The Third of the Four Habits of a Disciple

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Habit Three: Honor God With Your Giving

"Just as you excel in everything else... in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness... see that you also excel in the grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7

7 Benefits of Giving

1 Giving makes me more like God.
"God so loved the world that He gave his only Son..." John 3:16
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

2 Giving draws me nearer to God.
"Where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Matthew 6:21

3 Giving is the antidote to materialism or greed.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to be generous and willing to share. In this way they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

4 Giving strengthens faith.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of your income, and he will fill your barns to overflowing." Proverbs 3:5,9

5 Giving is an investment in eternity.
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:18-19

6 Giving blesses me in return.
"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

7 Giving makes me happy.
"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." Acts 20:35

How do I give with the right attitude?

~ Giving willingly ~
"Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under pressure." 2 Corinthians 9:7a

~ Give cheerfully ~
"For God loves a cheerful give." 2 Corinthians 9:7b

~ Give generously ~
"They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service..." 2 Corinthians 8:3-4

~ Give expectantly ~
"... whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6





This was taken from a Discipleship Study my husband and I recently participated in at our church. I thought it was such great stuff that I just had to share!

12 Thoughts Shared:

Joan said...

Thanks for sharing! Love your new look so much that I went out and got my own.
God Bless!

Heather said...

What a great lesson you've written here! I love it!

Tea with Tiffany said...

Excellent truth.

My words for 2008 are "freely give!" I pray about a word of the year instead of a New Year's resolution. An idea I heard of a few years ago and still enjoy doing.

How fun to read a more in depth post about giving. Something I am challenging myself to do, "giving freely" whether in word, action or deed or my resources.


And thank you for sharing your desert journey with me on my blog. Now I know I am not the only one with these thoughts. God uses our desert to strength our faith and build our character, doesn't He? I just wonder how many deserts I will have to walk through in my lifetime. Oh, Lord, give us strength to walk beside you no matter what the terrain is.

Have a great day!

Tiffany

Laurie Ann said...

Very good lessons to be learned here, Melanie. God bless you for sharing this!

Anonymous said...

you said it all amen to you and your family Eph 1:3-14

Michele Williams said...

Great to the point lesson on giving. Thank you.

God bless.

Joyfull said...

Thank you for sharing. It sounds like a great learning and growing experience you gained. Great reasons to encourage us to be givers!

Addicted to Beadz said...

Melanie,

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing this!

Blessings!
Cheryl

God Chaser said...

thanks so much for sharing from your study. as always you are a blessing. I truly love cominghere for I always gain

Tricia said...

Such wonderful truths, thanks for sharing those! God gave so much so willingly to us, we should willingly give to Him whatever He asks... Have a great day!

Blessings!

Leaon Mary said...

Hi Melanie!
Loved your photo and verse, and I read on down aways and caught your Joseph facts. I learned alot! WOW...
I will definitely be back over the weekened... See ya then!
Lea

Tiffanie Lloyd said...

I really like this post. Thanks for sharing (giving) your thoughts, insight and encouragement.