Worship - Giving

I. Introduction

A. Continue our study on the subject of Worship

B. This third installment is somewhat difficult to approach

1. Often seen as the preacher wants more money

2. That is not the case

C. I have as much a responsibility to preach and teach on giving as I do the subject of baptism or any other subject.

1. Giving is as much a part of worship as is the Lord’s Supper, singing, praying, and teaching

2. I hope this lesson will serve as a reminder that the act is an important part of our worship and not just “getting into the wallet”

II. Before we study aspects of our offering to God, let’s think about what God has freely given us.

A. It started “In the beginning” when “God created the Heavens and the Earth” (Gen 1:1)

1. God gave us the Earth with its air and water

2. God gave us the Sun and moon and all the stars

3. God gave us plants and animals

4. Everything comes from God – Job 12:9

B. Even man himself is from God

1. Created by God

2. Sustained by God

3. Acts 17:28

C. Greatest of all God gave His Son

1. John 3:16

2. Rom 8:32

3. By which he offers us eternal life for those that believe and obey – Rom 6:23 “gift of God”

III. Keeping these things in our mind, lets see what the Bible has to say about what we give materially to God

A. Giving is an important part of the teaching of the Bible

1. It is said that in the NT one verse out of every 5 deals with money”

2. Recall the words of the Lord, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

B. The Bible explains the manner in which we give back to God

1. Read

a) 1 Cor 16:1-2

b) 2 Cor 9:6-8

2. Regularly – “upon the first day of the week”

3. Personally – “let every one of you”

4. Proportionately – “as God has prospered him”

5. Preventively – “that there be no gathering…”

6. Voluntarily – “not grudgingly or of necessity”

a) What would you think about man who brought home a present for his wife,

b) And threw it at her saying, “I didn’t want to buy it, but I knew you expect it”

7. Purposefully – “as he purposeth in his heart”

a) God does not want the “leftovers” so plan and purpose your giving

b) There is a saying that “The Lord takes notice, not only of what we give, but of what we have left.”

8. Confidently – “God is able to make all grace abound toward you” (Matt 6:33)

9. Cheerfully – “for God loveth a cheerful giver”

C. The Bible also teaches us why we give of our means

1. First, it is commanded

a) Matt 5:42 –

b) Paul makes it very plain to the Christians in Corinth
1 Cor 16:1-2

2. We give as a means to receive the Grace of God

a) We reap what we sow – Gal 6:6-10

(1) 2 Cor 9:6

(2) Prov 22:9

b) Give and it shall be given unto you – Luke 6:38

(1) We can never out give the Lord.

(2) A man who was noted for his liberal giving was asked how he could afford to give so much. He replied, “When I was poor and did not have much to give, I started shoveling out and God started shoveling in and God used a bigger shovel than I did.” This has always been God’s promise to his people. No one can out give God.

(3) Note: this is not a way to gain wealth or fame. Remember God gives of his own will

3. It is a way to be happy

a) Jesus said “It is more blessed to give than to receive”

b) As quoted by Paul in Acts 20:35

c) Never discourage anyone from giving, it will rob them of their joy

d) Consider the widow and her two mites Mark 12:41-44

4. It is a means of laying up treasure in heaven

a) 1 Tim 6:17-19

b) Matt 6:19-20

IV. But not only does the Bible instruct us on the importance and proper way to give of our finances, it also teaches that we are to give of ourselves.

A. Read 2 Cor 8:1-7

1. Illustration/example of Christians giving all to the Lord

2. Paul spoke of their poverty

3. But they didn’t let that stop them

B. What are some ways we give our own selves

1. Give of ourselves when we devote time and effort to the study of God’s word

a) Read and meditate on the teachings

b) Share what we learn with others

c) Teach the lost about the Savior

2. Give ourselves by meeting the needs of others

a) These brethren provide assistance to needy saints in Jerusalem

b) Matt 25:34-40, did unto the least of these, did it unto me

3. Give ourselves by devoting our life to Christ

a) Spiritually, like young Samuel’s mother did physically
1 Samuel 1:26-28

(1) Living sacrifice – Rom 12:1,2

(2) Make God’s will ours – Gal 2:20 “Christ liveth in me”

b) This begins when we become a child of God

(1) Thru faith, repentance

(2) Confessing our faith and be baptized

V. Conclusion

A. Remember what God has done to make it possible for you to be here.

1. Take into account all that God has given

2. Offer your gift to God freely, showing your love and appreciation for all that he has done for you.

B. There are elements of worship that are restricted to the first day of the week.

1. However, we have seen that the Bible teaches that there is a type of giving that occurs each and every day of our lives.

2. And to worship God in our giving takes more than just dropping some money in a basket.

C. Leave you with a statement that I believe illustrates and sums up what I have tried to present in this lesson

1. “May God forbid that we should present our gifts and withhold ourselves.”

2. The Bible teaches that without giving ourselves no offering of any amount will be acceptable.