Message Notes
Figuring Out Your Finances
Today: God's Way of Meeting Your Needs 

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. 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. 

I. THE PRINCIPLE: WHEN YOU HAVE A NEED, plant a seed 
(vs. 6) "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Human solutions to our financial problems: 
· beg
· Borrow
· steal
· Try to win the lottery
· work harder - try to get more money


GOD'S WAY: give
Jesus said, "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


II. THE PROCEDURE: give with the right attitude 
(vs 7) "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

FOUR ATTITUDES GOD DESIRES….We are to give ...
* THOUGHTFULLY
'... what he has decided in his heart"
* ENTHUSIASTICALLY
"... not reluctantly.."
* VOLUNTARILY
"... not under pressure..."
* CHEERFULLY
"God loves a cheerful giver"

How to have a cheerful attitude:
1. Remember THE SOURCE (vs. 10)

2. Remember THE GUARANTEE  (vs. 11)

Why does God love a cheerful giver?
"... see that you excel in the grace of giving... to test the sincerity of your love..." 2 Cor. 8:8

III. THE PROMISE: EXPECT GOD TO MEET all of my needs (vs. 8)
"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."

Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

HOW TO PROVE GOD EXISTS:
"Bring your whole tithe into the storehouse ... Test me in this, says the Lord, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:8-11

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

A prayer to begin a relationship with Christ: "Dear Jesus, I realize that I need You in my life. I want to have a real relationship with You. Today, I have realized that you created me to know you. I also realize today that I have sinned against you. Please forgive me. I turn to you and ask you to be the leader of my life. I give you my heart, my soul, my life, my past, and my future. Thank you for dying for me. Help me to live for you, now and forever. Amen.