John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Love has a corresponding action, which is giving—of oneself or giving something that will cost us. God has given us His best in the form of His only begotten Son, Jesus—a priceless gift to mankind—who was made sin for us so that His blood could redeem us from the penalty of sin. God gave His best, so we should not give Him anything less. Also, we are to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Therefore, we must not just give lip service when we say we love someone in need but follow up with giving (1 John 3:17-18).
When we follow God, He will tell us what He wants us to do. The best way to overcome the struggle to give is to deny ourselves and yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Giving also helps us rely on God’s provision, continuously acknowledging that Jesus is our provider and we are faithful stewards of His money.
2 Corinthian 9:8,10 (NKJV) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.…Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
God can make all grace abound toward us. Grace is an enablement, an ease that comes over us. It may also manifest as a favour with men, or business acumen, and the ability to generate wealth. Through all of this, we will have enough to give and continue to sow into His work. Therefore, we give not out of lack but out of abundance, which means we can give after ensuring our family is provided for.
2 Corinthians 8:7 (NKJV) But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
Like the people in Corinth, we may have acquired much knowledge of the Bible, grown in our faith, and been diligent in our work, but God also wants us to abound in the grace to give. Every time God impresses upon our hearts to give, it is an opportunity to trust Him rather than the money we have and a reminder that we are stewards of what He has given us. It is also an opportunity to express our love to God and others, deny ourselves, pick up the cross, and follow Jesus in His love for people through giving. Giving becomes easier once we are used to giving and yielding to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, eventually developing into a lifestyle. We will also experience God’s provision and blessings when we give. When we have tasted the goodness of God through His provision, we will not fear when facing financial challenges. This will give us peace while we wait for our prayers to be answered, whether concerning a job, business contract, or navigating an economic downturn because our trust is in God.
Sermon Series: Money – The truth shall set you free!
以奉献展现爱
约翰福音3:16 神爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不致灭亡，反得永生。
爱总是伴随着相应的行动，那就是奉献—献上自己或某些对于我们极有价值之物。 神已经将祂最好的赐给我们，就是祂的独生子—耶稣—一件赐给人类的无价的礼物，祂为我们成为罪，好教祂的宝血能够救赎我们免于罪的责罚。既然 神献出了祂最好的，我们也理应将最好的奉献给祂。并且我们还要爱邻如己。因此，当我们说到爱某个穷乏之人时不要只是嘴上说说，而是要伴之以“给”的实际行动。（约翰一书3;17-18）
当我们追随 神时，祂会告诉我们祂要我们去做的事。如果发现自己很难“奉献”，最好的办法就是放下自我，顺服圣灵的感动。奉献也会帮助我们仰赖 神的供应，不断地承认耶稣是我们的供应者，我们是祂钱财的忠心管家。
哥林多后书9:8,10 神能将各样的恩惠多多地加给你们，使你们凡事常常充足，能多行各样的善事。那赐种给撒种的，赐粮给人吃的，必多多加给你们种地的种子，又增添你们仁义的果子。
神能将一切的恩典丰厚地赐给我们。恩典可以是一种被赋予的能力，一种让人舒缓放心的状态，也可以表现为人的眷顾，或有商业头脑，以及生财的能力。藉着这些恩典，我们会有足够的资源去奉献，继续在 神的事工中播种。因此，我们奉献不是出于缺乏，而是出于丰盛，这意味着我们可以在确保我们的家庭得到供养后奉献。
哥林多后书8:7 你们既然在信心、口才、知识、热心和待我们的爱心上，都格外显出满足来，就当在这慈惠的事上也格外显出满足来。
如同当时哥林多教会的信徒，我们可能已经从圣经当中获取了很多知识、信心成长，工作勤力，但神也希望我们满有施与的恩典。每当神感动我们的心去奉献时，就是给我们机会去信靠祂，而不是仰仗手中的钱财，同时提醒我们，我们是祂所赐与的一切的管家。这也是一个机会，可以向上帝和他人表达我们的爱，舍己，背起十字架，并通过奉献来效法耶稣对人的爱。一旦我们习惯了奉献和顺服于圣灵的提示，奉献就会变得容易。最终它会成为我们的生活方式。当我们奉献时，我们也会经历到 神的供应和祝福。当我们通过神的供应尝到神的良善时，我们在面对财务挑战时就不会害怕。这将使我们在等待祷告蒙回应时满有平安，无论这祷告是关乎工作、合约或者是应对经济衰退，因为我们的信心在于神。
讲章系列：金钱—真理必叫你得自由！
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