Following God’s Plan
GIVING GOD’S WAY PART 2

Text- Matthew 6:24

Introduction

This morning we’re going to continue with the series of messages we started last Sunday called, “Giving God’s Way”.  For those of you who may not be aware, this last month our church had a deficit.  In order to correct this we decided to take up a special offering each sunday which is above and beyond our regular tithes and offerings until this deficit is eradicated.  And, as your pastor I wanted to use this as an opportunity to share with you what the Bible says about giving.  So, I have begun preaching on the subject of giving

A person once said that there are three different kinds of givers- the flint, the sponge and the honey-comb. To get anything out of the flint you have to hammer it and then you only get little chips. To get anything out of the sponge you have to squeeze it, and the more you squeeze the more you get. But the honeycomb doesn't need to be hammered or squeezed because it overflows with sweetness.

As your pastor I’m not into hammering and squeezing.  I do believe we need to know what the Bible says about giving, but I’m not into making feeling guilty or playing on your emotions to get you to give.  Instead, I use the Bible to show you what God says and pray that you will become a honeycomb for God.

This morning our text is found in Matthew 6:24 and the title of my message is “Following God’s Plan”.

Matthew 6:24 You cannot serve two masters: God and money. For you will hate one and love the other, or else the other way around. (LB)

You can’t have it both ways.  You can’t be divided in your allegiance to God and at the same time follow God’s plan for giving.  It just doesn’t work that way.

William Allen White, famous American journalist who lived and died as editor of the Emporia, Kansas, Gazette, gave a speech at the dedication of a park he had given to the city of Emporia.

“Today,” Mr. White said, “I am getting the last kick out of a handful of dollars.”

“You know,” he went on, “there are three kicks in every dollar.  First, there is the kick you get when you make it.  I get that from my Scotch father.  I do love to make a dollar. Second, there is the kick you get when you save it.  I get that too from my Scotch father. Thirdly, there is the kick you get when you give it away.  I get that from my mother who was Irish. She gave with a free hand.  It is this kick that is the greatest of all.” (The Advocate, Oct 1993.  Page 52.)

As we continue to look at these various ways God wants us to give, I would like you to ask yourself, "What kind of giver am I?"

Last Sunday we learned three different principles for giving.  This morning I would like us to look at three more things that are involved in following God’s plan for giving.