Cheerful Giving: Integrity and Generosity in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Unity and Generosity as a Reflection of God's Love

In the early days of the New Testament Church, believers were united in heart and soul, sharing all they had with one another. This spirit of generosity was exemplified by Barnabas, who sold his land and gave all the proceeds to the apostles for the community's needs. This unity and selflessness serve as a model for us today, reminding us that our resources are not solely ours but are meant to bless others. The early Christians understood that their possessions were tools for God's work, and their actions reflected a deep commitment to living out the love of Christ in tangible ways. [00:12]

Acts 4:32-33 (ESV): "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all."

Reflection: Consider your own resources and how you can use them to bless others in your community. What is one specific way you can practice generosity this week?

Day 2: The Consequences of Deception in Our Spiritual Lives

The story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a stark warning about the dangers of deceit, especially in matters of giving. Their decision to withhold part of the proceeds from their land sale and lie about it was not just a deception against the apostles but against God Himself. This narrative highlights the importance of integrity and honesty in our financial dealings and in our relationship with God. The immediate consequences faced by Ananias and Sapphira instilled a profound fear of God among the early Christians, reminding us that our actions have spiritual significance. [01:27]

Proverbs 11:3 (ESV): "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were tempted to be less than honest in your dealings. How can you commit to integrity in your financial and personal life today?

Day 3: The Joy of Cheerful Giving

God delights in those who give joyfully, without reluctance or deceit. The act of giving is not merely a financial transaction but a reflection of our gratitude and acknowledgment of God's blessings. When we give cheerfully, we open ourselves to the blessings that God promises to those who honor Him with their resources. This joyful giving is an act of worship, a way to express our love and gratitude to God for all He has done for us. It is a reminder that our attitude in giving reflects our relationship with Him. [04:34]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Think about your attitude towards giving. How can you cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude in your giving this week?

Day 4: Understanding the True Purpose of Tithing

Misunderstandings about tithing abound, such as the belief that it is an outdated Old Testament practice or that all tithes must go to the local church. However, the essence of tithing is about supporting the broader work of God's kingdom, wherever that may be. The New Testament emphasizes the spirit behind tithing, encouraging believers to give generously and willingly. Tithing is not limited to the local church but extends to supporting various ministries and missions that advance God's kingdom. [10:23]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

Reflection: Consider how you view tithing and giving. How can you align your giving with the broader work of God's kingdom?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Provision

The belief that we cannot afford to tithe is a matter of misplaced priorities. God has blessed us abundantly, and our giving should reflect our trust in His provision and our commitment to His kingdom. When we prioritize God's kingdom in our finances, we demonstrate our faith in His ability to provide for our needs. This trust in God's provision is a testament to our faith and a way to honor Him with our resources. [16:27]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: Reflect on your financial priorities. How can you demonstrate trust in God's provision through your giving today?

Sermon Summary

In the early days of the New Testament Church, believers were united in heart and soul, sharing all they had with one another. This spirit of generosity was exemplified by Barnabas, who sold his land and gave all the proceeds to the apostles for the community's needs. In stark contrast, Ananias and Sapphira conspired to deceive the apostles by withholding part of the proceeds from their land sale, lying not just to the community but to the Holy Spirit. Their actions resulted in their immediate deaths, instilling a profound fear of God among the early Christians. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and honesty in our giving.

The concept of cheerful giving is central to our relationship with God. God delights in those who give joyfully, without reluctance or deceit. The act of giving is not merely a financial transaction but a reflection of our gratitude and acknowledgment of God's blessings. The New Testament does not abolish the principle of tithing; rather, it emphasizes the spirit behind it. The tithe is a starting point, a baseline for our giving, and not the pinnacle of our generosity.

Misunderstandings about tithing abound, such as the belief that it is an outdated Old Testament practice or that all tithes must go to the local church. However, the essence of tithing is about supporting the broader work of God's kingdom, wherever that may be. The notion that one cannot afford to tithe is a misunderstanding of priorities. God has blessed us abundantly, and our giving should reflect our trust in His provision.

Ultimately, the call is to examine our hearts and align our giving with the joy and gratitude that God desires. When we give cheerfully, we open ourselves to the blessings that God promises to those who honor Him with their resources.

Key Takeaways

1. Unity and Generosity in the Early Church: The early Christians exemplified unity and generosity, sharing their possessions freely. This spirit of community and selflessness is a model for us today, reminding us that our resources are not solely ours but are meant to bless others. [00:12]
2. The Danger of Deception: Ananias and Sapphira's story warns us of the grave consequences of deceit, especially in matters of giving. Their actions were not just a lie to the apostles but to God Himself, highlighting the importance of integrity in our financial dealings. [01:27]
3. Cheerful Giving: God loves a cheerful giver, and our attitude in giving reflects our relationship with Him. Giving should be a joyful act of worship, not a burdensome obligation, and it should come from a heart of gratitude for God's blessings. [04:34]
4. Misconceptions About Tithing: Tithing is not an outdated practice but a principle that reflects our commitment to God's work. It is not limited to the local church but extends to supporting various ministries and missions that advance God's kingdom. [10:23]
5. Prioritizing God's Kingdom: The belief that we cannot afford to tithe is a matter of misplaced priorities. God has blessed us abundantly, and our giving should reflect our trust in His provision and our commitment to His kingdom. [16:27]
** [16:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Unity and Generosity in the Early Church
[00:49] - Barnabas: The Son of Encouragement
[01:11] - Ananias and Sapphira's Deception
[02:03] - Consequences of Lying to the Holy Spirit
[02:55] - Prayer and Reflection
[03:32] - The Joy of Cheerful Giving
[05:12] - Voluntary Spirit of Giving
[06:23] - The Contrast Between Barnabas and Ananias
[07:20] - The Reality of Tithing Today
[09:10] - Common Myths About Tithing
[10:23] - Tithing in the New Testament
[11:25] - The Justice of the Tithe
[12:42] - Misunderstandings About Generosity
[14:39] - The Storehouse Myth
[16:11] - The Affordability of Tithing
[17:43] - The Blessings of Cheerful Giving

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What actions did Barnabas take that exemplified the spirit of generosity in the early church? [00:49]
How did Ananias and Sapphira's actions differ from those of Barnabas, and what were the consequences? [01:11]
According to the sermon, what is God's attitude towards a cheerful giver? [04:34]
What are some common misconceptions about tithing mentioned in the sermon? [09:10]

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira illustrate the importance of integrity in our financial dealings with God? [01:27]
In what ways does the New Testament emphasize the spirit behind tithing rather than the act itself? [10:23]
How might the principle of cheerful giving transform one's relationship with God and the community? [04:34]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our financial priorities and our trust in God's provision? [16:27]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current approach to giving. Do you give cheerfully, or do you find it burdensome? What changes can you make to align your giving with a spirit of joy and gratitude? [04:34]
Consider the resources you have. How can you use them to foster unity and generosity within your community, similar to the early church? [00:12]
Have you ever withheld something from God, like Ananias and Sapphira? How can you ensure honesty and integrity in your future dealings? [01:27]
What misconceptions about tithing have you encountered, and how can you address them in your own life and conversations with others? [09:10]
Identify one area in your life where you feel you cannot afford to give. How can you re-evaluate your priorities to reflect trust in God's provision? [16:27]
Think of a time when you experienced the blessings of giving. How can this memory encourage you to continue or increase your generosity? [20:01]
How can you support the broader work of God's kingdom beyond your local church, and what steps will you take to do so? [14:39]

Sermon Clips

"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul and neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own but they had all things in common and with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all." [00:00:00]

"Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself while it remained was it not your own after it was sold was it not in your own control why have you conceived this thing in your heart you have not lied to men but to God." [00:01:23]

"Peter said to her how is it that you have agreed together to test the spirit of the Lord look the feet of those who have buried your husband her at the door and they will carry you out and then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last and the young men came in and found her dead." [00:02:22]

"God towards those people whom he has redeemed when they bring their tithes and their offerings to him not grudgingly not dragging their feet not murmuring and groaning and complaining about the burden of God's taxation upon them but they come with a sense of Joy they bring their gift to the altar with pleasure." [00:03:59]

"Barnabas who goes out and sells his property and he takes every last penny of the proceeds from that property far more than God requires and out of a spirit of generosity and encouragement comes and lays that gift at the feet of the Apostles and he's named the son of encouragement." [00:05:49]

"The last poll I saw said that those who claim to be born again of that number only 4% tithe of their income to God and as we saw when we looked at the text in Malachi a year or so ago that God says when people withhold from him the full tithe that they are robbing him that they're stealing from him." [00:07:30]

"The greatest barrier we have in spreading the gospel across the world and through missionary activities is the lack of finances it's that simple and it's because there are so few Christians who are cheerful in bringing their tithe into the storehouse now this whole business of stewardship and tithing and giving and so on is fraught with a host of misunderstandings." [00:08:48]

"The first myth is that tithing was strictly an old Old Testament Practice that is abandoned in the New Testament and is no longer binding on the believing Christian of the New Covenant now it's true that there is no explicit commandment in the New Testament that requires the tithe as was set down by the law of God to the people of Israel." [00:09:48]

"God knows how much he's prospered me he knows how much he's prospered you he knows the Widow with her might and the same requirement is given to all of us and that requirement has never ever been removed and if anything the New Testament labors the point that the benefits that we receive from the hand of God in the New Covenant are far greater." [00:12:03]

"I hear this all the time from ministers that all of your tithe has to go to your local church and can't be supporting seminaries and Christian colleges or Evangelistic programs or particular missions and so on it all has to go to the local church because the local church is the storehouse have you heard that in the Old Testament all the gifts were brought into the storehouse." [00:14:37]

"I can't afford to tithe and I want to say that person please don't stand before almighty God who has given you from his Bounty so much and tell your lord who has spared nothing withheld nothing from you that you can't afford to tithe particularly if we would look in this congregation today and find the poorest person in this congregation." [00:16:22]

"I don't like to talk about this because the last thing I want anybody to do is give a penny to the work of God and to the work of Christ grudgingly because what God loves is the cheerful Giver what God loves is the person who Says Wooo I didn't really realize that this weight of responsibility was on me." [00:17:32]

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