Series: Dig Deeper - Hard Work Pays Off
Subject: Giving That Wows God (Digging Past Monetary Mediocrity)
Scripture: Luke 21:1-4 (New Living Translation) While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Introduction: In order for us to truly dig past monetary mediocrity, we must first honestly confront the uncomfortable fact, that we short God's money because we mismanage our own money. Consider these startling statistics: 49% of Americans don't pay their bills on time, 65% don't do a good job staying out of debt, 82% don't save adequately for the future, most of American divorces claim the primary cause of the split is finances, and charitable giving (which includes the church) is less than 2% for all Americans.
God is calling us to dig deeper! He never created us to be comfortable with mediocre living. Jesus came that we could live abundantly in him! We are the people of God! The cattle upon a thousand hills belong to our God (Psalm 50:10)! He made us to be the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13), the lender and not the borrower (Proverbs 22:7)! So, let's work hard at digging past our monetary mediocrity and learn how to give to wow God!
Transition: Check out these Overwhelming Observations from the text...
1) God is always watching
2) Giving is an act of worship
3) Diversity is important to the church
4) Giving is a sign of our obedience and faith
Exposition: This passage is geared to guide us in the following ways...
1) When we give it Provides for the ministry...They were giving in the temple for the temple!
Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
2) When we give it Pleases God...Can you hear the excitement in Jesus' voice?
2nd Corinthians 9:7 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.”
3) When we give it Prospers us...It's hard for me to believe she gave all and left with nothing.
Luke 6:38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
***Don't miss next week!!! It's going to be crazy good!!!
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