Serving God With Your Finances Part 2: The Practice of Giving

Serving God With Your Finances
Part 2: The Practice of Giving

Mark 12:41-44

1. God looks at the size of the sacrifice.

“For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.”
2 Corinthians 8:3

2. Our motivation for giving must be righteous.

“I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
Amos 5:22-24

3. No one is too poor to give.

“Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-2

- Steward wisely.

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8 (NIV)

- Save faithfully.

“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.”
Proverbs 21:20 (NIV)

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”
Proverbs 6:6-8

- Plan thoroughly.

“Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.”
Proverbs 27:23-24

“Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one- fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.”
Genesis 41:33-36

- Give generously.

“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35

“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 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.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”
Mark 8:36

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19