From Gary V. Womack... Giving To God's Glory

Giving To God's Glory

Scripture reading - Gen. 22:1-2

The account of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac is a demonstration of FAITH

Gen. 22:3-8 "Where is the sacrificial lamb?" - "God will provide"

Heb. 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen."

+ Faith looks ahead to the future in hope - and acts in the present with trust

Abraham trusted God by acted in faith - by looking ahead with hope

This is how we are tested: Faith put to the test by exercising trust

Heb. 11:17-19 "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. (18) of whom it was said, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called,' (19) concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense."

Jas. 2:14-24 "faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect."

Our faith is meaningless unless it is backed by works.

+ Our faith remains unproved until tested by the challenge of the unknown

AN APPEAL TO MEET A NEED

1 Cor. 16:1-3 "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: (2) On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. (3) And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem."

Their challenge is our example - giving to meet a specific need.

2 Cor. 9:1-5 An admonition to carry out their good intentions

vss. 6-11 God is able to supply you with what you need to meet others' need

vs. 15 "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

Couldn't God simply supply the need directly to Jerusalem? Yes!

Then why bless the Corinthians so they could meet the need?

2 Cor. 8:1-9 It was a test of the genuineness of their faith

+ Also, God is glorified through our work of our faith as a result of His grace

Eph. 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

+ Faith is not of works - Works are of faith

Therefore, God is glorified in our doing that which He made us for - works

Abraham passed his test - He did not withhold from God.

Gen. 22:9-12 "...now I know that you fear God"

INVITATION

Has your giving been tested? Does God know that you fear Him?

Mt. 16:24-26 Are you willing to deny yourself? What will you give up?