The Value of Giving ATCC EDGE SERVICE

What is the value of a gift?  “A gift is not given value by the one who gives, but by the one who receives.” Lego Disney store: “Mixels” Elijah: “How did you know we started liking these?” Lorena: “It must have been God!” Mitchell: “They were on sale”

The Value of Giving 1. God: The ultimate Giver  Aspects of God as one who gives.  Different gifts God gives. 2. The 2 sins that steal  Selfishness  Lack of Discipline 3. How God thinks about giving

1) God is the ultimate Giver

God’s gifts

Perspective: David, the mighty man of God

The value of your gift “A gift is not given value by the one who gives, but by the one who receives.”

2) The sins that steal  Selfishness

Selfishness  Phillipians 2:3-11  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  James 3:13-18  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom… For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  2 Timothy 3:1-5  People will be lovers of themselves (selfish)… without self control (undisciplined)… having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

Discipline The Disciplined Life – The mark of Christian maturity, by Richard S. Taylor

Discipline Matthew 11:28-30 Galatians 5:13

Life Disciplines – and their purpose  Prayer – Jude  Athletes at the peak of training are by no means examples of superior moral resistance. But the man of prayer is fortified.  Intake of God’s word – Psalm 119  Finances – 2 Cor 8:2-3 “Out of their extreme poverty… they gave us much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.”  If you watch how you spend your money, and plan, you will be able to give to others.  Time – What are you spending it on? Some of us are rich.  “Busy”!  Prioritize – Mary and Martha

How do they steal?  Selfishness steals from you the ability to do great things for others by doing little things for yourself.  Lack of discipline steals from you without your knowledge.

3. How does God think about giving?  Not what does God think, but how.  He honors giving that is done in secret. Matthew 6:1-4  Preaching, song leading, etc. can’t be done in secret. Other gifts can be used in secret. God rewards that.  He wants you to give without favoritism. James 2:1-9  These are largely social issues. Status, race, money.  He wants you to give to those who are actually in need.  Luke 14:12-14 – Invite the poor to dinner.  Matthew 25:31-46 – Feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoners, taking care of the sick.  And especially in the family of God – Acts 2:44-45, James 2:8, John 13:34-35

The Greatest Gift  Perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

The Value of Giving  “A gift is not given value by the one who gives, but by the one who receives.” 1. God is a giver. 2. Selfishiness and a lack of discipline steal our gifts. 3. God will reward you, if you give.  1 Corinthians 15:56-57  “The sting of death is in sin… But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  v58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”