ENJOYING THE BLESSING IN GIVING

Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom. For with the same
measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you
again. Luke 6:38
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of
the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than
to receive. Acts 20:35
Introduction:
Giving. Is it really necessary? After all, the necessities of life
require that we spend an awful lot of time in getting money just to
live on and no one questions our need to do this.
But do we have to give as well? For giving won't get us food, or
clothing or shelter. It certainly won't raise our bank accounts. In
fact, giving won't really buy us anything.
So, can't we believe in God, pray to him at worship and even talk
about him without giving anything to him or to anyone else? Can't
we be "good Christians" anyway without giving anything to anyone
anymore? Is giving really necessary?
NOTE: Ayon sa kaisipan ng mundo, kung ikaw ay magbibigay ng
pera, mauubusan ka ng pera, upang ikaw ay magkaroon at
yumaman, maghangad ka ng kayamanan.
Hinihikayat ng mundo na ihangad natin ang yumaman. May
kasabihan tayong mga Pilipino na naglalarawan ng pamamaraan
ng isang materyalistikong tao, “batas ng embudo ang nais
ipatupad. Madali ang papasok, palabas ay mahirap.
Ang ganitong konsepto na hindi ayon sa turo ng Bibliya ay nakuha
at nagaya ng maraming mga kristiyano kaya sila ay naging
madamot sa Diyos at hindi naging malago sa larangan ng
pagbibigay.
This lesson was designed for the purpose of:
Rebuke – a rebuke to those believers who are never learning and
never growing in the area of giving.
2 Tim.3:16-17; Tit.2:15
16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto
all good works. 2 Tim.3:16-17
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let
no man despise thee. Tit.2:15

Reminder – a reminder to all believer that giving is something

that glorifies God. Cf. 2 Cor.9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give];
not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2
Cor.9:7
Reflection –
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy
law.”
Ps.119:18
The Holy Scriptures teaches that man is accountable to God. This
theme runs from Genesis to Revelation, and it is inescapable that
we must someday give account to God (2 Cor.5:10; Rom.14:7-
12)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor.5:10
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die,
we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the
Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he
might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at
nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat
of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to
me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Rom.14:7-12
According to Dr. Stephen Olford, the first requisite of
stewardship is give ourselves to God. Cf. 2 Cor. 8:5
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves
to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Cor. 8:5

Materialism says, "Be satisfied, please yourself."

Pride says, "Be superior, promote yourself."
Humanism says, "Be capable, believe in yourself."
But the Bible says, "Be a steward, give of yourself."
This is a logical recognition of God’s absolute ownership to us. Our
actions should demonstrate the proper management of that which
God has entrusted to us.
NOTE: In the Old Testament, the Israelites brought the first-fruits
of what they produced as a token that they acknowledged Jehovah
as the sole owner of all the land of Canaan. They were simply
recognizing that God owned all things, that all things belong to
Him.
NOTE: Christian stewardship involves doing God’s will in all
things.
Although Christian stewardship is far broader than the use of
finances, giving of money is a prominent part of it.
NOTE: Giving is part of worship; its value lies more in its spiritual
expression than its financial significance.
NOTE: Godly stewardship of money indicates the reality and
depth of commitment to Jesus Christ.
God’s Word teaches:
To give the first part of income (Deut.14:23; Prov.3:9-10)
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he
shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy
wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy
flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
Deut.14:23
9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of
all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall
burst out with new wine. Prov.3:9-10

NOTE: Not what is left or if anything is left.

To give a tithe and our offerings (Mal.3:8-10)
To have a systematic and proportionate giving (1 Cor.16:2)
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in
store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings
when I come.
1 Cor.16:2
NOTE: Giving regularly and in proportion to income.
To have a generous and joyful giving (2 Cor.9:6-8; 8:1-2)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also
sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful
giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every
good work:
2 Cor.9:6-8
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy
and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2 Cor. 8:1-2
NOTE: A very fundamental lesson for every believer is that we
cannot out-give God. He is no man’s debtor.
Henry Parsons Crowell, founder of the great Quaker Oats cereal
company, when asked for his average rate of giving, said; “For
over forty years I have given sixty to seventy percent of
my income to God. But I have never gotten ahead of Him.
He has always been ahead of me.
James L. Kraft, head of the Kraft Cheese Corporation, made his
fortune on the basis of a unique process for pasteurizing cheese so
that it would not spoil. Along with his brothers he created a
massive industrial enterprise. A committed Christian, Kraft gave
approximately 25% of his enormous income to Christian causes for
many years. He once said, "The only investment I ever made
which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the
money I have given to the Lord."
William Colgate, a Church Deacon and the Founder and Owner of
the Colgate-Palmolive company.
As God prospered him, he began to give more to God. From ten
percent his giving gradually changed to 20 % then 30 and so on.
The more he gave, the more he earned.
Ito ay mayayaman na kristiyano dahil sila ay mapagbigay sa
Diyos.
Ang problema sa atin, mahihirap na nga tayo hindi pa tayo
mapagbigay sa Panginoon kaya tuloy lalo tayong naghihirap.
NOTE: Subalit hindi lahat ng kasaganahan sa buhay ay dahil sa
mapagbigay at sa katapatan sa Diyos sapagkat ang Dyablo ay
pwedeng magbigay sa tao ng kasaganahan.
Prosperity cannot be a proof of God’s favor since it is what the
Devil promises to those who worship him. – John Piper
NOTE: When God puts a special opportunity in our pathway, he
puts the money in our pockets. God never gives vision without
provision. He anticipates the need and meets it in advance.
As someone once said, “God’s work done in God’s way will
always have God’s resources.”
1. THE REASONS FOR GIVING
Lahat ng ating ginagawa na may kaugnayan sa ating buhay
espiritwal ay may sapat at konkretong dahilan kung bakit natin ito
ginagawa at ipinagpapatuloy na gawin.
Why we need to give? Because that’s what the Bible commanded
to us. The primary reason why we are giving is because it is
biblical. It is not only said by God but most importantly it is
commanded by GOD.
NOTE: Hindi ito mauunawaan ng isang unsaved sapagkat sa
kanya ang turo ng Bibliya tungkol sa pagbibigay ay isang
kamangmangan. Cf. 1 Cor.2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor.2:14
“Nguni't ang taong ayon sa laman ay hindi tumatanggap ng mga
bagay ng Espiritu ng Dios: sapagka't ang mga ito ay
kamangmangan sa kaniya; at hindi niya nauunawa, sapagka't ang
mga yaon ay sinisiyasat ayon sa espiritu.”
NOTE: Bagama’t nauunawaan subalit hindi ito isasagawa ng isang
kristiyano na hindi tapat, wala sa kalooban ng Diyos, namumuhay
sa kasalanan at nahatak ng mundo.
“because they are spiritually discerned”
“sapagka't ang mga yaon ay sinisiyasat ayon sa espiritu.”
Consider these reasons of giving:
  Our Gratitude to God
Thankfulness is an essential attitude that you have to choose. You
can focus on unmet expectations or you can be grateful for the
blessings no matter how small.
Giving thanks often leads to actual giving. We say thanks for
what we have received by doing something good for other people.
NOTE: How much more with God.
It is not enough to say thank you to God for all the benefits we
enjoy from Him.
Ps.107:1; Ps.106:1; Ps.118:1; Ps.118:29; Ps.136:1; 1
Chro.16:34
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy
endureth for ever.

 The Grace of God

Sa isang mananampalataya napakahalaga ng biyaya ng Diyos.
Dapat meron siyang malawak na kaunawaan sa bagay na ito.
NOTE: Walang kristiyano na hindi nagsimula sa biyaya ng Diyos.
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly
than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1
Cor.15:10
Datapuwa't sa pamamagitan ng biyaya ng Dios, ako nga'y ako; at
ang kaniyang biyaya na ibinigay sa akin ay hindi nawawalan ng
kabuluhan; bagkus ako'y malabis na nagpagal kay sa kanilang
lahat: bagaman hindi ako, kundi ang biyaya ng Dios na sumasa
akin.
NOTE: Let us be aware about the term, “The Grace of Giving”.
It means we are giving because of God’s grace. Cf. Jas.4:6; 1
Pet.5:10
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Jas.4:6
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Pet.5:10

Saving Grace
Sustaining Grace
Strengthening Grace
Stabilizing Grace
Sanctifying Grace
Serving Grace
NOTE: Mayabang ang kristiyano na hindi kumikilala sa biyaya ng
Diyos.
Ang biyaya ng Diyos:
Ang nagpapalakas sa atin (kaya tayo nakakapagtrabaho)
Ang nagpapagaling sa ating karamdaman
Ang nagbibigay ng talino sa atin (kaya tayo nakakapagaral ng
maayos, nakakagawa ng maayos at tamang desisyon sa buhay)
Ang nagpapaangat sa buhay natin (maganda trabaho natin,
maraming benipisyo sa company natin, considerate ang mga
bossing natin, malaki ang sweldo natin, nakakapag abroad tayo
Ang bumubuhay sa atin.
Hindi tayo deserving sa mga bagay na ito pero naeenjoy natin
dahil sa biyaya ng Diyos.
NOTE: It is called a “grace” because the money is not deserved.
The purpose of giving is to allow the giver to give freely.
 The Glory of God
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God. 1 Cor.10:31

If we want to glorify God we need to give as David and the

children of Israel contributed to the temple of God. Cf. 1
Chr.28:1-19
We Need to Give Humbly (v.10-16; Phil.2:13)
We Need to Give Willingly and Gladly (vs.9,6,17;2 Cor. 9.7)
We Need to Give Purposefully (v.16; 1 Cor.16.1)
We Need to Give Generously (vs.2,4,7,8; Lk. 6.38; 2 Cor. 8.2)
2. THE ROADBLOCK TO GIVING
Lack of Faith – Heb.11:6; Rom.14:23
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek him. Heb.11:6
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of
faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom.14:23

Faith is taking God at His Word. God's promises are true.

God, Who cannot lie, has made promises and God's children must
believe and act on His promises. This is very true in all phases of
life, both spiritual and physical. We must relate God's Word to
financial prosperity.
NOTE: Believers must do just as God says.
Here are some of God's precious promises:
Acts 20:35; Lk.6:38; Prov.11:24-25; 2 Cor.9:6-8; Mal.3:10
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to
support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your
bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you again. Lk.6:38
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be
watered also himself.
Prov.11:24-25
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2
Cor.9:6
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat
in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you
out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal.3:10
NOTE: Pinapatunayan lamang ng mga talatang ito na kapag giver
ka, panalo ka.
Sabi ng iba kapag nagbibigay ka, talo ka, mawawalan ka,
mababawasan ka, maghihirap ka. Mali!
Kapag giver ka panalo ka lalo na kapag ang iyong pagbibigay ay
merong pananampalataya at pagkilala sa biyaya at kabutihan ng
Diyos.
Lack of Faithfulness
NOTE: Matt.25:14-26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful
servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather
where I have not strawed: v.26

Take a look at, “You wicked, and slothful (lazy) servant!” Now that
is unfaithfulness
NOTE: Stewardship is the wise and faithful use of everything that
God has entrusted to us. CF. 1 Cor.4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1
Cor.4:2
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have
abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even
that which he hath. v.29

If we give faithfully to the Lord’s work, He will supply all our needs.
Phil.4:19
In the context, it’s a conditional promise; you can’t divorce verse
19 from what goes before. It is to people who have given faithfully
and generously that Paul says, “My God shall supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

If we meet the condition - give faithfully, God will fulfill His part--
supply all our needs.
NOTE: God withholds financial prosperity from His children
because they cannot be trusted (UNFAITHFUL)
 They forget the Lord, the GIVER.
 They transfer their love from God to the money.
 They spend God's money on sinful things.
That is poor stewardship.
NOTE: God withholds financial prosperity from His children
because they do not have faith and faithfulness in God.
They will not listen to His Word. They will not obey His commands.
3. THE REWARD OF GIVING
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to
support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

NOTE: We should not give because we want to blessed by God but

rather we should give because we want to obey God.

NOTE: This verses clearly stated and emphasizes that there is

blessing in giving.
Believers have no conception of what they are missing in terms of
enjoyment and enrichment until they have learned to give on
God’s terms.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat
in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you
out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal.3:10
NOTE: God will open the windows (plural) of heaven but first
proved Him.
Consider the blessing of giving and what its produces:
 The Rewarding of our Faith
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat
in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you
out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Literally, it means “until there is sufficiency”, which is to signify,
“until there is no need”.
NOTE: Matt.6:31-34
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What
shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall
take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof.
Matt.6:31-34
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he
eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Rom.14:23
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him
it is sin. Jas.4:17

NOTE: Faith is more rewarded.

Learning to be Content
Contentment is mentioned seven (7) times in the Bible, and six (6)
of those refer to money.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every
where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Phil.4:11-12

If we examine these verses carefully, we can find that we are not

born with the instinct for contentment rather, it is learned.
 The Rebuking of our Foes
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not
destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her
fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. Mal.3:11

 The Renewing of our Fruitfulness

And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome
land, saith the LORD of hosts. Mal.3:12

NOTE: Ang sikreto ng Diyos sa pagbubukas ng mga bintana sa

kalangitan ay ang pagbibigay.
Conclusion:
Are we enjoying the blessing in giving?
If not, maybe we are not giver to God.
If you are a giver, pray unto God that He will make you a cheerful
and generous giver.
If you are cheerful and generous giver but you have a financial
problem, just continue to be one – God is still able to give your
needs. Continue to trust God.
Giving generously involves much more than performing outward actions; it
comes from what Christ is doing in the heart!

NOTE: True generosity must be motivated by a heart that is poured out in

Christ.
If you think there are no rivers coming into you, then seek what is blocking
them. Is it sin, attitude, fear? God blesses those who steadfastly embrace
His call, and who stay true to Christ.