WHAT IS YOUR GIVING SAYING ABOUT YOU?

Let’s look at an aspect of giving that we don’t think about. We usually speak of tithes and offerings in terms of blessings or responsibility – this is true.

We do have a Bible based responsibility to support the work of God’s Kingdom.

We do know there is a scriptural foundation for the fact of God’s blessings on that, that make a financial commitment to His church. We read such verses as:

Luke 6:38; Proverbs 11:25; 2 Corinthians 9:6

I don’t want to look at what God says about the believers responsibility or blessings, but what giving says about the believer (giver).

Our Lord often dealt with the issue of money and how it’s a relationship with the heart.

Notice: Matthew 19:16-22

Here was a young man with wealth and power. He seemed to want to follow and when Jesus told him and it related to his money, he left. Great potential, but the quality of his life, his true desire = crowded heart = there really was not room in his heart for Jesus.

Look at Mark 12:41-44

Many of the wealthy Jewish men used to come into the temple with bags of money and made a spectacle of their contributions.

- revealed self – centered hearts

- they gave out of their abundance

- the widow gave all she had

This was a testimony to their quality of life and faith. There giving said much about their hearts.

You may not have thought much about it, but your giving say some very important things about your life – about you:

I. Giving says you understand who God is.

- All in this room have a theology.

- That’s right, not a theologian, you have a theology that influences your life.

How, What, you think about God. To know He is:

- Eternal – Creator – Infinite – All Powerful – All Knowing and etc. makes an impact on your life.

Your giving says: I know you Lord!

You know that all belongs to him –

You know that He is to be first in your life –

You know that without Him you would be lifeless –

You recognize His authority when the offering plate comes by. Listen:

How you understand God shows in the offering plate. Also my Soul Winning, My church etc

II. Giving says you understand who you are! Why?

Because we are God’s.

- We do not exist for self, but for God.

- We do not exist for what we can accumulate, we exist for God.

- We are here to serve God. More to our existence than money.

My friend the quality of our lives is not relative to the money we make, but to our personal relationship to God.We are here for more important reasons. Who me, you – Are you just another ?? in the machinery of Human Civilization.

Are you just another brick in the wall.

Bro. what you give reflects your understanding of who you are.

III. Giving says you know what is important.

- How much do you spend on Non-Essentials? What is important?

- All we possess is going to burn – right?

- What am I doing if I spend most of what I make on me and mine and never learn to give any significant amount to God.

Bro. is my time – energy – money important?

If no one else learns from your giving practices, believe me, your kids will.

Is what Christ died for more important, or you?

IV. Giving says you know what God purposes are:

- Do you know what God is doing in the world?

- Do you know and how are you to be involved?

Bro. there’s another program at work in this world! God’s!

This church doesn’t do its own thing –

This pastor doesn’t do his own thing –

This staff doesn’t do its own thing –

These poorly paid teachers aren’t doing there own thing –

V. Giving says you know your purpose

Do it unto God – reach lost – missions – buses

Listen: When you see church finances as your own finances, your giving will show it.

VI. Giving says you knew your part

There are watchers – hearers – spectators. many never roll their sleeves up and go to work.

Giving says you know your part –

Giving says you are willing to fulfill it -

Listen: Money Demands Ministry

VII. Giving says you know where your going.

Bro. if your going to heaven, you leave it behind: Bank accounts – Boats – Cars – Houses – etc.

Giving demonstrates that you have an eternal perspective – not temporal.

Listen: Your stewardship of life and possessions speaks loudly concerning your life’s treasures.

Dr Harris