Giving

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Why should I give?

LUKE 21:3   "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of the rich people."

JOHN 3:16   God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son.

You should give to model, and learn the power of, the sacrificial giving of God.

EXODUS 23:19   As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the LORD your God.

You should give first to God because it demonstrates that he is first in your life.

PSALM 54:6   I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you.

You should give because it develops a habit of thankfulness. The more you give, the more you are grateful for what you have.

2 CORINTHIANS  9:11    When we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

You should give to others so that God will be glorified.

1 PETER 4:10   God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

The more you give of yourself, the more God's generosity flows through you.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6   Remember this a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

You should not give in order to get more, but your resources often grow as you give more. One of the reasons this occurs is that the qualities that make you generous also make you responsible and trustworthy. But another important reason is that God, in his grace, may entrust more to you so that you will be a bigger channel of his blessing in this world.

How much should I give?

DEUTERONOMY 14:22   You must set aside a time of your crops one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 

1 CORINTHIANS 16:2   On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:7   You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. " For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."

While the Old Testament specifically talks about giving one-tenth of what you earn to God, the New Testament encourages you to give with a grateful and generous heart. For many, this will mean giving far more than one-tenth!

But I'm just barely making it with my budget. What if I don't seem to have enough to give?

PROVERBS 28:27    Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing.

MALACHI  3:10   "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my temple. If you do, "says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!"

God promises to provide for you when you give back t him.

2 CORINTHIANS  9:8   God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

It's easy to think you would be happy if you had just a little more. The secrets of happiness, however, are learning to be content with what you gave, whether it is much or little, and learning to live abundantly even with little.

Promise from God  LUKE 6:38   Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.