Chapter 6 - Through The
Resources God Has Given Me
God owns everything. Everything we see is His creation. Everything we "create" is made of something God has already created.
What is the Purpose of Possessions?
Look up the passages below to reveal a purpose for possessions.
1 Timothy 5:4-8
1 John 3:17-18
1 Timothy 6:17
Philippians 1:5
Galatians 6:6
Truths About Giving
It is Voluntary
(In your Bible, read 2 Corinthians 9:7)
No one is forced to give to the church. However, our gifts are to be an expression of our love for God. Just as we demonstrate our love to friends and family by giving them gifts, so should be our attitude toward giving to God.
It is to be Generous
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. --2 Corinthians 9:6
It is to be a Systematic Discipline
(In your Bible, read 1 Corinthians 16:2.)
Paul knew that if they waited to give what was left over, they would never give. It is always best to have a systematic plan for how you use your money and giving to God should be a part of that plan.
Given Without Display
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. --Matthew 6:1-4
Done as an Act of Faith
(In your Bible, read Matthew 6:25-34)
When we give, we are demonstrating our trust in God. In a way we are showing that we trust Him to provide for our needs and that we believe His promises are true.
Because We are Stewards
When God created humanity, He gave us the task of watching over and caring for His creation.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” --Genesis 1:26-28
Jesus told several parables that included the idea of humanity being responsible for the things entrusted to them. As a steward, entrusted with overseeing a specific area or item, we are to do what we can to make that area or item productive. Being productive, however, is not based upon our ideas or definitions, but rather upon creating an increase that pleases God, the Owner, and contributes to His aims.
Ask God to help you plan your finances including what you should be giving to Him and His church.
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