I Believe What I Believe
Lesson 40
Giving - An Investment for My Life

"The Benefits of Lifestyle Giving"
Luke 6:27-38

1. Observations:
1. This behavior is to be our lifestyle.
2. This behavior sets us apart from the world. (vs. 32-34)
3. This behavior is modeled by our Heavenly Father. (v. 6)
4. This behavior will reap many benefits. (vs. 35,37-38)
2. How to Develop a Lifestyle of Giving:
1. Totally give yourself to God.
2. Learn the Biblical benefit of giving.
3. Apply those principles to our lives.
3. The Benefits of Lifestyle Giving:
A. It puts material wealth into a Biblical perspective. (Matthew 6:33)
God has never promised He will give us more than we need. However, He has promised to give us what we need.
B. Teaches us that giving should not be separated from our behavior. (Matthew 5:23, 24)
The test if stewardship is not what our money is doing for us, but what our money is doing to us.
C. It is a key test of spiritual commitment. (Luke 16:11)
A checkbook is a theological document. It indicates who and what we worship.
D. It protects us from financial enslavement. (Matthew 6:24)
E. It gives me victory over materialism. (1 Timothy 16:17-19)
Each time we give it breaks the materialism syndrome of "I've got to have more."
F. It strengthens our faith. (Malachi 3:10)
G. It makes me happy. (1 Chronicles 29:9)
H. It blesses me in return. (Luke 6:38)
I. It keeps me from losing my assets and abilities. (Luke 16:1,2)
God will give to us what He knows will flow through us.
J. It is the proof of my love. (2 Chronicles 8:7,8)
We can give without loving but we cannot love without giving.
K. It focuses on the eternal and not the temporal. (Matthew 6:19)
L. It will bring rightful recognition from others. (Philippians 2:29)
M. It will bring rightful recognition from God. (Mark 12:43,44)
N. It makes me more like God. (John 3:16)

"There are two kinds of people on earth today,
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.
Not the good and the bad, for 'tis well understood
That the good are half-bad and the bad half-good
No! the two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are the people who lift and the people who lean."

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