Getting it StraightWhat being a Christian is all about• Believer • Worshipper • Giver (Sharer) • Follower (Disciple)• Belonger • Reconciler

How do we give?• Giving – Serving• Love – Charity – Charitable • More than physical possessions and money• How do we serve and give?

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” – 2Corinthians 9:12 (NIVUK)

Big Society?• God knows about what we give and how we

serve• Equipped to serve• Different gifts, service, works• Gifts | Service | Works are spiritual“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first” – Revelation 2:19(NIVUK) “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”- Ephesians 4:12(NIVUK)“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” - 1Corithinians 15:4-6 (NIVUK)

What about money?• 500 verses in the Bible about faith• 500 verses in the Bible about prayer• 2,350 about money and possessions• 15 out of 46 parables of Jesus• 25% of the Sermon on the Mount is about the

subject• Circa10% NT verses

Money tempts“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” – 1Timothy 6:9-10 (NIVUK)“For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows” (v.10 GNT)“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” – Hebrews 13:5a (NIVUK)

How much does God want of us?

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us” - 2Corinthians 8:3-5 (NIVUK)• Direction• Upward then Outward

• Characteristics• Cheerful• Regular• Specific• Sacrificial

How much does God want of us?• Cheerful • Regular• Specific • Sacrificial

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully” – 2Corinthians 9:7 (NLT) ”Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made” - 1Corinthians 16:1-2 (NIVUK)“…we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” – 1Corinthians 8:1-2 (NIVUK)

Attitude• It’s not about the pounds but the

passion• It’s not about the amount but the

attitude• Giving can involve impure motives• How much?– Decide in your heart– Don’t be pressurised– Don’t be reluctant

OT Tithing• Levite tithe– Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:24 & 28;

2Chronicles 31:4• Holiday tithe– Deuteronomy 12-11-12; 18; 21

• Welfare tithe– Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Partners“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need” – Philippians 4:15-16 (NIVUK)

Top Tips to Remember• God owns it all – Psalm 24:1• God gives you the ability – Deuteronomy

13:22• Save for the future – Proverbs 13:22• Don’t get in over your head – Proverbs 22:7• Be content – Philippians 4:11-13• Watch your motives – Luke 12:15• Get your priorities right – Matthew 6:33• Jesus is your example – 2Corinthians 8:9