1. The joy of giving Who is the richest person? Carlos Slim – Mexico $74,000,000,000 Who is the most generous person? Bill Gates? $28,000,000,000

2. God is a giver God is a giver We are to be givers We are to be givers What our giving does What our giving does

3. 1. God is a giver a. The most generous - he gives us gifts every day - Mt.5:45 - he gives us gifts every day - Mt.5:45 - He gave us the greatest gift ever – Jesus - He gave us the greatest gift ever – Jesus b. The giving of Jesus – 2Cor.8:9

4. The giving of Jesus Jesus Jesus 1. He was rich 2. He became poor - becoming human - becoming human - going to the cross - going to the cross Us Us 1. We were poor 2. We have been made rich

5. c. The Holy Spirit giving He gives many different gifts – engagement gifts He gives many different gifts – engagement gifts One of those is the gift of GIVING One of those is the gift of GIVING

6. 2. We are to be givers a. Giving as God gives – 2Cor.8:2-5 The example of the Macedonians The example of the Macedonians 1. They were poor – v.2 1. They were poor – v.2 2. They had great joy in God – v.2 2. They had great joy in God – v.2 3. They had a love for others – v.4 3. They had a love for others – v.4 4. They gave sacrificially – v.3 4. They gave sacrificially – v.3 Giving of a stone Giving of a stone sponge sponge honeycomb honeycomb

7. Formulas of giving Wealth + Grumpy & selfish = little/no giving Wealth + joy + love = generous giving Poverty + joy + love = sacrificial giving God loves a joyful giver – 2Cor.9:7 b. Giving what we can – 2Cor.8:12; 9:7

8. 3. What our giving does Giving is like a harvest – 2Cor.9:6 It affects: a. Us - shows what are our treasures - shows what are our treasures - releases God’s grace in & through us- 2Cor. 9:8 - releases God’s grace in & through us- 2Cor. 9:8 b. Others – 2Cor.9:11,12 c. The praise of God – 2Cor.9:11-15 - giving is an act of worship – Phil.4:18 - giving is an act of worship – Phil.4:18 - giving reflects God’s character & helps people see that he is working today - giving reflects God’s character & helps people see that he is working today