This week we are continuing our series on the 5 things that all Christians must do, and those 5 things also lead us to become Campus Missionaries. Tonight we are talking about how we must Give.
Just like we should commit our lives to Pray, to Live a life pleasing to God, and to Serve, we must also commit ourselves to Give.
Giving is at the base of our Christian faith. With out God’s gift of his son, we would have no hope. We would have no way of having a personal relationship with God.
Last week talked about how we must follow Jesus’ example and serve. Just as Jesus expects us to follow his example to serve, he expects us to follow his example and give in every aspect of our lives, not just with money. Jesus want us to give out of our devotion for him. And it is through the things we give that show our priorities, our passions, our faith in God, and our focus in life.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul, uses chapters 8 and 9 to talk about and to give instructions on giving.
Chapter 8 verses 1 through 6, Paul told the Corinthian Church about how the Church in Macedonia was giving. The Macedonian Church was facing some severe trials and was extremely poor. But because of their overflowing joy in Jesus, they gave as much as they could. They ended up giving above and beyond what was expected of them. The people of the Macedonian Church gave themselves (that is their lives) first to God, and then gave to Paul and the other Apostles.
2 Corinthians 8:7In this verse Paul congratulated the Corinthians. They were doing awesome: they have incredible faith, they were telling people about Jesus, they had knowledge and were hard working, and they showed love towards Paul and the other Apostles. Now at the end of the verse, Paul asked them to excel in Giving.
“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
Paul goes on to tell the Corinthians that giving is not a command, but instead is a test of their love.
Then he used Jesus example. Jesus was rich, he lived in Heaven and had everything, but he became poor. Jesus did this so that through his poverty people may become rich.
The year before the letter was written, the Corinthian Church was the first church to have a desire to give, and gave out of that desire. Because of that Paul gave them some advice. He wanted them to finish what they had started to do, and continue to give according to their means. Then Paul encourages them by saying “For if the willingness is there (that is the desire to give), the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”
Just like the Corinthians, God wants you to excel in giving - to go above and beyond what is expected. You must make the basic decision in your own hear to serve God, and not money, by giving.
You must give. When you give to God, you invest not only money, but your faith time and service. When you give, voluntarily and sacrificially, it is proof that you truly do love and serve God.
When you give, there are some benefits. They are: greater faith, greater effectiveness, blessings, and it increases your dedication to God.
Now you may be thinking, “But I don’t have anything to Give!”. God will never ask you to give more than what you are able to. He is simply asking you to give willingly.
You have got to commit what you can, and then ask God to give the rest of what you would like to give. Start with what you have, then ask God for what you don’t have. Then watch how God will work through you to accomplish it.
You must commit yourself to Give!
Everything that You and I have, comes from God.
John 1:3
“Through him all things were made; without him noting was made that has been made."God has made everything. We must invest what God has given us because it’s already God’s, and through the trust we have in God. When God gives us more than we need, it’s because God wants us to give and bless others.
The early church showed grace through giving. Giving was a passion to them, because of their overwhelming desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the gifts of God with other people.
When we have the desire to share the Gospel and the gifts of God with other people, like the early church, we should have a passion to give because of that desire.
Sacrificial giving was an essential part of Jesus nature and character, and if we truly follow Jesus’ example than sacrificial giving should become part of our nature and character as well.
Keep this in mind: Everything we give help spread the Gospel all over the world. Giving constantly and generously of both our time and our money helps to support the local church, missions efforts, and most importantly it helps to spread the Gospel all over the world.
We give because God first gave to us.
Now that you have read this, its time to commit yourself to Give. Start to Give out of every aspect of your life.
2 Corinthians 8:9Jesus had everything! He had all that he could ever want or need, and he sat at the right hand of God. But he loves us so much and desires to have a relationship with each one of us that he became poor. He came to earth to give his life for us so that through him we might come to know him as our Lord God and Savior, and spend eternity in heaven with him.
“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."
Jesus gave up everything and died in your place, so you wouldn’t have to pay for all the bad things you’ve done.
If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, but you would like to be forgiven and accept Jesus as your Lord God and Savior and start that relationship with Jesus tonight, then say this prayer or a prayer simular to it:
Jesus,If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord God and Savior, the next step is to find a Bible believing church, start attending, and getting involved. To find a church in your area Click Here. If you accepted Jesus as your Lord God and Savior while reading this post please let me know, because I want to pray for you.
Thank you for giving your life for me.
Please forgive me of the bad things I have done.
Come live in my heart,
help me to Love you and Love people,
and help me to Pray Live Serve Tell and Give.
Amen.
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