GIVING

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Giving

White Knuckles

There’s a conflict between God’s economy and the world’s. The world’s economy says, “You work hard and whatever you earn is yours, so keep it.” When we listen to this perspective, we “white-knuckle” our stuff. We hold on to it fearing what we’ve worked so hard to get will slip away from us. God’s economy says, “If we give it away, we’ll be blessed.” That’s a totally different perspective—holding vs. giving.

White knucklers wonder why they aren’t blessed. It’s because their hand is so tightly wound around their stuff that God can’t put anything in there.

Read Proverbs 11:24–25.

  • Describe the contrast between one who gives and one who withholds.
  • Which person is more blessed? Why?
  • How can a generous person prosper?

Read 1 Timothy 6:17–19.

  • Where should we be rich?
  • What is the outcome of letting go of our stuff?

Look at the Numbers

How important is giving to God? Here’s a clue. There are approximately 500 verses in the Bible that talk about faith. There are approximately 500 verses in the Bible on prayer. We know how important both prayer and faith are, right? There are 2,000 verses in the Bible that have something to do with money and possessions. God spends a lot of time helping us understand letting go and giving away.

Basically, as we read His Word, He’s telling us that we can keep earthly treasures for the moment and we may even derive some temporary pleasure from them. However, if we choose to give them away—stop white knuckling—we have the opportunity to enjoy eternal treasure that cannot be taken away from us, ever.

Read Matthew 6:21.

  • How important are money, possessions and your attitude toward them and your attitude toward giving?
  • Where do we get hung up?

Faith and Trust

Psalm 50:10 tells us, “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” The psalmist lyrically lets us know that God doesn’t need our money. He is the Creator of the Universe.

We don’t need to give to God because God needs it. We need to let go of our stuff because we don’t need it. Giving shows God we don’t need it and it shows God that we trust Him to provide when we put Him first and give Him our best. Giving is both a heart issue and a faith issue. Jim Elliott, one of five missionaries who died while serving the Auca Indians wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”[1]

Read Luke 21:1–4.

  • How does this widow give? How do the wealthy give?
  • What is each one’s perspective and which one showed a heart and faith that trusted God?

The Challenge

Generosity is the antidote to greed and it is a sure fire way to plant our heart squarely into the things that God is passionate about. The Bible is clear that our heart and our money are connected . . . one follows the other.  Could it be that our hearts aren’t as connected to the things God cares about because we are not putting our treasure there?

  • In what ways is God calling you to be generous?  How are you responding?
 

[1] Chip Ingram, Good to Great in God’s Eyes: 10 Practices Great Christians Have in Common, Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 20007, 22

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  • Pam

    I am still learning to tithe, but I find that the more I tithe the more blessed I have been.

    547 days ago

  • Mike K

    Last week I commented that I was going threw a hard time even though I felt I was a big giver and did not understand why… well God sent a messenger “Pastor Brad” Sundays message was load and clear… just giving is not the key… for me I need to trust God even when things are not making sense,… even if this trial I am going through lasts the rest of my life and I end up living under a bridge someday… I will not be alone … my Savior will be with me.

    547 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

    One of the first things that came to mind as I began reading was the picture of someone holding on so tightly to their possessions that they begin to hoard everything for the fear of having nothing. When the stuff begins to pile up it becomes overwhelming and a burden. The pleasure and happiness that their stuff once brought is lost and so are they.
    The issue is not that possessions themselves are bad but they should not be our highest priority. If we value what our Lord values rather than what our society values, our focus would be on Him and others. We would want to help meet the needs of others before we seek to accumulate possessions beyond our basic needs. It’s a matter of sacrificing our wants for others needs.
    Our resources are not to be privately held and consumed but are to be used as a means of generosity, as a way of showing care for our neighbors and beyond.
    Ultimately it is about the heart. Where our treasure is, there our heart is. Where is our treasure being stored? Jesus says, “Healthy seed reflecting God’s desire is not planted in riches. Rather, it should penetrate the heart and be planted into people, especially people in need.” Jesus warns that treasure invested for the self yields emptiness, while treasure invested for God yields compassion.

    547 days ago

  • Ronald Ponkey

    I enjoyed Brad’s message on Saturday-it hit me right in the face-ouch! I visited Costco Sunday and naturally made my usual tour of the big screen televisions despite the fact that I have a perfectly good television. I saw lots of people lied up at the register with their new LCD or Plasma screens. Suddenly I felt anger surge thru my body…I own my own business, I work hard, why couldn’t I afford a new big screen television? Why can’t I go on vacation like everyone else? I felt left out of the world and remembered Brad’s message….I assume these people were probably buying these new televisions on credit something I will not do as a Dave Ramsey follower-Christian Stewardship. But still I felt beaten down…I felt the devil calling me a loser, failure, smuck..etc…
    Then I realized these people probably were worshiping their God…the God of materialism…I took a moment to thank God for his wisdom and blessings…but still as I fight this bad economy and you own your own business it can be a rough ride when you see other people enjoying life…but I will continue to make sure Christian Stewardship is always a part of my life…If God thinks I need it…He will give it to me.
    When I ride by expensive homes I am jealous…but then I told my wife, if you think these homes are nice I cannot wait to see the home waiting for me in Heaven…it will make these homes look like cheap bungalow’s …I trust God and thank Brad for bringing me back to reality…Thanks Northridge Church.

    547 days ago2 Replies

    • Kirk Stevens

      in reply to Ronald Ponkey

      I own my own business as well. Times are very, very tough for small businesses. I have been in business since 1968 and I have never seen it so bad. Not to be political, but, with all the taxes, regulations, and benefits need to support a small business it is difficult, and almost impossible to make a profit, not to mention all the out-sourcing going on.
      The worst part about being a business owner during these hard times is that, when you are hurting, it hurts others as well, and we don’t want to be the source of hurt to others.
      I ask God every day to lift the burden so I may be in a position to help, not hurt, other people. Since I am providing a living for my employees, I would like to, at least, provide them with enough to support their families each week.
      It isn’t material possessions I am after, I truly want to help people, but, the resources are very slim these days. I don’t envy the people that own the large houses in Northville, I’ve been there, and life isn’t any easier there than it is anywhere else. it is fun to dream about winning the lottery, so to speak, but the problems never go away. It seems as though a lot of money would solve everything, but the truth of the matter is; the problems go away for maybe a few months, but then new ones pop up out of no where, and the money doesn’t solve them. Many people say that if they had a ton of money dropped on them they wouldn’t change there lives. The money changes your life, we have no control over it.
      I always use Tiger Woods as an example; here is a guy worth billions, married to a model, two great children, lives in a mansion in Jupiter Florida and plays golf for a living. Could anyone ask for a more perfect life? Well, he rubbed Buddha’s belly till the cows came home but his life was destroyed regardless (he is a Buddhist). I have met happier people that have no income, but they have one thing Tiger doesn’t, faith in God. Don’t envy the rich, because the rich envy the happy people.
      Read Ecclesiastes, it really puts things in perspective. I feel it is the best book of the Bible concerning this issue.

      547 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderMike (Outreach Ministries)

      in reply to Ronald Ponkey

      Thanks Ronald for sharing your honest thoughts. You hit it in the middle of your comment when you saw them worshiping the God of materialism. i just got back from Haiti and after walking through the tent villages where the daily struggle is for food and clean water i saw how blessed I was. It is natural for us to look at those that have more but my heart filled with gratefulness when I say how blessed I was compared to my friends in Haiti.

      546 days ago

  • Lynn

    One of my favorite parables is The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We must be open to seeing this parable outside the confines of money. Stay-at-home parents do not necessarily contribute to the financial provison of the family, but we make decisions every day as to how we will spend our time and energy. Parents, who are involved in the school system, are able to see inefficiencies that working parents cannot. Each parent makes decisions as to how we utilize our time and energy, based upon what is needed by our family. Instead of comparing, we must consider Luke 6:41-42 so that we can more clearly see what is needed by our own family.

    547 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to Lynn

      I agree Lynn, if we are focused on comparing ourselves to others we won’t be able to see what God is showing us in our own families.

      547 days ago

  • Amy

    Reflecting today on Brad talking about trusting God to provide and how there can be lots of different ways of Him doing this. This fall I’ve experienced God providing by finding great great shirts for my girls and I at the Salvation Army store (Justice and Chicos for $4!), by $10 off coupons showing up for several stores where I could get things we need for very little money (jeans for my son for $3 and $6!). By providing Aldi. I have to put the work in to go to these different places, but He’s provided exactly what we need and enough extra to let me know that truly, He will not only meet our needs, but give us abundantly more than we need.

    On the flip side (and the reason I starting checking out the inside of the Salvation Army), we’ve been letting go of a lot of “stuff”, making trips to Salvation Army, finding people to give things to. There’s a lot of joy in releasing it all to Him so that someone else can use it! And I think God blesses the effort . It’s been a lesson for our whole family in living for God and not for ourselves or our stuff.

    547 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to Amy

      That’s great Amy!!! I always try and use coupons and search the web for the best deals or watch the sale ads if i am looking for something specific. We started a tradition when my kids were younger that we go thru their toys each year before Christmas and donate toys to kids that could use them. We also do this with our clothes at each season change. I always look for charities that give items away instead of selling them. I agree that God blesses our efforts.

      547 days ago

  • Maura (Mary)

    Having this site is fantastic! Tithing is a incredible way to show God that He is enough to provide you with everything you need …giving God the first fruits of your harvest so to speak or roughly 10 percent is quite an honor..I am not quite there yet….as my bills still are to many and not enough income…so I am not at 10 percent..but I will get there…. God willing and with the help of the money management help offered from the church…I really want to honor God as He has shown me His blessings so many times in so many ways…pressed down and overflowing blessings…He always gives back 10 times what you give anyways

    546 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderMike (Outreach Ministries)

    The game changer for me was to learn that God owns it all. He wants me to manage all the resources he has entrusted to my care. And one day I will give him an account of how I managed those resources. He will reward me for my management. When I began to undersatnd and embrace these biblical truths I came to understand that this life and how I run it impacts my eternity….it matters.

    546 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderMike (Outreach Ministries)

    When It Comes to Giving Motivation Matters
    Think about your giving for just a moment. Why do you give? When it comes to giving there are many reasons people give. For some, guilt and fear are the motivations. They feel obligated and they want to appear generous. Others see the victims of a disaster and they are moved to give and help. Still others are motivated to give based on love. Parents love to give gifts to their children. But after giving all of these ways myself I have learned that when it comes to giving the attitude and the motivation of the giver are what matters most.
    Acts 20:35 “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he Himself said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’”. Now if I am honest I struggle with this verse. It goes against my nature. I like to receive gifts. No one ever asks; what did you give for Christmas? They usually ask; what did you get for Christmas? Unfortunately we humans are selfish by nature. Then along comes Jesus and says a gift given with the proper attitude benefits the giver more than the receiver.
    Jesus gave motivated by love for us…..John 3:16 For God so loved the World he gave…..and that is the motivation he wants to develop in us. In God’s economy the attitude is more important than the amount. God does not want us to give because of guilt and fear he wants us to give because out of a grateful heart, he wants us to be cheerful givers. When we give out of hearts filled with love our gifts are actually given to the Lord himself. When our attitude is right our giving is not charity but an act of worship to the Lord himself.
    May your Thanksgiving be rich in gratefulness and your Christmas be filled with giving out of hearts filled by love. May your giving be an act of worship as you give this year.

    546 days ago

  • Kirk Stevens

    I am confused,
    Jesus told a rich man “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21″
    Sell everything you own, is that contrary to managing our money? Should we be giving all our money to the poor, or should we be giving a just a particular portion? Where is the line separating hoarding and being generous? Do we keep enough for ourselves so we can retire comfortably for 30+ years, or would that be considered hoarding? By nature I am a giver, to a fault, I might add. Is that bad, or good? Is it foolish to give too much, knowing that God will provide? Does God not love a joyful giver? How much does one person need to be happy, or comfortable?

    546 days ago1 Reply

    • CathyM

      in reply to Kirk Stevens

      Kirk, Jesus was talking to that man specifically because he knew what was in that man’s heart. He knew that man wanted an easy way to God and he could give out of his riches and it would mean nothing to him, he would hardly notice. God knew this man’s motives and He knew they were not pure.

      God wants all of us, He wants us to give our heart, soul, mind, strength and even our pocket book to Him because He knows it is in the giving of our lives that we can truly become alive in Him. We need to check our motivation for giving. Are we giving because we love God and want to worship Him with our gift, or are we giving to get all we can, kind of like a slot machine, we put our money in, pull the handle and see what God will pour back out into our lives.

      God does love a cheerful giver. He doesn’t need what we give Him, but He wants us to adore Him and to demonstrate that by giving what is important in this world, by giving our money, our time and our service back to Him. Sounds like that is what you are already doing. Good job!

      545 days ago

  • Cindi

    Well.. Brad delivered God’s message again! Balance in everything in your lives is the key…tithing, giving , spending, buying, saving. As we all struggle to pay off our debts and try to save and tithe and give it does get frustrating for myself, husband and family! We all work very hard and want things, NOW, that we can’t afford.. want to charge them and fight satan with those urges and wants daily. I ask the Lord to guide us, teach us and direct our pathes into the right direction. Some want instant gradification.. the way of the world today.. we have to learn to have patience and trust God… thanks Brad for reminding us….

    545 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

    2 Corinthians 9:11The Message
    God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

    He throws caution to the winds,
    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
    His right-living, right-giving ways
    never run out, never wear out.
    This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

    545 days ago