Giving I. Introduction A. Acts 20:35 1. We have here words of Jesus as related by Paul 2. it is an exhortation for us to give B. Giving is a very important function in life 1. It's a very "behind-the-scenes" action 2. Nevertheless, many facets of our society would no longer function without people giving of their time and money C. Christians are to be people who give 1. As we will see, the Bible constantly speaks about how Christians give 2. Let us examine, from the Scriptures, the Christian and giving II. Why Should Christians Give? A. A good starting point is to ask why a Christian must give B. It has been commanded of us 1. Acts 20:35 2. Matthew 10:8 3. Matthew 10:42 C. Matthew 20:26-28 1. Jesus responding to John and James 2. The greatest will be the one who serves-- who gives to others-- just as Jesus came not to be served but to serve 3. 1 Corinthians 11:1: Christ is to be our example 4. Since God has given so much for us, we ought to give to others! D. Matthew 13:12 1. A consistent theme of Jesus; cf. Matthew 25:29 2. Paul also speaks of it in 2 Corinthians 9:6 3. The one who gives more of himself will receive more... 4. ...while the one who gives little will lose even what he has E. Assisting People: Showing Christ's love 1. Matthew 5:13-16 2. By helping others, we help show our light so that people may glorify God 3. saints: comforts and encourages them 4. those of the world: gives an opportunity to speak of spiritual things 5. Consider John 6: Jesus provides physical support and proceeds to provide spiritual sustenance F. Seeing, then, the need for giving, to whom shall we give? III. To Whom Should Christians Give? A. Matthew 5:42: anyone who asks of us B. In short, everyone at every opportunity (Galatians 6:10) C. ...especially to the household of faith 1. we are to do this "at every opportunity" 2. does this mean that we give to only those in poverty? 3. We are to be giving to one another regardless of status! D. Examples of Christians giving 1. Jesus: constantly assisting those of Israel 2. Acts 2-4: the first Christians selling all they had so that no one among them had a need 3. 2 Corinthians 8-9: the brethren of Macedonia and Achaia giving to the saints in need in Jerusalem 4. Philippians 4:15-19: the brethren in Philippi gave to Paul in his need E. The examples of giving are mostly individuals assisting individuals, or churches helping churches 1. We see no example of individuals giving to organizations 2. Is it sinful to individuals to give to organizations? No. 3. It is most profitable, however, to give as an individual on an individual basis, since that best allows one to show Christ's light and to present spiritual benefits to those in need F. Since we see now to whom we ought to give, it is good to ask-- what shall we give? IV. What Shall Christians Give? A. Physical support 1. We have seen in previous examples that Christians gave money and food and other forms of physical support to one another 2. Galatians 2:10: we ought to be eager to "remember the poor" 3. When people come to us with needs, we must do everything we can to help them 4. While the church is able to support those within its fold, individual responsibility is not abrogated (cf. 1 Timothy 5:16)! B. Time, Presence, and Abilities 1. Giving, however, is not necessarily limited to money or other "things" 2. We can also give our time a. for many people, giving of time is more valuable than giving of resources, since by giving of our time we show more concern for the person b. some of us may have more money than others, but we all have the same amount of time c. Association with people can be very edifying for them—and you! 3. We can do many things with our time-- talk with people, study with people, etc.-- but sometimes, just being there is enough a. sometimes people don't need physical help-- they just want someone to be with them b. even though you may feel as if you have done nothing, you may have actually helped a great deal 4. We can use our abilities to help one another a. Romans 12:6-8: we all have different abilities, and we should use them for the glory of God b. we can do that easily through using them to help one another and also those outside c. if you can teach, or work with your hands, or listen, whatever-- you can use these talents to help others C. We have seen some of the things which we as Christians can give to others D. How shall we give? V. How Shall Christians Give? A. Christians ought to give cheerfully and liberally 1. 2 Corinthians 9:7 2. God loves the cheerful giver, both financially and of other means B. Christians ought to give without fanfare 1. Matthew 6:1-4 2. Our giving is not to be done to look good to others! 3. We must not flaunt our giving, but simply do it, regardless of whether men will reward us 4. Our reward will be with God VI. Conclusion A. It is manifest, then, that Christians are to be giving people B. We give because we have been commanded and we follow the example of our Lord C. By helping others, we can comfort them in the faith or show them the love of Christ through us D. We give to all men, especially those of the household of faith, and we can give of anything we have-- money, time, abilities, etc. E. We are to give liberally, cheerfully, and without fanfare F. Matthew 25:31-46 1. In describing the final Judgment scene, Jesus speaks of whether people assisted those in need or not as the yardstick of their judgment 2. if Jesus uses how well we give as a standard of judgment, shouldn't we give great consideration as to how we are helping others? 3. Will we be found to have fed, clothed, visited, and ministered to those in need, or not? G. Songbook H. This portrayal of the Judgment is a description of the last day, and we hear of that day on many occasions I. Acts 17:30-31, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9: the Judgment is a surety of God's call for repentance, and on that day the wrath of God will be revealed to those who do not know Jesus and to those who do not obey His Gospel J. If you have not known Jesus and have not obeyed His Gospel, we give you an opportunity to do so today K. Or, perhaps you have obeyed the Gospel at first but have not given as much as you ought, or you have another need-- let us help encourage you L. Or if you need encouragement for any reason, allow us to help you M. Come to the front as we stand and sing