[0:00] This message was recorded at Vision Baptist Church in Alfreda, Georgia. This is the next message in our series in the book of 2 Corinthians, entitled, We Faint Not.
[0:15] Take your Bible, if you would, and open it to the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter 8. And at the same time, you can open it to Exodus, chapter 35. Exodus, chapter 35. And I promise not to get every verse I'm giving today.
[0:27] But give me a few days and I probably will. Exodus, chapter 35, in just a minute. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 12, that we just read. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
[0:44] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not that he hath not. Let's bow our heads for prayer and ask God to work in us to make us willing servants of his. Father, I love you, and I praise you, and I magnify you for all the goodness that you are and all you've done in our lives.
[1:00] Thank you for saving us. Thank you for forgiving our sins. Thank you for making us new creatures. Thank you for saving our wife, our children, our husband. Thank you, Lord God. All you've done, you are such a wonderful and good God.
[1:13] I love you, and I thank you for the wonderful things you've done. And pray today that you'd help your word come alive to your people, and I'll give you praise and honor and glory for all. In Jesus' name, amen. Why don't you take your Bible and go with me to Exodus, chapter 35.
[1:25] I said in my Sunday school class this morning that the Old Testament is kind of like children's church with a lot of images and stories to help you understand all the truths in the New Testament.
[1:36] God takes the Old Testament stories and teaches us a lot. In Exodus, chapter 35, they're about to build the tabernacle, the place where God will meet with man, and it'll be God working in their lives.
[1:49] And they're going to take up offerings in there. And so I'm going to talk to you about the willing offering that they gave. But let me just kind of give you a back. Let me back you up and walk you through it. So look this way just a second.
[2:01] I'll show you verses in just a second. Look at this. They were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years. If you recall the story in the Old Testament, there had been a famine in the land, and Joseph had been in Egypt, and Joseph had prophesied or explained the dream that the Pharaoh had.
[2:20] He said there'd be seven good years, and they ought to save everything they could. Then there'd be seven very bad years. And he had been sold into slavery by his family. And they thought they were doing him harm, but God was doing a great work for the nation of Israel.
[2:34] And so by the end of Genesis, all of the Israelites have now moved to the country of Egypt. They live in a place called the land of Goshen. And everything is great because Joseph, Jacob's son, is like the second in command of all of Egypt.
[2:51] But he dies, and the man who knew Joseph dies, the Pharaoh who knew Joseph died, and they began to be afraid of these Jews that lived in the middle of their country. And so they put all these rules on them and all this mistreatment of them and made them slaves, and they lived like slaves.
[3:07] They began even to kill their babies. And then in the book of Exodus, we got this wonderful story of the Exodus, of the coming out. And what happened is God raised up a man named Moses who got them out of slavery and brought them into freedom, brought them into liberty.
[3:22] And before they leave Egypt, you know, there's 10 plagues that are worked. You know all this story. There are 10 plagues that are worked. And the last plague is when the firstborn dies, and they have all killed a sheep.
[3:34] And the sheep's blood's been put on the door and on the lentil and the doorposts above the door and on the sides of the door. And it's a symbol of Jesus dying for us on the cross. But as they leave the nation of Egypt, the Egyptians begin to just pour on them all these goods.
[3:51] They give them gold. They give them silver. They give them jewelry. They give them food. They give them materials. They give them everything. It's like if you guys would just leave, we'll give you a ton of stuff.
[4:03] And so the slaves actually leave Egypt now free with a lot of money. There's a symbol there. This is before we ever get to the message. Everything they had was given to them by God through Jesus.
[4:16] They were slaves. They got saved. God blessed them. And they leave the nation of Egypt with a lot of riches in their command. Could I say this? That God has been good to you.
[4:27] How many of you would agree with that? Say amen. He saved you. And he has given you the ability to work. And he's given you the ability to have a life. And he's given you the ability to achieve what you've achieved.
[4:37] To earn what you've earned. To gain what you've gained. In Exodus chapter 35. It's time to build the tabernacle. And Moses steps out. And he says we're going to be taking up an offering. To build the tabernacle.
[4:49] This is an Old Testament story. Of exactly what's going to happen in 2 Corinthians 8. And it's about being a willing giver. We should write that down. Willing giver. That's what we want to be.
[4:59] Is a willing giver. A willing giver is first off going to know that he has what he has. Because of what God's done in his life. How many of you know that you have what you have. Because of what God's done in your life.
[5:10] Say amen. I mean it's God that's done it. It's God that saved me. It's God that gave me the health. It's God that gave me the intelligence. It's God that gave me the work. It's God that's taking care of me. Through whatever's happening. It's God that's done a work.
[5:22] So that'd be the first thing that would lead me towards becoming a willing giver. But if you would read your Bible with me. Let's go to Exodus chapter 35 verse 5. And let's work our way through Exodus chapter 35 this morning.
[5:33] The Bible says in verse 5. Take you from among you an offering unto the Lord. Whosoever is of a willing heart. Let him bring it an offering of the Lord.
[5:43] Gold, silver, and brass. You have your Bible open. Would you put a circle around this? Willing heart. Look in verse 5. Put a circle around the word willing heart.
[5:54] You see he wanted an offering. But he only wanted an offering from a willing heart. Can you say willing heart with me? Say that word with me. What's the New Testament word for it? God loves a cheerful giver.
[6:05] In other words God said if you don't want to give to me just keep your money. If you don't want to bring it just don't bring it. But if you want to bring it. Bring a willing offering. And then notice what he said in verse 5. It was a willing. It was an offering unto.
[6:16] Look at verse 5. Unto who? An offering unto who? Unto the Lord. It was an offering unto the Lord. They were giving to God. And they were going to give gold and silver and brass.
[6:27] I already told you where they got that. When they were leaving town. They basically looted the whole place. When they were leaving Egypt. All these things were given to them. And they were theirs. They could have easily walked out there saying. Hey.
[6:37] I was a slave. And my daddy was a slave. And my granddaddy was a slave. And I deserve all this stuff they gave me in this mind to keep. But they said. Hey. God gave this to me. And I want to give unto the Lord. With a willing heart.
[6:49] First thing they did. The first thing they did. Was they gave with a willing heart. Now look at chapter 35 verse 10. Exodus 35 verse 10. And every wise hearted among you. Shall come and make all the things that the Lord has commanded.
[7:03] Put a circle around wise hearted. Wise hearted. Did you know that God did two things? One. He gave them things to give. He put in their hand treasures that they could use.
[7:17] But he also put in their hand talents that could be used. He made them wise hearted. And they're going to build a tabernacle here. And there's some people that got a lot of money to give.
[7:28] And maybe others don't have as much money to give. But they're wise hearted. These were people that God gave the ability. To be able to build that tabernacle. In fact if you read the whole story. There were guys that just knew exactly how to do every handcraft.
[7:40] Every artisan job that needed to be done in there. God gave them the ability. God made them wise hearted. That who if so ever is of a. And every wise hearted among you shall come.
[7:51] And do what the Lord commanded. How many of you this morning don't say anything. Because you would be embarrassed to say it. But you know God made you wise hearted. You know that God gave you abilities. To do things sometimes that others can't do.
[8:04] Maybe it's working with your hands. Maybe it's building a tabernacle. Maybe it's working with leather. Maybe it's making money. Maybe it's being a leader. But God made you wise hearted. So there are willing givers.
[8:15] And there are wise hearted workers. There are willing givers. And there are wise hearted workers. Now go to verse 21. Exodus 35 verse 21. Look what the Bible says.
[8:26] Exodus chapter 35 verse 21. And they came everyone whose heart stirred him up. And everyone whom his spirit made willing. And they brought the Lord's offering.
[8:37] To the work of the tabernacle of the congregation. For all his service. And for the holy garments. You have your Bible open. Circle this. Heart whose heart stirred him up.
[8:47] Put a circle around that. Whose heart stirred him up. Now I want you to look this way just a second. You know when we give the Lord. We ought to give the Lord because we want to. Out of our heart.
[8:58] Not grudgingly. Nor of necessity. For God loves a cheerful giver. It ought to be born in me. It ought to be born in me. It ought to come bursting out of my heart. I want to give.
[9:10] I want to give. I want to be involved in giving. I want to be involved in the Lord's work. Through missions. I want to be involved in getting the tabernacle built. I want to be involved in building a church here.
[9:20] I want to be involved in everything that's going on. And I want you to notice in verse 21. And what happened? His heart stirred him up. So this guy did it because. And he doesn't even know why.
[9:31] He wakes up and he's going like. Man I really want to do this. I really want to be involved. I'm a willing giver. Something in me makes me want to give. To the cause of Jesus Christ.
[9:42] Something in me. Makes me want to get involved in the work. And look at verse 21. It says. And they brought the Lord's offering. They brought the Lord's. They knew whose offering it was. They knew he wanted it.
[9:52] And something in their heart. Made them want to give. How many of you have ever said. I don't understand it. But I've had those desires. I've felt in my heart. Man I really want to give. And God was going to work.
[10:03] If that's ever happened to you. Say amen. Look at the verse. Notice what it said. And everyone whom his spirit. Made willing. His spirit. Made willing.
[10:14] So this guy. Something's going on. I'm a born again believer. I have my spirit. And his spirit dwells in me. And so my spirit. And his spirit. Are dwelling inside of me. And so. You know what happens? The Holy Spirit. Begins to work in my heart.
[10:25] That's actually why I'm a preacher today. That's why I share the gospel today. That's why I'm a pastor today. I don't know what happened. But all of a sudden. Inside of me man. I just wanted to preach the Bible. I don't know what happened. I just wanted to go be a missionary.
[10:36] I just wanted to be a pastor. I just wanted to. Something stirred me up inside. His heart was willing. He was wise hearted. His spirit stirred him up. His heart made him willing.
[10:48] That's how you're supposed to give. I want you to know something. You haven't heard since you've been here. You haven't heard. You have to give. You haven't. We haven't put it on you. We haven't tried to fuss at you. We haven't tried to manipulate you.
[10:59] Because God loves a what? Cheerful giver. He wants you to give. Because you are willing. He wants you to give. Because you want to. Look at chapter 35 verse 22.
[11:11] If you would. Chapter 35 verse 22. The Bible says. And they came. Both men and women. As many as were. Willing hearted. Put a circle around it. Willing hearted.
[11:22] And brought bracelets. And earrings. And rings. And tablets. All jewels of gold. And every man that offered. Offered an offering of gold. Unto the Lord. They did it because they were.
[11:33] What's the two words. I want you to circle. You already know what they are. What other. They did it because they were of a. Willing heart. They had. They were willing. Hearted. The Bible said. Chapter 35 verse 26.
[11:45] If you would. Chapter 35 verse 26. And all the women. Whose heart stirred them up. In wisdom. Spun goat's hair. You said.
[11:56] What in the world is that? Well they were making all the. Materials. They were preparing the blankets. They were preparing the curtains. They were preparing everything. That was going on. I just want you to stop a second. I'm going to keep reading some of these verses.
[12:06] With you. But just look here what happened. God's work. Goes forward. On the hearts and minds. Of people. That God makes willing. And they want to. The way we'll ever do anything. The way our church.
[12:17] Pays the bills. Every month. Right now. Is not because. We have a pledge system. Where we come and charge you. It's not because. We have a system. We're out. Examine what you're doing. And I pray more for you. If you give more.
[12:27] Pray less for you. If you don't. And pray God will kill you. If you don't give good. Has nothing to do with that. It has to do with. You give. Because God stirred your heart up. You give. Because you love God. You give. Because you want to give. And everything that we're ever going to do.
[12:39] That's how we've given. As much to missions. As we have. God has been at work. In our hearts. And God has stirred us up. And here they come. Bringing their jewelry. They bring bracelets. And earrings. And rings.
[12:50] And tablets. And all jewels of gold. It was them. Then they come making things. Their heart stirred them up. Go to chapter 35. And verse 29. If you would. Chapter 35.
[13:00] Verse 29. The children of Israel. Brought a willing offering. Unto the Lord. A willing offering. Circle that. Willing offering. Unto the Lord. Every man and woman. Whose heart. Made them.
[13:11] Willing. To bring all manner of work. Which the Lord had commanded. To be made. By the hand of Moses. Moses stepped out. And he said. Look. God wants. A tabernacle built. And he's told me.
[13:22] How he wants it to look. And he's told me. What we're going to make. Everything out of. He's told me. What everything's going to be. Looking like. He's told me. What that altar. Is going to look like. He's given me. All this. That's going to be done. God's told me. What to do.
[13:32] And when he gets through. Talking to people. Are sitting there going. Hey. I'm for that. Hey. I'm in that. Hey. I want to be a part of that. Hey. I want to make a difference. With that. And so they started. Bringing offerings. And they started making stuff.
[13:44] And they started getting involved. Because they. Wanted to. They wanted to. I hope you understand. Something about giving. In the Bible. In the real New Testament church. It's not about giving.
[13:55] To get rich. It's not about giving. For God. To make blessings on you. Although God. We'll see some verses. That say that. But they're taken. So far out of context. It is about. I love Jesus.
[14:05] I love his work. I want to be involved. And I want to give. Look. If you would. Look. In chapter 36. In verse 5. See what happened. In chapter 36. In verse 5. The Bible says.
[14:16] And they spake unto Moses. Saying the people. Bring much more. Than enough. For the service of the work. Which the Lord commanded. To make. Now you believe in this one. Here's what happened.
[14:27] The people started. Bringing their offerings. They weren't passing a plate. They weren't. They weren't sending out. Charging letters. They weren't constantly. Nagging the people. Reminding the people. Their hearts.
[14:38] Were reminding them. They loved Jesus. They loved God. They loved the work of God. They wanted to be involved. And they brought. Much more than enough. Underline that in your Bible. Much more than enough.
[14:49] They brought. Enough. To do everything. That needed to be done. And they brought too much. What is the key. To getting it done. They brought more. Than was needed. Because their hearts.
[14:59] Were stirred up. Because their spirits. Made them willing. They didn't bring it. Grudgingly. They didn't bring it. Of necessity. They brought it. Because they first. Gave them. Their own selves. To the Lord.
[15:09] They gave themselves. The Lord. And they brought. More than was needed. To take care of the. Expenses. Of building that tabernacle. Look if you would. At chapter 36. Verse 6. Chapter 36. Verse 6.
[15:20] And Moses gave the commandment. And they caused it. To be proclaimed. Throughout the camp. Saying. Don't let anybody else. Bring another offering. No more offerings. No more bringing money.
[15:30] To the offering. Look what he said. He said. Let neither man. Or woman. Make any more work. For the offering. Of the sanctuary. So the people. Were restrained. From bringing. Put a circle around.
[15:41] Restrained. They were restrained. That's a wild one. Isn't it? That's a wild one. Isn't it? You know. In today's economy. In today's church world. You're kind of made to feel guilty.
[15:52] If you don't give. You're kind of made. You have to give. They use all kind of verses. All kind of words. And there's always a. A building project. In front of you. There's always something.
[16:02] You're supposed to give to. And in this story. Right here. Is what happened. Hey. Please. No more offerings. Deacons. Go around all. All the community. And tell them. Don't bring any more offerings. We have much more than enough.
[16:15] Tell them. We are restraining them. We have a restraining order. We're putting on them. What's the restraining order? Don't bring any more money. Don't bring any more stuff. We have enough.
[16:27] Look at chapter 36. In verse 7. If you would. Chapter 36. In verse 7. The Bible says. For the stuff. They had. Was sufficient. For all the work.
[16:38] To make it. And too much. They. Had. Stuff. Left over. We'll give you one more story. In the Bible. And I'll move on. But I want. I want to review some things. Would you look this way.
[16:48] Just a second. Watch this. Number one. These. These Jews. Got everything. They got from Egypt. God had worked a miracle. For the lost world. To put in their hands. Everything they have.
[16:59] By the way. That's kind of how it happened with you. You go out. And you work in a place. Where lost people. Are probably your boss. Most of you. Or you. Or even if you're the boss. Of your own company. You're probably working for lost people. And God is letting you reap a bounty.
[17:11] I don't work for lost people. Thank God. I'm working for you. But. But. People. They're giving up. They're giving this money. And they're giving it. Egypt's giving it to them. And then when there's a need place in front of them.
[17:21] They say. Something in my heart stirs me up. That's what goes on in 2 Corinthians chapter 8. There was a need for an offering to be taken back to Jerusalem. And they looked at it. And they said. Man. We want to get involved.
[17:32] Our hearts are stirred up. Our spirit stirs us up. And they gave. Way above and beyond. I'll just say this. Many people are blessed and astonished.
[17:43] When they hear what kind of giving you do here at this church. And how this church has given as much to missions. And how the offerings are what they are. And I thank God for that. But I know this. It wasn't you. And it wasn't me. It was him doing the work through us.
[17:55] Amen. And God takes care of it. But here's another story for you. Found in 1 Chronicles chapter 29. And we won't have time to read all that passage either. But we're going to skip through some of those verses. 1 Chronicles chapter 29.
[18:06] Now they're going to build a temple. They just got through building the. Tabernacle here in Exodus. Now it's years and years later. And the tabernacle's been put away. And Solomon and David are going to build the temple.
[18:18] David wants to build the temple. David goes to God. And he says, God, I sure have a nice house. I have a palace. I live in a beautiful home. And everything is really nice for me. And you still have a tent.
[18:30] And he said, I really don't like that. I think you ought to get more than just a tent. I think we ought to have a nice place for you. And God said, I didn't ask you for the tent. I didn't ask you for the tent.
[18:40] And I don't need the temple. And David said, well, I want you to have a temple. He said, can I build you a temple? And the man of God comes in and says, God says, you can build the temple. And so David is so excited.
[18:51] He's going to build the temple. But as Nathan is on his way back out of the palace, the Holy Spirit says to him, no, he can't build it because he's a bloody man. He's been in war. He's killed a lot of people. He can't build it, but he can get the money ready for his son to build it.
[19:04] And Solomon will get to build the temple. It was never Solomon's idea to build the temple. It was David's idea to build the temple. It was David who put all the money together to get the temple built. But it's never called David's temple.
[19:15] It's called Solomon's temple. And if you're in giving to get your name on stuff. You ever been to one of those country churches where everything's got a name in there? The offering plate says given by my aunt Susie.
[19:27] The Lord's temple. Everything's about somebody's name on something. Maybe we ought to do that, you know. But then we'd be into that manipulation given. I'd be walking around and saying, I don't know if your name ain't on very much. But see, that's not how they gave.
[19:40] And David didn't give to get his name on there. And look, if you would with me, what he says about how he got everything ready. Go to chapter 29. 1 Chronicles chapter 29 and verse 2, if you would. Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God.
[19:55] For things to be made of gold and the silver for things of silver. And brass for the things of brass. And iron for the things of iron. And wood for the things of wood. And onyx stones and stones to be set. And glistering stones in diverse colors or different colors.
[20:08] And all manner of precious stones and marble in abundance. I want you to underline something about the offering David did. This is the guy after God's own heart. Boy, does he love God. Boy, is his heart in the things of God.
[20:20] This guy's the one that writes the majority of the Psalms, remember? This is the guy that's just sweet relationship with God. And I want you to underline what he says in chapter 29, verse 2. I have prepared with all my might.
[20:32] Would you underline this? I have prepared with all my might. David says, I want to tell you something. I want God to have a temple. And so David sat down and said, I am going to work at it with everything in me.
[20:44] We're going to build God a temple. And I'm going to do everything in my power to get involved. David's heart was so involved in the things of God. And so involved in this offering that he says he prepared with all of his might.
[20:57] How does he do that? Look at chapter 29, verse 3. Chapter 29, verse 3. He does that by setting his affection on the house of God. Look at verse 3. Moreover, because I have set my affection.
[21:09] I have set my affection to the house of my God. I have of mine own proper good and of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God over and above all that I prepared for the holy house.
[21:22] Would you underline this? He said, I set my affection. I set my affection. Watch this if you would quickly. Did you know whatever you like, it's not really that expensive to get it?
[21:33] That new boat, that new set of golf clubs, that new gun, that whatever it is we like, and we all got stuff we like, and there's nothing wrong with you having stuff you like. But it's amazing.
[21:43] Whenever you really like something, you'll figure out a way to get it. Fact is, when you really like something, man, you can tell your wife 95 reasons why it's a good idea. Say amen. You'll go home to her and she'll say, well, honey, I don't think we got the money.
[21:56] And you'll say, number one, let me tell you why I know we can. And then number two, and number three, and number four. And finally she said, I give. We don't really need it, but you're obviously convinced we do. That's what's going on.
[22:06] Well, David set his affection on the house of his God. And David said, man, I want to build that temple. Now you and I, we don't need our affection set on a temple, but we do need it set on the work of God and the things of God.
[22:19] Can you say amen right there? We're in love with God. David said, I have used everything in my power. I've put every effort I could. I have set my affection to the house of my God.
[22:31] Look at you at chapter 29 and verse six, chapter 29 and verse six. Then the chief of the fathers and the princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and hundreds and with the rulers of the king's work, circle it, offered how?
[22:43] How did they offer? Offered? Willingly. There it is again. There it is again. Willing mind, willing heart, willing offering. They offered with a willing offering.
[22:55] Chapter 29 and verse nine. Then the people rejoiced for that they offered willingly. Remember what he said? He said, he said, God loves a what?
[23:07] Cheerful giver. And what do these people do? They circle it, rejoice. Why do they rejoice? Because they gave because they wanted to. Willing heart, offered willingly, because with perfect heart, they really with all of their heart wanted to give.
[23:21] They offered willing, mentioned again, offered willingly to the Lord. And David, the king also rejoiced with great joy. Here's what happened. They wanted to give. By the way, they wanted to give with all their heart.
[23:32] You know how it is. Most of us will be like this. I'd love to give money to the diabetes association. My son has diabetes. I wish I could give to him. I really kind of wish I could, but it's like 2%. I want to 98%.
[23:43] I probably don't want to. So I probably won't. Well, David said, man, these guys gave with all their heart, a perfect heart. And they gave willingly. And guess what happened? It caused great joy because the people of God were going around and said, man, we wanted to do it.
[23:56] And look, we did it. And God's been good to us. And David said, man, I am not believing this. And everybody is having a cheerful giving fit. They're all in that hilarious mood. They are rejoicing with great joy.
[24:09] Chapter 29 and verse 10. First Chronicles chapter 29 and verse 10. Wherefore, David blessed the Lord before all the congregation. And David said, blessed be the Lord God of Israel, our father forever and ever.
[24:22] Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty for all that's in heaven and in the earth is thine. Would you underline that in your Bible?
[24:34] All that's in the heaven and in the earth is thine. I'll stop there just a second to say this to you. Some of us feel like God wants part of our money. And David looked at it and said, I know who's owner of everything.
[24:46] All that's in heaven and all that's on earth, it's all yours. Verse 12. Both riches and honors, circle it, come of thee. Every rich, every honor I have, they came from thee.
[25:00] Thou reignest over all and in thy hand is power and might and in thy hand is to make great and to give strength unto all. See, they were willingly given, they were honoring, they're praying to God and saying, thank you for letting us give.
[25:14] We know everything we have came from you. We're excited about being involved in giving. First Chronicles chapter 29, verse 14. Look what he says about the offering.
[25:24] But who am I and what is my people that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee and of thine own where they given.
[25:36] Underline this right here. He says, God, who in the world are we? I'm a nobody. I'm a nothing. I have nothing. And I've been able to give this offering.
[25:46] I can't believe you let me give to you. I can't believe you let me give to you. Just imagine, just imagine it's Christmas time and your father-in-law is a millionaire and you go and you prepare to get him a gift and I mean, you're going to spend $15 on him to buy him a gift and you're buying this gift and you're wrapping it up and you're like, Lord, help me Jesus.
[26:11] He could buy all the belts he ever wanted to buy but here's a belt for him and then he takes the belt and he says, thank you so much. That's exactly what I wanted. The fact is, he's wearing a shirt you bought him and five years later he comes out and says, you remember buying me this shirt?
[26:24] Thank you so much for buying me this shirt. Here's what David said. I cannot believe you let me get in on this giving stuff because I know you own everything anyway but you let me get in on what you're doing.
[26:35] Everything belongs to you. Who am I? And who are my people that you would let us? Can you imagine this? God doesn't need your money. That's why it's not a necessity. God doesn't need your money.
[26:46] God wants you to realize you're giving to him because you love him. Look at chapter 29 verse 14 again. Who am I and what is my people that we should be able to give such a willing offering after this sort?
[26:58] For all things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee. Two more verses and I'll be through. Watch this. What did he say? He said, I gave you what was yours.
[27:11] Did you know that every dime I have came from him? Did you know the air I breathe came from him? Did you know that the life that I have came from him? Did you know if I'm going to live another week it'll be because of him?
[27:23] Did you know that the wife I have came from him? Did you know the wonderful children God gave me came from him? I mean, did you know everything I got came from God? And so I come up to God and I say, God, I'd like to give you an offer and I know you gave it all to me but I'd just like to give some of it back to you.
[27:35] That's what David said. He said, God, we give you stuff but we know it's yours. It came from you and we give it back to you. Chapter 29 verse 16. The Bible says, Oh Lord, our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name came from your hand and is all thine own.
[27:56] Cometh of thine hand underlighted and is all thine own. Some people get so upset. I mean, tithing has made people mad almost all my life. Giving messages in churches made people mad almost all my life.
[28:09] But honestly, honestly, if you believe the Bible and you really believe what you have comes from God, giving any kind of offering is like, hey, I understand.
[28:20] If I had the money, can you imagine if I said to some of you, I want you to come up here and I'm going to hand you $100 and I'm going to give it to you. It's yours. And then I said to you, would you mind giving me a tithe from that, a 10% of that?
[28:31] Would you mind giving that to me? And so I hand you $100 and ask you to give me $10 back and you walk away with $90. How many would count that a real good deal? Say amen. How many of you, if I said to you, I would give you $100, but I want you to, man, from the bottom of your heart, I want you to give me a good offering.
[28:44] And you had to be $50 of it and you just walked away with $50, you'd still be getting a real good deal out of that deal. Amen. Because it's mine I gave to you and I'm just asking you to give back to me. You know what your problem is?
[28:55] You don't think it was God's to begin with. You're like, God's a mafia boss coming around wanting some of mine. When God's up in heaven said, wait a minute, I created you.
[29:07] I saved you. I gave you life. You know why you're not in a wheelchair right now? I've taken care of you and I expect you to honor me.
[29:18] Chapter 29, verse 17, last verse. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart and has pleasure in uprightness. As for me and the uprightness of mine heart, I have willingly offered all these things and now, have I seen with joy, have I seen with joy thy people which are present here to offer willingly unto thee.
[29:42] David said, I know God that you try my heart. Do you realize our giving and our offerings is like a test? Do you realize that God puts money in our hands and he said, let's see how you'll deal with that.
[29:56] Will you use this money to honor me or will you be real selfish with it? You've had that problem with your children if you're honest, you know. You give one of your children something and the other child wants some of it and they won't share and you're always like, why are you being so stingy?
[30:11] Well, that's kind of how we are, isn't it? I was in Peru and Jeremy Hall's son loves watches. I mean, he has a fetish for watches.
[30:23] He's three years old and his favorite word that he has learned is mine. It's mine. And he kept walking over to me and he'd see my watch and he'd say, my watch.
[30:35] And I said, well, really, this is my watch. He said, can I wear my watch? So I let him take my watch and he went off of my watch and so later I said, hey, Jeremy, could you get my watch from your kid who thinks it's his watch so I have my watch before he loses my watch.
[30:49] So Jeremy went upstairs and made him a watch. I got him on one of his watches, cut the band where it fit his little three-year-old arm and he came down and he looked at me and he goes, my watch, my watch. And then he walked over to me and said, my watch, my watch.
[31:01] I said, you want mine too, huh? My watch. It doesn't sound to anything like us. Say amen. And he would go to everybody, everybody in the room.
[31:11] If you had a watch on, it was his watch. Here's what David says. Lord, I know you try the hearts. I know you want to find out what's really in us. I want to, I know you want to find out how much we're in love with you, how much we care about you.
[31:24] I know. And you're trying the hearts and I have watched my people, Lord, they love you and they've been given and it has made me a very happy king to watch my people love you.
[31:38] God doesn't want a grudging offering. God doesn't want an offering of necessity. God loves a cheerful giver. God wants a willing offering. I would just challenge you that there are blessings, enormous blessings waiting for you when you learn this.
[31:54] God is a great God who blesses you and you are honored that he would allow you to take part in giving to anything that's at his cause.
[32:04] Father, I love you and I praise you and I thank you. I pray you'd help your people this morning to realize it's your money, it's your life, everything we have is yours and I pray God you'd help us to draw closer to you and be stronger and I'll give you great honor and glory and praise for what you do.
[32:19] Work in our hearts, help us to be willing givers, willing servants, people in love with you, people that give from a cheerful heart and I'll give you praise. You have been listening to Austin Gardner, pastor of Vision Baptist Church.
[32:34] For contact information, location, service times or more audio and video recordings, log on to to other people's folks, program on episode and check them out.
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