Day 13 | Purpose - Giving
Finding PURPOSE is an interesting challenge. I think many times we confuse PURPOSE with desires, goals, dreams. While in some instances these words might be synonymous, PURPOSE is the one that can answer that age-old question, “Why am I here?”. Sister Teri and I believe that only God can give you real PURPOSE in this life, and fulfilling that PURPOSE is the only thing that will satisfy your eternal soul.
- Pray that the congregation will discover God’s purpose for their life (Jer. 29:11-13).
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
- Pray that every need within the ministry is met. Pray for generous givers (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
- Pray that our giving exceeds 100% from our tithers and contributors.
Give, Give, Give
One time a skeptic said to a preacher, "I can’t stand this Christianity business. All I ever hear from you Christians is give, give, give."
The preacher thought a minute and said, "That’s about the best description of Christianity I have ever heard!" Copied from Sermon Central/ By Davon Huss
The preacher thought a minute and said, "That’s about the best description of Christianity I have ever heard!" Copied from Sermon Central/ By Davon Huss
Giving
Henry Parsons Crowell contracted tuberculosis when a boy and could not go to school. His Father and brother died of tuberculosis, and he should have died of it too. He made a contract with God. If he were spared, he would use his abilities to amass large sums of money for evangelism. For the next 50 years he dedicated 70% of his income to Kingdom causes. He bought a bankrupt mill in Ravenna, Ohio in 1881. He believed that God endowed him with bold ideas and the success of the company he founded, Quaker Oats.
He was one of the wealthiest men of Chicago when he died in 1943. Crowell viewed all things as a stewardship from God, including influence. Over the years, one businessman after another would comment on how he came to know Christ personally because of the life of integrity lived by Henry Parsons Crowell. Henry Parsons Crowell was a man who gave with a purpose.
Each man 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. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Parsons_Crowell/ By Brad Beaman Copied from Sermon Central
He was one of the wealthiest men of Chicago when he died in 1943. Crowell viewed all things as a stewardship from God, including influence. Over the years, one businessman after another would comment on how he came to know Christ personally because of the life of integrity lived by Henry Parsons Crowell. Henry Parsons Crowell was a man who gave with a purpose.
Each man 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. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Parsons_Crowell/ By Brad Beaman Copied from Sermon Central
The Purpose of Life
There's a guy named Hugh Morehead who 45 years ago began the hobby of writing to famous philosophers and scientists and authors and asking them, "What is the purpose of life?" The responses he got back were depressing at best.
Isaac Asimov wrote back, "As far as I can see there is no purpose to life."
Karl Jung, the Austrian psychiatrist, wrote, "I don't know what the meaning or the purpose of life is but it looks like as if there were something meant by it."
Arthur Clark, the author of 2001, wrote, "I'm afraid I have no concrete ideas of the purpose of life."
Albert Ellis, the psychiatrist who invented RET therapy said, "As far as I can tell, life has no special or intrinsic meaning or purpose."
Gerald Frank, "In the cosmic scheme, I see neither meaning nor purpose."
Edward Gorny, "I doubt if there is one."
William Gasp, "There is no meaning to life."
Thomas Nagle, "I'm afraid the meaning of life still eludes me."
With a sense of resignation Joseph Heller wrote, "I have no answers to the meaning of life, and I no longer want to search for any."
Is there a purpose in life? Is there a meaning to life? Can we know why we are here? Thankfully there is an answer in the Word of God!
(From a sermon by Steve Trail, Building a Life of Purpose, 10/10/2011)/Copied from Sermon Central
Isaac Asimov wrote back, "As far as I can see there is no purpose to life."
Karl Jung, the Austrian psychiatrist, wrote, "I don't know what the meaning or the purpose of life is but it looks like as if there were something meant by it."
Arthur Clark, the author of 2001, wrote, "I'm afraid I have no concrete ideas of the purpose of life."
Albert Ellis, the psychiatrist who invented RET therapy said, "As far as I can tell, life has no special or intrinsic meaning or purpose."
Gerald Frank, "In the cosmic scheme, I see neither meaning nor purpose."
Edward Gorny, "I doubt if there is one."
William Gasp, "There is no meaning to life."
Thomas Nagle, "I'm afraid the meaning of life still eludes me."
With a sense of resignation Joseph Heller wrote, "I have no answers to the meaning of life, and I no longer want to search for any."
Is there a purpose in life? Is there a meaning to life? Can we know why we are here? Thankfully there is an answer in the Word of God!
(From a sermon by Steve Trail, Building a Life of Purpose, 10/10/2011)/Copied from Sermon Central
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting