What’s the big deal about “giving”?
We are back at it with our worship companion. The first one of 2025! We're keeping with our annual rhythm that we've been following for the Past few years of talking about stewardship giving and money in January. This year we're tackling a question that maybe difficult to answer but it certainly is a simple question. “What is “giving”? As we look at several different passages of Scripture and talk about different aspects of giving in a church context I hope that we walk away with and understanding that giving in the church is not merely giving to a charity but honoring and worshipping God by sacrificing our firstfruits to Him.
Coins: Tiberius (AD14-AD37). Macedon, Philippi. Æ
The coins above were in circulation when Paul lived, and this particular coin was traced back to Phillipi. Who knows maybe Paul saw this very coin!
Anchor Texts:
Philippians 4:10-19 NET - Appreciation for Support
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NET - Sowing and Reaping Generously
Acts 4:32-34 NET - Conditions Among the Early Believers
2 Corinthians 8:10-12 NET - Giving Eagerly in Proportion to Wealth
Questions to Ponder:
If you have to define “giving” in the church to someone outside the church, what would you say?
What does Paul mean when he says that he seeks “the credit that abounts to your account” in Philippians 4:17?
Read Philippians 4:19 - does this mean you will never have needs that are unmet? What kind of “needs” might Paul mean here? How might Paul see these needs being fulfilled? (Hint - look at the way Paul’s “needs” are fulfilled earlier in the passage).
How does 2 Corinthians 9:7 help us understand that giving is a matter of worship and not merely “charitable giving”.
How does 2 Corinthians 9:6 shape our perspective on giving in general?
Would you describe yourself as a “cheerful giver Why or why not?
The Theme in Song:
Unfortunately, there aren't many great videos on YouTube for this song but the message of it is right in line with the challenge of today's message on giving. Offering earthly wealth to God is so hard for us, yet there is no comparison between the weah of heaven and the wealth of earth!