28. The Reward of Rulership If we endure, we will also reign with him . If we disown him, he will also disown us. 2 Timothy 2:12

46. The saints are like so many vessels of different sizes cast into a sea of happiness where every vessel is full : this is eternal life, for a man ever to have his capacity filled. But after all it is left to God’s sovereign pleasure, it is his prerogative to determine the largeness of the vessel . Jonathan Edwards

47. Salvation Rewards Past (1 John 3:2) Future (Rev. 22:12) Free (Eph. 2:8-9) Earned (1 Cor. 3:8) Can’t be lost (John 10:28-29) Can be lost (2 John 1:8)

48. Salvation Rewards Same for all Christians (Rom. 3:22) Differ among Christians (1 Cor. 3:12-15) For those who believe (John 3:16) For those who work (1 Cor. 9:27)

49. Judgment Time Relationship Condemnation to New life Past (Regeneration) As a Sinner Discipline or Rewards Present (Sanctification) As a Son Loss or Rewards Future (Glorification) As a Steward

75. Tithing: The Training Wheels of Giving

135. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial , their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial , their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial , their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial , their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial , their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

137. severe trial.............overflowing joy extreme poverty......rich generosity This paradox can’t be explained apart from a work of God.

138. How much of our giving can only be explained by the supernatural work of God’s Spirit? Philanthropy can be man-centered. Grace is God-centered. It’s supernatural.

139. Grace given by God Joy overflowing us Giving Grace welling up in rich generosity More Joy, more giving A cycle of addiction

140. God’s Grace: Lightning Our Giving: Thunder

141. As thunder follows lightning, giving follows grace. The more God’s grace grips you, the more you give. The more you give, the more God’s grace grips you.

143. Keep remembering that our Master said, “You’re far happier giving than getting.” Acts 20:35, The Message … .remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

146. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able , and even beyond their ability . Entirely on their own , 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

148. What is it to give beyond our ability? Pushing past the point where the figures add up. Giving without a net—no back up plan in case God doesn’t come through. David: “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24).

149. 4 They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing… Why did they have to plead? They’d been told “we can’t take your money—you’re needier than the Jerusalem saints.” We must never deprive the poor of this privilege. (Acts 20:35).

150. Whenever we get comfortable with our giving, it’s time to raise it again. A disciple doesn’t ask “how much more can I keep?” but, “how much more can I give?” When we stand before Christ, will any of us think, “I wish I’d given away less”?

151. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us— see that you also excel in this grace of giving .

154. Gift of teaching: get better as you use it; people know what it looks like. Gift of giving: get better as you use it; people don’t know what it looks like. Rom. 12: gifts of prophecy, serving, teaching , encouragement, giving , leadership, mercy. Grace of giving = gift of giving

157. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

158. Great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet , and it was distributed to each as any had need . Acts 4

161. Who gave history’s greatest gift? The richest person in the universe became the poorest, to make us forever rich. He then invites us to share his wealth with others. We can never outgive God. In giving we enter into His joy.

162. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. God calls us to follow up on giving commitments. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

163. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,

164. He who gathered much did not have too much and he who gathered little did not have too little . 2 Corinthians 8:15 Two problems: people having too much OR too little . Giving solves both problems!

165. Give me neither poverty nor riches , but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much …or I may become poor and steal...” Proverbs 30:8-9

166. If God wants this equality, why unequal distribution? We are his body, his delegates, his ambassadors, his money managers, his distributors. He gives some too much and some too little, that those with too much can give it to those with too little.

167. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

168. Paul handles collected money with extreme care (v. 16-24). Taking pains to do right not only in God’s sight, but men’s. “ I am accountable only to God.” Wrong.

169. 2 Corinthians 9 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give ; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. Churches need to hear giving stories from inside and outside.

170. Paul tells others of “your eagerness to help.” He says “your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.” The thrill and joy of our giving that is a contagious example to others. Is this visible in most churches today? Believers can’t be inspired by each other’s giving if they don’t know about it.

175. “ God shovels it in, and I shovel it back…but God has a bigger shovel.” R. G. Letourneau

180. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “ He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor ; his righteousness endures forever.”

186. He will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way SO THAT…______________________ __________________. 2 Corinthians 9:10  11 you can be generous on every occasion

187. We’re God’s delivery boys and girls

188. When God provides beyond what we need, why should the default be keeping ? Why shouldn’t it be giving ? Why not set a finish line, beyond which you give it all back to God ?

199. Questions to Ask God about Your Giving