The Joy of Sacrificial Giving

Topics: joy of giving, Nehemiah Sunday, sacrificial giving

I. The Historical overwiev of Nehemiah

A. The Three deportations to Babylon (605, 597, and 586 B.C.).

B. The Three Returns from the Exile:

II. The honorable dedication of the wall

A. Joy originates from a purified life!

Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres . . . The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall (Nehemiah 12:27, 30).

B. Joy flows out of worshipping hearts!

Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on top of the wall, and I appointed two great choirs, the first proceeding to the right on top of the wall . . . The second choir proceeded to the left, while I followed them . . . Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God . . . And the singers sang, with Jezrahiah their leader, and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar (Nehemiah 12:31, 38, 40, 42, 43).

An important Guideline of Life Groups: There is great joy in giving when it comes from the heart! Discuss in your Life Group what Jesus meant when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, November 16th, 2025.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

The joy of sacrificial giving

Getting Started:

1. What does faithful giving look like to you? What does sacrificial giving look like to you?
2. How does the "Law of the Harvest" (2 Corinthians 9:6) apply to how you use your God-given time, talents, touch, and treasures?

Discussing Truths:

1. Why does Jesus emphasize the heart of a person when it comes to giving (Matthew 6:19-21; Mark 12:41-44)? Why is our attitude in giving more important to God than the amount we give?
2. Paul clearly teaches that we are to give faithfully, willingly, generously and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:1-8) which attitude is easiest for you?
3. What is your biggest motivation is giving? How much joy do you experience in giving?
4. What are some common obstacles that prevent sacrificial giving to the Lord?
5. Stewardship includes managing our time, talents, touch and treasures for the glory of God. How does it free you up, knowing that God owns it all (Luke 14:33)?
6. Why did Nehemiah emphasize the "first fruits" of the people's giving (Nehemiah 10:35)?
7. What do you think the celebration was like for the Israelites when you read Nehemiah 12:43?

Now What? Application:

1. Prayerfully evaluate your giving to the Lord and ask if you give cheerfully, faithfully and generously. Make any adjustments that He is directing you to make.
2. Consider making a generous contribution to the Lord and His church when creating your estate plan.