1. November 9th

2. “The Importance of Helping the Needy”

3. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1: NIV

4. The Kind of Religion that God Accepts
To look after orphans and widows in their distress
Orphans and widows are some of the most vulnerable people in the world – James 1:27
God wants US to “look after” them

5. The Kind of Religion that God Accepts
To keep oneself from being polluted by the world
“Polluted” by the uncaring selfishness of the world – 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:1-4
Be transformed into a loving, caring, unselfish servant of God! – Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:19-26; 6:7-10

6. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 NIV

7. The Kind of Worship that Pleases God
Offer your bodies as living sacrifices
Allow God to use YOUR life to do HIS will – Romans 12:1; Galatians 2:20
Use whatever gift you have received to serve others – 1 Peter 4:10

8. The Kind of Worship that Pleases God
Do not forget to do good and to share with others
This is what being a Christian is all about! – Matthew 5:13-16; Timothy 6:18-19
When we help others, God is pleased! – Hebrews 13:16;

9. “Give, and it will be given to you
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6: NIV
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV

10. The Kind of Giving that God Rewards
Generous giving
With the same measure you use – Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6
God wants us to be generous givers – Malachi 1:6-14; 3:8-12

11. The Kind of Giving that God Rewards
Cheerful giving
Not grudgingly or under compulsion – 2 Corinthians 9:7-15
Do it gladly, out of love for God and others! – Matthew 22:36-40; John 5:1-5

12. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Corinthians 9:8 NIV
“Now He who supplies the seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV