Generous Giving: Reflecting Our Relationship with God
Summary
In my sermon, I began by acknowledging the discomfort and challenge of discussing financial giving within the church. I admitted that, despite my reluctance, it was necessary to address this topic to ensure our understanding and obedience in this area were aligned with Scripture. I shared my process of preparing for the sermon, which included studying the Bible and consulting commentaries, although I found myself at odds with the prosperity gospel some commentaries seemed to suggest.
I then addressed common stereotypes about churches and money, such as the belief that churches are always asking for money or that pastors live lavishly at the expense of their congregations. I provided examples of both truths and exaggerations within these stereotypes, emphasizing that while some misuse funds, many churches operate with integrity and transparency.
Moving into the heart of the sermon, I focused on the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4, the first account of offerings in the Bible. I highlighted the differences in their offerings and suggested that the attitude behind the offerings was as important, if not more so, than the offerings themselves. I proposed that giving God our best is a reflection of our relationship with Him and that our calendars and finances can be gauges of our spiritual health.
I also touched on the concept of tribute, explaining that offerings in biblical times were a way to honor God as the superior, acknowledging that everything we have is from Him. I emphasized that our offerings should not be given reluctantly or out of compulsion but cheerfully and willingly as an act of worship and gratitude.
I concluded by challenging the congregation to examine their attitudes towards giving and to consider whether their offerings—of time, talents, and finances—truly reflect a heart that sees God as worthy and superior to all else. I encouraged everyone to give not just out of surplus but as a priority, offering our first and best to God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The act of giving is deeply rooted in our acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision. When we give, we recognize that everything we possess is not ours by right but by the grace of God. This recognition should lead us to offer our resources with a spirit of humility and gratitude, not as a transactional duty but as a heartfelt tribute to the One who provides all. [20:23]
2. Our offerings are a tangible expression of our faith and trust in God. By giving our first and best, we demonstrate a reliance on God's continued provision and care. This act of faith mirrors the trust Abel had in God, as he offered the firstborn of his flock, and it stands in contrast to Cain's offering, which lacked this element of faith and trust. [21:35]
3. The attitude with which we give is as important as the gift itself. God desires a cheerful giver, one who gives out of love and thankfulness rather than obligation or resentment. Our giving should be a joyful response to God's generosity, not a begrudging act of duty. This principle challenges us to examine our hearts each time we give, ensuring our motives align with God's desire for our generosity. [24:57]
4. Our giving is a reflection of our relationship with God. If we find it difficult to part with our resources or to prioritize God in our schedules, it may indicate a heart that is not fully surrendered to Him. Our willingness to give generously and sacrificially can reveal the depth of our love and trust in God, just as it did for the widow who gave her last coins. [37:48]
5. The practice of giving should be a consistent and regular part of our lives, not contingent on emotional appeals or external pressures. As we give, we acknowledge that we are stewards of God's blessings and that our offerings are a way to honor Him and advance His kingdom. This perspective transforms our giving from a sporadic act to a disciplined expression of worship. [32:29]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 4:3-7 (ESV)
> "In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.'"
2. 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."
3. Hebrews 11:4 (ESV)
> "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the differences between Cain's and Abel's offerings to God? (Genesis 4:3-5)
2. According to 2 Corinthians 9:7, what kind of giver does God love?
3. How does Hebrews 11:4 describe Abel's offering and its significance?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God had regard for Abel's offering but not for Cain's? What does this tell us about the importance of the attitude behind our giving? (Genesis 4:4-5, [22:12])
2. How does the concept of giving cheerfully, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:7, challenge common attitudes towards financial giving in the church? ([24:57])
3. In what ways does Abel's faith, as described in Hebrews 11:4, serve as a model for our own acts of giving and sacrifice?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own giving habits. Do you give out of surplus or as a priority? How can you ensure that your offerings reflect a heart that sees God as worthy and superior to all else? ([37:48])
2. Think about a time when you gave reluctantly or out of compulsion. How did that experience differ from times when you gave cheerfully and willingly? What steps can you take to cultivate a more joyful attitude towards giving? ([24:57])
3. Examine your calendar and finances. Do they reflect a life that prioritizes God? What changes can you make to ensure that your time and resources are dedicated to honoring God first? ([26:47])
4. How can you use your talents and skills to serve God and others? Identify one specific way you can offer your abilities as a tribute to God this week. ([30:04])
5. Consider the stereotypes about churches and money discussed in the sermon. How can you contribute to a culture of integrity and transparency in your church's financial practices? ([13:06])
6. Reflect on the story of the widow who gave her last coins. How does her example challenge you to give sacrificially? What is one practical way you can give more generously this month? ([37:48])
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group to develop a heart of cheerful and willing giving? Share one idea or action you can take to foster a spirit of generosity within your community.
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Sovereignty in Giving
Giving is an act of worship that acknowledges God as the ultimate provider of all we have. It is a humble acceptance that our possessions are not truly ours, but given to us by the grace of God. When we give, we do so not out of a sense of ownership, but from a place of stewardship, recognizing that every good thing we have comes from above. This act of giving is not merely a transaction or a duty; it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and reverence towards the One who sustains us. It is a moment of spiritual clarity where we understand our role as caretakers of God's blessings and our responsibility to use them in a way that honors Him. By giving, we participate in the divine cycle of generosity that flows from God's own nature, and we align ourselves with His purposes for our lives and resources. [20:23]
"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." - 1 Chronicles 29:14
Reflection: How does your current practice of giving reflect an understanding of God's sovereignty and provision in your life?
Day 2: Faith Expressed Through Generosity
The act of giving our first and best is a profound demonstration of faith and trust in God's provision. It is a tangible way to show that we rely on Him for our needs, just as Abel trusted God when he offered the firstborn of his flock. This type of giving goes beyond a mere ritual; it is a declaration of dependence on God, acknowledging that He is the source of our sustenance and that we trust Him to care for us. When we prioritize God in our giving, we are making a statement about where our security truly lies—not in our wealth or possessions, but in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. This commitment challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and to place our confidence in God's eternal promises. [21:35]
"And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering." - Genesis 4:4
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your trust in God's provision by giving your first and best this week?
Day 3: The Heart Behind the Gift
The true measure of our offerings is not found in their size or material value, but in the attitude with which we give them. God delights in a cheerful giver, one whose generosity is fueled by love and thankfulness rather than obligation or resentment. Our giving should be a joyful response to the abundance of God's grace in our lives, a celebration of His generosity rather than a begrudging act of duty. This principle invites us to examine our motives each time we give, ensuring that our hearts are in the right place and that our gifts are an authentic expression of our gratitude towards God. It is in this spirit of cheerfulness and love that our offerings become a true act of worship, pleasing to God and reflective of His own giving nature. [24:57]
"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
Reflection: When you give, are you motivated by love and gratitude, or do you find yourself giving out of obligation?
Day 4: Generosity as a Reflection of Relationship
Our willingness to give, especially when it requires sacrifice, is a powerful indicator of the depth of our relationship with God. If we struggle to part with our resources or to make God a priority in our lives, it may reveal a heart that is not fully surrendered to Him. Generous and sacrificial giving is a testament to our love and trust in God, much like the widow who gave her last coins. It is a practical expression of our faith, demonstrating that we value God above all else and that we are willing to put Him first, even when it costs us. This kind of giving is not about the amount; it is about the heart that is willing to trust God completely and to rely on Him for all things. [37:48]
"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny." - Mark 12:41-42
Reflection: What does your approach to giving reveal about your relationship with God, and how can you grow in this area?
Day 5: Consistency in Giving as Worship
Giving should not be an occasional act stirred by emotional appeals or external pressures; it should be a regular, disciplined part of our lives. As stewards of God's blessings, our offerings are a way to honor Him and contribute to the advancement of His kingdom. This perspective transforms our giving from sporadic acts of charity to consistent expressions of worship. It is a recognition that we are merely managers of what God has entrusted to us, and our faithful stewardship is an act of reverence and commitment to His will. By integrating giving into our daily lives, we cultivate a spirit of generosity that reflects our ongoing devotion to God and our desire to see His purposes fulfilled in the world. [32:29]
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." - 1 Timothy 6:17
Reflection: How can you incorporate giving into your regular spiritual discipline to make it a consistent act of worship?
Quotes
1) "God has called us to be cheerful and generous givers and to be honest with you some of you I see that so well. I see that because when somebody's in need you're the first to say man how can I take a meal to them how can I take care of their kids how can I serve them that's the attitude of being a joyful Giver you're looking for ways to serve that's a joyful Giver." [39:59]
2) "Giving God our best is a reflection of our relationship with him so if we don't think much of him and what he's done then we're probably not going to be give we're not going to give easily or generously in a lot of ways it's going to reveal do you trust God do you appreciate him do you love him are you close with him so when you look at your calendar when you look at your your finances you can use that as a gauge of your spiritual health." [37:02]
3) "Each person should do as he has decided in his heart not reluctantly or out of compulsion since God loves a cheerful Giver. I was wondering how often I've given an offering and was happy about it. Sometimes it came after a motivating speech beforehand to say man you give your money and it's going to go to this purpose and I'm like yes that's awesome I'm giving my money towards that and I'm happy about it." [31:16]
4) "When you have siblings you see this play out very quickly. The sibling like I know for our kids there's been several times where like Josiah wants to play with something and Rean will let him if it's what she doesn't want to play with but if it's what she wants to play with then no she's not going to let him have that. How often do we do that with God is though God in our relationship with him." [25:36]
5) "So Abel some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions it says the Lord had regard for Abel in his offering but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. So I want to examine a little bit what's the difference though. I've we already showed a little bit the description that Cain was just some it doesn't say it was his worst doesn't say it was his best or first it just says he gave some and for Abel it was his first born." [21:35]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?