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    Aug 22, 2021

    Giving that Impresses God

    Passage: Luke 21:1-4

    Speaker: Doug Swagerty

    Category: Sermon

    Sermon Summary:
    Just about everything you need to know about giving in 4 verses

    1) Giving is between you and God
    cf 2 Cor 9:7 - give what you have decided in your heart to give.

    2) God is not impressed with large sums
    The amounts the rich gave are not mentioned, but the smallness of the widow's gift is highlighted.

    3) God is impressed with large sacrifices

    • The rich gave "out of their wealth," or "out of their excess" - meaning the gave without sacrifice, calculating their giving amount after covering for their own lifestyle.
      • This is backwards from the OT command to give the "first fruits" to the LORD as an act of faith that He will provide.
    • In contrast, the widow "out of her poverty gave all she had to live on." Her giving demonstrated her
      • Faith - in God's ability to meet her needs, despite her extreme need.
      • Hope - in the reality of heaven and its rewards (cf Matt 6:21)
      • Love - for God. Her giving demonstrates her choice to serve God not money (cf Matt 6:24).


    Giving is not God's way of raising money; It is God's way of raising children. He wants us to give for what it does in our hearts. Giving is an invitation into a heart-to-heart relationship with God.




    Discussion Questions:

    1. Are you a cheerful giver? Why or why not?
    2. What sacrifices do you have to make in your lifestyle to give what you give?
    3. What does the amount you give say about
      • your faith in God's ability to meet your needs?
      • your hope in heaven and its rewards?
      • your love for God?
    4. Pray for each other.