Sermon Notes, May 5, 2019 AM
You Can’t Love Without Giving
Steve W.
Reeves & Casey McDonald
stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. There he is, Mister Grinch. This fictional
charcter from Dr. Seuss, is often reminiscent of people in today’s world. The Grinch was selfish. He didn’t share anything and
despised those who did. For Mister Grinch life was all about himself.
B. The antithesis of Mr. Grinch is the spirit of generosity pictured in Scripture. Have you
considered the frequency of important words in the Bible?
1. The word “believe” occurs 272 times.
2. The word “pray” is found 371 times in the Bible.
3. “Love” appears 714 times in Scripture.
4. The word “Give” occurs 2,152 times in the Bible.”
C. When we hear the word, “give” with reference to church we instinctively think about
money. I have found through the years that sermons I have preached about giving
are the most controversial lessons I have preached.
1. Nothing is as personal to us as our money.
2. The context of “giving,” however is much broader than money. It involves time,
effort, ability, activity and activity.
3. The word, “stewardship” applies to all of life’s resources.
4. Our concern in this message is not with dollars and cents but with attitudes and
actions.
D. Did you know that the Bible contains more promises regarding generosity than any
other subject?
1. The reason for this is that God is generous with us.
2. How has God demonstrated His love for us? Each of us can quote John 3:16, “For
God so loved the world that He gave . . .” If God were not a giving God you and I
would not be here. We would not have the blessings of life to enyoy. We would not
have any hope for eternity.
3. As an old saying goes, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without
giving.”
E. Consider these golden truths about giving.
I. GENEROSITY HONORS GOD
A. Does God need our giving? Paul told the Athenians, “The God who made the
world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in
temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He
needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all
things” (Acts 17:24-25).
B. A father and 5 year old son were in the car afternoon when the son said he was
hungry. The father stopped at McDonalds and picked up an order of fries. After
giving them to his son he said, “Can I have one. The son said, “No, these are
mine.” The father thought to himself.
1. “You would not have those fries if I had not given them to you. I am the source
of all fries.”
2. “I could take those fries away from you anytime I wanted.”
3. “I do not need your fries but you need to learn to share.”
C. God does not need our giving but we need to learn to give.
II. GENEROSITY IS THE CURE FOR MATERIALISM
A. Our society is characterized by “get, get, get.” Whether it’s the latest iPhone,
newest car, or accumulation of wealth.
1. Jesus encountered a rich young man in Matthew 19:15-22. The young man was
interested in eternal life until Jesus told Him, “go and sell your possessions and
give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”
2. Remember, in Matthew 6:24 Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for
either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
B. The cure for selfishness is generosity. As we let go of the things of this world we
place greater trust and faith in the sustaining grace of God.
1. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be
conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly
supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good
works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the
treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that
which is life indeed” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
III. GENEROSITY DEMONSTRATES FAITH.
A. When we give to others we show that we believe God will take care of us.
1. Do you remember what God said in Malachi 3:10? “Bring the whole tithe into the
storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says he
Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a
blessing until it overflows.”
2. This is the only time in the Bible where God says, “Put me to the test and see if I will ot
do exactly as I have promised.”
B. There is no more practical way of demonstrating our faith in God’s care than by haring the
blessings and resources we have with
others.
CONCLUSION:
A. God does not need anything we have to offer, but our generosity does honor him, ures materialism, and demonstrates faith.
1. To some kids’, fruit snacks ar the
currency of love. I’ll never forget while Rylan was eating a pack of those
juicy an delicious treats, he was down to the last one, strawberry. It dawned
on him tat I had not eaten any, but was just enjoying watching him. He took
the last one out o the package, lifted it up to me and said, “Here ya go,
daddy.”
2. I did no need or even want the
fruit snack. However, I saw this as a primetime opportuity for him to exercise
his generosity muscle. I accepted the offering with gratitud and praised him
for his generous heart.
3. God does not need or even want your
money. However, what he desires is for you o have a generous spirit.
B. Genesis 1:27, “SoGod created man in his
own image, in the image of God he created him; male and femal he created them.”
1. You and I are made in God’s own image. Since we are created in his
image, it leases him when our actions reflect his image. Remember John 3:16, “…he
gave…” We hould be givers as our master is a giver.2. Generosity rests at the very core of our creator’s image. When we exhibit generosity, e reflect the very heart of God.
C. Have you given in such a way that reflects the image of God? Have you given your life o him since he gave his son’s life for you?
1. If you desire to give your life and surrender all to Jesus, you can do that now.
2. If you have been resisting the Holy Spirit’s tug to give more of yourself, make the ommitment now.
