GOOD
MOTIVATION IN FAITHFUL GIVING TO OUR FAITHFUL GOD
(Philippians
4:14-20) [14]Notwithstanding
ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
[15]Now ye Philippians know also,
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church
communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
[16]For even in Thessalonica ye
sent once and again unto my necessity.
[17]Not because I desire a gift:
but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
[18]But I have all, and abound: I
am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you,
an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
[19]But my God shall supply all
your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
[20]Now unto God and our Father be
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The principles for faithful giving:
1. FAITHFUL GIVING SHOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE
ESTABLISH IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK.
Paul commends the Philippian church by reminding them of how, at the
first preaching of the gospel, after he departed from their region (Macedonia),
they shared with him in the matter of giving and receiving (4:15-16). At that
point, they were the only church that took the initiative to send support to
Paul. Even when he was still in Macedonia, at Thessalonica, more than once they
sent gifts to him. Apparently, those gifts were not enough to provide full
support, because he reminds the Thessalonians how he worked with his hands to
provide for his needs when he was with them (2 Thess. 3:7-9). But right from
the start of their Christian experience, the Philippians had given.
2. FAITHFUL GIVING SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THE FURTHERANCE
OF THE GOSPEL OFCHRIST.
( Romans 1:15-16 ) [15]So, as much as in me is, I am
ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
[16]For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
* Jerusalem Church do not stop reaching more precious souls in daily
winning lost people and more lost people added to the local Church.
( Acts 2:38-41 ) [38]Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39]For the promise is unto you,
and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord
our God shall call.
[40]And with many other words did
he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
[41]Then they that gladly received
his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls.
* Antioch Church also do not stop reaching lost people at any cost.
( Acts 11: 20-24 ) [20]And some of them were men of
Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the
Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
[21]And the hand of the Lord was
with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
[22]Then tidings of these things
came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth
Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
[23]Who, when he came, and had
seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of
heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
[24]For he was a good man, and
full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
3. FAITHFUL GIVING IS INVESTING IN ETERNITY.
( Colossians 3:1-3 )
[1]If ye
then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God.
[2]Set your affection on things
above, not on things on the earth.
[3]For ye are dead, and your life
is hid with Christ in God.
[4]When Christ, who is our life,
shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
* The Angels in heaven are rejoicing before the God the Father for
precious souls being saved.
( Luke 15:3-7 ) [3]And he spake this parable unto
them, saying,
[4]What man of you, having an
hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in
the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
[5]And when he hath found it, he
layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[6]And when he cometh home, he
calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me;
for I have found my sheep which was lost.
[7]I say unto you, that likewise
joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety
and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
* God will be rewarded the faithful soulwinners of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
(1 Thessalonians
2:19-20 ) [19]For
what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
[20]For ye are our glory and joy.
4. FAITHFUL GIVING SHOULD BE MOTIVATED BY WORSHIP.
( Malachi 3:10-12 ) [10]Bring ye all the tithes into
the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive
it.
[11]And I will rebuke the devourer
for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither
shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of
hosts.
[12]And all nations shall call you
blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
* Our giving is one way of our faithful worship to God.
( II Corinthians
9:11-15 ) [11]Being
enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us
thanksgiving to God.
[12]For the administration of this
service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many
thanksgivings unto God;
[13]Whiles by the experiment of
this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the
gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all
men;
[14]And by their prayer for you,
which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
[15]Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift.
* Our giving is our show of thanks giving to God for all the blessings
He have given to us.
( I Thessalonians
5:18 ) In every
thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(Psalms 107:1-9 ) [1]O give thanks unto the LORD,
for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[2]Let the redeemed of the LORD
say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
[3]And gathered them out of the
lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
[4]They wandered in the wilderness
in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
[6]Then they cried unto the LORD
in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
[7]And he led them forth by the
right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
[8]Oh that men would praise the
LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
[9]For he satisfieth the longing
soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
5. GIVING SHOULD BE MOTIVATED FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD.
(Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the
Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in
the knowledge of God;
* God is glorified and please by giving from the heart of the Christian.
* God is please by giving of the Christian with cheerfulness.
( II Corinthians
9:7-8 ) [7]Every
man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8]And God is able to make all
grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work:
*. God is glorified and please by the sacrificial giving of the
Christian.
( II Corinthians
8:1-5 ) [1]Moreover,
brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of
Macedonia;
[2]How that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of their liberality.
[3]For to their power, I bear
record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
[4]Praying us with much intreaty
that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints.
[5]And this they did, not as we
hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of
God.
* God is glorified and please by the readiness and willingness in giving
of God's people.
(2 Corinthians
8:11-12 ) [11]Now
therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so
there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
[12]For if there be first a
willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to
that he hath not.
* To God be the glory *
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