or a little?
4. Purpose. You should make a decision to give your money to God. Dr. Towns says, “life is a choice.” We must chose wisely. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give” (II Cor. 9:7).
5. Cheerfully. “So let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
6. For good works. You give to God so that good works may be done through your church. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Cor. 9:8).
7. For your spiritual growth. When you give money to God, you grow spiritually. “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (II Cor. 9:10).
8. As a thanksgiving to God. In the Old Testament they were to bring an animal sacrifice to give thanks to God. When you give money to God, you are thanking Him for all He has done for you. “When we take your gift to them, they will break out in thanksgiving” (II Cor. 9:11 LB).
9. To help believers. We give money to God so we can help others. “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God”
(II Cor. 9:12).
10. To help projects outside the church. We give to God so we can help people outside the hurch. “ . . . for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men” (II Cor. 9:13).
11. To extend the grace of God. Our gift of money is a way for people to experience the grace of God. “Because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you” (II Cor. 9:14 LB).
12. To make God’s gift available. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (II Cor. 9:15).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at Jonathan@trbc.org and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
