“Extending Living through Giving”

1 Kings 17:15-16
“So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16) There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.” (NLT)

I. Descriptions on Giving to God
Listed below are the different types of givers in most churches.

1. – Individuals who consistently pay their tithes and give an offering.
2 Chronicles 31:11-12
“Then Hezekiah commanded the priests to prepare the storerooms in the Temple of the Lord. So this was done. 12) Then the priests brought in the offerings and the things given to the Lord and one-tenth of everything the people had given. Conaniah the Levite was in charge of these things, and his brother Shimei was second to him.” (NCV)

2. – Individuals who consistently pay their tithes only.
Genesis 14:19-20
“Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20) And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you. Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.” (NLT)

3. – Individuals who give tithes or offerings on a regular basis.
Exodus 36:2-3
“Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3) They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.” (NIV)

4. – Individuals who give inconsistently of their tithes and/or offerings.
Acts 5:1-2
“But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2) He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.” (NLT)

5. – Individuals who do not give either a tithe or an offering.
LUke 18:20-23
“But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” 21) The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 22) When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23) But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.” (NLT)

II. Options for Giving to God
Listed below are avenues which one can take to honor God with their finances.

1. Believers can choose to give to God.
Deuteronomy 12:11
“You must bring everything I command you—your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, and your offerings to fulfill a vow—to the designated place of worship, the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored.” (NLT)

2. Believers can choose to give to God.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (NLT)

3. Believers can choose to give to God.
1 Corinthians 16:2
“On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.” (NLT)

4. Believers can choose to give to God.
1 Chronicle 29:3
“Moreover, because I delight in the house of my God, the [personal] treasure that I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, in addition to all that I have already provided for the holy house.” (AMP)

5. Believers can choose to give to God.
Exodus 35:4-5
“Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: 5) From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze.” (NIV)

III. Satisfaction from Giving to God
Listed below are benefits of believers honoring God with their finances.

1. is a benefit of believers honoring God with their finances.
Deuteronomy 14:23
“Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.” (NLT)

2. is a benefit of believers honoring God with their finances.
Malachi 3:10
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” (NLT)

3. is a benefit of believers honoring God with their finances.
Malachi 3:10
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” (NLT)

4. is a benefit of believers honoring God with their finances.
2 Corinthians 9:12
“So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.” (NLT)

5. is a benefit of believers honoring God with their finances.
2 Corinthians 9:13
“As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.” (NLT)

IV. Actions regarding Giving to God
Please list what it will take for a believer to consistently honor God through tithes and offerings. Select either A-E, F-J, K-O or P-T to start each sentence.

Examples:

Accept giving God’s way and not yours.
Forgo unnecessary spending to free up finances.
Keep records of your tithes and offerings.
Prioritize God before your bills.

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NOTES:
(MULTILINE)