“Why give?”
It does not make sense to give out of your hard labor or out of your mental efforts or out of your ability to close the deal. It doesn’t.
But, … if the God of the Bible is Who He says He is and we are who He says we are …
Then yes, it absolutely makes sense to give to God or someone else, to bless them, to get nothing back in return, to get nothing back in “kind”.
• God made us in His image. He gave. He gives … a lot … and often.
Genesis 2.8 God made a garden in a place called Eden and gave it to Man.
Genesis 2.15 God took Man and put him in the Garden to keep it, take care of it.
The best way to teach our children to be responsible is to give them something and require them to take care of it before we give them more.
The parable of the Talents is God putting stuff in the hands of His children expecting a profitable result. (Matthew 25.14-30)
It starts with a right relationship with the God of the Bible.
“But, if you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things (stuff) will be granted to you.” Matthew 6.33
•The world gives and receives, and they profit, because they follow biblical examples,
… even though they do not follow God. Sowing and reaping works.
•Follow God and He will give you more to manage.
Genesis 13.2 Abram (Abraham) was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 26.13 Isaac became rich and gained more and more until he was very wealthy.
Genesis 30.43 Jacob increased greatly in flocks, donkeys, camels, and employees.
Don’t love stuff
Matthew 6.24 … you cannot serve God and mammon (stuff) … (so Matthew 6.33)
Mark 10.17-22 … the rich young ruler was sad because he had a lot of stuff…
TOAST = Tithe, Offering, Alm, Special Giving, Taxes
Tithe:
Genesis 14.18-20 Abram / Abraham tithed to bless God
Genesis 28.20-22 Jacob’s covenant of tithe
Malachi 3.10-12 Tithe and God will bless you; test Him in this.
Hebrews 7-10 Jesus, our High Priest, receives our tithes
Offering:
2 Corinthians 9.7-11 cheerful giver, not out of compulsion, give as you decided
Luke 6.30-38 give and it will be given back to you … pressed down and overflowing
Mark 10.29-30 leave everything behind to serve God, He will give 100x and eternal life.
Alm:
Proverbs 19.17 give to the poor is lending to the Lord, God will repay
John 12.7 …the poor you have with you always… (someone will always need something)
Acts 4.32 … one heart and one soul, all things in common … (not communism…)
James 1.20 … take care of widows and orphans … (people without a covering)
Special Giving:
1 Chronicles 29 … King David and Israel give to build the Temple
1 Corinthians 16.1-3 … lay aside your gift weekly to give to the saints …
Taxes: Matthew 17.24-27 Pay taxes, take the first and pay tax, keep the rest
Matthew 22.15-21 Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s
•Taxes paid are an investment in your government by you and God; hold them to account.
Doc Rogers writes.... 