DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 / Mississippi is the poorest state in the U.S., but they are at the top in charitable giving each year ahead of much wealthier states. PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask for help not to make excuses to not give, but to become a better steward.

TUESDAY - VERSES:2 Corinthians 8:3-4	PRAYER THOUGHT: Help me to give as much as I have the power to give. Help me not to judge others if they are giving more or less than me.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: 2 Corinthians 8:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23	PRAYER THOUGHT: Help	me to remember that nothing I have is mine, but that I have been blessed with it and am responsible for its use.

THURSDAY - VERSES: 2 Corinthians 8:6-7 / Are you giving the same, less, or more than last year, or 5 years ago.	PRAYER THOUGHT: Help me to grow in the grace of giving and reach my full

potential just as I am growing in other areas of my Christian life.

FRIDAY - VERSES: 2 Corinthians 8:8-9	PRAYER THOUGHT: Help me to sincerely desire to give, not to please men, but God. Help me to remember that Christ gave first.

SATURDAY - VERSES: 2 Corinthians 8:10-12	PRAYER THOUGHT: Help me to stand by the decisions that I make about how, when, where, and what I will give. Help me to perform as I determined and not to turn back for selfish reasons.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. At least once a day read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it each day.

3. Think of how you can give more for Christ and work on one way all week.

4. Pray for God's help in difficult times to remember that God never asks more than we can give.

5. Write down the blessings that come from being a better giver.

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In the U.S. in 1950, 10% of income was spent for luxuries ($50 billion). By 1980, 30 percent went to luxuries ($350 billion). By 2009, it was $1.13 trillion. If we are spending more on the necessities of life than we are giving to God that is one thing, but when we spend more on luxuries, WATCH OUT!!

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 52

CHEERFUL GIVING - 7-21-13 to 7-27-13

SCRIPTURE - 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

COMMENT – God showed the example when He willingly and cheerfully gave us His son. He had purposed it in His heart before the world began and He followed through with the decision He had made. He didn't do it because He had to and no one forced Him to against His will. Jesus was the same in His attitude. He even said no one was taking His life, but He was giving it - John 10:18. God wants us to give, but he wants us to want to give like He has always wanted to give.

SONG - I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE

1. I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed, That thou might'st ransomed be, And quickened from the dead; I gave, I gave My life for thee, What hast thou giv'n for me?

2. My Father's house of light, My glory-circled throne, I left for earthly night, For wand'rings sad and lone; I left, I left it all for thee, Hast thou left aught for me?

3. I suffered much for thee, More than thy tongue can tell, Of bitt'rest agony, To rescue thee from Hell; I've borne, I've borne it all for thee, What hast thou borne for me?

4. And I have bro't to thee, Down from My home above, Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love; I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast thou bro't for me?

THOUGHTS

The Bible says the kingdom of God is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of real worth, he sells everything he has and buys that pearl. So when man finds Jesus, it costs him everything. Jesus has happiness, joy, peace, healing, security, eternity. Man marvels at such a pearl and says, "I want this pearl. How much does it cost?"

The seller says, "It's too dear, too costly."

"But how much?"

"Well, it's very expensive."

"Do you think I could buy it?"

"Oh, of course. Anybody can."

"But you say it's too expensive. How much is it?"

"It costs you everything- no more, no less -so all can buy it."

"I'll buy it."

"What do you have? Let's write it down."

"I have $10,000 in the bank."

"Good, $10,000. What else?"

"I have nothing more. That's all I have."

"Have you nothing more?"

"Well, I have some dollars here in my pocket."

"How many?"

"I'll see: 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 120 -- 120 dollars."

"That's fine. What else do you have?"

"I have nothing else. That's all."

"Where do you live?"

"I live in my house."

"The house too."

"Then you mean I must live in the garage?"

"Have you a garage, too? That too. What else?"

"Do you mean that I must live in my car, then?"

"Have you got a car?"

"I have two."

"Both become mine. Both cars. What else?"

"I have nothing else."

"Are you alone in the world?"

"No, I have a wife, two children.... "

"Your wife and your children too. What else?"

"I have nothing else, I am left alone now."

"Oh, you too. Everything. Everything becomes mine: wife, children, house, garage, cars, money, clothing, everything. And you too. Now you can use all those things here but don't forget they are mine, as you are. When I need any of the things you are using you must give them to me because now I am the owner." -- The Call To Discipleship, by Juan Carlos Ortiz, p. 42-43

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It has been said that if you can't live on 90% you wouldn't be able to live on all 100% either.

The Church Treasurer Resigns

The day the church treasurer resigned the church asked the local grain elevator manager to take the position. He agreed under two conditions. 1) That no treasurer's report would be given for the first year. 2) That no questions be asked about finances during that year. The people were surprised but finally agreed since most of them did business with him and he was a trusted man. At the end of the year he gave his report:

* The church indebtedness of $228,000 has been paid.

* The minister's salary had been increased by 8%.

* The mission works had been paid 200%.

* There were no outstanding bills.

* And there was a cash balance of $11,252!

Immediately the shocked congregation asked, "How did you do it? Where did the money come from?"

He answered: "Most of you bring your grain to my elevator. Throughout the year I simply withheld ten percent on your behalf and gave it to the church in your name. You didn't even miss it!"

"Do you see what we could do for the Lord if we were all willing to give at least a tenth to God, who really owns it all?" And so the new treasurer had made his point. -- A Sourcebook for Stewardship Sermons, by James E. Carter

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It is estimated that if the widow's mite had been deposited at the "First National Bank, Jerusalem" to draw four percent interest semi- annually, the fund today would total $4,800,000,000,000,000,000,000. If a bank on earth could multiply the widow's mite to such an astronomical figure, think what treasures this dedicated woman will have in heaven where "moth and rust doth not corrupt." See: Matt 6:19-21; Mark 12:42-44

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GOD WANTS US TO GIVE LIKE HE GAVE

I. GIVE A _________________ GIFT - 1 COR. 16:2 & 2 COR. 9:7

II. GIVE YOUR ________________ GIFT - 2 COR. 9:2-3,7; 8:10-11 III. GIVE A _________________ GIFT - 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-7

IV. GIVE A ________________ GIFT - ACTS 3:6 & 2 COR. 9:12-13

V. GIVE A ________________ GIFT - ROM. 12:1 & PHIL. 4:15-18

GOD WANTS US TO GIVE LIKE HE GAVE

I. GIVE A PREPARED GIFT - GOD DID

A. 1 Cor 16:2 "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."

B. 2 Cor 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

II. GIVE YOUR PROMISED GIFT - GOD DID

A. 2 Cor 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

B. 2 Cor 8:10-11 "And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. {11} Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have."

C. 2 Cor 9:2-3 "For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. {3} Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:"

D. Acts 5:1-5 "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, {2} And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. {3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. {5} And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things."

III. GIVE A PERFECT GIFT - GOD DID

A. 2 Cor 9:6-7 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. {7} Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

IV. GIVE A PRICELESS GIFT - GOD DID

A. Acts 3:6 "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

B. 2 Cor 9:12-13 "For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; {13} Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;"

V. GIVE A PERSONAL GIFT - GOD DID

A. Rom 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

B. Phil 4:15-18 "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. {16} For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. {17} Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. {18} But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God."

CONCLUSION

My wife and I once dined with a rich man from a blueblood Boston family, and I asked him, "How in the world did you grow up in the midst of such wealth and not be consumed by materialism?"

His answer: "My parents taught us that everything in our home was either an idol or a tool."

So how do you view your possessions? - Howard Hendricks
2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.