<< Previous | Index | Next >>"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE" The Discipline Of Giving INTRODUCTION 1. Summarizing what we have covered so far, "Disciplines For The Disciple" include: a. Prayer - especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer b. Meditation - contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue c. Fasting - a means of humbling one's self before God when joined with sincere prayer d. Singing - which edifies the singer as well as praises God e. Fellowship - communing with other Christians as we engage in spiritual activities 2. I also like to think of giving as a spiritual discipline... a. Not just in the sense of giving money to someone in need b. But in giving of one's time, energy, or abilities, especially where it involves sacrifice 3. Such giving is certainly demonstrated in the New Testament... a. By the example of the churches of Macedonia - 2Co 8:1-5 b. By the example of Christ Himself - 2Co 8:9 [To become more like Christ, which is the goal of spiritual discipline, we must exercise giving. To encourage us to give as we should, let's take a closer look at the example of the Macedonians...] I. GIVING PAR EXCELLENCE A. THEY GAVE SACRIFICIALLY... 1. The Macedonians were in the midst of great affliction - 2 Co 8:2 2. They were experiencing poverty themselves - 2Co 8:2 3. Yet they gave 'beyond their ability' - 2Co 8:3a 4. This they were not expected to do - cf. 2Co 8:12-13 -- The best giving comes from those who cannot afford it (cf. Lk 21:1-4) B. THEY GAVE JOYFULLY... 1. Somehow they had discovered the joy of giving - 2Co 8:2 2. Perhaps they took to heart the teaching of... a. The Lord relating to the blessedness of giving - Ac 20:35 b. James to the value of persecution - Jm 1:2-4 3. In any case, this is the kind of giving that God loves - 2 Co 9:7 -- The best giving comes from those who give cheerfully C. THEY GAVE VOLUNTARILY... 1. They were 'freely willing' - 2Co 8:3 2. This is the kind of giving God requires today... a. We can not command people to give against their will - cf. 2Co 8:8 b. We can only command how it is to be done to help needy saints abroad - cf. 1Co 16:1-4 3. Giving must come from 'a willing mind' - 2Co 8:12 4. Giving must never be done 'begrudgingly' or because you 'have to' - 2Co 9:7 5. Otherwise, you might as well not give at all -- The best giving comes from those who give freely D. THEY GAVE PERSISTENTLY... 1. As Paul says, 'imploring us with much urgency' - 2Co 8:4 2. They wouldn't take 'no' for an answer (or for an easy way out!) 3. With the Philippians, their giving to Paul persisted throughout his life - Php 4:10-18 -- The best giving comes from those who persist E. THEY GAVE THEMSELVES... 1. Perhaps this explains how they were able to give as they did! 2. They gave themselves 'first to the Lord' - 2Co 8:5 a. When a person does this, they do not worry about 'the cost of giving' b. For they have the promise of Jesus in Mt 6:25-34 3. Giving themselves first to the Lord, it is natural they would give 'then to us (others)' a. For such is a mark of true discipleship - cf. Jn 13:34-35 b. And it is a mark of true love for God - cf. 1Jn 4:20-21 -- The best giving comes from those who give themselves to God [Such are the principles of giving par excellence. To help motivate us to give more like the Macedonians, let's now consider some...] II. REASONS FOR GIVING A. GOD BLESSES THE GIVER... 1. It is more blessed to give than to receive - Ac 20:35 2. The Lord blesses those who give - Ps 41:1-3; Pr 19:17 3. The grace of God is at work in those who give - 2Co 8:1-2,6-7; 9:8,14 -- Giving blesses the giver more than the recipient! B. GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER... 1. As Paul reminded the Corinthians - 2Co 9:7 2. A cheerful giver therefore need not worry - Mt 6:30-33 3. For God watches over those whom He loves - cf. Lk 12:6-7 -- Giving cheerfully makes one a recipient of God's care and love! C. GOD PROVIDES SEED FOR THE SOWER... 1. Those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully - 2Co 9:6 2. Not for personal consumption - 2Co 9:8-9 a. But to have 'all sufficiency in all things' b. But to have 'an abundance for every good work' c. As confirmed by a quote from Psalms - cf. Ps 112:5-9 3. To multiply the seed for even more good - 2Co 9:10-11a a. To 'increase the fruits of your righteousness' b. To be 'enriched for all liberality' -- Giving liberally will be blessed to give even more liberally! D. GOD IS PRAISED BY GIVING... 1. Thanksgiving is offered by those whose needs are supplied - 2Co 9:11b-12 2. Glory is given to God for His grace in the lives of the givers - 2Co 9:13-15 -- Giving liberally will lead to God being praised liberally! E. BROTHERLY LOVE IS INCREASED BY GIVING... 1. By brethren who witness God's grace in the givers - 2Co 9:14 2. Causing them to love and long for their brethren - e.g., Php 1: 3-8 -- Giving liberally will strengthen the bonds of brotherly love! [We certainly have good reasons to give, and examples like the Macedonians inspiring us to give. Finally, some quick thoughts on...] III. THE EXERCISE OF GIVING A. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO GIVE... 1. Giving is not limited to money 2. God may empower us to give in other ways - 1Pe 4:10-11 a. Our talents to teach or serve b. Our time can be a great gift 3. Whatever our abilities and opportunities... a. We are stewards of the manifold grace of God b. We should minister our gifts to one another c. We should do so with the ability God supplies -- However you give, let it truly reflect God's grace in you! B. PLANNED GIVING LEADS TO CHEERFUL GIVING... 1. Purposeful giving is the key to giving cheerfully - cf. 2 Co 9:7 2. One is less likely to give 'grudgingly or of necessity' a. Because they have already set aside what they want to give b They are not caught off guard when someone asks them to give 3. This is how Paul instructed the Corinthians in their giving a. To lay by in store on the first day of the week - cf. 1Co 16:1-4 b. To prepare their gift beforehand, so the resources were ready - cf. 2Co 9:5 4. An early Christian apologist, Aristides, wrote of how even slaves were able to give cheerfully through purposeful planning: "And if there is any that is a slave or a poor man, they fast two or three days and what they were going to set before themselves they send to them (Christians in prison), considering themselves to give good cheer even as they were called to give good cheer." - Apology 15 -- So plan your giving if you wish to give cheerfully! C. SUGGESTIONS FOR GIVING... 1. Plan your giving to help the needy a. We saw where Paul instructed planned giving to produce cheerful giving b. As you prosper, set so much aside for 'individual benevolence' c. Start a separate account into which you put aside a certain amount each pay period d. Or send that amount to some charitable organization 2. Plan the use of your talents and time a. Don't wait till someone asks you for help on the spur of the moment b. Look at your schedule, and budget your time to offer your abilities (e.g., teaching) 3. Give to be seen of God, not man - Mt 6:1-4 a. Like prayer and fasting, giving should be done to please God, not man b. Through planned, frequent giving, it soon becomes second nature to which we give little thought -- It is much easier and more blessed to give when you plan to give! CONCLUSION 1. Remember that the purpose of any spiritual discipline is to... a. Help us grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ b. Become more like Christ as we grow in godliness 2. The discipline of giving certainly helps to fulfill such a goal... a. For God gave His only begotten Son - Jn 3:16 b. And Jesus gave Himself - Mt 20:28 Likewise the Macedonians gave themselves to the Lord first, and then to others (2Co 8:5). As we exercise ourselves to godliness through prayer, meditation, fasting, singing, and fellowship, may we also be sure to add the grace of giving...<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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