2/25/07 Giving Is the Only Antidote to Materialism1. MotivateIn what ways does the Internal Revenue Service play a role in Christian giving?- people give to get a tax advantage- at the end of the year there is an increase in giving to all charity- some people wait until then to see how their taxes are going to turn out, then give to put themselves in a lower tax bracket- if it were not for this strategy, some people might not give at allNote there is nothing wrong with taking your charitable giving as a tax deduction … the problem comes with our motivation for giving.2. TransitionMy motivation in giving can easily become what I get out of it. Today we want to look at how we can be motivated by God’s grace to us.3. Bible Study3.1 Grace, the Supreme Example”"Grace" can be defined as "God’s completely undeserved favorable attitudetoward us."Listen for the example of how Jesus demonstrated grace.2 Cor. 8:9 (NIV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. What example of grace did Christ set for us? (8:9)- He was rich- for our sakes He became poor- through His poverty you became richHow was Jesus rich?- lived in a sinless environment in heaven- lived a totally spiritual existence, not limited by the parameters of time and spaceSo then in what ways did he become poor?- gave up the sinless environment to live here on sinful earth- limited himself to time, space, a physical body- took upon himself the sin of all mankind and the punishment/judgment of death12/25/07 Giving Is the Only Antidote to MaterialismHow can Christ’s grace, his blessings to you undeserved, motivate you to give?- the blessings should be shared- I didn’t deserve them to start with, I didn’t earn them, I shouldn’t even expect them- I should respond to them in kind, becoming “poor” for the sake of othersHow can the fact that Christ became poor on your behalf, and was later exalted by God, motivate you to follow His example?- one who shares liberally of his or her resources will be blessed by God- God values such actions and will honor them- God’s blessings to me are undeserved, to share them means I’ve not lost anything at all since I didn’t have them to start with3.2 Principles of Grace GivingListen for principles of giving in this passage.2 Cor. 9:6-11 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, notreluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [9] As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."10] Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be made rich in every way so that youcan be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. What principles of giving are stated here?- you reap in the same proportion that you sow- think about what you give- don’t give out of a sense of compulsion, like you are forced to give - give with joyWhy is the comparison of our giving to farming so appropriate?- when we give of our resources to the Lord we should consider that to be the sowing of seed- the more we sow, the more God can cause to grow- if we are stingy with our “seed” then we see few resultsImagine a wide, fertile field with only four cornstalks growing in it. What does the field suggest about the farmer?- foolish- wasting good land, potential- stingy with seed- he will end up with small harvest22/25/07 Giving Is the Only Antidote to MaterialismNote how this illustrates Paul’s words … Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparinglyWhat examples can you cite of spare and generous sowing in churches today?Spare Sowing Generous Sowing- not enough SS teachers for children- 80% of work in the church done by 5% of the members- nominating committees must beg- some faith missionaries must travel far and wide to acquire full support- large percentage of participation in the Bridge Campaign- helping needy families in community- willingness to aid one another in practical ways- giving to foreign missionsThink about when you pay your bills. Why are you not usually cheerful after a bill paying session?- bills are high, income is barely able to cope- you regret some of the things you spent money on- you feel like you didn’t get your money’s worth- you don’t like the way prices are going up all the timeThe passage says that God loves cheerful giving to His Kingdom. Why do you think Godwould enjoy for us to be cheerful when we write a tithe check or put our cash into an offering envelope?- shows our love for God- demonstrates we are trusting God for our needs- shows we are not being coerced, not thinking of it as another pesky bill to be paid- you are excited to see how God uses your gift to accomplish His workWhat could a reluctant giver do to become a more cheerful giver?- talk to God as you make out that check or stuff the envelope- pray about the use of the funds- pray God’s blessing on the funds you give- pray God’s blessing on the people who will be ministered to through the giftConsider verses 8 and 11, let’s list the uses of the words “all” and “every”- all grace- all things - all times- all you need God does all of these- abound in every good work- rich in every way- be generous on every occasion  This is what God calls us to?Which of these does God supply and which are our actions?32/25/07 Giving Is the Only Antidote to MaterialismWhat does God provide, according to verse 10? - seed to the sower- bread for food- increase of your store of seed- enlarging of your harvest of righteousness- made rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion- your generosity results in thanksgiving to GodIf you tithe and give some beyond that, your spendable income is lowered 10% or more. What do these two verses have to say about the missing funds in your budget?- you will have no lack- whatever you need, God is sufficient to fulfill the need- God makes up the difference … and more- God enriches you so you can be