Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

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Proper Motives and Practices of Giving Matthew 6:2-4 People would like others to think well of them - and charity is one way produce that What does God think about the motives and methods people use for charitable giving?

Review Theme of the Sermon on the Mount Your righteousness must surpass that of the scribes & Pharisees The Beatitudes The character traits of righteousness Correcting the teaching of the Scribes The true spirit of God’s law

Giving Alms Matthew 6:2-4 It is assumed that alms will be given as a normal part of life for a godly Jew Giving alms (ejlehmosu;nh / eleēmosunē) is simply any act of mercy or pity Old Testament Commands: Deuteronomy 15:7-11 Leviticus 25:35

Giving Alms Matthew 6:2-4 New Testament Commands & Examples: John 13:29; Matthew 5:42; 1 John 3:17 A Christian is to be marked by generous charity to the poor

Wrong Motives and Practice Matthew 6:2 Tobit 12:8 & Wisdom of Sirach 3:30 both teach that charity can expiate / atone for sin Pope Leo the Great (440-461) declared that “by alms we redeem our sins” They blew a trumpet in order to get people to pay attention to when they gave alms

Wrong Motives and Practice Matthew 6:2 They did this in public because they wanted the approval of men - Luke 16:13-15; John 12:43 God rejects empty religious observances - including giving for selfish reasons - Isaiah 1:10-15 There are many subtle ways to gain the honor of men

Righteous Motives and Practices Matthew 6:3-4 Giving should be so normal that the left hand is not involved in what the right hand is doing Matthew 5:16 & 6:3-4 do not contradict - both passages are speaking to the issue of motive The motive must be to seek God’s glory and not your own

Principles to Practice Giving from the heart is investing with God - Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6 Genuine giving is to be sacrificial - Mark 12:41-44; 2 Samuel 24:24 The responsibility to give and income level is not related - Luke 16:10

Principles to Practice Material giving correlates with spiritual blessing - Luke 16:11; Matthew 6:21 We are to give to meet needs, not wants - 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Giving is to be personally determined - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Principles to Practice A requirement to “tithe” contradicts 2 Corinthians 9:7 A required amount or percentage limits giving Giving includes supporting church expenses and meeting personal needs

Principles to Practice Giving should be planned as part of your budget to spend based on priorities (Proverbs 3:9-10) Spontaneous giving meets personal needs at the sacrifice of other budget areas - 1 John 3:17 Ephesians 4:28 - we labor so that we will have something to share with the one who has need

Conclusions Give to glorify God - consider the needs of those around you and how God can work His will through you

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ