LIVE: CedarCreek Church Service - 10/18/26

Week 2 of our series Keep The Change. Livestream of our Sunday at 8:30am service. Why does God ask us to give if He already owns everything? It is one of the most honest questions anyone can ask about faith, and the answer might surprise you. God does not ask for your generosity because He needs something from you. He asks because giving does something powerful in you. In this message from 2 Corinthians 9, we explore what the Bible actually teaches about generosity, tithing, and offerings. We break down the difference between a tithe and an offering, why both matter, and what each one is designed to grow in us. A tithe builds trust by putting God first before we know how everything else will work out. An offering grows generosity by directing resources toward specific needs and people we want to bless. We also look at what kind of harvest giving actually produces. Spoiler: it is not primarily financial. Giving shifts how you see God, grows contentment, increases your love for others, and multiplies worship in the lives of people your generosity reaches. A Harvard study from 2008 confirmed what the Bible has taught for thousands of years: people who give to others report greater happiness than those who spend on themselves. We also cover how to approach giving with the right heart. Paul makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that giving should never be reluctant or pressured. God loves a cheerful giver, someone who gives intentionally and with gratitude, not out of guilt or social pressure. Whether you are just starting to think about generosity, trying to understand the difference between tithing and giving, or looking to take your next step of faith with your finances, this message offers practical and biblical guidance. Topics covered include: why God asks us to give, the meaning and purpose of tithing, the difference between a tithe and an offering, what the Bible says about cheerful giving, how generosity produces joy and contentment, the sowing and reaping principle in Scripture, and how giving keeps your heart aligned with God. Relevant keywords: Christian giving, biblical generosity, tithing and offering, why Christians tithe, what does the Bible say about money, 2 Corinthians 9, cheerful giver, sowing and reaping, Christian stewardship, faith and finances, how to give to God, does God want your money, tithing explained, Christian financial principles, generosity and joy.