First - First 10

This first month this series of talks are called “first.” We are talking about priorities; things we should put first in our lives.

 

What is your plan to seek the king first this year?

What is you plan for leading your family?

What is your plan for the first day of the week?

 

Today we are going to talk about the first 10.

 

Giving stats in USA. When it comes to giving away 10% of ones finances - only 2.7% of all the people in America even do this.

 

Only 5% of church members give regularly. And households that make more than $75,000 are the least charitable.

 

The average Christian gives 2.5% of their income away.

 

Where we give as a church.

• Part of our church budget goes to choices and saving babies from being aborted.
• We support a program for autistic children who use our building every Thursday night.
• We support a homeschooling organization that uses our building every Monday.
• We support a ministry in Germany called pink door that is rehabilitating women who have been trafficked.
• We are supporting state, national and international people and programs who are spreading the gospel.
• We are supporting the 516 project who are helping people with little finances fix their houses.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifullywill also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiencyin all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

 

These are not my concepts.

These are not my ideas.

This is not my interpretation.

This is not my creation.

I didn’t come up with the analogy that he uses.

I’m not the one who comes up with the illustration that demonstrates giving.

I didn’t write this.

 

Let’s first start by looking at the generosity of God. Let’s pick out all the generosity words in this Scripture.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifullywill also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiencyin all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

 

Verse 8 is the key… 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiencyin all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

 

God is able to make all grace abound.

God’s grace encapsulates everything that you may ever need.

 

Let’s consider something else in this passage; the sheer practicality and normalcy of giving but with a supernatural twist.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifullywill also reap bountifully…10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

 

When you plant seeds in the ground you are participating in an activity that is science-based – something that has been proven to work – something that is natural – and you’re saying to yourself, “I know what’s going to happen and I do this.”

 

Paul teaches that giving is no different. The same laws that grow seeds in the plants, and those Plans contain even more seeds to do it all over again - those same laws apply to everything that we give. When we give anything – anywhere – at any time – we are participating in a supernatural activity and we can say I know what’s going to happen when I do this.

 

2 Cor. 9:10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

 

Giving results in a harvest. FACT!

 

I also see in this passage how giving can rip through Satanic strongholds and bring glory to God.

 

2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

 

This is when Paul makes the point that giving people are producing the rare quality called Thanksgiving - thanksgiving to God. In other words, the giving of God’s people ripped through the investment of Satan. When you give - on whatever level you give - you have just done something supernatural that will bring the kingdom of God in direct conflict with anything that Satan is doing. Today you have the power to break somebody’s bondage is simply giving a word – or a big tip – or giving in some manner.

 

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiencyin all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.