1. God Commands Our Giving Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, "How have we robbed you?" In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:8-10 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:6 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:13

2. God Rewards Our Giving Blessed is the one who considers the poor. In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. Psalm 41:1-2 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Proverbs 11:24 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

3. God Rewards Our Giving Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:37 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 6:9-7

4. We Will Give Cheerfully When… We are freed from our own greed and lusts. We trust God, and not our money, to take care of our needs and wants. We trust God to reward us as He has promised. We get a taste of the joy (i.e. fun!) that comes from giving. We remember that our greatest, everlasting wealth is yet to come. Godliness that overcomes the craving for material wealth produces great spiritual wealth John Piper, Desiring God

5. Christians and Money What you do with [money] – or desire to do with it – can make or break your happiness forever. What you feel about money can destroy you… or what you do with your money can secure the foundation of eternal life. John Piper, Desiring God