How Giving promotes spiritual growth

an authentic relationship with God

SPIRITUALITY

It is a relationship with God,

rooted in knowledge,

evidenced by righteousness,

directed toward the Day of Christ,

all to God’s glory.

true spirituality

Spiritual vision & direction that leads to spiritual devotion.

true spirituality

FAITH

HOPE

LOVE

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Developing Faith1

THE MOST ACCEPTED SIN IN THE CHURCH

We have accepted the concepts, "Take care of yourself,“ "Love yourself," "Be yourself," "Find yourself."

….Jesus says, "Deny yourself.“

According to a recent study, Americans check their phones once an hour -- at least -- and nearly three out of four said that losing their phone would make them feel "panicked.“

A TIME magazine poll released in 2011 of people around the world showed that 84 percent of people don't think they could be separated from their phones for just one day.

Faith= Spiritual Vision

1A. Perspective:1. The Giver > The Gifts- James 1:17

B. Giving Builds Faith- Hebrews 111. Assurance2. Conviction3. Vision

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7

2 Deepening Hope

What Is Our Hope?

"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it."

2Hope= Spiritual Direction

A. The Moment Or Eternity- Genesis 11 and Genesis 12- Hebrews 11:25-26

B. Material Or Spiritual- Mark 10:21-22- Eccl. 5:10

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Eccl. 5:10

3 Strengthening Love

A 2008 study by Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton and colleagues found that giving money to

someone else lifted participants’ happiness more that spending it on themselves .

In a 2006 study, the National Institutes of Health found that when people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and

trust, creating a “warm glow” effect. Scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain,

producing the positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.”

A. Where To Start

1. If my kids were to see my bank statements or credit card bills, what priorities would they see?

2. Does my contribution reflect the gospel?

3. Would people look at my contribution and be encouraged to give more or less?

4. If we put our gift in Jesus’ hand...would he be pleased?

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

3Love= Strengthening Devotion

1. Be Purposeful: 2 Cor. 9:7.- OUR PLAN FOR GOD’S ______

2. Give Sacrificially- Mal. 3:8-12

Do something new to ignite your spiritual life!

Give understanding it begins and ends with God. 2 Corinthians 8:1-6, 2 Corinthians 9:11-15

40 DAY CHALLENGETake On The