Pastor Bryan – HELP ME UNDERSTAND .

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

Proverbs 4:7 (NIV)

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave… ^“

John 3:16

^“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…”

Matthew 28:19

^“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

Proverbs 11:25

BIBLICAL GIVING DEFINED: “Giving is the Spirit-led act of returning to God what is already His, offered cheerfully, sacrificially, and faithfully, to advance His Kingdom and reflect His heart.”

HOW TO SPOT A BIBLICAL GIVER

• They give

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

II Corinthians 9:7

• They give . 

“On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.” 

I Corinthians 16:2

• They give .

“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.”

Acts 2:44-45

• They ultimately see money as a and not just .

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Matthew 6:24

WHAT KEEPS US FROM GIVING

• We misunderstand about money.

Prosperity Gospel vs. Provision Gospel

Prosperity

• Definition: A distorted teaching that equates faith with guaranteed material wealth, success, and physical health.
• Emphasis: “If you believe and give, God owes you abundance.”
• Error: Overemphasizes material blessing and treats giving like a transaction with God.
• Result: Leads people to view God as a means to an end rather than the end Himself.
• Scriptural Correction: Luke 12:15 – “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Provision (Biblical View)

• Definition: The teaching that God is a loving Father who faithfully provides for His children’s needs as they trust and obey Him.
• Emphasis: “God is our Source, and He provides enough for us to live, give, and glorify Him.”
• Truth: God blesses us not for selfish gain but so we can be a blessing to others.
• Result: Leads to contentment, generosity, and trust in God’s provision.
• Scripture: Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Prosperity says – “God wants me .”

Provision says – “God provides what I so I can .”

HOW TO BECOME A GENEROUS GIVER

1. Build the right .

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”

Psalm 24:1

“Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 10:14

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.¹² Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.”

I Chronicles 29:11-12

“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

Haggai 2:8

“Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine.”

Job 41:11

        2. Focus on financial as a spiritual practice.

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Matthew 6:21

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”

I Timothy 6:17-18

        3. Prioritize accelerating the .

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Matthew 6:33

        4. Make a strategic and follow it.

• Get .

“Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Proverbs 22:7

• Start .

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. ¹⁰ Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine”.

Proverbs 3:9-10

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”

Malachi 3:10

• Get .

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Proverbs 27:17

• Focus on your .

“They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.”

Psalm 112:9