1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Principles of Godly Giving Review
My interest is your heart, not your wallet
God is autonomous & self-sufficient. He does not need your money – or you.
You are a steward of what God has entrusted to you.
God wants you to be pre-occupied with Him, not material things (Mt. 6:33)

3. Principles of Godly Giving Review
Worldly success is defined in terms of materialism, fame, pleasure, or power
Success for the Christian is defined in terms of loving God, becoming like Christ and serving God and other people.

4. Principles of Godly Giving 2 Corinthians 8 & 9
The Generosity of the Macedonians (8:1-5)
1. Giving is for all people, rich or poor
Reasons for Giving (8:6-15)
Not commanded to give – vs. 8
* It follows the example of Jesus – vs. 9
* It fulfills the principle of equality – vs. 13f
2. Giving is for real needs, not greed

5. Principles of Godly Giving 2 Corinthians 8 & 9
Titus is commended to them (8:16-24)
3. Those we entrust with what we give must be proven trustworthy
Their previous desire to give (9:1-5)
They wanted to be a blessing – vs. 5

6. Principles of Godly Giving 2 Corinthians 9:6
The principle of sowing and reaping (9:6)
The size of the harvest is directly related to the amount of seed that is planted
This principle perverted & abused by many
The harvest is not material (vs. 8-14)
You do not violate one principle of scripture in order to fulfill another – God does not entice us with greed & lust for wealth

7. Principles of Godly Giving 2 Corinthians 9:7
The attitude of godly giving (9:7)
God wants us to give freely & happily from the heart
Our giving is not to be done grudgingly or under compulsion (it is not a tax).
Our giving is to be done “hilariously”

8. Principles of Godly Giving 2 Corinthians 9:7
Christians are to give as we purpose in our hearts
Godly examples range from 10% (Abraham – Genesis 14) to everything (the Widow – Mark 12)
If you can’t give joyfully with thanksgiving – DON’T GIVE – get your heart right with God first.

9. Principles of Godly Giving The Rewards: 2 Corinthians 9:8-14
Vs – God will enable you to “have an abundance for every good deed”
Vs – You cause others to give thanksgiving to God
Vs. 13 – You cause others to glorify God
Vs. 14 – You stimulate others to pray
Vs. 15 – Paul’s praise of God

10. Principles of Godly Giving Conclusions
Give regardless of personal economic condition
Give to meet need – not greed
The agent handling the distribution of the gift must be proven trustworthy

11. Principles of Godly Giving Conclusions
4) You must sow bountifully to order to reap bountifully
5) You are to give what you want freely (not grudgingly or of necessity) and joyfully

12. Principles of Godly Giving Conclusions
The harvest reaped includes:
A) An abundance for good deeds
B) A source of thanksgiving to God
C) Causing others to glorify God
D) Stimulating others to pray

13. Giving is simply a reflection of your heart
Do you love God or the things of this world?
Are you seeking God’s kingdom or your own?
Have you learned to trust God for your future?
Are you sensitive & obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit?
You will never handle anything less significant than money – nor more revealing of your heart

14. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ