4.5.23 First Wednesday  –  Randy Carter

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“SO THAT LIVING”

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” ¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteous-ness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Matthew 10:8 NIV Freely you have received; freely give.

Gratitude flows out of the heart that chooses to remember.

Psalm 103:1-5 NIVBless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: ³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that
your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Acts 17:26-27 NIV From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. ²⁷ God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

1. “So That Living” Goes

2 Corinthians 8:5 NIV And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

2 Corinthians 8:5 Mess This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. 

What the Lord wants from us today is an unqualified YES!

Matthew 6:21 NIV  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

• Giving is a privilege, not an obligation.

2 Corinthians 8:4 NIV they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people

• They desired to excel in giving, not just to do the minimum.

2 Corinthians 8:7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

• They understood the joy of giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2. “So That Living” Is

2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

What you have to offer is never too small or too insignificant. Do not allow yourself to fall prey to the lie that says if you cannot go big, don’t go at all.

Mark 12:41-44 MSG Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”

3. “So That Living” Is

2 Corinthians 8:2-3 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,

2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV Now he who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Never let your limitations limit what God can do through you!

Will you give by reason, or by revelation?

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout

4. “So That Living” Is

2 Corinthians 8:11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Give them something that will help them!

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me through this message?

Did you experience a FRESH START with God today? Text “CHHOPE” to 97000