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Joyful Giving 2 Corinthians 9.1-5 Introduction:
Let’s play a word association game. What do you think of when I say Ebenezer
Scrooge? Some people are not truly happy. They take life too seriously. Are you
living a happy life? Would people describe you as being happy? Galatians 5.22-23 list for us the Fruit of the Spirit. In that list
is the characteristic of “joy.” I)
There Is The Need For Joy: We Need To Be Joyful A)
Part of being a Christian. 1.
Passage after passage in the Book of Acts uses the word joy to describe the
Christians of the first century. 2.
Are we leaving out this element in our lives?
a. Hear of sour pickle Christians and preachers.
b. What do you think of when you hear the term “preacher”? B)
Do we make Christianity look unattractive? 1.
Were you baptized in lemon juice? 2.
Heard one preacher’s picture described as looking like a old, sad, basset
hound. C)
We like being around happy and enthusiastic people 1.
VBS tends to stress the joy and happiness of serving God, Proverbs 15.13 2.
Sing the song “SMILE” and “Joy In My Heart” 3.
One of the outward signs of a happy heart is joy,
Proverbs 17.22
a. Can we laugh at ourselves?
b. When was the last time somebody came up to you and asked
why you are so happy? II)
Principles of Giving, 2 Corinthians 9.1-3 A)
History of 1.
They had promised to send money to help the needy saints at 2.
Now Paul was concerned about them fulfilling their obligation, 2 Corinthians 9.3-4 B)
The principle of giving, vv. 5-7 1.
Not as a grudging obligation, not under compulsion, but with a cheerful heart. 2.
Giving must come with the proper attitude and motivation. C)
We violate this by feeling forced or under compulsion 1.
We are not to give till it hurts! 2.
Cheerful heart – Greek word is hilarious, meaning hilarity or hilarious. We are to give till it
feels good and is pleasant to us. 3.
How? Understanding stewardship, and having our priorities right, Acts 20.35
a. There is joy when you give out of love because you have been
blessed.
b. Have you ever said, “I wish I could give more” and mean it!
c. Why? Because your “want to” is involved.
d. Do not give without joy, Malachi
1.13 D)
There is a time not to give 1.
Visitors are not expected to give 2.
Do not give out of guilt, if you feel manipulated 3.
Better to give less and have joy than give more grudgingly. In which case there
might need to be an attitude adjustment. III)
Biblical Examples A)
Old Testament 1.
Tithing, Numbers 18.21,26 2.
Exodus 25.1-2, 8 give with a willing
heart, Exodus 35.4-5, 20-21, 29 they
loved the Lord. 3.
We do not give because God needs it but because it makes us better and happier, Acts
20.35 4.
Exodus 36.3, 5-7 they gave an
abundance voluntarily. B)
New Testament 1.
The wise men, Matthew 2.10-11 2.
Christians gave to help fellow Christians, Acts
2.44-45 3.
It is the heart and not the amount that is important, Mark 12.41-42 4.
What does your giving cost you? 2 Samuel
24.24 5.
Giving is
a. With purpose – we need to think about it and simply give by rote
b. It is personal – between you and God
c. It is proportionate – as you have been prospered. Don’t be like
the
guy that said he gave as much as the God will take. He throws his
money in the air, and whatever stays up is God’s and what comes
down is his.
d. It is periodical – one the first day of the week, 1
Corinthians 16.1-2 IV)
What Is Your Reaction To Giving? A)
Reflect on God’s gifts and your blessings, Psalms 103.1-4 1.
How much has God given to us and are taking those blessings for granted?
a. Most we can not put a monetary value on – eyes that see, hands
that can work, a good mind, family, etc. 2.
God through His goodness has blessed us. B)
Remember God’s promises--
you can not out give God C)
Examine your heart 1.
Do I really believe there is a need? 2.
Do I care? Is it an appropriate
expression of my income or is it a last minute thought? 3.
Is giving fun to me? 4.
Am I giving my first fruits or the leftovers? Conclusion:
John 3.16 God loved giving His Son
for us, and Hebrews 12.2. |