1) 1 Jn. 2:161 Jn. 2:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
WP-Bible plugin – READ
2) In verses like 1 Jn. 2:161 Jn. 2:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
WP-Bible plugin “the world” describes a way of life contrary to God’s will.
3) God tells us the world has its own way of doing things and its own set of beliefs.
a) Our world says get, keep and collect; the Bible says give.
b) For our first point I want to cite just a few verses in the New Testament that deal with giving.
2) Mt. 5:42Mt. 5:42
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
WP-Bible plugin – READ
3) Mt. 7:11Mt. 7:11
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
WP-Bible plugin – Jesus spoke about “giving good gifts to children.”
4) Mt. 10:42Mt. 10:42
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.
WP-Bible plugin has the Lord encouraging us to “give a cold drink” to people who need it.
5) Mt. 22:21Mt. 22:21
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
WP-Bible plugin is the place where Jesus said “give to the government (pay taxes).
6) When the apostles started their work, we see significant attention given to giving.
7) In Acts 3:6Acts 3:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.
WP-Bible plugin Peter said he did not have any “silver and gold.”
8) Others (Acts 2:45Acts 2:45
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.
WP-Bible plugin) had various material possessions.
a) In Rom. 12:20Rom. 12:20
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
WP-Bible plugin Paul spoke about “giving” to our enemies.
b) READ
9) Our world often believes in and practices what I would describe as token or moderate giving.
THE WORLD’S WISDOM IS A POPULAR WAY TO LIVE, BUT THIS IS NOT THE WAY GOD HAS PICTURED THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
1) In 2 Cor. 12:152 Cor. 12:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
WP-Bible plugin Paul described himself; here is what he said – READ
2) When it came to giving, Paul said he gave and gave and gave.
3) It is interesting that Jn. 19:23Jn. 19:23
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
WP-Bible plugin says soldiers “took Jesus’ garments” and divided them.
4) Rom. 12:1Rom. 12:1
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
WP-Bible plugin says “a living sacrifice.”
5) The depth of this sacrificial life is further described in verses like 2 Cor. 4:162 Cor. 4:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
WP-Bible plugin.
6) Gal. 6:9Gal. 6:9
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
WP-Bible plugin says “be not weary in well doing.”
7) 2 Thess. 3:132 Thess. 3:13
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.
WP-Bible plugin says this same thing: “Brethren, be no weary in well-doing.”
8) Even the Hebrew writer – Heb. 12:3Heb. 12:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
WP-Bible plugin – made this point.
9) 1 Cor. 15:581 Cor. 15:58
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
58 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
WP-Bible plugin.
10) Has our Christian service to God ever made us tired?
11) In Mt. 19:27Mt. 19:27
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?
WP-Bible plugin Peter said he and others had “left all” to follow Jesus.
WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THIS INFORMATION THEY OFTEN WONDER OR ASK: WHAT WILL I GET IN RETURN?
1) Mt. 19:29Mt. 19:29
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
29 And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.
WP-Bible plugin is one of the places where this subject is addressed – READ
2) 1 Cor. 15:581 Cor. 15:58
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
58 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
WP-Bible plugin; the Corinthians were told their work would not be in “vain.”
3) Gal. 6:9Gal. 6:9
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
WP-Bible plugin says those work and do not faint will “reap” at the appropriate time.
4) Living, working, and seeking to serve God on a daily basis is God’s will.
5) The world says keep, save, and even hoard.
6) God says give and give until it almost seems impossible to give any more.
