The Giving Tree
A. Instructions about Giving – “GIVE…”
1. Tithe
– Malachi 3:8,10
– Proverbs 3:9-10
2. Time
– Psalms 90:12
3. Talent
– 1 Peter 4:10
– James 1:17
4. Treasure
– Matthew 6:19-21
– Matthew 20:28
B. Blessings of Giving
1. Provision – “…and it will be given to you…”
2. Plentiful/Plenty – “…good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap.”
3. Promise – “…for with the measure you give, it will be given back to you.”
The Law of the Harvest (Galatians 6:7-8) – You always get…
• What you sow
• More than you sow
• Later than you sow
C. Examples of Giving
1. The Poor Widow (Mark 12:41-44)
2. The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:21-22)
3. Eric Liddell, Jim Elliot
D. The Truth About Giving
1. God is a giving God. He gives: John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9
• Unconditionally
• Sacrificially
• Generously
2. God owns everything; therefore, all blessings come from Him.
• James 1:17
• Psalm 50:10-12
3. God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
4. God gave the ultimate gift, His very best Gift, when He gave His Son Jesus, on the most important Giving Tree of all time, the Cross of Calvary. – John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 6:23
5. He calls us to give in the same way that He has given to us.