Reasons for Giving Mark 12:41-44

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

Introduction Giving is important Today we must ask ourselves some important questions What are the reasons for our giving ?

Why some give Duty or obligation

Why some give Duty or obligation For show / The praise of men

Why some give Duty or obligation For show / The praise of men For control / Withold my check

Why some give Duty or obligation For show / The praise of men For control / Withold my check To get To get – Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Why some give Duty or obligation For show / The praise of men For control / Withold my check To get To get – Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Why some give Duty or obligation For show / The praise of men For control / Withold my check To get – Luke 6:38 ; Malachi 3:10 Loyalty to the local church

Why some give Duty or obligation For show / The praise of men For control / Withold my check To get – Luke 6:38 ; Malachi 3:10 Loyalty to the local church Pay their dues to belong to this church

Why some do not give Disagree with preacher, elders, program of work

Why some do not give Disagree with preacher, elders, program of work Covetous – stingy, selfish

Why some do not give Disagree with preacher, elders, program of work Covetous – stingy, selfish Lack of faith – don't believe God can take care of them

Why some do not give Disagree with preacher, elders, program of work Covetous – stingy, selfish Lack of faith – don't believe God can take care of them Poor managers – lack discipline to budget, are wasteful

Why some do not give Disagree with preacher, elders, program of work Covetous – stingy, selfish Lack of faith – don't believe God can take care of them Poor managers – lack discipline to budget, are wasteful Out of town – forget the local work goes on

What others did Mark 12:41-44 – Widow gave all Others gave from their abundance

What others did Mark 12: Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

What others did Mark 12: Corinthians 9:7 2 Corinthians 8:5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

What others did Mark 12: Corinthians 9:7 2 Corinthians 8:5 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

What others did Mark 12: Corinthians 9:7 2 Corinthians 8:5 1 Corinthians 16:2 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

Our Challenge You will be given a card. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS CARD. There are 2 squares numbered 1 and 2 12

Our Challenge In square number 1 write your current weekly contribution. Then cover this square with your thumb. 12

Under Your Thumb is : How I am helping with Local Work : Minister, associate minister, elders, deacons Gospel Minutes, Gospel Meeting, VBS Youth work, Local TV sermon, Benevolence Community Outreach, Sending cards Christian Counselor

Under Your Thumb is : My help with Mission Work (stateside): TN Children's Home, Potter Home for Children Disaster Relief, Search TV, Healing Hands Eddie Lawson in AL (door knocking campaign) Wayne Burger in Colorado

Under Your Thumb is : My support of Mission Work (foreign): Kirovo-Cheptsk church and mission trips Fowlers and Shorts in Brazil Zimbabwe, India, Latin America Missions Panama preacher

Under Your Thumb is : My praise to God: My contribution tells God - - How much I love Him How much I love Jesus How much I desire eternal life in heaven

Can you do more? Could the number under your thumb be increased ? 50 cents, $1, $5, $10, $100 – any amount you believe you can add to your current giving.

Can you do more? If you can add to your current weekly giving – write the new weekly total in box 2. If you can add to your current weekly giving – write the new weekly total in box 2. If not able to increase – put the same number in the box 2.

Giving IS Worship Our giving is an important part of our worhsip Not just a method of paying the bills Giving speaks from our heart We are to sing, pray, give, partake of communion and hear the Word of God. Each of these is - WORSHIP