OceanSide church of Christ




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Giving
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

A.   Malachi asked God’s people, “Will a man rob God?” (3:8)

                                          i.    They had robbed God in their tithes and offerings

B.   We do not tithe today as they did, but we do give a freewill offering

                                          i.    The tithe was of the land and the flock as they offered sacrifices (Lev 27:30-32)

1.    It was given to the Levites because they had no inheritance (Deut 10:8-9)

2.    The offerings were eaten by Israel and strangers (Deut 14:28-29)

C.   Abraham gives a good example of freewill offering (Gen 14:18-24)

                                          i.    He gave Melchizedek as he had prospered from battle

1.    He gave “tithes of all”

                                        ii.    He gave him tithes with purpose of heart

1.    He had vowed to God that he would not take anything from Melchizedek

                                       iii.    He gave with pleasure in his heart

1.    He gave us his own free will and not of command

II.            Give as prospered (1 Cor 16:1-2)

A.   The word for “prospered” means to be blessed on the road of life

                                          i.    Prosperity is not just about jobs and paychecks

                                        ii.    Jacob said he would give back to God if he had food to eat and clothes on his back (Gen 28:20-22)

B.   We prosper daily with the necessities of life

                                          i.    We have many spiritual blessing as in Christ as well (Eph 1:3)

                                        ii.    Can we really say we haven’t prospered enough to give?

C.   If we give little we must remember we will receive little (2 Cor 9:6)

                                          i.    However, if we sow bountifully we will reap bountifully

                                        ii.    Remember, it’s not about the amount of the check, but the percentage of the giving in relation to how much one has

III.           Give as purposed (2 Cor 9:7)

A.   Purposing means to make it a priority

                                          i.    Solomon said to give God our firstfruits (Prov 3:9)

1.    We must decide ahead of time what we are going to give

2.    Choosing the amount as the plate is passed is not purposing

B.   Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile his body with the king’s food (Dan 1:8)

                                          i.    When it came time he stood his ground and ate godly meals

                                        ii.    God blessed him richly for his decision to not give in

C.   Purposing ahead of time might also be illustrated by Ruth

                                          i.    She was “steadfastly minded” to go with Naomi (1:17-18)

                                        ii.    She had decided ahead of time that she wasn’t leaving

IV.          Give as pleasured (2 Cor 9:7)

A.    Attitude is just as important as obedience (John 4:24)

                                          i.    Giving with a grudging heart is not acceptable (Ex 25:2)

                                        ii.    Giving to put on a show is not acceptable either (Matt 6:1-4)

B.   We must give with a heart that is grateful and wants to give

                                          i.    Paul reminds us to think on others and not be selfish (Phil 2:4)

                                        ii.    Our giving effects everyone in the congregation

V.           Conclusion (Mark 12:38-44)

A.   Many rich people cast lots of money into the treasury

B.   A widow cast in only two mites

                                          i.    Yet, she gave more than the rich because it was all she had

                                        ii.    She gave as prospered, with purpose, and with pleasure

1.    We must follow her example in our giving today

C.   Are you robbing God?