Generosity

What are you going to do with your money?

Everything We Have is for God - Lk 14:25-33
Is every single dollar, hour, and thought of yours dedicated to Jesus' purpose?
Jesus' mission is winning souls. Mt 28:18-20, Lk 19:10, Jn 3:17
With every dollar, we enable ourselves or others to be close to God.
The question is not how much we get to spend selfishly, but where we should spend each dollar to please God.
[ Greatness of the Mission, Size of the Task, Examples of Using Every Dollar ]
Giving is better than Receiving - Ac 20:32-35, Pr 11:24-25
Would you rather give or receive?
Money is not a blessing. We are blessed when we use it in God's service.
[ Examples of Sacrifice ]
We are Rich so that we can be Generous on Every Occasion - 2 Co 9:6-11
God gives wealth so that we can give it away.
God gives wealth (1) to test us, or (2) to enable more generosity.
[ Progression of Giving ]
When Money is Given it results in Overflowing Thanks to God - 2 Co 9:12-15
Money is souls.
When we give, we can barely imagine the joy it produces.
[ Perspective from Abroad ]

Finances in the Early Church

The incredible bond of unity that the brothers and sisters had for each other motivated them to share their possessions to ensure that there were no unmet needs.
They gave sacrificially to support those who preach locally and abroad and to meet the physical needs of brothers and sisters locally and abroad.
They trusted the church leadership to administer the funds and the church leadership went to extreme lengths to be above reproach with their handling of the finances.

Ac 2:44-47 gave to everyone as he had need.
Ac 4:32-37 one in heart. sold homes and lands. laid the money at the Apostles' feet.
Ac 5:1-11 wrong motivations in giving a serious offense. God has put the money at your disposal, your choice.
Ac 6:1-7 leaders constantly tried to improve their administration to satisfy everyone.
Ac 11:27-30 regional famine caused Gentile churches to send relief money to Judaean churches.
Ac 18:1-5 sometimes Paul worked to support himself. his preferred way of ministry was to be supported full time.
Ro 12:6-8 some people have a special gift of giving generously. we should look to them for encouragement to do the same.
1 Co 9:7-14 those who preach the gospel should recieve their living from the gospel.
1 Co 16:1-4 for a big contribution, they would take up weekly portions to be sure they would not fall short.
2 Co 8 even those in poverty can be generous (not the amount, but the heart to sacrifice)
v. 8 giving is a test of our love
v. 9 giving is like Jesus
v. 11 good intentions are great, but follow through with the gift is also important
v. 12 God sees the gift in proportion to what you have. don't be discouraged if you don't have much.
v. 13 an equal concern for each other produces a desire to give to those less fortunate
v. 20-21 administration of the gift with integrity is important to preserve the joy of the giver
2 Co 9 following through is also important as an example to other brothers who give
v. 5 good preparation for giving can remove the pressure and save you from begrudging the gift at the last minute
v. 6 if we give, God promises to ensure we will reap a reward
v. 7 cheerfulness with the gift, not reluctance or compulsion, are what makes God happy
v. 11 God will give us plenty so that we can always be generous
v. 12-14 our giving produces joy in others, praise to God, and bonds of worldwide brotherhood
2 Co 11:7-12 Paul accepted support from established congregations in order to carry on his ministry in other more challenging cities
2 Co 12:13-15 Paul's support from elsewhere emphasized that he wanted them to know Christ and that he did not want their money