“Heart of Giving”
November 13, 2011
This is the final sermon in our series “Extravagant Generosity: The Heart of Giving” in support of our annual stewardship campaign. Stewardship is NOT about giving. It is about how to be good stewards of what God has given you. Your time, your talent, and yes your money. The question should never be about how much does the church want. It is always about what God is calling you to do.
2 Corinthians 8 Encouragement to be Generous
John 3:16 God’s Generosity
Some Stories – Some Scriptures
*Some Stories:
The Ten Dollar Bill
A Food Sack – Irish Explorer, Ernest Shackleton
1908 Antarctic Expedition
A Box of Chocolate
**Some Scriptures:
500 verses on prayer - less than 500 on faith
More than 2000 verses on money and possessions
Gospels, 1 out of 10 verses deals directly with the subject of finances.
A Hard Verse: Malachi 3.8
A Myth: Matthew 23.23 & Luke 11.42
An Easy Verse: 2 Corinthians 9: 7
Bishop Schnase puts it this way in his book Five Practices of Fruitful Living:
We give because we are made in the image of God, whose essential nature is giving.
Memory Verse: “Show them the proof of your love and the reason we are so proud of, in such a way that the churches can see it.” (2 Corinthians 8:24)
Closing:
Note: All scripture quotes are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.