Theme: What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Topic: A Friend to the Cheerful Giver

 Introduction

1. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
2. Define: Sacrifice
3. Discuss: Sacrifice vs Offering
4. Examine Romans 12:1-2 – present your body a living sacrifice
5. Jimmy Lovell – WBS – Action
   1. Started program – Miss-a-Meal – send the $1 to WBS
   2. Raised hundreds of thousands of dollars
   3. Could not find anyone who “missed a meal”

The Story – Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4 – Widow’s Mite

1. Jesus sitting by the treasury
2. Watching “how” people gave
3. Mite – crumb, morsel – 2 mites = 1 farthing
4. About 1/40 of a days labor wage
5. 12 minutes of an 8 hour day (20 minutes of a 12 hour day)

Our Gift can be Significant even if it is Small (42)

1. Give ALL you have
2. What does God demand of us? ALL? EVERYTHING?
3. Should we give of our abundance?

Our Gift should be an Appropriate Amount (43)

1. What made the widow’s gift so great?
2. Study: Luke 12:48 – Much given, much is required
3. See: Matthew 10:8 – freely received, freely give
4. Are we to tithe (give 10%)?
5. Is a percentage required? Why or Why not?

Our Gift should be Prompted by the Right Attitude (44)

1. What are some motives for giving?
2. Evangelize the world – reach the lost – preach the Word
3. An Act of worship
   1. Is giving just a mechanical means of paying the light bill?
   2. Is giving an act of worship?
   3. How is it worship?
4. Commandment – We must obey
   1. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – gave order to churches in Galatia
   2. 2 Corinthians 8:8, 12
   3. 2 Corinthians 9:5-10

There is More to Giving Than Money

1. Parable of Talents – talent = large coin of great value
2. Today – talents = abilities, gifts
   1. What are your “gifts”?
   2. How can I use them to serve God?
3. Time
4. Possessions

God Loves the Cheerful Giver

1. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – God loves a cheerful (hilarious) giver
2. Greek – (hil-ar-os – cheerful, merry, joyous)
3. What does giving cheerfully mean?