12/18/10 A GIFT FOR THE GIVER
OK, I don't like gimmicks, but I do like opportunities. So, let's use this time of year to address an important issue.
OK, I don't like gimmicks, but I do like opportunities. So, let's use this time of year to address an important issue.
What should we give the Savior, His Church and a needy world for Christmas?
What do I have?
What does it need?
What does God want?
First, God wants us to give ourselves, unreservedly, then He wants our time, talents, treasures. Once He has us, He has everything we have.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NASB)
1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
DLG notes...
The Church has received God's gift of grace, beginning with the gift of His Son.
2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
DLG notes...
Not from their wealth of material goods or ease of life, but from their deep poverty and earthly affliction, with their abundance of joy, we should give liberally.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
DLG notes...
Giving is begins with our lack, but draws from His abundance. Our Giving is to be from a willful and cheerful heart.
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
DLG notes...
Believers do not wait to be asked to give, they ask to give.
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
DLG notes...
Just as God's giving started with Him giving Himself, His children give themselves first.
MORE THOUGHTS AND SCRIPTURE...
WHAT TO GIVE?
What does my church need? Not just materially, but more importantly, in its ministry?
What do I have that might meet some of that need?
Am I dedicated to Christ fully and do I love the body more than I love my own agenda or my own image?
What sacrifices will it take to meet that need?
Am I willing to make such a sacrifice?
Am I committed to the mission of the church for the long haul or is it a quick, feel good gift that makes me feel better, but leaves the church in the lurch?
SCRIPTURE...
2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (NASB)
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
9 as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NASB)
1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
DLG notes...
The Church has received God's gift of grace, beginning with the gift of His Son.
2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
DLG notes...
Not from their wealth of material goods or ease of life, but from their deep poverty and earthly affliction, with their abundance of joy, we should give liberally.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
DLG notes...
Giving is begins with our lack, but draws from His abundance. Our Giving is to be from a willful and cheerful heart.
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
DLG notes...
Believers do not wait to be asked to give, they ask to give.
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
DLG notes...
Just as God's giving started with Him giving Himself, His children give themselves first.
MORE THOUGHTS AND SCRIPTURE...
WHAT TO GIVE?
What does my church need? Not just materially, but more importantly, in its ministry?
What do I have that might meet some of that need?
Am I dedicated to Christ fully and do I love the body more than I love my own agenda or my own image?
What sacrifices will it take to meet that need?
Am I willing to make such a sacrifice?
Am I committed to the mission of the church for the long haul or is it a quick, feel good gift that makes me feel better, but leaves the church in the lurch?
SCRIPTURE...
2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (NASB)
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
9 as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
