First Fruits | Part 4

Luke 20:45-47

And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples,

"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and

love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the

synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,

who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers.

They will receive greater condemnation."

1. God cares more about our attitude or intention in giving than

he does the amount.

(1 Peter 4:10) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to

serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given

among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their

abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth

of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can

testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly

for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--and this, not as we

expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of

God to us.

2. When we give to God first, we help to support the relief of

other believers, and help grow the mission of God’s kingdom

here on earth .

(Proverbs 3:9) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all

your crops.

3. Our giving should not be out of routine or coercion but out of

a sincere desire to help others .

2 Cor. 9:6-15

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and

whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or

under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all

sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good

work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and

bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase

 the harvest of yourrighteousness. You will be enriched in every way to

be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving

to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of

the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your

submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ,

and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing

grace of God upon you.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!