When it comes to giving there are two types of people.
            Offering Sermon by - Pastor Graeme Saunders

Luke 10:30-36
Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, "Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill--I'll pay you on my way back."

What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man who was attacked?"

Life offers us opportunities to be a blessing and to be blessed.
a.  God will open up avenues for us to blessed.
b.  We have to listen to what and where God says.
c.  God gives opportunities to us not to get money from us but to get money to us.

There are two types of people when it comes to giving:

A The person who gives to live
i. This person (a priest, Levite) chose to miss the opportunities presented.
ii. Missed the door of blessing that God wanted to give him.
iii. If there was a crowd or a opportunity to look good he would of helped the man.

B The person who lives to give:
a. The Samaritan.
b. Was moved with compassion.
c. He used the opportunity presented to him and met the need.
d. Went the second mile and made sure that the man in need was left in good hands.
e. Never looked at the costs but listen to what God put into his heart.
f. Had the means to bless the man - 'remember that we can never out give God!'
g. Had a good name in the community and paid his debts.

The person who lives to give is compared to the person who gives to live below:

LIVES TO GIVE:

1 Expects neither reward nor payment for things they done; will often get upset with the offer of repayment. 

2 Does not look at a giving situation by what they will receive in return.

3 Asks "has this helped the person or cause in need" "how much more is needed to meet the need", interest is in solving the problem or meeting the need. Asks "how much must I give, they want to give just enough."

4 Majors on the maximum.

5 Does not require recognition but it often comes to people who give with a good heart.

6. Reward when they are able to meet other people's or cause need. 

7. Philosophy "I wish there was more opportunities to give" Are generous and saturated when giving.

8. Dissatisfaction comes when there seems to be no need to meet, normally happiest when giving. Motive is helping others.

9. Seed conscious not need concious.

GIVES TO LIVE: 

1. Will never do anything without expecting a reward.

2. Keeps a record of what he or she gives and receives; only reward comes when they receive more than they give.

3. Asks "How much must I give" as they want to give just enough.

4. Majors on the minimum .

5. Desires recognition, giving will be determined by how much recognition they will receive.

6. Seldom works alone finds it hard to do a good deed for someone when the crowd is gone.

7. Basically selfish, Philosophy "I wish it was possible to live without giving."

8. Seldom walks in joy, has bad motives, often afraid of receiving the short end of the stick.

9. Need conscious not seed conscious.

Inspired by John Maxwell teaching