How does giving bring a greater

blessing?

The Law of Rewards Part 2

Case # 1:

The woman’s husband died six years ago. She says, “I have no more money. The cupboards are bare. These 2 dollars are all I have to live on, yet I feel as if God wants me to put them in the offering. What do you think?” What would you tell her?

That’s very generous of you, but God gave you common sense. He knows you want to give. But he intends you to take care of yourself. I’m sure God would have you keep those 2 dollars and buy food for tomorrow. God wants us to be “sensible.”

Case # 2:

Your next appointment is with a successful, hard working, middle-aged farmer whose crop production has been excellent. He tells you,

“I am planning to tear down my old barns to build bigger ones so I can store up more crops and goods and have plenty saved so for the future. Then I can take it easy, retire early, and do some traveling and golfing. What do you think?”

Sounds like a great idea to me! You’ve worked hard. God has blessed you. It’s your business, your crops, your money. If you can save enough up to take care of yourself the rest of your life, by all means go for it. I hope one day I’ll be in a position to do the same!

• What do you think God would say to them? We needn’t speculate – Scripture tells us exactly what God thinks.

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

1. God is closely watching what I give

2. God is measuring our gift by the level of sacrifice.

Note: I do not believe that God does not call’s all Christians to give away everything they have.

The Rich Fool had:

1. The wrong Plan

"The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.” Luke 12: 16-18

"All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back."

Proverbs 21:26 (RSV)

2. The wrong Goal

“And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."

V. 19

3. The wrong Vision

“But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?

This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:16-21

By this world’s standards:

• The widow’s actions seem unwise.

• The rich man’s actions seem wise.

By God’s standards:

• The poor widow’s is eternally wise.

• The rich man is eternally foolish.

This proves that our beliefs are diametrically opposed to those of Gods.

In our society who is honored more, poor giving widows or rich fools? Who is on the cover of the latest Christian magazines, radio talk

shows on the board of Directors of ministries, poor giving widows or

rich fools?

How does giving bring a greater blessing?

1. It pleases God.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 (RSV)

2. It blesses others

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27

3. It brings a giant, eternal reward for me.

“By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Ps 19:11

President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” In the spiritual realm we might say to every Christian: “Ask not what God can give to you, but what you can give to God.”

At the close of life,

• the question will not be how much have you got, but how much have you given.

• Not how much have you won, but how much have you done…

• Not how much have you saved, but how much have you sacrificed.

• Not how much you have been honored, but how much have you served.”

Law # 1:

Giving brings a greater blessing than receiving.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35