Making Money and Giving Work

Making Money Work

2 Corinthians 8:12-15

Brownstown Church of Christ

2 Cor. 8:12-15 (NIV)

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be

relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.

2 Cor. 8:12-15 (NIV)

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he

who gathered little did not have too little."

Welcome

Clarity on What We Each Have to Give

Welcome

Clarity on What We Each Have to Give

Time: We all receive exactly the same amount

Welcome

Clarity on What We Each Have to Give

Time: We all receive exactly the same amount

Talent: We each receive differently but can expand

Welcome

Clarity on What We Each Have to Give

Time: We all receive exactly the same amount

Talent: We each receive differently but can expand

Treasure: We each receive differently and it is the most susceptible to change

Making Money Work

When do you break the piggy bank?

Making Money Work

When do you break the piggy bank?

…when you find something you really want

Making Money Work

When do you break the piggy bank?

…when you find something you really want

…when vacation or Christmas arrive

Making Money Work

When do you break the piggy bank?

…when you find something you really want

…when vacation or Christmas arrive

…when an event occurs you didn’t plan

Making Money Work

When do you break the piggy bank?

…when the piggy bank is full

Making Money Work

When do you break the piggy bank?

…when the piggy bank is full

…when you need money for groceries

Making Money Work

God wants us to know how money and giving work

Making Money Work

God wants us to know how money and giving work:

When a true need arises!

Making Money Work

2 Cor. 8:10-11 (NIV)

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may

be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

Making Money Work

The apostle Paul has a word of advice

Making Money Work

The apostle Paul has a word of advice

…give according to your means

Making Money Work

The apostle Paul has a word of advice

…give according to your means

…don’t start what you can’t finish

Making Money Work

The apostle Paul has a word of advice

…give according to your means

…don’t start what you can’t finish

…let your last gift be as heartfelt as the first

Making Money Work

Why doesn’t the apostle just command them to give?

Making Money Work

Why doesn’t the apostle just command them to give?

…it should be an expression of their sincerity

Making Money Work

Why doesn’t the apostle just command them to give?

…it should be an expression of their sincerity

…it should be willing and not forced

Making Money Work

Why doesn’t the apostle just command them to give?

…it should be an expression of their sincerity

…it should be willing and not forced

…if commanded, it becomes an assessment and not a gift

Making Money Work

What does your giving say about you?

Making Money Work

What does your giving say about you?

…it shows the sincerity of your faith

Making Money Work

What does your giving say about you?

…it shows the sincerity of your faith

…it reveals the reality of your walk

Making Money Work

What does your giving say about you?

…it shows the sincerity of your faith

…it reveals the reality of your walk

…it expresses your love for God

Making Money Work

What does your giving say about you?

…it shows the sincerity of your faith

…it reveals the reality of your walk

…it expresses your love for God

…it proves your faith is not dead

Making Money Work

Why is it so hard to be generous over time?

Making Money Work

Why is it so hard to be generous over time?

…you only have so much money

Making Money Work

Why is it so hard to be generous over time?

…you only have so much money

…you are feel you are being used

Making Money Work

Why is it so hard to be generous over time?

…you only have so much money

…you are feel you are being used

…you think you have done your part and others should be doing theirs

Making Money Work

Why is it so hard to be generous over time?

…you’re not even sure that it is making a difference

Making Money Work

What keeps us from finishing what we began?

Making Money Work

What keeps us from finishing what we began?

…there are things we still want

Making Money Work

What keeps us from finishing what we began?

…there are things we still want

…I lack a genuine concern (only habit)

Making Money Work

What keeps us from finishing what we began?

…there are things we still want

…I lack a genuine concern (only habit)

…unforeseen financial setbacks

Making Money Work

What keeps us from finishing what we began?

…ignorance of what God wants me to do

Making Money Work

What keeps us from finishing what we began?

…ignorance of what God wants me to do

…lack of faith that God will provide

Making Money Work

What keeps us from finishing what we began?

…ignorance of what God wants me to do

…lack of faith that God will provide

…unwilling to accept that God is the source of all we have

Making Money Work

How can giving lead to joy and generosity?

Making Money Work

How can giving lead to joy and generosity?

…the joy is in seeing God supply your own needs and even beyond

Making Money Work

How can giving lead to joy and generosity?

…the joy is in seeing God supply your own needs and even beyond

…then you get the joy of investing in God’s work, in the kingdom work of God

Making Money Work

How can giving lead to joy and generosity?

…you might not actually see what you have given get there our be used but you know that God is using it for eternal

benefits (seed giving)

Making Money Work

2 Cor. 8:12-15 (NIV) For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not

according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the

present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who

gathered little did not have too little."

Making Money Work

What standard for giving did Paul indicate was both practical and reasonable?

Making Money Work

What standard for giving did Paul indicate was both practical and reasonable?

…give according to what you have

Making Money Work

What standard for giving did Paul indicate was both practical and reasonable?

…give according to what you have

…you are not expected to give what you don’t have, beyond your means

Making Money Work

Paul list reasons why some of us have an abundance?

Making Money Work

Paul list reasons why some of us have an abundance?

…to supply others who are in need

Making Money Work

Paul list reasons why some of us have an abundance?

…to supply others who are in need

…to address the unfortunate inequality of life

Making Money Work

Paul list reasons why some of us have an abundance?

…to supply others who are in need

…to address the unfortunate inequality of life

…to prevent excess or hoarding in our life

Making Money Work

Paul list reasons why some of us have an abundance?

…to ensure that the person who has too little will not go without

Making Money Work

Paul list reasons why some of us have an abundance?

…to ensure that the person who has too little will not go without

…because they might someday, in some way, be able to supply your need

Making Money Work

Remember the manna experience of the Children of Israel in the wilderness

Making Money Work

Remember the manna experience of the Children of Israel in the wilderness

…no matter how much they gathered, it was enough and no more

Making Money Work

Remember the manna experience of the Children of Israel in the wilderness

…no matter how much they gathered, it was enough and no more

…it built incredible trust in the lives of those born to the desert

Making Money Work

So why should I think more about my giving?

Making Money Work

So why should I think more about my giving?

…my money situation is always changing

Making Money Work

So why should I think more about my giving?

…my money situation is always changing

…it is not a command but a result of a grateful heart

Making Money Work

So why should I think more about my giving?

…my money situation is always changing

…it is not a command but a result of a grateful heart

…it is a response to changing opportunities

Making Money Work

So why should I think more about my giving?

…my money situation is always changing

…it is not a command but a result of a grateful heart

…it is a response to changing opportunities

…it is subject to the leading of the Holy Spirit

Making Money Work

So what should I do?

Making Money Work

So what should I do?

…ask God for wisdom, motivation, enabling and opportunity

Making Money Work

So what should I do?

…ask God for wisdom, motivation, enabling and opportunity

…ask God for the strength to complete what you have begun

Making Money Work

So what should I do?

…ask God for wisdom, motivation, enabling and opportunity

…ask God for the strength to complete what you have begun

…be intentional about your treasure, time and talent