Why does God give us money? To take care of our household To share with others in time need To support ministry To support government To invest, grow, and be responsible with To reveal our hearts to the world……..and to ourselves.

Acts of God For insurance or contract purposes, are defined as events that occur through natural causes (earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) and could not be avoided or prevented, and therefore allows a party to suspend or terminate their obligations or responsibilities for certain circumstances that are beyond their control.

Acts of God For Kingdom purposes, are defined as actions that occur by His Spirit working through people so that in events and circumstances that beyond their control they embrace obligations and responsibility with generosity involving their time, treasure, and gifting.

Catastrophic events…God’s people respond Jerusalem refugee crisis in Acts 2-4 (33 AD) -ALL sold land and property -not sold ALL their land and property -there was not a needy one among them. Jerusalem poverty crisis in 1 & 2 Corinthians (57 AD) -gathered financial gifts from Gentile churches

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.

2 Corinthians 8:10-15 And I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also; that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality—at this present time your abundance being a supply for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want, that there may be equality; as it is written “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

When there is a crisis…give When there is not a crisis…grow Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25 talent = 20 years of wages or about 75 pounds of gold Gave one 5 talents, another 2, and another 1. “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; Enter into the joy of your master.”

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week let each on of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.

A tax to support the theocratic government of Israel Tithing Giving of a tenth or 10% a tithe was required for the support of the temple a tithe was required to support the holidays/feasts a tithe was required every 3 years for the poor. a yearly required giving of 231/3 of income. A tax to support the theocratic government of Israel

“Whose Money Is It Anyway?” “The Bible’s teaching about tithing versus voluntary giving is clear. For years, many conservative, evangelical, and fundamentalist churches—denominational and nondenominational—have promoted tithing as the basic standard for what their members should place in the offering plate. But such a rigid concept, viewed as a universal and eternal principle for all believers, simply is not taught in Scripture.” ~Dr. John MacArthur “Whose Money Is It Anyway?”

what are You calling me to do? Prayer of Stewardship “Dear God, with everything that You have entrusted to me at this time the people…opportunities…and resources what are You calling me to do?

Why does God give us money? How much should we give to these areas? To take care of our household To share with others in a time of need To support ministry To support government To invest, grow, and be responsible with To reveal our hearts to the world……..and to ourselves.

Examples of Generosity Jesus For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (v.9) Macedonian Christians but they first gave themselves to the Lord (v.5) What about us?