Giving Financially
(2 Cor 9:6-7) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- The MOTIVATION for Giving
- OBEDIENCE
– (1 Cor 16:1-2) Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. {2} On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
- LOVE and Gratitude
– (2 Cor 8:24) Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
– (1 John 3:16-17) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. {17} If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
– (2 Cor 9:7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- DUTY (giving back to Him who has given us so much)
– (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- The PURPOSES for Giving
- To Finance the work of God’s KINGDOM
– (Phil 4:15-16) Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; {16} for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
– (Rom 10:13-15) for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” {14} How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? {15} And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
– (2 Cor 11:8) I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.
- To Help the Poor
– (Acts 24:17) “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
– (Rom 15:26) For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
– (Gal 2:10) All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
– (Prov 19:17) He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
– (Gal 6:9-10) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. {10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
- To Help us Grow SPIRITUALLY
– (Mat 6:21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
– (Luke 16:10-12) “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. {11} So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? {12} And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
- To Demonstrate our DEVOTION to the Lord
– (2 Cor 8:1-5) And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. {2} Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. {3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, {4} they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. {5} And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.
- The NATURE of Giving
- It is a means of Demonstrating GRACE
– (2 Cor 8:7) But just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us –see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
- It is an act of WORSHIP
– (Deu 16:16-17) Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: {17} Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.
– (Acts 2:42) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
– (1 Cor 16:2) On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
- We are to give on a regular basis (see above)
- The AMOUNT we are to Give
- We are to give GENEROUSLY
– (Rom 12:8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
– (2 Cor 9:6-7) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- How much are we to give? Are we to give a TITHE/TENTH of our income?
It is seen in the Old Testament that the Tithe was a tenth of a persons income – (Mat 23:23) “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
– The principle of the tithe actually precedes the law. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek long before the Law was given to Moses (Gen. 14:20). Jacob also confirmed the godly practice long before the law (Gen. 28:22). In the passage above, Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ failure to observe judgment and mercy in the law; whereas, on the other hand, He affirms their practice of tithing even insignificant garden vegetables. The full revelation of God in the N.T. reveals that we are to practice one hundred percent stewardship (see 2 Cor. 8; 9). All we have belongs to God and should be used for His glory and according to His dictates.
– Tithing is only the BEGINNING place of Christian stewardship, not the end. God does not want you to give less than a tithe, but He may want you to give so much more through His enabling grace.
I use the word tithe because that is the common term for Christian giving of money to God. However, there seems to be no legal requirement in the New Testament to use the word ‘tithe’ in relation to giving. There is no ten percent law to adhere to in the New Testament. Only references to such an amount. As we have read, – (2 Cor 9:6-7) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The New Testament teaches to GIVE. It’s giving not tithing. It’s a heart thing not a law thing.
Some Suggestions
- God is your provider. Out of your provision give to the work of the Lord as you deicide in faith. God knows your heart. Give regular support to your home church but also to other Christian initiatives.
- Thank God for allowing you the privilege of giving back to Him.
- When you give do it as an act of worship, just as if you were praying or partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
ESV: English Standard Version
Commit your giving to the Lord through prayer for Him to guide your heart and mind. Have an open heart to what His will is for your situation. Giving rather than receiving is a wonderful principle.