How to Know When to Stop Giving

---

sermon notes for this sunday.

your income vs. the world:
$15k/yr income = 13% richest in the world
$25k/yr = 11% richest
$50k/yr = 2%
$75k/yr = 1%
-we're only poor when we want more than we have

regarding wealth (1 timothy 6:17)
-our trust should be in God who is wealthy (deuteronomy 8:18)
-don't be proud because we have more than many others, as God is the source
-don't forget the Lord our God who is the source of our wealth
-God wants us to enjoy what he has given to us (proverbs 10:22), He doesn't want it to be a burden to you
our responsibility (1 timothy 6:18)
-we should be rich in good works and generous in others' needs; share what we have, happily
-but what does generous mean? God didn't put a huge sign for the amount of money we need to give. Jesus taught that generosity is not measured. generosity is measured by the heart.
-Jesus pointed out the widowed woman who gave up two small coins and said that she gave generously because it was everything that she has; generosity comes from our attitude

blessings of giving
-every time people give, the giver is blessed and gives thanks to God (philippians 4:17)
-when we give gifts, it gives us a warm fuzzy feeling - that's natural. giving feels good
-recipient is blessed and gives thanks to God (2 corinthians 9:12)
-God is blessed by our act of giving (philippians 4:18)

when to stop giving
-when there's more than enough to serve the Lord (exodus 36:6), when there's no more need
-when you've stopped experiencing joy (2 corinthians 9:7) you must decide in your own heart, don't respond to pressure. God loves a cheerful giver; God is not impressed with the amount as He owns everything - He doesn't need anything. no one wants a gift that's out of force.
-when God fails the test (malachi 3:10) the only scripture that tells to test God. we sometimes feel like we have everything that we need that we feel like we don't need God anymore.

we receive God's grace (2 corinthians 9:13-14)
-people will see God's grace in your life and so they see that you're a generous person
-God provides the seed and it's your job to produce a harvest of generosity out of the seed (your resources)
-recognize that all things come from God
thanks goes to God (2 corinthians 9:11-12)

where to go from here?
option 1 - resolve to take God up on His offer
option 2 - say to God, "thanks but no thanks"
which option will we choose?

---