Subject: Seven Principles in Giving
by Rick Welborne
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (NLT)
1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.
7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.
12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.
13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
–Today I want to speak to you about our distinctives as a church and about Life Church being a covenant keeping group of committed believers.
Our Distinctives:
1. We are passionate about reaching the lost! 2.We are passionate about Home and Foreign Missions! 3.We are passionate about being filled with Holy Spirit power! 4.We are passionate... generous givers! 5.We are passionate about worship!
–Today as we consider the upcoming missions’ convention...I want you to remember who we are...our spiritual DNA.
–We are passionate about the lost, missions, and we are Spirit filled worshipers who are willing to be extra-ordinarily faithful to reach our world. Amen!
–Something Holy Spirit spoke to me was this...Do we as Life Church want to be mediocre in these last days when it comes to our obedience to Him or do we want to leave this planet taking a load of others with us bringing glory to God?
–When you go thru Covenant classes here one of the subjects we cover is this area of giving...tithing is non-negotiable...bring your whole tithe (10%) to the Lord...it is His.
–When you stand before us to be covenant members you say you will be faithful in tithing and in missions: we say, “to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry and the activities of the church?”
–I hear people say...there is no teaching on giving anymore so here it is...they also say our younger generation do not give, many of ours do...what am I looking for...same as the Lord...100% obedience to God and His Word
–Let’s see what we can learn from these Macedonian believers:
Seven Principles of Giving
1. There must first be the dedication of self.
2 Corinthians 8:5 (NLT)
5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
--Jesus not only wants your money - He wants you. An extra-ordinary you! Jesus said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him.” He wants all.
--We are to dedicate ourselves to our Lord, to each other and we will be givers. With this being the last days...isn’t it time we get serious with the Lord. I don’t think any of you would sneak in here and steal equipment...don’t rob God!
Malachi 3:8 (NIV)
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.
2. There must be a willingness to be extra-ordinarily faithful even when we are going through hard times ourselves.
2 Corinthians 8:2-4 (NLT)
2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
--Being faithful when things are tough does not make sense to our logical minds. It comes down to whether or not we can trust God...trust His Word.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)
14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
--Remember these are principles of God not man. When He gets involved. Wow! His economy is incredible!
--Think about this: Paul said...I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more…sounds like a faith promise. Extra-ordinary faithfulness! Key: And they did it of their own free will. Faith promise cards!
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT)
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
3. There must be the desire for excellence.
2 Corinthians 8:6-7 (NLT)
6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.
7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.
7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
--NKJV & NLT both use the word complete or finish in verse 6.
--Excellence in giving is called extra-ordinary faithfulness. Even when it hurts or defies logic. To be complete (excellent) in tithing - missions - Abound and excel in your giving.
4. There will be a proving of how genuine is your love.
2 Corinthians 8:8 (NLT)
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
--We bring our tithe because we love God and want to be completely obedient. We give to home and foreign missions because we love souls and missionaries. We give to local outreach because we love our community.
--I love how Paul compares them to other churches and makes it a little bit competitive…comparing them with other churches. Out of 12,850 churches in the A/G…we have been in the top 100 for several years. Top 75?
--Our District Youth Pastor in Louisiana made it very competitive between youth groups there for STL. That was ok if we are giving because we love the lost- not for show - in vain. Our youth were number one!
1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
5. There is an identification with Jesus.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV)
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
--We say we want to be like Jesus but He gave up heaven (gave up His life) to save us and we can’t give up a cheeseburger or cable to save others.
--When we give, and yes, even give up things we want, we show our love for souls and our love for Jesus. God so loved He gave - Jesus so loved He gave - If we so love - we will give. Makes sense to me.
--What is it that we find important or as of utmost priority in our lives.
Matthew 6:19 21 (NKJV)
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
6. There must be a right attitude in our giving.
2 Corinthians 8:10-12 (NIV)
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.
12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.
--Finish what you started with an attitude of extra-ordinary faithfulness and excellence. Faith Promises. Let your attitude be good as much in the middle as at the beginning. Emotions!
--Give of what you have without feeling guilty. 11-12 Little or much is acceptable if it is what you can do.
God loves a cheerful giver! Attitude + gratitude raises your platitude.
7. There will be sowing and reaping.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (NLT)
13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
--Be careful your giving is not burdening you and relieving others. Parents helping kids or grand kids. When you can bless, do so, there may come a day you need blessing.
--You reap what you sow…be extra-ordinarily faithful and you will always have enough. Summary:
2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (NLT)
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.
14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.
15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
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