THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING (5 OF 7)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Romans 12:1-8
This content is part of a series.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving (5 of 7)
Series: Vitamins (Gifts) that Make the Body Healthy
Jeff Strite
Romans 12:1-8
OPEN: One preacher told of the time he found himself in a situation where he truly needed to announce publicly what he was giving to a special church offering. ''This wasn't for the purpose of boastfulness, for I was only giving $25, although, at that time, that was significant to me. It was just an awkward occasion and my only recourse was to announce that I was giving a $25 check to the cause.
No big deal.
That Sunday afternoon, I asked our church treasurer how much the congregation had contributed to the cause. He mentioned that it was a good offering but then added, ''There is something unusual about the offering.''
When I asked what he meant, he explained, ''We got an unusually large number of $25 checks.''
(Don Linscott, http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/158514-3-simple-tips-to-increase-giving-almost-overnight.html?p=3)
Now notice what took place there.
A preacher felt uncomfortable about saying how much he was giving for special offering, but in that situation he felt he had to.
How much did he give? ($25)
What effect did that have on the congregation? (Many gave the same)
As we've mentioned in an earlier sermon - God gave certain people in each congregation… special gifts. These are not so much miraculous gifts as they are motivational gifts.
In this case Paul writes: ''We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
If a man's gift … is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.'' Romans 12:6, 8
Each gift is not only to motivate the giver but ALSO to motivate the rest of us in the church. When you have a giver in your midst they motivate YOU to give as well.
There's a story in Acts that illustrates that. Acts 4:34-37 tells us
''There were no needy persons among them (Christians in Jerusalem). For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, br ...
Series: Vitamins (Gifts) that Make the Body Healthy
Jeff Strite
Romans 12:1-8
OPEN: One preacher told of the time he found himself in a situation where he truly needed to announce publicly what he was giving to a special church offering. ''This wasn't for the purpose of boastfulness, for I was only giving $25, although, at that time, that was significant to me. It was just an awkward occasion and my only recourse was to announce that I was giving a $25 check to the cause.
No big deal.
That Sunday afternoon, I asked our church treasurer how much the congregation had contributed to the cause. He mentioned that it was a good offering but then added, ''There is something unusual about the offering.''
When I asked what he meant, he explained, ''We got an unusually large number of $25 checks.''
(Don Linscott, http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/158514-3-simple-tips-to-increase-giving-almost-overnight.html?p=3)
Now notice what took place there.
A preacher felt uncomfortable about saying how much he was giving for special offering, but in that situation he felt he had to.
How much did he give? ($25)
What effect did that have on the congregation? (Many gave the same)
As we've mentioned in an earlier sermon - God gave certain people in each congregation… special gifts. These are not so much miraculous gifts as they are motivational gifts.
In this case Paul writes: ''We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
If a man's gift … is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.'' Romans 12:6, 8
Each gift is not only to motivate the giver but ALSO to motivate the rest of us in the church. When you have a giver in your midst they motivate YOU to give as well.
There's a story in Acts that illustrates that. Acts 4:34-37 tells us
''There were no needy persons among them (Christians in Jerusalem). For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, br ...
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