FAITH PROMISE
                                                             October 5, 2008
 

(Faith Promise Giving) Trusting God to cause my income to take care of the financial needs of

my family after giving God what He has asked me to give.

                                            I. GIVE ACCORDING TO OUR ABILITY

1. II Corinthians 8:12  Paul is directing the Corinthian church to give "according to that a man

hath, and not according to that he hath not". There is a BIG misconception about "faith promise".

2. Ezra 2:69  The way God has set up our giving is not a new concept for the New Testament

church. The Old Testament direction to God's people was the example for us to follow.

3. Deuteronomy 16:17  It is expected that we give according to how God has blessed us. If God

has blessed us with much, we should give much, if He has blessed little, we ought to give

according to that, but we all ought to give something.

                                               II. GIVE WITH A WILLING HEART

1. II Corinthians 8:10-12  Paul encourages the Corinthian church to remember their promise to

give of this offering to help the Jerusalem church over a year ago. He asks them to perform

what they had talked about with a "willing mind".

2. II Corinthians 8:1-5  The Macedonian church is used as a great example to us all that even in

our deepest poverty, if we have a willing heart, God will give us the desire and the means to give.

3. I Thessalonians 2:8  Paul's love for the people is made clear to the church at Thessalonica by

his "willingness" to give everything of himself to help them physically and spiritually.

4. II Corinthians 9:7  Paul speaks of giving with "a cheeful heart" (to applaud with shouts,

hillareous). God does not expect us to "grudgingly" ( reluctant, dissaprove of) give to Him like it is

opposite of what we really want to do. Willing and cheerful must go together in our giving to God.

                                                      III. TOTAL INVOLVEMENT   

1. II Corinthians 8:1-3  Through the words "their" and "they", Paul emphasises that ALL the

members of the Macedonian churches took part in the offering for the church at Jerusalem.

2. II Corinthians 8:12-15  Here we listen to Paul talk about an "equality" of giving. This does not

mean everyone is to give the same, but that all should participate however they can participate

based on what they have to give.

3. Exodus 35:1, 20-22  It is worth repeating that our giving in this New Testament church age is

based on Old Testament examples set by God's people the nation of Israel.

                                                    IV. SOWING AND REAPING

1. Hosea 8:7  During this infamous period of the nation of Israel, God would judge them for their

actions for the way they spent their time , money, and worship on things contrary to what God had

instructed them. Our nation and the world needs the Lord more than ever. We are responsible to

get the Word to them in order for them to have an opportunity to be saved.

2. II Corinthians 9:6  Here Paul is teaching us the lesson on the "Law of Spiritual Action and

Reaction" regarding giving to God's work.

3. Luke 6:38  Jesus Himself instructs us to be givers in order to be living the Spiritual life that He

requires of us all.

4. Mathew 6:19-21  Once again our Lord tells us to search our hearts in order to find out exactly

what we treasure more, earthly things or heavenly things.

5. Mathew 25:31-40  This parable by Jesus reminds us of the way He expects us to live our lives.

We have been called and chosen to be His "ambassadors" ( II Corinthans 5:20), in order that we

might make a difference in the world. Our lives are to be used to reach needy people everwhere.

6. II Corinthians 8:7-8  It may be uncomfortable for us to contemplate what this verse says, but

there is no getting around it, our giving is a true test of our love for our Savior.

God bless