The kind of giving that honors God
Making sense out of money, part 4 of 4
Pastor Vince DiPaola
I. The many methodologies we use to give
1. The “bill payment” approach.
2. The “parking ticket” approach.
3. The “thruway EZ pass” approach.
4. The “powerball lotto” approach.
5. The “admission charge” approach.
6. The “life insurance ” approach.
II. The motivations we can have in giving
1. Guilt giving: Drudgery motivation
“Jesus said, ‘now go away and learn the meaning of this verse of Scripture, ‘It isn’t your sacrifices and gifts I want–I want you to be merciful.’’” (Matthew 9:13, LB)
2. Obligation giving: Duty motivated
“But how terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe
even the tiniest part of your income, but you completely forget about justice
and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone
the more important things.” (Luke 11:42, NLT)
3. Privilege giving: Delight motivated (The motivation that honors God)
“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisees house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her tears, kissed them and poured perfume on them. The Pharisee… said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know… that she is a sinner.’… Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair…. From the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet… she poured perfume on my feet… her many sins have been forgiven for she loved much. (Luke 7:37-47, NIV)
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7–8, NIV)
The treasure principle:
You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead!
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20–21, NIV)