HOW TO GIVE

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To God, it is not Every Giving that is Giving

by Pastor Seth Asare Ofei Badu

Main Passage: Genesis 4:1-5

Optional Readings: Luke 6:38, Proverbs 3:1-12

Everybody knows that if we want to receive we must give. This is the principle of reciprocity that governs all relationships. There is also general acceptance that if we want to increase, we must give strategically (as by way of sowing and investing). We must invest in Heaven’s way, so that we can reap a harvest called blessings (great things). It seems God will never lack because He is always giving; a divine and eternal principle that we are invited to share in: In the beginning, God made … (Gen. 1:1). For God so loved the world that He gave… (John 3:16). But in our giving will we end up like Cain (the first man to give), or Abel (who gave his first and best)?

The Economy of Heaven

ü In the economy of God and His children, everybody has been given something (Body, health, money, etc.), which left on its own will perish with time

ü That something must be used build a relationship and investment account with God

ü God will not fail to reward or bless givers/investors

How then must we give?

A. Give with Commitment – Ensure that the Need has been met; Bring all the tithes… let there be food in My house … Mal. 3:10

When you are giving to God, ensure that His honor has been taken into account, as in the case of Abel (and not Cain, who just gave).

1. Like Abel and David, be prepared to give sacrificially (the first and the best; this can cost you a lot, at the time of giving, sometimes your best.), Genesis 4:4; Acts 13:22; 2Sam 24:24.

2. Like the Woman of Zarephat, be prepared to give obediently, which can cost you everything (1 Kings 17:12-16, Malachi 3:10)

B. Giving Discreetly – not Drawing Unnecessary Attention (Matthew 6:1 – 4)

- Protects the recipient’s honor

- Purifies the motive

- Promotes Friendship

- Guarantees reward

Note that this is in the case of alms…

C. Give Motivationally, in monumental events, give to encourage others to give

- Nehemiah

- The Officers of David

- Macedonia

1Chronicles 29:2, 6, 9, Nehemiah 5:17-18, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Practice Points

1. Share before you eat

2. Give to those who ask you

3. Take good care of your household

4. Give to your friends and the needy

· Visitation

· Encouragement/ Good counsel

· Skills

5. Take thought to invest in the Gospel every year

Giving Verses to Remember

• It is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:25

• Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him? Romans 11:35

• God loves a cheerful giver 2Corinthians 9:7

• Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and he who sets a way, I will show him the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

• Pro 11:24 There is one who scatters and yet increases; but one who withholds just due comes only to poverty.

• Pro 11:25 The soul who gives freely shall be made fat; and he who waters shall also be watered himself.

• Pro 11:26 He who withholds grain, the people shall curse him; but blessing is on the head of him who sells.

Prayer : Lord, teach me to give rightly and frequently!

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