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Principles of Giving
Mt. 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures
on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves
break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy,
and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21]
For where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also.
LK 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little
can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest
with very little will also be dishonest with much.
[11] So if you have not been trustworthy in handling
worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches
Sacrificial Giving
Mk. 12:41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where
the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting
their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people
threw in large amounts. [42] But a poor widow came
and put in two very small copper coins, worth only
a fraction of a penny. [43] Calling his disciples
to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this
poor widow has put more into the treasury than all
the others. [44] They all gave out of their wealth;
but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all
she had to live on."
1 Cor. 16:1 Now about the collection for God's people:
Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. [2] On
the first day of every week, each one of you should
set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income,
saving it up, so that when I come no collections will
have to be made.
2 Cor. 8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know
about the grace that God has given the Macedonian
churches. [2] Out of the most severe trial, their
overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up
in rich generosity. [3] For I testify that they gave
as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
Entirely on their own, [4] they urgently pleaded with
us for the privilege of sharing in this service to
the saints. [5] And they did not do as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then
to us in keeping with God's will. [6] So we urged
Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring
also to completion this act of grace on your part.
The Blessing of Giving
2 Cor. 8:7 But just as you excel in everything--in
faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness
and in your love for us--see that you also excel in
this grace of giving.
Acts 20:32 "Now I commit you to God and to the
word of his grace, which can build you up and give
you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
[33] I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or
clothing. [34] You yourselves know that these hands
of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of
my companions. [35] In everything I did, I showed
you that by this kind of hard work we must help the
weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself
said: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
"
Philip. 4:10 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. [11] I am not saying this because I am
in need, for I have learned to be content whatever
the circumstances. [12] 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. [13] I can do everything through
him who gives me strength. [14] Yet it was good of
you to share in my troubles. [15] 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; [16] for even when
I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again
when I was in need. [17] Not that I am looking for
a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited
to your account. [18] 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. [19] And my God will meet all your
needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Our Relationship to Material Possessions
Deut. 8:11-18 Be careful that you do not forget the
LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his
laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.
[12] Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when
you build fine houses and settle down, [13] and when
your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and
gold increase and all you have is multiplied, [14]
then your heart will become proud and you will forget
the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out
of the land of slavery. [15] He led you through the
vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless
land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought
you water out of hard rock. [16] He gave you manna
to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never
known, to humble and to test you so that in the end
it might go well with you. [17] You may say to yourself,
"My power and the strength of my hands have produced
this wealth for me." [18] But remember the LORD
your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to
produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which
he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
MT 19:21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be
perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the
poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me." [22] When the young man heard this,
he went away sad, because he had great wealth. [23]
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you
the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of heaven. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
1 Tim. 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have
wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with
many griefs.
Acts 5:1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with
his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.
[2] With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part
of the money for himself, but brought the rest and
put it at the apostles' feet. [3] Then Peter said,
"Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled
your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and
have kept for yourself some of the money you received
for the land? [4] Didn't it belong to you before it
was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money
at your disposal? What made you think of doing such
a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
[5] When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.
And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
[6] Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his
body, and carried him out and buried him. [7] About
three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what
had happened. [8] Peter asked her, "Tell me,
is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
[9] Peter said to her, "How could you agree to
test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the
men who buried your husband are at the door, and they
will carry you out also." [10] At that moment
she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young
men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out
and buried her beside her husband. [11] Great fear
seized the whole church and all who heard about these
events.
Lk. 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters.
Either he will hate the one and love the other, or
he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and Money."
1 Jn. 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the
world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. [16] For everything in the world--the
cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the
boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the
Father but from the world. [17] The world and its
desires pass away, but the man who does the will of
God lives forever.

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