Questions 1) Before the message last week, how many believed the 1) Before the message last week, how many believed the bible teaches that N.T. believers are required to tithe 10% bible teaches that N.T. believers are required to tithe 10% of their income to the church? of their income to the church? 2) After the message last week, how many still believe that 2) After the message last week, how many still believe that the bible teaches that N.T. believers are required to tithe the bible teaches that N.T. believers are required to tithe 10% of their income to the church? 10% of their income to the church?

If Crossroads is a Tithing Church How Are We doing? Based on: 120 families - approx. 240 adults (children not included) - approx. 240 adults (children not included) - approx. 75 – 100 college students not included - approx. 75 – 100 college students not included # of Families Percentage # of Families Percentage Regular Givers4739% Regular Givers4739% Occasional Givers2622% Occasional Givers2622% Never Give4739% Never Give4739%

Abounding in the Gracious Work of Giving I. Principles & Practices of New Testament Giving I. Principles & Practices of New Testament Giving 1) Give according to your ability (8:3) [Acts 11:29 in proportion to means] 2) Give beyond your ability (8:3) 3) Give of your own accord/ voluntary (8:3) 4) Give with an attitude of it being a privilege (8:4) - entreated for the favor of participation - entreated for the favor of participation 5) Give abounding & bountifully (8:7; 9:5) 6) Give readily & zealously (9:1-2) 7) Give without covetousness (9:5) 8) Give willingly, thankfully, & cheerfully (9:7) 9) Give generously/ liberally 10) Give regularly, consistently, & proportionately (I Cor. 16:2)

Abounding in the Gracious Work of Giving II. The Benefits of Giving II. The Benefits of Giving 1)Supplies the needs of the saints (9:12) 2)Proof of your confession to the gospel of Christ (9:13) 3)God is able to make all grace abound to you; all sufficiency in everything, you may have abundance for every good deed (9:8) 4) The Law of Increase (Supply & Multiply) “He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; “He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.” (9:6) and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.” (9:6) Sowing & Reaping (Gal. 6:7) Sowing & Reaping (Gal. 6:7) Standard of Measure (Luke 6:38; Mark 4:24-25) Standard of Measure (Luke 6:38; Mark 4:24-25)

Abounding in the Gracious Work of Giving II. The Benefits of Giving II. The Benefits of Giving “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness ; …” (9:10) NAS righteousness ; …” (9:10) NAS “You will be rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, …” (9:11a) NIV occasion, …” (9:11a) NIV God supplies seed for sowing God supplies seed for sowing God supplies bread for food God supplies bread for food God will multiply your seed for (future) sowing God will multiply your seed for (future) sowing God will increase the harvest (of your righteousness) God will increase the harvest (of your righteousness)

Abounding in the Gracious Work of Giving III. Reasons to Give to the Church III. Reasons to Give to the Church 1) We need to view the church as mission 2) The church is defined by its mission Make disciples Make disciples The mission of the church is not to “do missions.” The mission of the church is not to “do missions.” The mission of the church is to make disciples. The mission of the church is to make disciples.

Abounding in the Gracious Work of Giving IV. Financial Stewardship Responsibilities IV. Financial Stewardship Responsibilities 1) Family – provide for one’s own household (I Tim.5:8) 2) Family of God – provide for the household of God a) elders/pastors – I Tim. 5:17-18 b) disciples on mission – Luke 10:7/ Matt. 10:10 c) apostles/ministers – I Cor. 9:1-14 (Monetary Rights of an Apostle) d) the saints – I Cor. 16:1-2 (Collections made for the Saints) e) the poor & needy the poor (Rom. 15:25-27) the poor (Rom. 15:25-27) those in need (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35) those in need (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35) Widows & Orphans (Acts 6:1; James 1:27; I Tim. 5:3-16) Widows & Orphans (Acts 6:1; James 1:27; I Tim. 5:3-16)

Abounding in the Gracious Work of Giving V. Three Types of Giving V. Three Types of Giving 1) Need Giving 1) Need Giving 2) Ministry Giving 2) Ministry Giving 3) Visionary Giving 3) Visionary Giving