How can we find joy in the giving?
A Message by Gordon D Venturella, Lincoln Christian University
Slide 1
Rejoice in the Lord always. "Christian joy is the emotion springing from the deep-down confidence that God is in perfect control." (John MacArthur)
Slide 2
Merciful, Prayerful, Grateful, Peaceful, Purposeful, Relational?
Slide 3
Philippians 4:10-20
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything though him who gives me strength."
"Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Slide 4
Joyful people are content people
Slide 5
Providence means God is orchestrating this thing we call life – in order to provide.
Slide 5
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that." - 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Slide 6
God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Slide 7
"Keep you lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." - Hebrews 13:5
Slide 8
Active Waiting... It is living with the conviction that God molds us in love, holds us in tenderness, and moves us away from the sources of fear.
Slide 9
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Slide 10
Generous people. Can I be content enough with my financial situation in order to generous?
Slide 11
Who's really rich?
$4,000 in wealth places you in the top half of the worlds wealthy.
$75,000 to be in the top 10%, and $753,000 to be in the top 1%.
Slide 12
75% - Housing, transportation, food, insurance
5% - entertainment
3.1% - charitable giving
Households earning under $10,000 - 5.2% charitable giving
Wealthiest 20% - 1.3% to charity
Slide 13
"Rejoice in the Lord always"
Slide 14
• Trust in God's providence and provision
• Practice Active Waiting
• It's not making more money that will make you happy
• It's giving more of it away
Slide 15
God, grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom, to know the difference.