Beautiful, but deadly by Gary Rose

When I went to the garbage can the other day to put it on the curb for next day’s pickup, I noticed a spider web entwined in the plastic handle. Looking closer, I saw a small spider that had an hourglass on its abdomen, which was a clear indication of a black widow spider. I terminated it- at once. A Black widow’s bite can cause serious damage ( or even kill you ). Spiders are quite common in Florida, and some of them can reach five or more inches in size. Yet, when they make their webs, it is a beautiful thing to behold, beautiful but deadly.

As I thought about the above picture, I realized that something that may seem beautiful, may in reality be awful or even deadly. In a word -sin. The Bible says…

James 1 ( World English Bible )

¹² Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.

¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

¹⁴ But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

¹⁵ Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.

Sin, in all its various forms, can cause us to do things that we ordinarily would never do. And, as verse 15 above teaches, can eventually lead to death ( physically and/or spiritually ). Just because something appears beautiful or appealing, does not mean it is good for you.

REMEMBER: Do not follow your own desires, please God and LIVE!

One more thing – Stay away from SPIDERS!

Catergorical Bible Reading for September by Gary Rose

Note: Select one or more category for daily reading.

September
DATE	LAW		HISTORY		LITERATURE		PROPHECY
09/01/22	EXO. 7	LUKE 22	ESTH. 5	ACTS 20	LAM. 1	ROM. 2	MAL. 3	REV. 2
09/02/22	EXO. 8	LUKE 23	ESTH. 6	ACTS 21	LAM. 2	ROM. 3	MAL. 4	REV. 3
09/03/22	EXO. 9	LUKE 24	ESTH. 7	ACTS 22	LAM. 3	ROM. 4	ISA. 1-3	REV. 4
09/04/22	EXO. 10	JOHN 1	ESTH. 8	ACTS 23	LAM. 4	ROM. 5	ISA. 4-6	REV. 5
09/05/22	EXO. 11	JOHN 2	ESTH. 9	ACTS 24	LAM. 5	ROM. 6	ISA. 7-9	REV. 6
09/06/22	EXO. 12	JOHN 3	ESTH. 10	ACTS 25	JOB 1-3	ROM. 7	ISA. 10-12	REV. 7
09/07/22	EXO. 13	JOHN 4	JOSH. 1-2	ACTS 26	JOB 4-6	ROM. 8	ISA. 13-15	REV. 8
09/08/22	EXO. 14	JOHN 5	JOSH. 3-4	ACTS 27	JOB 7-9	ROM. 9	ISA. 16-18	REV. 9
09/09/22	EXO. 15	JOHN 6	JOSH. 5-6	ACTS 28	JOB 10-12	ROM. 10	ISA. 19-21	REV. 10
09/10/22	EXO. 16	JOHN 7	JOSH. 7-8	ACTS 1	JOB 13-15	ROM. 11	ISA. 22-24	REV. 11
09/11/22	EXO. 17	JOHN 8	JOSH. 9-10	ACTS 2	JOB 16-18	ROM. 12	ISA. 25-27	REV. 12
09/12/22	EXO. 18	JOHN 9	JOSH. 11-12	ACTS 3	JOB 19-21	ROM. 13	ISA. 28-30	REV. 13
09/13/22	EXO. 19	JOHN 10	JOSH. 13-14	ACTS 4	JOB 22-24	ROM. 14	ISA. 31-33	REV. 14
09/14/22	EXO. 20	JOHN 11	JOSH. 15-16	ACTS 5	JOB 25-27	ROM. 15	ISA. 34-36	REV. 15
09/15/22	EXO. 21	JOHN 12	JOSH. 17-18	ACTS 6	JOB 28-30	ROM. 16	ISA. 37-39	REV. 16
09/16/22	EXO. 22	JOHN 13	JOSH. 19-20	ACTS 7	JOB 31-33	1 COR. 1	ISA. 40-42	REV. 17
09/17/22	EXO. 23	JOHN 14	JOSH. 21-24	ACTS 8	JOB 34-36	1 COR. 2	ISA. 43-45	REV. 18
09/18/22	EXO. 24	JOHN 15	JUDG. 1-2	ACTS 9	JOB 37-39	1 COR. 3	ISA. 46-48	REV. 19
09/19/22	EXO. 25	JOHN 16	JUDG. 3-4	ACTS 10	JOB 40-42	1 COR. 4	ISA. 49-51	REV. 20
09/20/22	EXO. 26	JOHN 17	JUDG. 5-6	ACTS 11	PSA. 1-3	1 COR. 5	ISA. 52-54	REV. 21
09/21/22	EXO. 27	JOHN 18	JUDG. 7-8	ACTS 12	PSA. 4-6	1 COR. 6	ISA. 55-57	REV. 22
09/22/22	EXO. 28	JOHN 19	JUDG. 9-10	ACTS 13	PSA. 7-9	1 COR. 7	ISA. 58-60	REV. 1
09/23/22	EXO. 29	JOHN 20	JUDG. 11-12	ACTS 14	PSA. 10-12	1 COR. 8	ISA. 61-63	REV. 2
09/24/22	EXO. 30	JOHN 21	JUDG. 13-14	ACTS 15	PSA. 13-15	1 COR. 9	ISA. 64-66	REV. 3
09/25/22	EXO. 31	MATT. 1	JUDG. 15-16	ACTS 16	PSA. 16-18	1 COR. 10	JER. 1-3	REV. 4
09/26/22	EXO. 32	MATT. 2	JUDG. 17-18	ACTS 17	PSA. 19-21	1 COR. 11	JER. 4-6	REV. 5
09/27/22	EXO. 33	MATT. 3	JUDG. 19-21	ACTS 18	PSA. 22-24	1 COR. 12	JER. 7-9	REV. 6
09/28/22	EXO. 34	MATT. 4	RUTH 1-2	ACTS 19	PSA. 25-27	1 COR. 13	JER. 10-12	REV. 7
09/29/22	EXO. 35	MATT. 5	RUTH 3-4	ACTS 20	PSA. 28-30	1 COR. 14	JER. 13-15	REV. 8
09/30/22	EXO. 36	MATT. 6	1 SAM. 1-2	ACTS 21	PSA. 31-33

"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE" The Discipline Of Singing by Mark Copeland

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/disciplines-for-disciple/disc_05.html

"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE"

The Discipline Of Singing

INTRODUCTION

1. Our study of spiritual disciplines have so far examined such spiritual exercises as...
1. Prayer - especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
2. Meditation - contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue
3. Fasting - as a means of humbling one's self before God, especially when joined with prayer
2. Another discipline in which we engage regularly is singing...
1. We spend nearly a third of our assemblies engaged in this activity
2. Rightly so, for it has the potential of reaping great spiritual benefits
3. But I wonder if some do not appreciate the value of singing...
1. Many Christians sing with virtually no emotion, some do not sing at all!
2. I have known Christians, who...
1. Complained because time available for classes was taken up by singing a few hymns
2. Will not attend a worship service if they know it will be devoted to singing

[Singing as a spiritual discipline is of great value, and should be a habit engaged by those who desire to grow in godliness. To appreciate why, let's review...]

1. THE PURPOSE OF SINGING
1. TO PRAISE THE LORD (UPWARD)...
1. This is the most common concept of the purpose of singing
1. Indeed, this is certainly the idea inherent in the word 'hymn'
2. Which comes from the Greek word humnos, meaning "a song in praise of"
2. The Psalms call upon us to praise God in song
1. "Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name." - Ps 30:4
2. "Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding." - Ps 47:6-7
3. "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation." - Ps 95:1
4. "Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth." - Ps 96:1
5. "Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day." - Ps 96:2
6. "Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory." - Ps 98:1
7. "Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing." - Ps 100:2
8. "Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant." - Ps 135:3
3. Praising God in song should be a natural for Christians !
1. David reacted this way to the blessings of God - Ps 28:6-7; 59:16-17
2. Christians are taught to sing praises when joyful - Jm 5:13
3. Paul and Silas even reacted to persecution by singing praises - Ac 16:25
-- Is not God worthy of being praised in song?
2. TO TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER (OUTWARD)...
1. Singing is not always directed toward God...
1. Certainly, many songs are
2. But songs are often directed to each other - cf. Col 3:16; Ep 5:19
2. That's because many songs are designed to teach one another
1. Teaching and admonishing us to live properly, to enjoy the blessings of the Christian life
2. It might even be said that 'congregational singing' is actually 'congregational teaching'!
-- Do not our brethren deserve the encouragement that comes from singing?
3. TO BE FILLED AND ENRICHED (INWARD)...
1. David wrote of the personal benefit of singing praises
1. It made his lips and soul to greatly rejoice - Ps 71:23
2. He found it to be pleasant and beautiful - Ps 147:1
2. Singing can be a means to being filled with the Spirit
1. Paul charged the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit - Ep 5:18
2. He explained how: by singing and making melody in one's heart to the Lord - Ep 5:19
3. Singing can be a means to being enriched by the Word of Christ
1. Paul charged the Colossians to let the Word of Christ dwell in them richly - Col 3:16a
2. Again he explains: by singing with grace in one's heart to the Lord - Col 3:16b
-- For a truly Spirit-filled life enriched by the Word of Christ, singing is essential!

[Singing is a wonderful spiritual discipline that blesses God, those who hear us, and even ourselves as we sing. How can we get more out this spiritual discipline? Here are some thoughts regarding...]

2. THE PRACTICE OF SINGING
1. ENGAGE THE MIND AS YOU SING...
1. Remember, singing is teaching and admonishing one another
2. This assumes that we understand what we sing - cf. 1Co 14:15
3. We must be careful that our enjoyment of singing is not like how many people enjoy their popular music (i.e., liking the music without necessarily understanding the words)
-- Give careful attention to the words of the songs
2. ENGAGE THE HEART AS YOU SING...
1. When we sing, we must do so...
1. "with grace in your hearts" - Col 3:16
2. "making melody in your heart" - Ep 5:19
2. This assumes that we involve our 'heart strings' (emotions) as we sing!
3. To sing without emotion (without grace in our hearts)...
1. Is hypocritical, and condemned by Jesus! - Mt 15:7-8
2. Will be evident in our countenances! - cf. Pr 15:13
-- Put your heart into your singing
3. ENHANCE YOUR SINGING IN WORSHIP BY WHERE YOU SIT...
1. Sitting alone or spread out discourages many from singing as they might otherwise
2. People become more involved, are more uplifted, edify others better, when they sit together and closer to the song leader
-- One of the first steps to enjoy singing is to sit with others who love to sing!
4. UTILIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN TO SING...
1. Singing is more enjoyable when we are able to read musical notes, sing different parts
2. Churches often provide singing classes
3. Indeed, every opportunity to sing is an opportunity to learn
-- Take advantage of any opportunity to learn how to sing
5. EXPAND THE SPHERE OF YOUR SINGING...
1. Is your singing limited just to the public assemblies, on the first day of the week?
2. Singing, like prayer, ought to be spontaneous, arising whenever the circumstances call for it - cf. Ac 16:25; Ps 34:1-3
3. Take advantage of special opportunities to sing, such as monthly and annual singings
4. As a spiritual exercise, it should be done in private devotions as well as in public worship
1. Sing while you work, travel, or alone in your private meditations
2. Make use of hymns on tapes or CDs when traveling or meditating
-- Increase your opportunities to sing at other times with others, and when alone

CONCLUSION

1. David exemplifies the attitude of one who exercises himself through the discipline of singing...
1. "I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me." - Ps 13:6
2. "I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations." - Ps 57:9
3. "I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." - Ps 104:33
2. He likewise calls upon us to sing praises both in public and in private...
1. "Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints." - Ps 149:1
2. "Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds." - Ps 149:5

As we seek to exercise ourselves unto godliness (2Ti 4:7), consider the discipline of singing as an appropriate complement to other spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, and fasting...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE" The Discipline Of Fellowship by Mark Copeland

 

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/disciplines-for-disciple/disc_06.html

"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE"

The Discipline Of Fellowship

INTRODUCTION

1. Thus far in our study of spiritual disciplines we have looked at...
1. Prayer - especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
2. Meditation - contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue
3. Fasting - a means of humbling one's self before God when joined with sincere prayer
4. Singing - which edifies the singer as well as praises God
2. Let's now take a look at the spiritual discipline of fellowship...
1. The Greek is koinonia and means "to share in, fellowship with, participation" - CWSD
2. The early church continued "steadfastly in...fellowship" - Ac 2:42
3. The idea is that Christians did things together...
1. They assembled together for worship
2. They spent time together in such activities as prayer, singing, etc.
3. They valued the time together as something beneficial

[To grow spiritually, we need to exercise ourselves unto godliness (1 Ti 4:7), and fellowship with other Christians is an important spiritual exercise. To appreciate why, consider...]

1. THE NEED FOR FELLOWSHIP
1. THE PROBLEM OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS...
1. Many Christians do not value their time with other Christians
2. As evidenced by their:
1. Sporadic attendance of regular church services
2. Failure to visit and support gospel meetings elsewhere
3. Lack of interest in home Bible studies
4. Unwillingness to extend or accept offers of hospitality
3. The main reason is the problem of self-centeredness
1. Interested only in things pertaining to themselves
2. With little concern for the needs of others
-- Self-centeredness is a real problem for many Christians today
2. THE REASON FOR SELF-CENTEREDNESS...
1. Many of us lived through the "Me Decade"
1. The 1970's, distinguished by self-centered attitudes and self-indulgent behavior
2. A time in which there was...
1. A rapid rise of crime against others - rape, theft, assault, murder
2. An increased use of drugs and alcohol as a way of escape
3. A turn to philosophies and religions which involve preoccupation with self:
1. "Looking Out For #1"
2. Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Yoga
4. An emphasis on consumerism and materialistic gain
3. A decade followed by the "Greed Decade" (the 1980's)
2. Cultural trends today have produced many self-centered people
1. We live in a highly mobile society
1. New families move in, and others move away
2. Many live great distances from the place of worship and from each other
2. Technology designed to bring us closer together, can easily move us apart
1. Phones, email, etc., greatly increase our ability to communicate
2. But we can become stretched out so thin through such technology that we do not develop meaningful relationships
-- Such things have made it much easier to become isolated from one another

[The problems of self-centeredness and isolation can be greatly reduced through the spiritual discipline of fellowship. Allow me to explain what I mean by describing...]

2. THE PRACTICE OF FELLOWSHIP
1. THROUGH ASSEMBLIES OF THE CHURCH...
1. We assemble regularly to exhort one another - He 10:24-25
2. This we do through worship services and Bible classes
3. Each time we assemble, we have fellowship with one another
4. A main goal in such assemblies is mutual edification - 1Co 14:26
-- Faithful attendance of all the services of the church contributes greatly to fellowship
2. THROUGH BIBLE STUDIES IN THE HOME...
1. Early Christians often met in their homes for Bible study - Ac 5:42; 20:20
2. Such settings allow for personal attention and application of Scripture
-- Involvement in home Bible studies provides wonderful opportunity for fellowship
3. THROUGH VISITING OTHER BRETHREN...
1. Area churches often have special events like gospel meetings
2. This provides the opportunity for fellowship with brethren in other places - Php 1:5
-- Attending gospel meetings is a great way to experience fellowship

[Any occasion to be with brethren to praise God and study His word is an opportunity to practice the discipline of fellowship. To encourage such practices, let me conclude by briefly mentioning...]

3. THE BENEFIT OF FELLOWSHIP
1. TO FULFILL OUR DUTIES TO ONE ANOTHER...
1. To have a care for one another - 1Co 12:26
2. To teach and admonish one another - Col 3:16
3. To serve one another in love - Ga 5:13
4. To pray for one another - Jm 5:16
5. To restore one another - Jm 5:19-20
6. To be hospitable to one another - 1Pe 4:9
-- When we fellowship frequently, such duties are more likely met
2. TO RECEIVE HELP FROM ONE ANOTHER...
1. We need encouragement to remain faithful - He 3:12-14
2. We need comfort in times of tribulation - 2Co 1:3-5; 1Th 5:11
1. Note that comfort comes from two sources: from God and each another
2. Thus God comforts both directly and indirectly
-- When we fellowship frequently, we are blessed by one another's faith and comfort

CONCLUSION

1. As we think of the various "Disciplines For The Disciple"...
1. Let us not limit such spiritual exercises that can be done alone
2. Let us also value spiritual exercises that we can do together
2. In our desire to exercise ourselves unto godliness...
1. Beware of the danger of self-centeredness and isolation
2. Be aware of the value of assembling together in our churches and in our homes

Through such fellowship with other Christians, along with private prayer, meditation, fasting, and singing, we will grow in grace and godliness as disciples of Christ...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE" The Discipline Of Giving by Mark Copeland

 

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/disciplines-for-disciple/disc_07.html

"DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE"

The Discipline Of Giving

INTRODUCTION

1. Summarizing what we have covered so far, "Disciplines For The Disciple" include:
1. Prayer - especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
2. Meditation - contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue
3. Fasting - a means of humbling one's self before God when joined with sincere prayer
4. Singing - which edifies the singer as well as praises God
5. Fellowship - communing with other Christians as we engage in spiritual activities
2. I also like to think of giving as a spiritual discipline...
1. Not just in the sense of giving money to someone in need
2. But in giving of one's time, energy, or abilities, especially where it involves sacrifice
3. Such giving is certainly demonstrated in the New Testament...
1. By the example of the churches of Macedonia - 2Co 8:1-5
2. By the example of Christ Himself - 2Co 8:9

[To become more like Christ, which is the goal of spiritual discipline, we must exercise giving. To encourage us to give as we should, let's take a closer look at the example of the Macedonians...]

1. GIVING PAR EXCELLENCE
1. THEY GAVE SACRIFICIALLY...
1. The Macedonians were in the midst of great affliction - 2 Co 8:2
2. They were experiencing poverty themselves - 2Co 8:2
3. Yet they gave 'beyond their ability' - 2Co 8:3a
4. This they were not expected to do - cf. 2Co 8:12-13
-- The best giving comes from those who cannot afford it (cf. Lk 21:1-4)
2. THEY GAVE JOYFULLY...
1. Somehow they had discovered the joy of giving - 2Co 8:2
2. Perhaps they took to heart the teaching of...
1. The Lord relating to the blessedness of giving - Ac 20:35
2. James to the value of persecution - Jm 1:2-4
3. In any case, this is the kind of giving that God loves - 2 Co 9:7
-- The best giving comes from those who give cheerfully
3. THEY GAVE VOLUNTARILY...
1. They were 'freely willing' - 2Co 8:3
2. This is the kind of giving God requires today...
1. We can not command people to give against their will - cf. 2Co 8:8
2. We can only command how it is to be done to help needy saints abroad - cf. 1Co 16:1-4
3. Giving must come from 'a willing mind' - 2Co 8:12
4. Giving must never be done 'begrudgingly' or because you 'have to' - 2Co 9:7
5. Otherwise, you might as well not give at all
-- The best giving comes from those who give freely
4. THEY GAVE PERSISTENTLY...
1. As Paul says, 'imploring us with much urgency' - 2Co 8:4
2. They wouldn't take 'no' for an answer (or for an easy way out!)
3. With the Philippians, their giving to Paul persisted throughout his life - Php 4:10-18
-- The best giving comes from those who persist
5. THEY GAVE THEMSELVES...
1. Perhaps this explains how they were able to give as they did!
2. They gave themselves 'first to the Lord' - 2Co 8:5
1. When a person does this, they do not worry about 'the cost of giving'
2. For they have the promise of Jesus in Mt 6:25-34
3. Giving themselves first to the Lord, it is natural they would give 'then to us (others)'
1. For such is a mark of true discipleship - cf. Jn 13:34-35
2. And it is a mark of true love for God - cf. 1Jn 4:20-21
-- The best giving comes from those who give themselves to God

[Such are the principles of giving par excellence. To help motivate us to give more like the Macedonians, let's now consider some...]

2. REASONS FOR GIVING
1. GOD BLESSES THE GIVER...
1. It is more blessed to give than to receive - Ac 20:35
2. The Lord blesses those who give - Ps 41:1-3; Pr 19:17
3. The grace of God is at work in those who give - 2Co 8:1-2,6-7; 9:8,14
-- Giving blesses the giver more than the recipient!
2. GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER...
1. As Paul reminded the Corinthians - 2Co 9:7
2. A cheerful giver therefore need not worry - Mt 6:30-33
3. For God watches over those whom He loves - cf. Lk 12:6-7
-- Giving cheerfully makes one a recipient of God's care and love!
3. GOD PROVIDES SEED FOR THE SOWER...
1. Those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully - 2Co 9:6
2. Not for personal consumption - 2Co 9:8-9
1. But to have 'all sufficiency in all things'
2. But to have 'an abundance for every good work'
3. As confirmed by a quote from Psalms - cf. Ps 112:5-9
3. To multiply the seed for even more good - 2Co 9:10-11a
1. To 'increase the fruits of your righteousness'
2. To be 'enriched for all liberality'
-- Giving liberally will be blessed to give even more liberally!
4. GOD IS PRAISED BY GIVING...
1. Thanksgiving is offered by those whose needs are supplied - 2Co 9:11b-12
2. Glory is given to God for His grace in the lives of the givers - 2Co 9:13-15
-- Giving liberally will lead to God being praised liberally!
5. BROTHERLY LOVE IS INCREASED BY GIVING...
1. By brethren who witness God's grace in the givers - 2Co 9:14
2. Causing them to love and long for their brethren - e.g., Php 1:3-8
-- Giving liberally will strengthen the bonds of brotherly love!

[We certainly have good reasons to give, and examples like the Macedonians inspiring us to give. Finally, some quick thoughts on...]

3. THE EXERCISE OF GIVING
1. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO GIVE...
1. Giving is not limited to money
2. God may empower us to give in other ways - 1Pe 4:10-11
1. Our talents to teach or serve
2. Our time can be a great gift
3. Whatever our abilities and opportunities...
1. We are stewards of the manifold grace of God
2. We should minister our gifts to one another
3. We should do so with the ability God supplies
-- However you give, let it truly reflect God's grace in you!
2. PLANNED GIVING LEADS TO CHEERFUL GIVING...
1. Purposeful giving is the key to giving cheerfully - cf. 2 Co 9:7
2. One is less likely to give 'grudgingly or of necessity'
1. Because they have already set aside what they want to give b They are not caught off guard when someone asks them to give
3. This is how Paul instructed the Corinthians in their giving
1. To lay by in store on the first day of the week - cf. 1Co 16:1-4
2. To prepare their gift beforehand, so the resources were ready - cf. 2Co 9:5
4. An early Christian apologist, Aristides, wrote of how even slaves were able to give cheerfully through purposeful planning: "And if there is any that is a slave or a poor man, they fast two or three days and what they were going to set before themselves they send to them (Christians in prison), considering themselves to give good cheer even as they were called to give good cheer." - Apology 15
-- So plan your giving if you wish to give cheerfully!
3. SUGGESTIONS FOR GIVING...
1. Plan your giving to help the needy
1. We saw where Paul instructed planned giving to produce cheerful giving
2. As you prosper, set so much aside for 'individual benevolence'
3. Start a separate account into which you put aside a certain amount each pay period
4. Or send that amount to some charitable organization
2. Plan the use of your talents and time
1. Don't wait till someone asks you for help on the spur of the moment
2. Look at your schedule, and budget your time to offer your abilities (e.g., teaching)
3. Give to be seen of God, not man - Mt 6:1-4
1. Like prayer and fasting, giving should be done to please God, not man
2. Through planned, frequent giving, it soon becomes second nature to which we give little thought
-- It is much easier and more blessed to give when you plan to give!

CONCLUSION

1. Remember that the purpose of any spiritual discipline is to...
1. Help us grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ
2. Become more like Christ as we grow in godliness
2. The discipline of giving certainly helps to fulfill such a goal...
1. For God gave His only begotten Son - Jn 3:16
2. And Jesus gave Himself - Mt 20:28

Likewise the Macedonians gave themselves to the Lord first, and then to others (2Co 8:5). As we exercise ourselves to godliness through prayer, meditation, fasting, singing, and fellowship, may we also be sure to add the grace of giving...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022