• AS A SPIRITUAL WEAPON
• EXAMPLES OF GIVING FROM THE BIBLE
• SCRIPTURE VERSES CONCERNING GENEROSITY
• THE EXAMPLE OF THE MACEDONIAN CHURCHES
• CONCLUSION
*PROPHECY AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY–Rev. Michael Bresciani
* QUESTIONS
GENEROSTIY AS A SPIRITUAL WEAPON
Generosity is a spiritual weapon. It breaks demonic power. It is part of “your feet fitted with the gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15—promoting love and peace. To give to someone softens his heart. Just like stealing or manipulating money promotes distrust, giving promotes trust. Most people who receive want to give.
"A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great." Proverbs 18:16 Sometimes the appropriate gift can open the door to the presence of the great (or to someone’s heart).
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22 “…Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21 When someone has done us harm and we give either in material possessions, a kind word, wise advice, prayer, etc., we are increasing his awareness of his guilt. For instance, a man gave an expensive Bible to a man who had accepted Christ as Savior, but who had for many years borrowed without returning or had stolen from him. Hopefully, the man given the Bible would read the Bible until he is convicted of his sin and repents.
Either he will repent or his judgment will be more severe. We should, like God, desire his repentance. In fact, God will not act because of our sin: “Do not gloat when your enemy fall; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.” Proverbs 24:17 If he repents he will be a different person that will be made into the image of Christ. The devil wins in a sense if he does not repent, but God will ultimately be glorified in either case because God is “proved right” when He speaks and “justified” when He judges. (Psalm 51:4). The choice is up to that individual who did wrong, but we know that we have done our part.
Sometimes the Lord uses the generosity of His people to bring about consequences that are for His glory even though they do not seem wise. A pastor manipulated his congregation into giving him money for a project. This project was in the country where he came from and to which he wanted to return. A few people knew of his deception and prayed fervently. The pastor succeeded, but when he came to the country he found circumstances had changed and the country was not the pleasant place he expected. By this time the majority of the church had realized what kind of man he was and would not help him with the funds to return. God had gotten rid of this dishonest pastor, who was causing a great deal of harm, by using His people’s ignorance and generosity. They had given to the Lord and He had used that money, although not in the way they expected: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
There is a balance: “The leech has two daughters. ‘Give! Give!’ They cry.” Proverbs 30:15 We can be enabling a person to continue in his sin or actually giving to the devil. An extreme example of this would be giving to drug addicts who would use the money to buy drugs for themselves or others: “…There is no fear of God before his (their) eyes.” Psalm 36:1; Romans 3:18. They are “…men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.” Psalm 55:19 Make sure to give with a pure motive under the Lord’s direction.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 We are to give FIRST and then God will give to us (of course God gave first in the sense that He has given us our very life and much more unconditionally). When we give first we are showing that we have faith that God will give to us–that is what He has promised. More importantly we are showing our love for God. We should give to others knowing of His love for them. In giving to others, we are giving to God: “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
* EXAMPLES OF GIVING FROM THE BIBLE
Elijah asked the widow of Zarephath to give the handful of flour and the little oil she had to make him a small cake of bread. When she did, she had plenty to feed Elijah, her son and herself until the Lord gave rain to the land (1 Kings 17:7-24).
The Shunammite woman, who had given so much hospitality to Elisha, obeyed his command to leave her home because the Lord had decreed a famine in the land of Israel. When she returned after seven years, all the income and land that she had given up were restored to her (2 Kings 4:8-37, 8:1-6).
When Mary of Bethany honored Jesus by pouring expensive perfume on His head, He honored her: “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Mark 14:9
When a little boy gave five small barley loaves and two small fish Jesus multiplied it to feed a large crowd (John 6:5-13). When the boy blessed others he received a spiritual blessing–imagine the joy he received! It is much more meaningful to get spiritual blessings than physical blessings. Jesus said, “…’It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 We always get spiritual blessings when we give as to God.
We will be given evil if that is what we give. Jacob (whose names means “deceives”) deceived his father Isaac into giving him Esau’s blessing (he had already deceived Esau out of his birthright). In turn, his uncle, Laban deceived him and gave him Leah as a wife instead of Rachel (Genesis 25-33). He had a deceptive nature until he wrestled with God and his name was changed to Israel (which means “he struggles with God) (Genesis 32:28).
When Jesus was arrested and Peter cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus said, “…all who draw the sword will die by the sword…” (Matthew 26:52; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10). This principle is also stated in the Old Testament: “These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves. Such is the end of those who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.” Proverbs 1:18-19 It is shown in Scripture in the lives of the wicked. For instance. Athaliah destroyed the royal family (except for Joash who was hidden) so that no one could contest the throne, and she was finally put to death with the sword (2 Kings 11:1-16).
Also, as individuals we are not supposed to take revenge or “draw the sword” because “…’It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord,” Romans 12:19 If we do so, we might “die by the sword.” However, confronting someone when they have wronged us is not revenge (Matthew 18:15-16; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 3:16). We need to seek God’s guidance in each situation.
There are people that God has chosen to carry out His judgment: “…The authorities that exist are established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment of themselves.” Romans 13:1-2
God will repay each person for the good or the evil he does; we will receive what we have given.
* SCRIPTURES VERSES CONCERNING GENEROSITY
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow’–when you now have it with you." Proverbs 3:27-28 We are to give to our neighbor if we have what he needs. However, he is to be someone who deserves it, not someone who will not work or spends his money foolishly or selfishly and then expects us to help him. It also depends on how our neighbor requests help. We may not give him money, but can help him in other ways. It is best to err on the side of generosity. Sometimes God allows us to make mistakes in order to give us wisdom. If we feel God wants us to give, then give, and leave the results with God: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
If we give freely we will prosper, and others will be refreshed and bless us: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell." Proverbs 11:24-26 Our natural minds think that if we give something away, we will have less. God says we will have more. God can keep our appliances working, our car running, our family healthy so we can work, or have people remember us when we are in need, etc. If we refuse to give when we feel directed to do so, what we have refused to give will often be wasted. Not only that, but as this verse shows, we will be cursed. We do not have to fear curses if we are doing what is right (Proverbs 26:2), however, if we withhold unduly, we can be affected.
If we oppress the poor we show contempt for God: "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverb 14:31 When we do something for the needy, we are doing it for God (Matthew 25:31-46).
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17 If we really could understand in our hearts this principle we would always be kind to the poor. And God pays back with interest.
"If a man shuts his ear to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13 If we do not give when it is needed, how can we expect to be given what we need. A good guide would be to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39
"The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more but the righteous give without sparing." Proverbs 21:25-26 A sluggard, who refuses to work, is contrasted with the righteous, who work hard and has plenty to give away. This also shows that the sluggard is not the same as the poor although both have no money.
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income…” Ecclesiastes 5:10 We always have enough money to give when God tells us to give. If money is our god, we will never have enough.
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9 Again and again the Bible tells us we are to share with the poor and we will be blessed.
“He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty.” Proverbs 22:16 Sometimes we are not to give. Giving to the rich is usually giving with the wrong motives. For instance, we may give a gift to a rich person to impress him or because we feel obligated to keep a tradition or return a favor.
Also some giving is enabling a person to continue in his sin. Does your giving enable him to keep drinking, taking drugs, smoking or not having to work for his food when he should be doing so? In this case you would actually be giving money to do the devil’s work. Sometimes if we really love someone, we will let him suffer the consequences of his sin. This is the same principle used in correcting our children: “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” Proverbs 13:24
"Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. ‘Eat and drink,’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments." Proverbs 23:6-8 A stingy man is the opposite of a generous man. He is always thinking about the cost and is not concerned about his guests even though he pretends to be. We should not even eat his food if we know this is the case.
"A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him." Proverbs 28:22 A stingy man is someone that is eager to get rich. If someone does not consider the Lord in his plans, poverty might await him. Spiritual poverty will definitely await him.
"A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper." Proverbs 28:23 A greedy man will make sure that he always has the advantage in a financial situation or else he will be dishonest. He might gamble and hurt his family and others. All this will bring bitterness and distrust. However, if you trust in the Lord, you will be generous when needed and fair. This will bring trust and a prosperity that is sound and secure.
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27 God promises that if we give to the poor we will lack nothing. If we close our eyes to their need, we receive many curses. If we give to a reputable mission organization whose main purpose is to spread the gospel, we are both helping to spread the gospel to the world and giving to people who are poor through no fault of their own.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9 We are to defend those who cannot defend themselves. These might be children, someone that cannot afford legal counsel, the elderly, the mentally handicapped, the poor, the uninformed, someone that is not present when a decision is being made, etc. Our society does make a way for many of these people to be cared for, and we should support these organizations, especially with our prayers.
Proverbs 31 tells about the wife of noble character. She is someone that helps the poor and needy: “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20
Jesus commends a poor widow woman who gave all of the little she had to God. No one else noticed her little bit compared to the large amounts given by the wealthy who gave what they did not need: "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty, put in everything–all that she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44 (Luke 21:1-4)
It is not the amount we give, but our attitude in giving. Jesus will commend us if we give 100% of ourselves, including our possessions. We give to God if we do with our possessions what God would have us do.
Paul has learned to be content in every situation, yet he deeply appreciates the gifts given by the Philippians, especially, in that it encouraged his heart that they were sacrificing to God: "…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles…you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I was looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:12-19
He assures them that God, who owns everything, will meet their needs. The condition of God meeting needs: giving as He directs and seeking first His kingdom: "If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need." 1 Timothy 5:16 We should take care of our own families. The church should not have the burden of taking care of those widows who aren’t really in need because they have families that can care for them.
Riches mean nothing. In fact, they will be evidence against us if we hoard them for ourselves: "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-6
* THE EXAMPLE OF THE MACEDONIAN CHURCHES
The Macedonian churches provide one of the best examples of giving: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints…they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” 2 Corinthians 8:2-5
First, their relationship with God was right. They realized how much God had given for them. This was not a mere intellectual knowing, but a deep inner knowledge. They were filled with joy that overflowed in their generosity. Their severe trials and extreme poverty had made them better, not bitter. Without any prompting, they had pleaded for the privilege of sharing with the saints. They gave themselves first to God, then to others.
“But just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us–see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7 Paul also gives us a good pattern when making requests. Paul commends the Corinthians for their faith, speed, knowledge, earnestness and love for them. He finds something sincerely good about them. This is not flattery but an honest commendation with an honest request. They had already expressed a desire to give. He reminds them of this and gives them reason to keep their promise. He calls their giving and “act of grace” v. 6 and the “grace of giving.” v. 7
“I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 God has directed Paul to write, so this shows His heart. We are not commanded to give (to tithe, yes), but the way we use our money tells about our love of God.
“Our desire is not that others may be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality, as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little’. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 He doesn’t have unfair expectations; he wants everyone, including the Corinthians, to have their needs met.
Paul gives us the reasons for giving. The more we know God and have faith in His generosity, the more we will give. As we give we will receive so that we will have more to give: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity is sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
This passage shows generosity as a spiritual weapon. Giving promotes the kingdom of God in a mighty way because it causes “overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” Praise itself is a mighty weapon (2 Chronicles 20:1-30). It shows faith in God (Ephesians 6:16), which is listed with the weapons of God. Men will associate giving with “the gospel of Christ.” It blesses people and makes them more fruitful because we have been “sharing with them and with everyone else.” And people that you give to “in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you” making your life more blessed and fruitful.
Giving is not something we can do on our own. For the Macedonian churches it was the “surpassing grace God has given you.” It has to grow out of our relationship with Him.
Most of the time when my husband, Jim, and our children and I lived in Nova Scotia we rented a small farm. At one time I milked cows. We had much more milk than we needed so we started giving it away. I would put the milk in two litre glass containers and Jim would deliver it on the way to work. We tried to choose people who either appreciated the milk or seemed to need it.
It began to bother me because I would see people to whom we were giving milk spending their money foolishly. I started praying about this situation. I told the Lord I didn’t want to judge, but in a way it was my money they were spending; it didn’t seem right what they were doing. What should I do? The Lord spoke to me, “The integrity of the upright guides them…” Proverbs 11:3 Right away I thought of charging for my milk. I charged a few cents more than the store (but the store soon increased its prices) since fresh milk was much more valuable to me. We sold milk to fewer people who bought larger quantities. We made about fifty dollars a week.
Jim drove the church bus to give people rides to church, Sunday School, children’s meetings and other events. The church owned the bus, one of the church members provided maintenance and we bought the gas. Jim told me that without the money made selling milk, we wouldn’t have the funds to operate the bus. It took about fifty dollars a week. When Jim told me that, it confirmed that the Lord had directed me in my decision. The Lord knew that I wanted to give to what I felt was a worthy cause, and He provided a worthy cause.
Because I don’t work I would rather give my time. We pay for the small expenses each of my volunteer activities require. Jim handles the giving of money.
When should we give? How do we hear God’s voice? How do we know His direction? All of life should be getting to know God. He speaks in many different ways. Sometimes He allows us to make a mistake in order to teach us something. As each of us are different, so the gifts God would like from each of us are different. But the principle remains the same for everyone: “Give, and it will be given to you…” Luke 6:38
* PROPHECY AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY–Rev. Michael Bresciani
“…In the mid seventies I heard a four part message that at the time seemed impossible. It was prior to the economic boom of the eighties when home values were skyrocketing and the stock market was reaching to the stars. The message was in English and said ‘Michael you are a prophet’ then came the words ‘you will speak to the American people,’ followed by ‘This is the message you will speak, Ov, Ov Penury,’ the final word was ‘not many will come out.’…
The message made no sense to me not only because America wasn’t experiencing shortages of almost anything but also because I hadn’t a clue what ‘Ov’ meant. The word penury wasn’t even in my vocabulary and I had to look it up.
I finally found that Ov is an old English contraction for ‘overmuch’ which more commonly means ‘a lot of.’ The word penury means, a state of extreme poverty or scarcity. America, in a state of extreme poverty and scarcity! Try telling that to the American dream crowd pounding away at the house in suburbia with two cars, strong college funds for the 3.5 kids, good pension plans and success in careers or business.
I took some consolation in the fact that the exact same message was given to Pastor David Wilkerson of New York City’s ‘Times Square Church.’ …Wilkerson published a book called ‘The Vision.’ In The Vision Wilkerson detailed the amazing events that God revealed to him after he fasted and went into a long prayer vigil.
From then to now every single element of the revelation given to Wilkerson has already happened with the exception of one. That part of his vision seems to have been delayed until now just like my own. He saw a stock market dive and other economic disasters that would leave the country reeling…The world’s greatest ‘super power’ is in for an awakening. It is apropos that judgments, chastisements and corrections should come to America through economic hardships but why. Put simply it is the only language we never misunderstand. The American dream consists of everything we hold dear, the home, the cars, plenty of everything and untouchable security. You can speak of the threat of terrorists or the explosive situation brewing in the Middle East but our own economic woes are as close to home as it gets.
My view of what God has told me has been colored, reinforced and given more particulars by a careful comparison of our history, other biblical prophecies and the general moral state of the nation over the past forty years. My view is that we will undergo a deepening of the economic crisis until the fluff is blown away. What fluff you say?
Almost everything that we take for granted will no longer be granted. Jobs will dissolve by the tens of thousands; goods will be harder to find including ordinary food supplies. Grain will not be used for fuel because it will be too precious. Banks will close, fortunes will be lost and the precious metals purchased for backup will be useless. The line from an old Christian song says it best, ‘A piece of bread would buy a bag of gold.’ Pension funds will collapse or be diverted and securities and bonds will diminish rapidly in value. Stocks will plummet from blue chips to tech stocks. The word survival will once again take the place of success and riches as keywords in our everyday conversations as they did during the great depression.
The message was appendaged with the words ‘not many will come out.’ I have never doubted what that means. Clearly the modern apostate church and the world at large will not haste to heed this warning. Human nature is ancient but little has changed in it. As in the old world today folks will cozy up to the voices that promise great things to come with no downside attached. Ancient prophets always gave their messages to point people to the leaving God not to gather adherents to their own doorstep. Today it would be possible to preach the gospel of salvation of the divine pumpkin pie if you have a good enough publicist and access to some major TV time. For that ‘they will come out,’ not God’s words but mine. But don’t worry there will always be ‘Philadelphian’ type churches throughout America until the very end. (Rev. 3: 7f)
Some have asked where they should put their money. In keeping with the biblically derived formula that money saved is usually money wasted, money spent is money used and money given is money saved; I have only one answer. Give it away, as much as you possibly can. (Mt. 6:19) Find some organization that feeds and clothes children or drills wells in villages without clean water or give it to orphanages or ministries that are getting the gospel out. You will become rich in ways that have nothing to do with personal gain.
The poverty or scarcity God speaks of has nothing to do with hurting or harming the nation. It is a wake up call or what the bible calls ‘chastisement’ for the most obvious reasons, God loves us. In the famous story of the prodigal son in the fifteenth chapter of Luke one element of the story that is almost always overlooked is what caused the prodigal to get so low that he had to feed pigs and to avoid starvation he was even tempted to eat some of their food. The element not often mentioned is the fact that he squandered the fortune that was given to him from his inheritance. He wasted the blessings of his father without regard to the future. He lived riotously and the party seemed like it would never end. All parties end.
Why does God send prophets, messengers and preachers to us so steadily so faithfully? I’ll let him answer that for himself from a passage found in the illustrious version of the bible known as the ‘Message.’
‘Think about this. Wrap your minds around it. This is a serious business, rebels. Take it to heart. Remember your history, your long and rich history. I am God, the only God you’ve had or ever will have – incomparable, irreplaceable – From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, I’m in this for the long haul. I’ll do exactly what I set out to do.’ Isaiah 46: 8-10 “
Rev Bresciani is an author and columnist for several online and print publications.
GENEROSITY AS A SPIRITUAL WEAPON
1. Why is generosity a spiritual weapon? Which of the armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) does generosity fit under?
2. What should be our motive in giving?
3. Why are we to give to our enemy?
EXAMPLES OF GENEROSITY
1. What happened because the widow of Zarephath gave?
2. What happened because the Shunammite woman gave?
3. Why did Mary of Bethany give? What were the results of her giving?
4. What happen when the boy with the five small barley loaves and two small fish gave? How does that encourage us today?
5. Give examples of receiving evil because of giving evil?
6. Who has God chosen to carry out His judgments? Give examples.
SCRIPTURES ABOUT GENEROSITY
1. When we are commanded to give?
2. What are we showing when we oppress the poor?
3. What happens when we give freely?
4. What two kinds of people come to poverty according to Proverbs 22:16? How does this happen practically?
5. What characterizes stingy men?
6. What will happen to those who close their eyes to the poor?
7. Who is supposed to help widows?
THE MACEDONIAN CHURCHES
1. How do the Macedonian churches provide such a good example of giving?
2. Give some examples of giving and the consequences of giving from your own life?
CONCLUSION
1. What does the prophecy concerning the American economy recommend about giving?