Embracing the Joy of Generous Giving
Summary
In our journey through the five essential practices of the Christian life, today we focus on the principle of giving. Giving is not merely about financial contributions; it is about offering our whole selves to God in response to His abundant generosity towards us. We give not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. This act of giving is a reflection of our trust in God's provision and our desire to participate in His work on earth.
The Israelites in Exodus exemplified this by giving willingly and joyfully for the construction of the tabernacle, acknowledging that all they had was from God. Similarly, in the New Testament, Paul encourages us to give what we have decided in our hearts, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. This cheerful giving is an expression of God's love and generosity, and it draws us closer to Him, strengthening our faith and deepening our relationship with Him.
C.S. Lewis once said that the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare, emphasizing that giving is not about the amount but about the love and willingness behind it. When we give, we align ourselves with God's heart, becoming more like Christ, who gave His all for us. This act of giving helps us keep our focus on God rather than on worldly possessions, reminding us that everything belongs to Him.
Giving is an act of faith that brings us joy and satisfaction, knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of others. It fulfills our purpose on earth, allowing us to make a positive impact on the world around us. As we give, we are blessed with spiritual and emotional rewards that far outweigh any material gain. Let us strive to be a giving people, reflecting God's heart and love in all that we do.
Key Takeaways:
- Giving is a holistic act of offering ourselves to God, not just financially but with our time and talents, as a response to His generosity. It is about the attitude and spirit behind our giving, recognizing that everything we have is from God. [02:33]
- The Israelites' joyful and willing contributions for the tabernacle's construction teach us that giving is a way to acknowledge God's gifts and return a portion to Him. This act of giving is a responsibility and an honor, contributing to God's mission on earth. [05:48]
- Giving aligns us with God's heart, making us more like Christ, who gave His all for us. It shapes our character, helping us live in trust and deepen our connection with God. [11:00]
- C.S. Lewis's insight that we should give more than we can spare highlights that giving is about love and willingness, not the amount. It is a principle rooted in God's word, bringing blessings to both the giver and the receiver. [15:30]
- Giving is an act of faith, expressing our trust in God's provision. It brings us joy and satisfaction, knowing we are making a difference, and fulfills our purpose on earth by impacting the world positively. [18:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:51] - Introduction to Giving
- [01:28] - The Principle of Giving
- [02:33] - Giving of Ourselves
- [05:48] - The Israelites' Example
- [06:48] - Responsibility and Honor in Giving
- [08:08] - Trusting God's Provision
- [09:26] - Gratitude and Generosity
- [11:00] - Becoming Like Christ
- [13:46] - The Essence of Giving
- [15:30] - Blessings of Giving
- [16:27] - Spiritual and Emotional Rewards
- [17:55] - Trust and Faith in Giving
- [18:58] - Purpose and Impact
- [20:47] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Principle of Giving
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 35:21-22 - "And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord."
2. 2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
3. Acts 20:35 - "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Observation Questions:
1. How did the Israelites demonstrate their willingness to give in Exodus 35:21-22? What was their motivation? [05:48]
2. According to 2 Corinthians 9:7, what attitude should accompany our giving? Why is this important? [11:00]
3. In Acts 20:35, what does Jesus say about giving and receiving? How does this align with the sermon’s message on giving? [15:30]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to give "more than we can spare," as C.S. Lewis suggests, and how does this reflect our trust in God? [15:30]
2. How does cheerful giving, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:7, deepen our relationship with God and align us with His heart? [11:00]
3. In what ways does giving help us to become more like Christ, according to the sermon? [13:46]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you gave willingly and joyfully. How did it impact your relationship with God and others? [05:48]
2. What are some practical ways you can offer your time and talents to God this week, beyond financial contributions? [02:33]
3. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and generosity in your daily life, as encouraged in the sermon? [09:26]
4. Identify an area in your life where you can trust God more with your resources. What steps can you take to act on this trust? [17:55]
5. How can you involve your family or community in acts of giving that reflect God’s love and generosity? [18:58]
6. Consider the blessings you have received from giving in the past. How can these experiences motivate you to continue giving? [16:27]
7. What specific needs in your community can you address through giving, and how can you encourage others to join you in this mission? [23:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Offering Ourselves Fully to God
Giving is a holistic act of offering ourselves to God, not just financially but with our time and talents, as a response to His generosity. It is about the attitude and spirit behind our giving, recognizing that everything we have is from God. When we give, we are not merely fulfilling a duty but expressing our gratitude and love for the abundance He has provided. This act of giving is a reflection of our trust in God's provision and our desire to participate in His work on earth. By offering ourselves fully, we align our lives with His purpose and become active participants in His mission. [02:33]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you offer your time and talents to God this week, beyond financial giving?
Day 2: Joyful Acknowledgment of God's Gifts
The Israelites' joyful and willing contributions for the tabernacle's construction teach us that giving is a way to acknowledge God's gifts and return a portion to Him. This act of giving is a responsibility and an honor, contributing to God's mission on earth. When we give joyfully, we recognize that all we have is from God, and we willingly participate in His work. This acknowledgment of His gifts fosters a deeper sense of gratitude and strengthens our relationship with Him. By giving back, we honor God and demonstrate our commitment to His purposes. [05:48]
"Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly." (1 Chronicles 29:9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a joyful heart in your giving, acknowledging God's gifts in your life?
Day 3: Aligning with God's Heart
Giving aligns us with God's heart, making us more like Christ, who gave His all for us. It shapes our character, helping us live in trust and deepen our connection with God. When we give, we reflect God's love and generosity, becoming more like Christ in our actions and attitudes. This alignment with His heart transforms us, allowing us to live out our faith in tangible ways. As we give, we grow in trust and deepen our relationship with God, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. [11:00]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you align your heart with God's through acts of giving this week?
Day 4: Giving Beyond Our Comfort
C.S. Lewis's insight that we should give more than we can spare highlights that giving is about love and willingness, not the amount. It is a principle rooted in God's word, bringing blessings to both the giver and the receiver. When we give beyond our comfort, we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and our willingness to sacrifice for His purposes. This act of giving challenges us to step out in faith, knowing that God will provide for our needs. As we give generously, we experience the blessings of His provision and the joy of impacting others. [15:30]
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." (Proverbs 11:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you can give more than you can spare, trusting in God's provision?
Day 5: Faithful Impact on the World
Giving is an act of faith, expressing our trust in God's provision. It brings us joy and satisfaction, knowing we are making a difference, and fulfills our purpose on earth by impacting the world positively. When we give, we participate in God's work, contributing to the transformation of lives and communities. This act of faith not only blesses others but also enriches our own spiritual journey, drawing us closer to God. As we give, we fulfill our purpose and experience the joy of making a meaningful impact in the world. [18:58]
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your resources to make a positive impact in your community this week?
Quotes
1. "As Dan said, we're continuing our journey through the walk, five essential practices of the Christian life. We've already covered worship, prayer, study. Worship and prayer, study and serving. So today we're going to be looking at giving. So it was a test at the end of the service. We'll be passing the baskets round again just to see if you've been listening. No, we wouldn't do that to you." ([00:00:31] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "But don't worry, I'm not trying to get you to dig deep in your pockets today. The principle of giving is about giving of our whole selves to God as a response to all that he has given us. And we'll never be able to out-give God. We give because we love him, not because we have to. One man said, God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving." ([00:02:02] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "Mae 'n ymwneud â 'r ymddygiad, y dymuniad a 'r ysbryd y tu ôl ein rhoi. Mae 'n ymwneud â 'r cyflwyniad o 'n haethau pan rydyn ni 'n rhoi. Yn y pasig o 'r Exodus, rydyn ni 'n gweld bod y Isrealwyr wedi rhoi 'n dymunol ac yn dymunol i 'r gwaith yr arglwydd. Nid ydyn nhw wedi rhoi oherwydd roedden nhw 'n symud eu haethau. Roedden nhw 'n rhoi oherwydd roedden nhw eisiau cyfrannu i 'r gwaith yr arglwydd." ([00:05:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Rydyn ni 'n dangos ein bod ni 'n gwerthu God mwy na 'n bwysau a 'n bod ni 'n gofyn am bobl. Mae 'n ffordd o ddweud Rydw i 'n hoffi chi, Llywodraeth, mwy na 'r hyn hyn. Mae 'n ffordd o ddweud Rydw i 'n gofyn am fy nheulu mwy na fy nghyffordd fy hun. Mae 'n ymwneud â ni, ydy 'n ymwneud â 'r geiriau o Jesus Cofiwch God yn gyntaf a 'ch nheulu a 'ch hun." ([00:09:30] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "Rydych chi 'n gwybod, pan rydyn ni 'n rhoi, rydyn ni 'n dod yn fwy fel Christ, sydd wedi rhoi ei hun i ni. Rydyn ni 'n dod yn fwy genereus, yn fwy cymhwysol, yn fwy gofyn, yn fwy cymhwysol, byddwn ni 'n dod yn fwy cymhwysol o 'r neidiau eraill ac yn fwy cymhwysol i gyflawni 'r neidiau hynny. Mae rhoi yn ysgrifennu ein character, yn ein llwyddoedd i mewn i 'r imej o Christ." ([00:10:12] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Nid yw 'n bwysig ar y rhif neu 'r effaith y g Recovery, ond yn hytrach ar yr ysgol y pethed hwnnw, hwnnw i 'r froesaw, ond yn hytrach ar y pethed hwnnw a 'r ysgol, of the giver I haven't got it down as a passage to read but I could think of that story that Jesus told about the widow and her two mites which two mites was a penny I believe they say but that actually was all she'd got and Jesus said that gift that she gave to the temple that day was far greater than the gifts that many others had bought who had given just a little portion of what they have and the riches that they have it's about the attitude of the giver" ([00:11:17] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "you know it has great spiritual benefits to us as well it deepens our relationship with God draws us closer to him strengthens our faith brings us closer to the heart of God there is no greater giver than God himself and we're not alone in that he calls us to be like him it also brings us joy and satisfaction knowing that we're making a difference" ([00:13:46] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "I'm afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare It captures the essence of giving It's not about how much we give but how much we love giving how much we love God and how much we're prepared to put into giving back to him" ([00:14:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "When we give, we align ourselves with God's heart. God is a giver. He gave us his only son for us. He gave his only son for us. And when we give, we're becoming more like him. Giving helps us to keep our focus. Not on God. Not on our worldly possessions." ([00:17:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "So giving is a great way of expressing our trust in God's provision. When we give, we're essentially saying, God, I trust that you will provide for my needs. Whether we give of our time or our talents or our resources, we know that God will go on providing for our needs. So it's an act of faith that can bring us to a deeper relationship with God." ([00:18:12] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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