Life Church Midlothian
Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 8:7
Senior Pastor Jason Exley
Sermon Notes
But just as you excel in everything – in faith in speech, in knowledge,in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving. - 2 Corinthians 8:7
Emerging Level Giving
This is proportional giving.
“Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income…” - 1 Corinthians 16:1,2a
Consistent Level Giving
Give in secret – don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. - Matthew 6
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. - Acts 5:1-2
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. - Mark 12:41
Obedience Level Giving
This is when I return the full tithe
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse (yes, a curse) – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me. 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.” - Malachi 3:8-10
But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. - Genesis 4:2-5a
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing… - Proverbs 3:9-10a
Yes you should tithe! - Matthew 23:23
Extravagant Level Giving
This is when I become a generous giver.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. - 2 Corinthians 9:6
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7