Christian Giving
I have frequently had
men and women to say to me, "Pastor, I would like to know exactly what I
ought to give." No doubt, most people would. But there are no rules laid
down in the Word of God about how much we must give. We are not under a system
like that by which the Jews paid tithes to their priests. If there were such a
rule laid down in the gospel, it would destroy the beauty of spontaneous
giving, and take away the joy of generosity. There is no law to tell me what I
must give to my wife on our anniversary. If the gift were constrained, it would
lose all its sweetness. A gift of love must be free, it is otherwise
meaningless. But these few simple statements might serve as principles to guide
us in our giving.
1. We must first give ourselves to the
Lord (II Cor. 8:5).
2. We must give with a willing heart (II Cor.
3. We must give as God has prospered us (I Cor. 16:2).
4. We must give generously (II Cor. 9:6).
5. We must give cheerfully (II Cor. 9:7).
6. We must give for Christ's sake (II Cor.
Don Fortner