Lesson One

1. This lesson is designed to teach the reasons God wants us to give generously.

2. It is imperative that we consider the Divine motives for giving.

1. God has richly blessed us materially.

• The Bible teaches that God is the source of all our blessings. (Jas. 1:17).

• We have been blessed with food, clothing, homes, automobiles, medicine, and 10,000 other material blessings.

• We should be grateful for our bountiful material blessings.

2. God has blessed us richly with spiritual blessings.

• The Bible stresses that "all" spiritual blessings are "in Christ." (Eph. 1:3). If "all" spiritual blessings are in Christ, this means none, not even one, are outside of Him.

• Here is a partial listing of God's great spiritual blessings.

• The Christian has the blessing of prayer - talking to the Almighty God of heaven. (Matt. 7:7-11; l Pet. 3:12; 1 Jno. 5:14,15; Jas. 5:16).

• The Christian has the blessing of God's word (the Bible) - reading and meditating on words of the Creator. (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Pet.1:21).

• The Christian has the blessing of light.

• God is light. (l Jno. l:5).

• Jesus is light. (Jno. 8:12).

• God has revealed to us His light through his word. (Psa. 119:105). We are not left to grope and stumble in the darkness, but to walk in the glorious light of God and Christ. (l Jno.1:5; Eph.5:8).

• We are to radiate God's light. (Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15).

• The Christian has the blessing of fellowship.

• The Christian has fellowship with God and Christ. (l Jno. l:5-7.).

• The Christian has fellowship with God's family - the church. (l Tim. 3:15).

• The Christian has the blessing of the Holy Spirit.

• The Spirit is given to those who obey God. (Acts 2:38; 5:32).

• The Spirit is a sign of the fact we are God's sons and a pledge of our future inheritance. (1 Cor. 6:l9,20; Gal. 4:6; Eph. l:13, 14).

• The Christian has the blessing of worship.

• What a blessing it is to be able to have the exalted privilege of worshipping the God of the universe and His Son Jesus Christ!

• What a blessing it is to assemble in the presence of God and His people and be filled with spiritual nourishment and encouragement!

• What a blessing to encourage others in the faith! (Heb. 10:24,25).

• The Christian has the blessing of the cross.

• God loved us so much that He gave His only Son on the cross (Jno. 3:16; Rom. 5:8).

• Christ loved us so much that He voluntarily died on the cruel, horrible, shameful cross for our sins. (Isa. 53:5,6; Jno. 10:l8; Jno. l5:13; Phil. 2:5-11).

• The Christian has the precious blessing of forgiveness. (1 Jno. l:7, 9; Eph. l:7; Heb. 8:13).  

• The Christian has the blessing of eternal life in heaven through Jesus. (Jno. 14:1-6; Matt. 5:10-12; Jno. 3:16,36; Tit. l:2).

1. The gospel is the power of God to save men. (Rom. l:16)

2. Jesus has commanded that the gospel be preached to every creature. (Mk. 16:15; Matt. 28:19,20).

3. Untold billions in our world are lost. We should give to save the perishing and enable them to have the blessings we enjoy.

4. Like Paul, we are "debtor" to all men. (Rom. 1:14,15).

5. Without generous, sacrificial giving on the part of Christians there will never be enough funds to preach the gospel to every creature.

1. The Old Testament teaches us to be concerned about the needy. (Psa. 41:1,2; Prov. 14:20,21,31; l9:17; 28:27).

2. The New Testament teaches us to be concerned about the needy. (Gal. 6:10; Jas. l:27; l Jno. 3:l7,18; Matt. 25:31-46; Jas. 2:14-17; l Cor. 16:1-2).

1. What liberality does for us.

• It makes us God-like. (Jno. 3:16).

• It expresses our "overflowing joy" in obedience to God. (2 Cor. 8:2).

• It lends acceptance to prayers. (Acts 10:1-4).

• It expands our faith, and produces increased gratitude. (2 Cor. 8:8).

• It leads to blessings from God. (Lk. 6:38; Prov. 11:25).

• It lays up imperishable treasures in heaven. (Matt. 6:19,20).

2. None is capable of imagining the joys and victories possible for one fully dedicated to Christ Jesus. (Eph. 3:20).

1. The Bible clearly teaches it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35).

2. What happens to someone who only receives, but does not give?

• Example of Dead Sea - It is foul because it gives nothing.

• What about a child who never learns to give and only receives?

Our Love For God (2 Cor. 8:8, 24)

1. What is the first and great commandment? Mk. 12:30.

2. Can one who loves God with all his or her being be stingy with God?

1. We are to generously give from Divine motives.

2. Without Divine motives all the gifts we may offer are vain.

3. Are we giving from Divine motives? Have we counted our blessings? Are we giving generously to God?