GIVING (1)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Bible Topic

a) To learn what the Bible has to say on a variety of topics affecting our everyday lives, we may find what we are looking for here.

2. Giving

a) God is pleased with personal giving. It's in the Bible, Exodus 35:22, TLB. "Both men and women came, all who were willing-hearted. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold, jewelry—earrings, rings from their fingers, necklaces—and gold objects of every kind."

b) God is pleased when we give generously. It's in the Bible, Ezra 2:68-69, TLB. "Some of the leaders were able to give generously toward the rebuilding of the Temple, and each gave as much as he could. The total value of their gifts amounted to $300,000 of gold, $170,000 of silver, and 100 robes for the priests."

c) God is pleased with regular sacrificial giving. It's in the Bible, II Corinthians 8:2, TLB. "Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others."

d) Generosity takes preparation and planning. It's in the Bible, Leviticus 19:9-10, TLB. "When you harvest your crops, don't reap the corners of your fields, and don't pick up stray grains of wheat from the ground. It is the same with your grape crop—don't strip every last piece of fruit from the vines, and don't pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and for those traveling through, for I am Jehovah your God."

e) Giving can be an act of worship. It's in the Bible, Matthew 2:11, NIV. "On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."

f) Gifts should be given willingly. It's in the Bible, II Corinthians 9:7, NIV. "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
 

The End ...

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