Sermon Title: “Giving For A Greater Purpose”
Exodus 35:4-5
Philippians 4:17
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying,
5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
In the three portions of scripture that we have just read:
Exodus 35:4-5 – giving for the Tabernacle (church building)
Philippians 4:17 – giving for missions
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – the right attitude of giving: cheerful giving
- It is giving that trusts God as the Provider
2 Corinthians 9:8 says, ‘And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.’
It simply means, believing God will supply all needs – even after giving something away.
Philippians 4:19 always hold true: ‘My God shall supply all your needs.’
The widow of Zarephath.
Why did the woman of Zarephath do it? Because she loved God. Because she put God first. Because she had a faith filled generosity.
Corrie ten Boom
This faith-filled generosity is anchored in the future, not just the present.
2 Corinthians 9:8 says, ‘And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.’
- It is a giving that God invites us to participate in
Text: Exodus 35:4–5
“From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering.”
God did not force anyone to give. He gave an invitation.
The church is a place where souls can be saved.
Giving isn’t just financial; it is a spiritual partnership.
You create a legacy that outlives you.
Psalms 145:3 ‘One generation shall commend your works to another.’
Example of Egypt and Pastor Lily’s sister
The returns are exponential, enabling you to experience the supernatural hand of God, multiple times, not only now, but in the future of your life. Today God invites you to participate in this giving, not pressurized, but willingly knowing that you can never outgive God.
- It is giving from a willing heart that God delights
Text: Exodus 35:21-22
“Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering…”
This morning God is not asking for forced giving. God is looking for willing hearts.
The phrase ‘whose heart moved them’ means ‘stirred hearts.’
Giving becomes worship when it comes from a stirred heart.
There were two powerful moments in the Bible when the people of Israel gave so generously that the leaders had to stop them because there was more than enough.
One was for the tabernacle. Exodus 36:5 says, ‘the people are bringing more than enough to doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.’
Two, when Joash ordered a chest to be placed at the temple gate for people to give freely. People gave gladly and continually. And the money was enough not only to repair but also to buy materials and pay workers. They had more than enough.
My late Prime Minister once made a remark acknowledging the intelligence and capability of the Jewish people, particularly rabbis.
‘The Jews are a remarkable people, despite their small numbers, they have produced many Nobel laureates. Their rabbis are extraordinary smart. The ability to retain knowledge and keep their culture alive for thousands of years is impressive.’
- God multiples what we sow
Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously…”
Giving to God’s kingdom is not a loss—it is sowing.
Then there are the eternal investments. Philippians 4:17 says, ‘Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”
‘More be credited to your account’ is a heavenly accounting language. Paul is picturing a ledger.
Short story by Henry Van Dyke entitled, ‘The Mansion’
In conclusion, man struggled with giving. We wonder whether God will provide? We are not willing participants when asked to give. We sowed sparingly and reap sparingly and in return we grudge God for not supplying generously. But God sent a greater man Jesus Christ. Because by nature God is a giver. His giving is motivated by love. The woman of Zarephath’s son did not die because of her faith-filled generosity. But God’s son died despite the generosity of God. God did not provide a sacrifice for Christ like He provided a goat for Abraham’s son. Christ was that sacrifice. Why? Christ was given to die so that we might live. Christ was given not be admired by others. He was given to be sacrificed. God gave Jesus to the cross so that we could be given eternal life. The gift of God cost everything, but He offered it willingly and freely. Today this gift must be received. You must believe and receive it. God gave His Son so that you can be His son and daughter. Have you received Him today?
