Here is a portion of a message I spoke at our SE Gulf Coast Regional Conference in Atlanta on “Excellent Givers”
2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Giving has to do with spiritual health and not Prosperity. Spiritually Healthy Christians = Healthy Churches = Church growth!
Many Christians and churches suffer today, they are lame, cripple and paralyzed because they have a misunderstanding about giving. They think Giving is a money thing, when according to the bible it’s a HEART THANG!
An Examples of an Excellent Giver:
Genesis 4:3-7 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?
The Lord RESPECTED Abel and his Offering/He did not RESPECT Cain and his offering.
RESPECT (Heb.) Sha’ah/Shaw-aw to gaze at or about; non-plussed (as looking around in amazement)
The Lord Accepted Abel then his offering; God is not concerned about what we give, but what we give with!
Abel found favor with God because he gave himself first, then his offering was acceptable to God
– an excellent giver give from their heart not their wallet!
The Poor Widow and her two mites-(Mark 12:41-44) she gave all she had, not because of the two mites but her heart.
Mary Magdalene – (Matt. 26:6-9) she broke her alabaster Jar (life savings)the disciples were indignant because they seen money, but Jesus saw her heart.
Lil Lad – (Jn. 6:8-10)who gave up his lunch of 5 loaves and 2 small fish, there was a great need and very little provisions, he gave his all that day, he was an excellent giver!
God – The greatest giver of all! Gave heaven’s best; His son!
Giving is not about getting blessed, but being a blessing! Those who don’t grasp this concept will not grow spiritually and will always suffer financially.
