O Come All Ye Faithful
Faithful Givers
1. Wise men are always looking up to the Heaven.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 NLT
2. On your way to giving sacrificially, you’ll always face an opposing kingdom.
King Herod was deeply disturbed...He called a meeting of the leading priests..“Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” ..Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” Matthew 2:3-8 NLT
An opposing kingdom (value)...
a. feels threatened
b. lies to you
c. likes to appear worshipful yet is about themselves.
3. The wise men came prepared to give.
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 NLT
3 levels of giving:
Level 1: inspired giving (emotion): “when [the Samaritan]..saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy for him. Luke 10:33 MSG
Level 2: obedient giving (principled): Bring the full tithe… I will..pour down..a blessing until there is no more need.. Malachi 3:10 ESV
Level 3: planned giving (wise): “But the generous person devises generous things, and his generosity will keep him standing.” Isaiah 32:8 CJB
4. God will protect you and what you have.
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:12 NLT
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 ESV
I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:11 ESV