Victorious Christian Giving 1 Corinthians 16 1 Corinthians

“Victorious Christian Giving” 1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16: 1 -3 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;

It’s A Stewardship u 100% Psalm 24: 1691“The 460 earth is the Lord's, and 90% all it contains, The world, and those who 80% South Asia 70% US dwell in it. ” 60% 1500 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 43 560 85 8 164 ¹ Population in millions. ² Gross National Income per capita. ³ Energy use (kg of oil / capita)d * Mortality rates under-5 per 1, 000 M or ta lit y* gy ³ N I² 7 En er Po pu la t io n¹ 300 G n Source: WHO, 2007 - http: //devdata. worldbank. org/query/

It’s a Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n 16: 1 -2 Now about the collection for God's “Most people don’t realize how the rest of people: Do what I told 2. 5% the Galatian Christians give in the US Prov. 29: 7 The righteous is concerned for thechurches world isto absolutely staggered by our do: the • wealth; rights of theespecially poor, Aug and our 21 -23 attitudes that Chuck Swindol, The On wicked the first does day not ofunderstand every it. week, such each one of we’re just ‘barely making’ We really A Case for Joyful Generosity concern. you should aside a sum of money believe that wesetjust ‘need a little more’. in -George Operation Mobilization keeping with his. Verwer, income…

% Disposable Income Spent on Food Source: Ron Sider, “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger”

It’s A Stewardship. n It is Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n 2 Cor. 8: 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

It’s A Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. n 2 Cor. 9: 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for 1 Cor. 16: 2 …let each one of you put God loves a cheerful giver. aside and save, as he may prosper…

It’s A Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. Exodus 35: 20 f Exodus 35: 5 Take a sacred offering for the All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits They went tothose Moses and reported, “The people havewere Lord. Let with generous hearts moved and brought offerings given more than enough materials tosacred complete the to present thecame following giftstheir to the Lord: the Lord…Both men and us women came, all whose job the has commanded to do!” gold, silver, and bronze… So the whole hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their Exodus 36: 5 community ofgold—brooches, Israel left Moses and rings from offerings of earrings, returned to theirand tents. their fingers, necklaces… n

It’s A Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. n Resentful Thankful Hoard Give

It’s A Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. Depression n One [reason] is an increasing individualism, a rampant individualism, in which we tend to regard ourselves like children regard themselves as I’m all there is, and depression is, I believe, a disorder of individual failure, an individual helplessness, and if you think you’re all there is, you’re set up for it. Martin Seligman Forum on Depression 8/16/2002 • WWI generation: 1% • Boomers: 5% • Gen. X. . : 15%

It’s A Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. n United States of America is the richest and most powerful country in the world with half the world’s billionaires. True ____? The US_______ has the False highest rate of significant mental illness (Forbes March 27, 2006, U. S. Dept. Education Web site) among all countries studied, using a comparable method. -True _______ False ____? (see WHO Survey, JAMA 291(21): 2581 -2590, June 2, 2004)

It’s A Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. 1 John 3: 18 “Little children, let us not love n An Act of Love. with word or with tongue, 2 Cor. 8: 8 I ambut notincommanding you, deed and truth. ” but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. n

It’s A Stewardship. n It is biblically Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. Demanders n An Act of Love. Unloving Unhappy Selfish n Hoarders Never Enough!

It’s A Stewardship. n It is Normative to Give. n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving n Done Cheerfully. n An Act of Love. n Deliberate, Consistent. n 1 Cor. 16: 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income

n It’s A And Stewardship. 2 Mt. 12: 41 Cor. 8: 1 -3 brothers, we want to and And Henow, sat down opposite the you treasury, know about the grace God haswere given the small n It is. ANormative to Give. Mt. 12: 41 ff poor widow came and put inputting two began observing howthat the people money Macedonian churches. [2] Out of people the most severe copper coins, which amount to a cent. into the treasury; and many rich were n God’s Grace is the Basis for Givingputting trial, their overflowing joy and theirtoextreme poverty. I Calling Hissums. disciples to Him, He said them, “Truly in large Done. put upthis in Cheerfully rich generosity. [3]in. For I testify they saywelled tonyou, poor widow more thanthat all the gave were able, and even beyond n as Anmuch Act ofthey Love. contributors to as the treasury; ability. Entirely on their own, but she, out of her fortheir they all put in out of their surplus, n Deliberate, Consistent. poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on. ” n All Are Able.

n 2 It’s Stewardship. Cor. A 9: 6 -8 n It is Normative to Give. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also sparingly; he who sows nreap God’s Graceand is the Basis forbountifully Giving shall also reap bountifully… "In everything I showed you that by working hard in And God isofmust able to make all grace to you, that n An Act Love. this"For manner you help andabound remember whoever wishes to the saveweak his life shall lose it, always having all. Jesus, sufficiency in Himself everything, you may the words of the Lord that He said, 'It but nwhoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one Deliberate, Consistent. have an abundance for every good deed iswho more blessed to give than to receive. ' " will save it. ” All Are Able. Actsn 20: 35 n 9: 24 Done Cheerfully. Luke n An Area of Sanctification.

An Area of Sanctification 1 Tim. 6: 17 -19 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Join the Missions Prayer Breakfast! n How can God use your spare change?

Principles of Giving It’s A Stewardship. (Ps. 24: 1) n It is Normative to Give. (1 Co. 9; 2 Co. 8 -9) n God’s Grace is the Basis for Giving (2 Cor. 8: 9) n Done Cheerfully. (2 Cor. 9: 7) n An Act of Love. (2 Cor. 8: 8 b) n Deliberate, Consistent. (1 Cor. 16: 2; 9: 5, 7) n All Are Able. (2 Cor. 8: 1 -3) n An Area of Sanctification. (Lk. 9: 24; 2 Cor. 9: 6 -8; 1 Tim. 6: 17 -19) n