A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 5: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Charac ter : The Outward Di sc i p l i nes 177

a. It is more blessed to give than to receive, Acts 20.35 – In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” b. The grace of our Lord Jesus is to be our guiding impulse in giving, 2 Cor. 8.9 – 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 by his poverty might become rich. c. God wants our giving to be done with hilarity and cheerfulness, 2 Cor. 9.6-8 – The point is this: who ever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

C. The Corporate Dimensions: Practicing stewardship together in order to encourage others and meet the tangible needs of the body and the ministry

1. We are to consecrate ourselves to the Lord first, before we make available our goods to him on behalf of his projects, 2 Cor. 8.3-5 – For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, [4] begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints – [5] and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

2. We are to consider living in simplicity and generosity as an act of love and grace in which we may voluntarily