THE GIVING LIFE: The Response

THE GIVING LIFE: The Response

¹ Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” ² And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” ³ Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. ⁴ Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” ⁵ So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. ⁶ When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. ⁷ She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” 2 Kings 4:1-7 ESV

STEWARDSHIP: God is the owner of all things and has called us to be faithful managers of all of the responsibilities entrusted to us.

How can we become godly stewards in FINANCIAL GIVING?

¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. ² On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. ³ And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 ESV

Our practice of giving is to be directed by seven PRINCIPLES.

¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 1 Corinthians 16:1 ESV

Principle #1: REGULARLY

² On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:1 ESV

How regular is my gift to The Lord?

Principle #2: PROPORTIONATELY

² On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:1 ESV

What portion is my gift to The Lord?

¹ We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. ⁷ But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 ESV

Principle #3: SACRIFICIALLY

³ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord. 2 Corinthians 8:3 ESV

What sacrifice is my gift to The Lord?

⁶ The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV

Principle #4: GENEROUSLY

⁶ The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

How generous is my gift to The Lord?

Principle #5: PURPOSEFULLY

⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

How purposeful is my gift to The Lord?

Principle #6: WILLINGLY

⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

How willing is my gift to The Lord?

Principle #7: JOYFULLY

⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

How joyful is my gift to The Lord?

My ACTION PLAN to become a godly steward in financial giving:

#1: If I have never brought a financial gift to The Lord, then my first step is to START.

#2: If I have never decided the amount that I will choose to bring as a financial gift to The Lord, then my next step is to identify a PART.

#3: If I am desiring to grow as a godly steward in the spiritual act of bringing a financial gift to The Lord, then I need to ask God to increase my HEART.