2. GIVE LARGE. LIVE LARGE.

3. DISCLAIMER:

5. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to

6. seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.”

7. This is a proverb that encourages us to have an openhanded generosity-to give freely and generously to those in need.

8. To GIVE LARGE refers to generous giving of your material possessions, of your time, of your heart, of your thoughts, etc.

9. Verse 2 means that we are to give to as many people as we can and then give a little more.

10. We are to make GIVING LARGE a way of life.

11. Four suggestions for giving this way:

12. 1) Since our lives have been filled by the Spirit of God with grace, then we are to let our grace spill out on others who may or may not deserve it.

13. Luke 6:31-36 “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ‘If you love those who love you, what benefit is

14. that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what

15. benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that

16. to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in

17. return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

18. expecting nothing in return Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

19. 2) Bloom where you are planted.

20. 3) Don’t wait until you have more.

21. “This woman put in more than all the others who have given.” Luke 21:3.

22. 4) Don’t wait until you understand how God is going to use your gifts.

23. There are three levels of giving.

24. 1) Non-givers.

25. 2) Duty givers.

26. 3) Grace Givers.

27. Giving Large is no longer what you do. It is who you are!

28. “Lord, what do you want to give through me?”

29. LIVE LARGE

30. Psalm 126:5-6 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for

31. sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

32. 1. This is a spiritual principle: be a blessing and you will be blessed.

33. Proverbs 11:24-25 “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only

34. suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

35. 2. This is a spiritual principle: the more blessings you give to others the more you will be blessed on earth.

36. 2 Corinthians 9:6 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

37. 3. This is a spiritual principle: The more blessings you give to others the more blessings you will store in Heaven for yourself.

38. In the end it is not important how long you have lived, but how well you have lived.

39. Get ready: After this sermon today God is going to call on you to GIVE LARGE.