The Art of Giving: Week 1

The art of giving: week 1

Philippians 2:1-11

Main Idea: Gospel centered generosity is rooted in God's benevolent nature, revealed through Christ.

Phil. 2:1-11 (ESV)

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Illustration 

What is giving?

Giving is a verb that is defined as "the transfer of something from one person to another." In the context of faith, giving should be a selfless action, motivated by a desire to honor God, not expecting anything in return.

Jesus as the ultimate example of true giving

Philippians 2:6-8 illustrates how Jesus, though in the form of God, did not cling to His divine status. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking on human form and becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross. This act of ultimate generosity serves as our model for giving.

Why we give

I. Giving honors God

II. Giving transforms our hearts