“The Truth Concerning Giving Part 2!” Truth Matters “The Truth Concerning Giving Part 2!” 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Many speak despondently of the Lord’s Church saying, “All they ever talk about is money…”

Over half of Jesus’ teachings have to do with one’s attitude toward money and/or possessions. Jesus knew you and I would make money/things His greatest rival…

to better understand the truth concerning giving as God specifies Purpose: to better understand the truth concerning giving as God specifies

I The INSTRUCTIONS to Giving (9:1-7)

The world advises us to earn and then give of our abundance The world advises us to earn and then give of our abundance. The Bible instructs us to give then live… If Churchill understood this principle surely His people will!

I The INSTRUCTIONS to Giving (9:1-7) A. We are to Give Quickly (9:1-7)

Like a wife saying to her husband, “Now, I know I don’t have to remind you our anniversary is tomorrow, right?”

Christians should be first in line to fulfill obligations, promises, and vows. In other words Christians should be first in line to follow through!

A Latin proverb summarizes this Biblical principle well by saying: “He gives twice who gives quickly.” In other words, he who hesitates loses…

I The INSTRUCTIONS to Giving (9:1-7) A. We are to Give Quickly (9:1-5) B. We are to Give Generously (9:6)

A man had a wife whose cat really irritated him. He despised this cat…

Matthew 5:40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.”

I The INSTRUCTIONS to Giving (9:1-7) A. We are to Give Quickly (9:1-5) B. We are to Give Generously (9:6) C. We are to Give Cheerfully (9:7)

The word cheerful is the word from which our word hilarious comes…

James 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach.”

II The INCENTIVES to Giving (9:8-15) A. Giving is a Wise Investment (9:8-11)

“Give and it will be given to you…” Luke 6:38 “Give and it will be given to you…”

“The generous man will be prosperous…” Proverbs 11:25 “The generous man will be prosperous…”

Proverbs 19:17 “He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him…”

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…and test Me…if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”

Mark 10:29-30 “…there is no one who has left house, or brothers or sisters or mothers or fathers or children or farms for My sake and the Gospel’s sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much in the present age… and in the age to come… But many who are first will be last and the last first.”

II The INCENTIVES to Giving (9:8-15) A. Giving is a Wise Investment (9:8-11) B. Giving Meets the Needs of Others (9:12) C. Giving Testifies of Our Faith (9:13)

What gets the world’s attention is when Christians put “their money where their mouths are.”…

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

II The INCENTIVES to Giving (9:8-15) A. Giving is a Wise Investment (9:8-11) B. Giving Meets the Needs of Others (9:12) C. Giving Testifies of Our Faith (9:13) D. Giving Expresses Thanks to God (9:14-15)

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”

Ever go out of your way to really be kind to someone but they didn’t so much as even try to acknowledge the effort?

“Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8 “Freely you have received, freely give.”

Conclusion and Summary: Every time we give in the name of the Lord, such is a thank-you not to God. Such is saying, “God, I’m learning to take you at Your Word!”