I Chronicles 29:9
The right way to give to God is with a complete heart, willingly and joyfully, as an expression of love and gratitude.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the art of giving to God, highlighting that true giving should come from a complete heart and be done willingly and joyfully. He explains that God does not need our gifts, as everything belongs to Him, and the value of a gift is determined by the cost to the giver rather than the amount. Smith encourages believers to express their love for God through various forms of giving, including time, talents, and service, rather than just material possessions. Ultimately, giving is portrayed as an act of love and gratitude towards God.
Text
"GIVING TO GOD"
I. HOW TO GIVE TO GOD.
A. There is an art to giving. Listed as a gift of the Spirit in
Romans 12.
1. By the way some gifts are given, you want to say
"keep it, who needs it."
2. Some make a lot over giving little, some make
little over giving a lot.
a. I had an uncle who made offering us a piece of
candy out of a box seem like the Hope Diamond.
Never comfortable in his home.
B. There are various types of giving.
1. What we used to call Indian giving. Giving then later
demanding it back.
2. Conditional giving.
a. Stipulation attached to gift.
b. 1st Baptist Church in Huntington Beach.
3. Forced giving.
a. Give him a piece of your candy.
4. Pressured giving.
C. "With a complete heart they offered willingly unto the Lord."
(verse 9.
1. This is the only way we should give to God.
2. This is joyful giving. "Then the people rejoiced."
3. "God loves a cheerful giver."
II. WHAT CAN I GIVE TO GOD?
A. Psalm 116 - "What shall I render unto Thee?"
1. God doesn't need a thing I have.
a. He existed quite well before I ever came along.
b. He will exist quite well after I am gone.
2. God is not broke.
a. He's not about to file bankruptcy.
b. He doesn't need you to bail Him out.
c. He is not depending on your support.
B. "Everything comes from Thee" (verse 14.
1. Look at the vast universe. He made it!
a. Where did all the gold & silver come from?
b. He could create golden galaxies.
c. Scientists speak of probability of diamond
galaxies.
2. Any material gift you may give to God, the material
came from Him and He can create it in abundance, so as
to make it common.
a. This is why He never measures the amount of a
gift.
b. The true value is in the cost. What did it
cost you to give?
1. Widow's mite.
C. "Of Thine own have we given to Thee."(verse 14.
1. Anything I give to Him already belongs to Him.
a. That's like having someone cut flowers out of
your own garden to give you a bouquet.
E. Giving is then just an expression of love.
1. I am giving this to you God because I love you.
F. There are gifts other than material.
1. Time--giving God more time in your life.
2. Talents.
3. Service.
4. Heart.
Sermon Outline
- How to Give to God
- What Can I Give to God?
- 'Psalm 116: What Shall I Render Unto Thee?'
- Everything Comes from Thee
- Of Thine Own Have We Given to Thee
- Pressured giving
Key Quotes
“With a complete heart they offered willingly unto the Lord.” — Chuck Smith
“God loves a cheerful giver.” — Chuck Smith
“Of Thine own have we given to Thee.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should give to God with a complete heart, willingly and joyfully.
- The true value of a gift is not in its amount, but in the cost, what it cost us to give.
- We can give to God material gifts, time, talents, service, and our hearts.