## Thank You

## II Corinthians 9:6-11

Ray Boltz wrote a song that says "Thank you, for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed." The idea behind the song is that people are brought to the Lord through the generosity of others. He talks about those who will give of themselves to teach others, and those who will give that others might go around the world with the gospel message.

That's what I want to talk about in this evening. We have several examples recorded in the New Testament of those who truly knew the meaning of Christian giving.

One good example would be the church in Jerusalem, who had all things common, or those in Macedonia who gave above their means despite their poverty. There are also numerous individual examples such as Barnabas and Dorcas. Most people have not been taught to give properly, too many give sparingly and begrudgingly.

I. Our Giving Should Be Properly Motivated.

Read: 2 Co. 9:6-11

A. Should be Cheerful.

(Psa 41:1) "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble."

1. There is no doubt that God is the one who has provided for us, and therefore we should realize that it is all His anyway, and God can take care of us.

2. That is the entire point of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:32-33.

"… For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. {33} But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

3. You can't out-give God, but is fun trying to do so!

B. But we should notice that verse 6 is often misused.

1. Many seek to motivate people to give more by saying that this passage teaches that God will pay them for what they give.

2. But, the context of this passage does not support such a claim.

3. Verse 8 tells us that the reaping bountifully that will result of our giving cheerfully will be so that we will have two things:

a. First, we will have all sufficiency, or in other words, what we NEED!

b. Second, so that we will have an abundance for EVERY GOOD WORK! -- Not an abundance to take care of ourselves, but an abundance to reach out further to bring others to Christ.

4. And so in verses 10 and 11 Paul talks about God supplying and multiplying the seed sown.

a. He's the one who supplied the seed in the first place, and he is the one who multiplies the seed when it is sown.

b. God blesses those who give with the opportunity to give more.

C. Here's the point.

1. We should be willing to give cheerfully, because the more we give, the more God will give us the ability to give.

2. We should realize though that this is not limited to money, we could make the same application to our time and abilities, but the point remains the same.

3. Give to God the best, and He will bless us to be even more useful in His service.

II. Our Giving Produces Glory To God.

A. Good works give God glory.

(Mat 5:16) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

1. Surely our giving produces the opportunity for our light to shine in a greater capacity to those around us.

2. Our giving provides the opportunity to reach the lost with the message of the Gospel, and it also indicates that God's grace has been active in our lives.

B. We must realize that to a great extent, the only thing some people see of Christianity is our lives.

O Christian remember you bear His dear name, Your life is for others to view. A living example, men praise you or blame, And measure your Savior by you.

1. Based upon our own personal lifestyle, and our own personal generosity, what are others seeing in our Christianity?

2. Are they seeing a person who cares about their soul?

3. Are they seeing someone who's life has been changed by Christ?

4. Or, are they seeing someone who is self-centered, uncaring, and not interested in the work of God?

C. Our giving reflects a lot about us.

1. Christian giving is a mark of spiritual maturity.

2. It is a testimony of our faith in the Word of God and in the God of the Word.

3. What are we saying to others and to the Lord by our giving?

III. Our Giving Makes An Eternal Difference

A. Missions Ministries

1. Because of your faithful giving, we are able to have a direct part in 53 foreign missions projects, and 12 home missions projects.

2. The results of this investment is seen in the harvest of souls each year that are reached for Christ. (18,000+ last year)

3. Our desire is to continue to grow in our international outreach.

4. There is no stopping place!

B. Our local church ministries.

1. Sunday School classes.

2. Junior churches

3. Kids Klub on Wed.

4. Youth Ministry

5. College singles ministry

6. Adult Bible classes

7. Outreach ministry

8. Nursing home ministry

9. Grace Baptist Academy

D. We are changing the world!

This congregation already gives very well, but we all need to be challenged to consider our own giving, to be certain that we are giving as we have prospered, and doing so as a cheerful giver. To a great extent, what kind of givers we are depends upon what kind of recipients we are! Unless we receive the grace of God in our lives, we will be unlikely to give gracefully to others. Tonight if you have never received Christ, come now. If you know Christ, but you have not been obedient in the area of giving, come now.