Memory verse 1: Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything.  1 Chronicles 29:11

Memory verse 2: “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender” Proverbs 22:7

Memory verse 3: “the way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel” Proverbs 12:15

Memory verse 4: “you shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” Leviticus 19:11

Memory verse 5: “whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” Colossians 3:23

Memory verse 6: “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”   Matthew 6:21

I hope you were able to take time to watch yesterdays video on tithing.  Today we will continue with another one titled ” What test?”  But before that, let’s look at a few verses on the advantage of giving.

Advantage of Giving

If a gift is given with the proper attitude, the giver benefits more than the receiver.

“remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35

Isn’t it the greatest feeling when we can give to someone in need, or just to give someone a gift for no other reason than to tell them that you love them?

1.   Giving draws our hearts toward Christ

This should sound familiar as this was the theme of yesterdays video.

“for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Matthew 6:21

If we invest in Godly things, our heart will be in Godly things. Do you sponsor a child in a third world country? Your heart will be there. Do you give to a mission, a charity or a church? Your heart will be there.

2. Giving helps develop character

This will be an automatic outcome as we give because our hearts will become more focused on others rather than ourselves. And becoming outward focused will help in all areas of our life.

3. Giving allows us to invest for eternity.

“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” Matthew 6:20

God will bless you for blessing others. We may not see it here, or at least the full extent of it, but the bible tells us we are building up treasures in heaven. I don’t know what that will look like, but that sure sounds exciting to me!

4. Giving produces a blessing to the giver

“there is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered” Proverbs 11:24

I want to be careful that I am not preaching a prosperity gospel, give to get. But the bible does definitely indicate that there will be blessings to those who do who scatter seeds, in other words, who give. That is not to say you will be rich because you do this, but you will be blessed in some way. It could be monetary, it could be something else. Either way, don’t you want to blessed by God?

 

Video 2-   “What Test”

 

Lord, again we come to you with thanks! You are awesome and powerful. You bless those who bless others. God give me a generous heart. Help me to love others like you do. In Jesus name, amen