Lesson Thirteen

“Basis For Proper Giving”

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Even though giving is a duty given to the faithful stewards of God, yet it should also be looked upon as a privilege. The very fact that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,”(Acts 20:35 ) certainly would indicate that giving is a privilege because it blesses the one who gives. When Paul told the Corinthians that they were “fellow workers” with God, he was emphasizing what a great privilege it is to be working along side of God (1 Corinthians 3:9). We are partners in doing good on this earth and furthering the kingdom of God .

Can you imagine the following attitude on the part of a devoted Christian? We see him go into the assembly of the saints to worship. When the Lord’s Supper is being observed, his heart is filled with love for God, tears trickle down his cheeks in appreciation of the Lord’s great sacrifice for his redemption. Then, a few minutes later, when the collection plate is passed, he seems to have a resentful attitude about having to give, and begrudgingly puts in a small amount that he will not miss. Does this seem consistent to you? This person needs to be reminded of the Lord’s statement to His disciples when He sent them out on the limited commission: “Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8). Or the words of the Wise Man in   Proverbs 11:24 , “One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; Another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”

When we consider all that God has given to us, there is no possible way that we can repay Him. Roy H. Lanier gave a good evaluation of God’s gifts:

1.     Undeserved—for no one can earn them;

2.     Unlimited—bounded only by the extent of God’s love;

3.     Unfailing—since God does not sleep nor vacation;

4.     Unexpectant—as God’s motive is not to be repaid;

5.     Unerring—for Jehovah never gives the wrong thing;

6.     Unequivocal—since the Almighty’s gifts are not veiled;

7.     Unfeigned—as the Lord is sincere in His care;

8.     Unparalleled—for surely the world can offer no such;

9.     Unsearchable—since they are past finding out.

Gifts, then, are to be given by Christians, so that we can be like Christ! We realize that our possessions are a trust. They are also a test of our character. They are only for a short period of time. And we realize that the true possessions are timeless, they last for eternity. So we are exhorted to give for eternity! (Matthew 6:19-20).

BASIS FOR PROPER GIVING

The devoted Christian should not have a problem with giving since God has commanded it. But the problem usually comes when we try to arrive at a proper basis of our giving. The following principles should be of help:

1.     Our giving should be bountiful giving (2 Corinthians 9:6).

2.     We should give as we have purposed in our hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7).

3.     We should give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).

4.     We should give according to our ability (2 Corinthians 8:3).

5.     We should give in particular on the 1^st day of the week                           (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

6.     We should give as we are prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

7.     We should first give ourselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5).

8.     Our giving should be out of a readiness & willingness of mind                  (2 Corinthians 8:11-12).

9.     Our giving should be a sincere proof of our love for the Lord                  (2 Corinthians 8:8).

10. We are encouraged to abound in this grace of giving                                (2 Corinthians 8:7).

With these Biblical Principles of giving in mind, we should examine our present giving to see if we are good stewards of God’s money.

THE PRINCIPLE OF THE TITHE

Man has been religious from the beginning of time. Sacrifices were offered as an atonement concept for man’s sins (Genesis 4:1-7). But in addition to that, man has seemingly understood the necessity of giving a “tithe” or 10% of what he makes unto his religion. Early Egyptian writings indicate that the people were taught to give a 10^th of all their possessions to their gods. As far back as 2100 B.C., the Babylonians paid tithes to the temples of their gods. The Greeks were taught that anyone who did not give a tithe to his god was atheistic, irreligious, and should be destroyed. The earliest history of the Romans indicates that tithing was a part of their heritage. It is highly probable that tithing dates all the way back to Adam and spread throughout all heathen races in the generations that followed.

The ancestors of the Israelite nation understood this concept of giving a 10^th. Abraham and Jacob both illustrate this (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). When the Law was given to Israel it also taught the principle of 10% giving (Leviticus 27:30-33). But there was also additional giving required of them, such as: Food for the Levites, strangers, fatherless, and widows within their gates. (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). There were other regulations that required additional giving as well. Jesus also emphasized to some Jewish leaders the need of their tithing (Matthew 23:23).

 

But what about Christians under this New Covenant? Has God spelled it out? Has He said that we are to give a 10^th of our prosperity? No, He has not stated we are to give a 10^th on each 1^st day of the week! But He has spelled out planned giving, liberal giving, purposeful giving, prosperity giving, etc. In view of what God has required in the past, does it make sense that He would require any less under this New and Better Covenant (Hebrews 8:6)?

FOOLISH VERSUS SENSIBLE GIVING

It is important that we sit down and evaluate our situation and then plan our giving on the basis of our prosperity. Planned giving helps to keep down foolish giving on the part of undisciplined people. Foolish giving could be:

1.     According to the mood-of-the-moment.

2.     Not taking time to investigate.

3.     Not knowing how to say “NO” gracefully.

4.     Kind of giving that makes you feel guilty.

5.     Ignoring Tax-saving opportunities in giving.

6.     Overlooking special channels of giving that makes our gifts more effective.

7.     Overlooking channels of giving that can increase our income and add to personal security.

 

On the other hand, our giving really should be characterized as sensible, godly giving that reflects our stewardship responsibilities. Such giving could be:

1.     A budgeted amount to give for year.

2.     Investigating what you give to.

3.     Asking, “Who will give, if I do not?”

4.     Saying “NO” to certain kinds of giving.

5.     Considering long-range needs separately.

6.     Making charitable bequests in your will.

7.     Taking advantage of tax savings.

8.     Considering property gifts.

9.     Considering revocable gifts that can be taken back in case of an emergency.

10. Considering giving for income.

CONCLUSION

God had designed giving for man’s good. Giving blesses all concerned. And giving is a part of proper management of money that God has entrusted to us.

Homework

TRUE FALSE

Q1. A person who gives out of a wrong motive loses God’s blessings (Acts 5:1-11). True False

Q2. God has set us a great example of giving (John 3:16). True False

Q3. Leaving money in a Will to children is what God expects as a part of our giving. True False

Q4. Giving is not to be based on one’s prosperity (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). True False

Q5. The New Testament absolutely teaches one should give a 10th to the Lord’s Cause and Kingdom on each Sunday. True False

Q6. Abraham and Jacob both gave a 10th to the Lord (Genesus 14:20; 28:22). True False

Q7. The Israelites were to give more than a 10th to God. True False

Q8. The Bible says that a man who gives freely will grow all the richer (Proverbs 11:24). True False

Q9. Proper giving should be based on 'gross income' not on what is left over. True False

Q10. I am exploring ways of giving to help further the kingdom of God. True False

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