Sunday Service: 05/06/2022
Supporting Scripture: Acts 20:35
Title of Message: What are the benefits of giving?
Delivered by: Pastor Mercy
“I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
We are all blessed in many ways beyond our comprehension. Even though we sometimes have lousy days, go through tough times, and face more than our share of challenges, we all receive countless blessings. We live in a society where the tendency is for people to tell you more about what is going wrong in their lives rather than what is going right. When we really think about life in general, we have much to be thankful for: we live in nice homes, we have friends and good support systems, and have the freedom to make our own choices. Overall, life is not only good; it can be great.
One of our greatest opportunities to bring additional joy, blessing, and abundance to our lives happens when we are generous and give to others.
What is the meaning of giving?
The act of providing money for something, especially to a charity or other good cause:
To present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; to give a birthday present to someone. Providing love or other emotional support; caring.
The act of bestowing as a gift.
a. What are the Things we Give aside of Money?
Gifts, service, time, resources, encouragement, hope and love.
b. Why Do/Should we Give?
1. Giving draws us closer to God. How does giving draw us closer to God?
(Matthew 6:21)
“Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”
Wherever we put our money, is where our heart is. If our money is in investments that is where our heart is, if our money is in our career then that is where our heart is and if our money is in the house of the Lord then that is where our heart is. Money is like a magnet – wherever we put it; it tends to pull our hearts. When I give money to God it is like a magnet that pulls me closer to God. Giving is the nature and characteristic of God. – (John 3:16) God gave His only Son (His best) because He loves us.
2. Giving Helps the Less Fortunate
We give to help people who are in need so that they can also live. (Proverbs 11:24-26).
“There is one who scatters yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.”
When a person gives freely, the blessing of God is released upon them generously. And a person who fails to help others in obvious need, will himself always be in need. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
The one who gives gains; the one who withholds loses. The “scatters” indicates distributing widely, generously, even paying little attention to where the generosity goes. Yet the wealth of the generous “increases” more than the amount given away. Like a seed which seems lost for a time till it springs up again bringing even more seed with it.
The selfish person has the opposite experience. He hangs on to (“withholds,” maintains very tight control) his goods, not considering his responsibilities and his neighbours’ needs. When he finally opens his clenched fist, his increase has disappeared. What he deemed prudence “leads to poverty.” He who wanted to make sure he had more than he needed ended in complete lack. The selfish person who sought to help himself only has pitiful results. Give and get or hoard and lose.
c. Is there a Connection between our Faith and Giving?
I believe giving strengthens our faith. Faith is like a muscle, the more you and I exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Our giving proves the reality of our faith. Sometimes God will use finances to test our faith. (Mal. 3:10)
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Bottom of Form
Basically, God is saying, I dare you to put me first and see how I will bless you. Go ahead, I dare you to give, go ahead and watch how I will bless you. (1 Kings 17:13-14)
“And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.”
This widow was down to her last meal, but she gave, and God met every need that she had. She never lacked again.
d. Giving blesses us in return.
Many times, God says in the Bible that if we give, He will give back to us. (Luke 6:38) Over and over in the Bible we see that there are benefits in Giving to God. Just as you and I want a job that gives good benefits, there are better and greater benefits in giving to the Kingdom of God.
Opening doors of opportunities
By giving us a raise at our job
Promotion on the job
By keeping us healthy
Protection
Provision
Let me encourage us all to become generous in giving our time, resources, love, encourage and money to others, and watch how God will bless us abundantly.