1. Pre - servants – Dec 4, 2009

2. Christianity and giving going hand in hand. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving form a rope of 3 strands that is very strong. You cannot love without giving Almsgiving

3. Stated a long time ago when Melchizadek gave a tenth (Gen 14: 19-20) Deut 14: 22-23 “ … you shall tithe …” Mal 3:10 “ … bring all the tithes to the storehouses that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this” Mal 3:8-9 “ … in what way have we robbed you? In tithes and offering. Tithes

4. Tithing is lower limit of giving. We live in the era of the NT, where the commandments are one step higher. Such as: Adultery: Looking at someone with lustful thoughts. Murder: Getting angry is considered murder. Tithes

5. Excuses 1) Too many expenses a. Need faith as widow in time of Elijah and put God first. 2) Save for the future 3) Don’t want to or give very little

6. Trusting in riches Money: idol that people worship. Lk: 16:13 “ You cannot serve God and mammon” Mk 10: 17-25 (story of rich man) 1 Tim 10: “ … money is the root of all evil” Lk 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

7. To Whom shall we give? “Give to everyone who asks of you” Lk 6:30

8. Mark 12:41-44 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood

9. Mark 12:41-44 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood

10. How do we give?  As a pay back o : Not doing God a favour, we give Him a portion of what He gives us.  Spirit of Love: o 1 Cor 13:3 “ and though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, … but have not love, it profits me nothing”  Willingly: o 2 Cor 9:7, not grudgingly, o 2 Cor 8:3, but willingly  Self Denial: o Mt. 6:1-4, don’t have to hide it from others, but don’t go out of your way to show them how much that you give.

11. How do we give?  Generously: o 2 Cor 9:6 “ He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Joyfully: o 2 Cor 9:7 “ so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity for God loves a cheerful giver”  From honest earning

12. Greatness of this virtue Prov 19:17 “He who has pity on the poor, lends to the Lord” St. John Chrysostom said if God borrows from us, He owes you. Do you want to be a debtor or a creditor? Prov 3:9 “Honour the Lord with your possessions” Lk 6:38 “ Give and it will be given to you, good measured pressed down…” Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive” Another example is Elijah and the widow.

13. Other Means of Giving Everything we said about money we can extend God’s other gifts He gave us:  Time  Talent  Effort  Possessions