Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Giving; Sacrifice References: Matthew 26:28; 1 Peter 1:18–19 The United States Red Cross has thirty-four blood-service regions across the country, and Jim Parker, a retired school superintendent, and his wife, Linda, a teacher, made a seventeen-month tour visiting each one of them to donate blood. When asked about the pain of donating blood, the … Continue reading “INSPIRATIONAL
BLOOD GIFT”

Topics: Christian Life; Christmas; Family; Gifts; Giving; Love; Ministry Reference: Matthew 6:1–4 The small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so. It all began because my husband, Mike, hated Christmas—oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but … Continue reading “AN
ENVELOPE FOR MIKE”

Topics: Contentment; Money References: Acts 20:35; Philippians 4:11–12 It is more blessed to give than to receive, but then it is also more blessed to be able to do without than to have to have. —Søren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher (1813–55), submitted by Rubel Shelly, Nashville, Tennessee

Topics: Generosity; Giving; Money; Sports References: Amos 5:18–24; 1 Timothy 6:17–19 David Robinson, one of the best basketball players of all time, fed the homeless through his Feed My Sheep program. He also helped needy families get diapers and baby food through a charity called the Ruth Project. He thought of this work as life-enhancers … Continue reading “GIVING
FOR LIFE”

Topics: Generosity; Giving; Money; Sacrifice References: Matthew 19:23–24; 2 Corinthians 8:1–7; 9:6–15 I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the … Continue reading “MORE
THAN WE CAN SPARE”

Topics: Christian Life; Example; Giving References: 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 2:6–8 The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example. —Thomas Morell, classical scholar and librettist (1703–84)

Topics: Attitudes; Giving; Holiness; Maturity; Sacrifice; Servanthood References: Matthew 5:48; 19:21 Perfection, in a Christian sense, means becoming mature enough to give ourselves to others. —Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace (Riverhead Books, 1999)

Topics: Giving; Greed; Money; Offerings References: Psalm 50:8–15; Proverbs 11:24–25 I do not think I exaggerate when I say that some of us put our offering in the plate with a kind of triumphant bounce, as much as to say, “There—now God will feel better!” I am obliged to tell you that God does not … Continue reading “HOW
GIVING SHAPES YOU”

Topics: Giving; Money; Stewardship Reference: Matthew 25:14–30 John Wesley’s famous formula “Get all you can; save all you can; give all you can” must be supplemented. It should read, “Get all you can; save all you can; freely use all you can within a properly disciplined spiritual life; and control all you can for the … Continue reading “STEWARDS
OF GIVING”

Topics: Giving; Hope; Vision Reference: Psalm 33:20–22 People give to achievement and promise and hope, not deficits. —E. Burr Gibson, “Reflections,” Christianity Today (June 12, 2000)