God is calling!  Like other calls, they might not come at the opportune time for us, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t worth answering.  Today, we will continue our series Be Generous on biblical giving.  Our purpose for this series is challenge to greater discipleship through giving.  The challenge is to the MIND, HEART, and STRENGTH of the believer. 

Background on offering for Jewish believers in Jerusalem. 

• The Corinthian church created a fund lead by Paul to help the struggling believers in Jerusalem.
• Paul considered the poverty of the Jewish Christians as an opportunity for Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians to prove their authentic faith through generous giving.
• Giving to one another would lead them to be dependent on each other.

The Corinthian Church came out of the gates strong, but then quickly faded in their commitment to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  Paul is trying to encourage them to begin again.

What is a tithe?  Means TENTH.  It is our responsibility to God (First mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22)

What is an offering?  GIFT.  Christmas is a great in giving gifts, but paying the bills and putting food on the table is the greater responsibility. 

Why is God calling us to give?

“And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but also have the desire to do so.  Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it according to your means.  For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” 2Corinthians 8:10-12

Why is God calling us to give?

1.  Generous giving calls us into GREATER WORSHIP.

• Is He worth it?  Worth + Ship.  Worship and giving go hand in hand so is God worth your worship & giving?
• Are you willing?
• Do you need to return to the Lord?  The spiritual word for return is revival.  Revival produces greater love for Jesus.  Revival leads the heart to give like Jesus.

2. Generous giving calls us into GREATER MISSION.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.  At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.  Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” 2Corinthians 8:13-15

• Do you trust God’s provision? 
• Do you give?

There are several times through the Bible where God’s people were called to return to the Lord.  Giving helps us to return and stay close to the Lord.  I would rather live on 90% of my income and know God is leading me than to have 100% of my income and know I living for myself separated from God.

“I the Lord do not change.  So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.  Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.  Return to me, and I will return to you ,” says the Lord Almighty. 

But you ask, “How are we to return?”

“Will a man rob God?  Yet you rob me?”

But you ask, “How do we rob you?”

“In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour  out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:6-10

Our tendency with money is when we have much, we overindulge.  When we have less, we hoard in fear of losing things.  Revival diminishes the grip of greed and weakens our ability to hoard.  It is good for us to give to other organizations and other churches as ministry partners. 

One man gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds unduly, but comes poverty.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Do you want greater worship?

Do you want greater mission?

Do you need revival?  Do you need a heart change?

God knows what you make.

God knows what you need.

God knows what you give.

God knows your heart!

The overflow of a revived heart is always generous living!