1. Give 1) Giving is worship. 2) Giving shows what is in our hearts. 3) Giving sets us free. Jealousy, envy, anger, betrayal, materialism, love of self, laziness and no doubt many more evils can be related to the love of money or material things 4)Giving is sowing in faith for the future. 1Following Jesus: Lesson Nine

2. 5)Giving is the heart of God. The rich family in our church How much should we give? IIn the early parts of the Old Testament, we see people like Abel and Noah giving spontaneous, freewill offerings. LLater, Abraham and Moses show that we should give one tenth of what we have, plus other free will offerings. IIn Malachi, God’s Word commands us to bring the tenth part of the harvest to the place of worship (Malachi 3.8- 12). Then God will open the windows of heaven and pour out on us a huge blessing. 2

3.  The emphasis of Jesus’ teaching is that we give ourselves and EVERYTHING we have. It is much more than just a ritual tenth part. We see this clearly in the story that we began with. The widow gave everything she had, in worship and in faith. The tithe or tenth is a good place to begin, but giving “Jesus’ style” is not just dropping a tithe in the offering box. It is a lifestyle of giving everything to Jesus, and then loving and caring for His people! love (for God and for others), and then obedience (to God) 6) How are our offerings used?  Giving is sharing in the work of the church. 7) Giving is caring for others. 3Following Jesus: Lesson Nine

4. Bible Reading and Prayer (Matthew 6.19-34) Memory verse Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6.38, NIV) Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. (Luke 6.38, The Message) 4Following Jesus: Lesson Nine