GIVING is GREAT ( acronym )

 

(“not”  name it and claim it)

 

Law of Reciprocity: “ If you give, you will receive.  Your gift                         will return to you in full measure,  pressed down, shaken together to make room for more,  and running over.  Whatever measure you use in giving, large or small,  it will be used to measure what is given back to you. “  Luke 6: 38 ( New Living Translation )  

 

       God’s Laws are:

 

       Universal – apply equally to everyone

      Inviolable – secure from destruction

      Immutable – cannot be altered                                                       

 

 

 (Man’s laws – apply equally to everyone – speeding, tax evasion, contracts)

 

 

1.     GIVE :  Abundantly, without measure, hilariously,  with joy,  freely

                                       

In Kind -  what we give away is directly related to what we receive in return

 

Do for others as you would like them to do for you -  Luke 6: 31 ( golden rule ) – give proactively

 

Vineyard call:  Give with abandon ( to church, community, strangers )

 

 

2.   RECEIVE :   Perfectly in spirit,  without  fainting ( patiently )

 

In Time – when we receive is always related to God’s plan for us

 

So don’t get tired of doing what is good.  Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time – Galatians 6: 9

 

( Ecclesiastes – He makes everything beautiful in HIS time )

 

Vineyard call:  Wait on the Lord in peace and courage ( especially this )

 

 

3.     EXPECT :  Without limit,  doubt,  fear or preconceptions

 

 In Faith – what we hope for is unseen and greater than we can      imagine

   

       What is faith?  It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is                                                                                                    

        going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see –

                                                                                   Hebrews 11:1

 

  Vineyard call:  Always ready to meet the promises of God for us

 

( don’t limit God – I Chronicles 21 – David took a census – 70,000 died in a plague sent by God – why?  God wanted to do more – not limit it )

 

( Counting our targets of receiving can  limit God )  don’t limit GOD

 

 

4.     ACT:    Bodly within opportunities ( be sensitive to them )

 

In Response –  how aggressively we give directly impacts the return 

 

But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop – II Corinthians 9:6

 

Vineyard call:  Don’t hold back and hurt yourself  ( personally and spiritually )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.     TRUST:  Without any hesitation in giving

 

In Covenant – relational giving to the church and our Lord is tested

 

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my temple. “ If  you do ( says the Lord Almighty ) I will open the windows of heaven for you.  I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in. Try it, let me prove it to you. ” Malachi 3:10

( King James says Prove Me ) – test me

 

Vineyard call:  Seek His kingdom first and all else shall be added unto you

 

                                           Vineyard Action Points

   

Give abundantly

Receive perfectly

     Expect without limits

Act freely

Trust God