CHRISTIAN GIVING
HOW SHOULD IT HE DONE?
There is an abundance of instruction in the New Testament about Christian Giving. All of I Corinthians 9, II Corinthians 8, and II Corinthians 9 are taken up with this subject. But there are no commands to the people of God, anywhere in the New Testament, about how much we are to give, when we are to give, or where we are to give. Tithing and all systems like it are things altogether foreign to the New Testament. Like all other acts of worship, giving is an act of grace. It must be free and voluntary. But there are some plain, simple guidelines laid down in the New Testament for us to follow.
1. Christian Giving Must Be Motivated By Love And Gratitude Toward Christ (II Cor. 8:8-9). Love needs no law. It is a law to itself. It is the most powerful and most generous of all motives.
2. Our Gifts Must Arise From
Willing Hearts (II Cor.
3. We Should Give To The Work Of The Gospel In Proportion To Our Blessings From The Lord (I Cor. 16:2). We are expected to give generously in accordance with our own ability.
4. All Of God's People Should Give ("Everyone" I Cor. 16:2; "Every man" II Cor. 9:7). Men and women, rich and poor, old and young, all who are saved by the grace of God are expected to give for the support of God's church and kingdom.
5. We Should Be Both Liberal And Sacrificial In Our Giving (II Cor. 9:5-6). Beloved, we have not really given anything until we have taken that which we need, want, and have use for and given it to the Lord (Mk. 12:41-44).
6. Our Gifts Must Be Voluntary (II Cor. 9:7).
7. We Are To Give As Unto The
Lord (Mt. 6:1-5). We give, not to be
seen of men, but for the honor of Christ, hoping for nothing in return. But of
these things you may be sure: One, you will never suffer loss by being generous
(Lk.
8. This Kind Of Giving Is
Well-Pleasing To God (Phil.