GOD GIVES AND WE ARE TO GIVE

1. GOD GIVES AND WE ARE TO GIVE 2 Corinthians 9:8,11 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. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2. Isa. 1:18 LET US REASON TOGETHER • We can’t reason with God using our world’s training! • Rom 12:2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will. • Renewed mind is the same as a new heart and a new spirit. • New disposition, inclinations, sympathies and antipathies. • Understanding is enlightened, and conscience softened. • Thoughts rectified, the will bowed to the will of God. • The affections made spiritual and heavenly. • The man is not what he was-- old things are passed away, • All things are become new, he acts from new principles. • The mind, our ruling part, renewed by faith in God’s word?

3. SOVEREIGN GOD IS ABLE • 2 Cor. 9:8. 11 • to make all grace abound to you, • in all things at all times, having all that you need, • you will abound in every good work. • You will be made rich in every way. • so that you can be generous on every occasion, • and through us your generosity will result in thanks giving to God. • Rich in every way to abound in generous giving.

4. WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT GIVING? • Matt 23:23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. (The tithe) • Luke 11:42 "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. (The tithe) • Would a renewed mind do less if a tithe is blessed?

5. WHAT IS A TITHE? • Lev 27:32The entire tithe of the herd and flock-- every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod-- will be holy to the LORD. • To us a tithe is a tenth or 10% of our increase. • EXAMPLE • Harry’s gross weekly check is …………$ 400.00 • His wife works her weekly check is ……$ 300.00 • There joint increase for the week is ….... $700.00 • A tithe on their increase is a tenth part of $700 • There contribution would be (.10 x 700 = $70.00)

6. WHY WOULD WE DENY GOD A TITHE? • Mal 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,"says the LORD Almighty,“ and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. • Luk 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.“ • To deny God a tithe, denies us of a greater blessing! • This is the reasoning of a renewed mind. • A renewed mind would develop it’s giving to a tithe .

7. WHAT HINDERS GENEROSITY? • If I give, I will have less than I already have. • My job, is my only income to cover my needs. • What other source would allow more giving? • My salary is frozen, and the economy is down. • Unemployment’s up, recession is forecasted. • Prices are going up the dollar is down. • Business, church’s, governm’ts lower budgets • What is really missing in this picture? • A renewed mind, Satan has a world fear day.

8. FAITH VS. FEAR OF CIRCUMSTANCE • “If I give more, I will have less. fear world talk • Giving is not a sacrifice to deprive us, it is a sowing • Luk 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.“ renewed mind talk • “My job is my only income source it’s limited, what would allow me to give generously?” fear world talk • Mal 3:10 Test me in this,“.. "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.R/M/T • 2 Cor 5:7We live by faith, not by sight (of circumstance)

9. WORLD FEAR VS. RENEWED MIND • My salary is frozen, economy is down. fear • Unemployment’s up, recession is forecasted. fear • Prices are going up on nearly everything. fear • Business, churches, govmt, lower budgets. fear • 2 Cor 5:7We live by faith, not by sight. (renewed mind!) • We live by God’s word, not fear of world circumstances. • 2Ti 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (renewed mind) • Worlds fear of circumstances is Satanic! (world minded) • Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Those with a renewed mind)

10. FEAR CAN CREATE THE FEARED • Job 1:14-15a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! • Job 1:18-19While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!“ • Job 3:25 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. Satan brought about Job’s faith in fears

11. RENEWED MIND FAITH NOT FEAR. • If we have faith in God, no reason to fear circumstances. • Fear circumstance, and fear becomes faith in the world. • Faith in the world, ends our faith in God, & renewed mind. • Ps 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, • Ps 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? • Phil 2:5Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus. • 1 Jhn 4:4 the one in you is greater than the one in the world

12. HOW CAN WE GROW IN GIVING? • Mal 3:10Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Let’s test God. • Whatever you give now add a tithe to that. It is called a “Heave Offering” in Num. 18:26 “tenth part of a tithe.” • EXAMPLE;to a gift of $25.00 add 10% or $2.50 = $ 27.50 • Examine the effect of this increase on your welfare, if good. • Increase your gift another 10%, see if God’s test is working. • Do this again, again until you reach 10% of your increase. • If you are now giving 10% or as some 20% and beyond. • God doesn’t limit your increased blessing keep on with growth we can support great causes in our budget & love out to the lost in China, Mexico and Brazil. Who loses?

13. What will man’s renewed mind know? • He knows he’s to reason for God in a sin sick world. • He knows he is God’s hands and heart in this world. • He knows he is God’s love to minister to the world. • He knows that he is a foreigner to this world. • He sees thru God’s eyes, the lost, needy & fearful. • He knows he has God’s money for good works. • He knows heaven will be his reward. • He knows we battle for God with Satan for souls. • He knows Jesus & the Holy Spirit dwells in him. • He knows all this because he obeyed the gospel.