GIVING SMARTER

Dollars & $ense #3

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, January 22, 2023

(2 Corinthians 8:7,NLT) “Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.”

GIVING SMARTER IS…

1. Giving to God.

(1 Corinthians 16:1–2,NIV) “Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income.”

a. Giving from extreme poverty.

b. Giving from passionate discipleship.

c. Giving from excellence.

d. Giving like Christ gave.

2. Obeying by Tithing

(Malachi 3:8–10, Message) “Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. “You ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’ “The tithe and the offering—that’s how! And now you’re under a curse—the whole lot of you—because you’re robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.”

(Genesis 4:3,NLT) “When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord.”

(Proverbs 3:9–10 NLT) “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”

3. Becoming a Generous Giver.

(Philemon 6,NLT) “And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 9:6,NLT) “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.”

(2 Corinthians 9:7,NLT) “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

GROWTHWORK

(Matthew 6:21) “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

1. Memorize 2 Corinthians 8:7.

2. Plan ahead.

(2 Corinthians 8:10–11) “Finish what you started a year ago. …  you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.”

3. Focus on your heart.

(2 Corinthians 8:12) “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.”

4. Commit to obedience by taking a 90-day tithe challenge.

5. Make a faith promise to World Missions of $_____ monthly.