{"id":3494,"date":"2015-09-07T00:42:29","date_gmt":"2015-09-07T07:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3494"},"modified":"2015-09-07T00:43:44","modified_gmt":"2015-09-07T07:43:44","slug":"97-ten-reasons-to-give-generously","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/09\/07\/97-ten-reasons-to-give-generously\/","title":{"rendered":"9\/7: Ten Reasons to Give Generously (\u8bd7106:1-15 \u6797\u540e9:6-15 \u8d5b14:1-16:14)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7106:1-15 \u6797\u540e9:6-15 \u8d5b14:1-16:14<\/h2>\n<h2>Ten Reasons to Give Generously<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<p>Mick Hawkins was the most generous person I have ever met. He was always giving and always offering to pay for everything. We thought he must be very rich. Actually, he wasn\u2019t. He was just very generous. His life overflowed with thankfulness for God\u2019s grace. This opened his heart and his wallet in a way that inspired all who knew him.<\/p>\n<p>I want to be like Mick. I long for the church of Jesus Christ to be full of people like him because, as we see in today\u2019s passage, grace, thanksgiving and generosity are very closely connected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>1. Thank God for grace by our worship<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm%20106:1-15&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">Psalm 106:1-15<\/a>When we begin to experience God\u2019s grace, gratitude is the natural and appropriate response. The psalmist is overwhelmed by gratitude and worships God, saying, \u2018<em>Praise <\/em>the Lord. Give<em>thanks <\/em>to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever\u2019 (v.1).<\/p>\n<p>He goes on to say, \u2018We\u2019ve sinned a lot\u2026 We\u2019ve fallen short, hurt a lot of people\u2026 forgot your great and wonderful love\u2019 (vv.6\u20137, MSG). They had \u2018rebelled\u2019 against God (v.7d).<\/p>\n<p>Years ago, by this psalm, I wrote in the margin of my Bible: \u2018I sometimes wonder whether I sin more than any other Christian\u2026 how can God go on forgiving?\u2019 If you feel like that sometimes, you are not alone.<\/p>\n<p>But, the next verse starts with the word \u2018yet\u2019. This is grace. In spite of everything:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2018<em>he saved them <\/em>for his name\u2019s sak<em>e<\/em>\u2019 (v.8a)<\/li>\n<li>\u2018<em>he led them<\/em>\u2019 (v.9b)<\/li>\n<li>\u2018<em>he redeemed them<\/em>\u2019 (v.10b).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As a result of God\u2019s amazing grace, \u2018they believed his promises and sang his praise\u2019 (v.12). But \u2018they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel\u2019 (v.13).<\/p>\n<p>Again, I have written in my margin: \u2018This is the history of my Christian life \u2013 for a day or two, or even a week or two, I believe his promises and sing his praises\u2026 but then I soon go out and forget what he has done and fail to wait for his counsel, or to ask his advice about everything.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s not be as they were \u2013 complaining every step of the way and always wanting what they did not have (v.14). They \u2018lusted exceedingly\u2019 (v.14, AMP) and God \u2018gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls\u2019 (v.15). Sometimes God says \u2018your will be done\u2019 and gives people what they ask for, even if it is not the best thing for them. Rather than lust after more, enjoy and thank God for what you have through his grace and kindness to you.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you that you do not treat me as my sins deserve, but that you have redeemed me and you lead me. Help me to believe your promises, sing your praise and not forget what you have done for me.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>2. Thank God for grace by our giving<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Corinthians%209:6-15&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">2 Corinthians 9:6-15<\/a>In this passage Paul gives us at least ten reasons to give generously:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Giving is the <em>best investment<\/em> you can make<br \/>\nLike the harvest, giving is planting seed. The farmer will reap far more than what was sown (v.6): \u2018A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop\u2019 (v.6, MSG).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\">This applies to everything in life. What you give to the Lord he multiplies \u2013 your time, gifts, ambitions and money.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Giving should be <em>fun<\/em><br \/>\nGiving should never be forced or grudging, but rather voluntary and cheerful \u2018for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above all other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, \u201cprompt to do it\u201d) giver [whose heart is in his giving]\u2019 (v.7, AMP). The Greek word for cheerful is <em>hilaros<\/em>. We always quip at HTB that our giving should be <em>hilarious<\/em>! It should be fun to give.<\/li>\n<li>Giving <em>takes away the burden of financial worry<\/em><br \/>\nPaul writes, \u2018and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that<em> in all things at all times<\/em>, having <em>all that you need<\/em>, you will abound in every good work\u2019 (v.8). Giving does not mean handing over financial responsibility to God \u2013 but it does mean handing over the worry and the burden of it.<\/li>\n<li>Giving <em>\u2018enriches\u2019 you<\/em><br \/>\nWhen God invites us to give, he is pleading to our reason, not to our emotions: \u2018Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way so that you can be generous\u2019 (v.11, AMP). Materially, we will have enough to give away generously (v.11). Our characters will be enriched (v.10). God will be praised (v.11).<\/li>\n<li>Giving<em> transforms your character<\/em><br \/>\nPaul speaks of \u2018the harvest of your righteousness\u2019 (v.10b). Giving purges the character from the constricting grip of materialism that destroys lives.<\/li>\n<li>Giving<em> inspires others<\/em><br \/>\n\u2018Your generosity will result in <em>thanksgiving to God<\/em>. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God\u2019s people but it is also overflowing in the many expressions of<em>thanks to God<\/em>. Because of the service of which you approved yourselves, people will praise God\u2019 (vv.11b\u201313a).<\/li>\n<li>Giving <em>meets people\u2019s needs<\/em><br \/>\nGenerous giving blesses other people and supplies the needs of God\u2019s people \u2013 \u2018helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians\u2019 (v.12, MSG).<\/li>\n<li>Giving is <em>evidence of real faith<\/em><br \/>\nGenerous giving is an act of obedience, which should accompany \u2018your confession of the gospel of Christ\u2019 (v.13). Giving is an act of trust \u2013 in doing it you are saying that it is God, not yourself or anyone else, who ultimately provides for your needs.<\/li>\n<li>Giving <em>makes you a stakeholder <\/em>in the church<br \/>\nPaul speaks of \u2018your generosity in <em>sharing <\/em>with them and with everyone else\u2019 (v.13b). The word Paul uses for sharing is <em>koinonia <\/em>which can also be translated \u2018fellowship\u2019. In the same way as when you share a flat or apartment you share in the bills, as you share in the needs of the community you reap the benefits of that community. For example, every time someone comes to know Christ through the community you share in the blessing.<\/li>\n<li>Giving is<em> a response to God\u2019s gift to you<\/em><br \/>\nGod so loved you that he gave his one and only Son so that you might have eternal life (John 3:16). Our giving is a response to God\u2019s amazing grace. His \u2018indescribable gift\u2019 (2 Corinthians 9:15) is the gift of his Son. \u2018Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!\u2019 (v.15, MSG).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, thank you for the indescribable gift of your son Jesus Christ. Help me to respond with generosity and grace to your amazing grace.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>3. Thank God for his grace in our lives<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Isaiah%2014:1-16:14&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">Isaiah 14:1-16:14<\/a>How do we explain the evil of ISIS \u2013 beheadings, crucifixions of Christians and Yazidis, women and children sold into slavery? How do we explain, for example, the Holocaust, Stalin\u2019s exterminations or the Rwandan genocide?<\/p>\n<p>This is one of the few passages in the Bible that hints at the origins of Satan and demonic powers.<\/p>\n<p>The beauty of a diamond is best seen set against a black velvet cloth. The beauty of God\u2019s grace is also seen in its full glory and brilliance against the darkness of evil. The prophet Isaiah speaks of God\u2019s amazing compassion (14:1). The dark background is the evil of the nations around; in particular, Babylon\u2019s cruelty, torture, persecution and slave trade.<\/p>\n<p>In the course of his description of Babylon\u2019s fall, Isaiah makes reference to an ancient Canaanite myth where Helal, the morning star, son of Shehar (dawn) attempted to rise above all the other luminaries, but was cast down by the sun:<\/p>\n<p>\u2018You said in your heart, \u201cI will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of the assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.\u201d But you were brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit\u2019 (vv.12\u201315).<\/p>\n<p>Jesus similarly describes Satan\u2019s fall (Luke 10:18). Perhaps it was pride and arrogance that led to an angelic fall before the fall of Adam and Eve.<\/p>\n<p>But against this dark background there is also a hint of a beautiful diamond.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The tyrant toppled,<br \/>\nThe killing at an end,<br \/>\nall signs of these cruelties long gone,<br \/>\nA new government of love will be established<br \/>\nin the venerable David tradition.<br \/>\nA Ruler you can depend upon<br \/>\nwill head this government,<br \/>\nA Ruler passionate for justice,<br \/>\na Ruler quick to set things right\u2019 (Isaiah 16:4b\u20135, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>Whatever the historical fulfilment may have been, there is only one person who perfectly fits this description \u2013 Jesus the Messiah, born in the line of David, who brought together God\u2019s love and his justice. Unlike the satanic <em>\u2018I will<\/em>\u2019 (14:13,14), Jesus denied himself and said, \u2018Not what <em>I will<\/em>, but what <em>you will<\/em>\u2019 (Matthew 26:39).<\/p>\n<p>The only appropriate response to God\u2019s amazing grace revealed in Jesus Christ is to give him thanks with your worship, your giving, and your whole lives \u2013 to surrender your life to him and say, \u2018I am willing to do whatever you want.\u2019<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, thank you that we experience your amazing grace, love and faithfulness in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you that he seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. Help me, like him, to have a concern for the poorest of the poor and the needy.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"bioy-body\">Pippa Adds<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<p><strong>2 Corinthians 9:6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap sparingly.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>This is the difference between placing one seed carefully in a neat line behind the other and chucking seed everywhere, not worrying if some misses the target.<\/p>\n<p>I am a little cautious by nature and probably need to take more risks. I have experienced such extraordinary generosity by the body of Christ that it constantly challenges and overwhelms me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7106:1-15 \u6797\u540e9:6-15 \u8d5b14:1-16:14 T <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/09\/07\/97-ten-reasons-to-give-generously\/\" title=\"9\/7: Ten Reasons to Give Generously (\u8bd7106:1-15 \u6797\u540e9:6-15 \u8d5b14:1-16:14)\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bibleinoneyear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3494"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3497,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3494\/revisions\/3497"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}