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II SAMUEL 24:18-25

"SACRIFICIAL GIVING"

Intro: David's sin in numbering the people, present day reluctance, God's
       choice of  punishments; 7 years famine; 3 months in hands of
       enemies; 3 days pestilence. The choice and reason, the plague...
       the plague stayed.

I. GIVING TO GOD AN ACCEPTED OBLIGATION.
        A. Why should I give to God?
                1. Not to benefit or enrich Him.
                        a. He created all things to begin with.
                        b. He can create anything He might presently need.
                        c. Don't let any man tell you that God's program
                          depends on  your giving.
                2. I give to express appreciation.
                        a. David saw the plague stayed, Jerusalem spared.
                        b. I appreciate what God has done for me.
                3. I give to show love.
                        a. Love is often measured by its gifts.
                                1. "For God so loved..."
                        b. It is the nature of love to give.
        B. What should I give to God?    PS 116.
                1. Praise.
                2. Time.
                3. Energies. These all an expression of my love...
                4. Money. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God..."

II. GIVING TO GOD IS A PRIVILEGE.
        A. Since He really is not dependent upon us or our gifts.
                1. He could remove us in a moment and still carry on
                   His program  very well.
                2. Giving is a privilege.
                        a. He is allowing you to invest with eternal
                           dividends.

III. LOOKING AGAIN AT GIVING.
        A. David said: "I will not offer unto the Lord that which cost me
           nothing."
                1. How much sacrifice involved?
                2. How much did it cost you to give?
        B. What could God give to show true love?
                1. Not gold or silver or diamonds, they cost Him nothing.
                2. Sacrifice must be involved.
                        a. A taking away of something from myself.
                3. God so loved that He gave a planet of gold.
                        God so loved that He gave an angel...
                        God so loved that He gave an only begotten Son...
                        a. How much did it cost God to give?
                        b. Priceless.
        C. When does giving really start to count?
                1. When it starts to cost.
                2. Taking girl friend a glass of water.
                3. Time, bored, don't know what to do with myself.
                4. So often God gets only leftovers.
                        a. If I have time, I will be there.
                        b. If I'm not too tired, I will help.
                        c. I would like to give more but I can't afford
                           it.
        D. What does it cost me to give to God?