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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Guidelines for Giving” |
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I. Introduction.
A. God has given, in both the Old and New Testaments,
principles by which we’re to live and serve Him. While
practices may change, and some things true under one law,
or during one period of time, no longer apply to us today,
the principles are still as valid as ever.B. The principles of faith, obedience, submission to God and
His will, love for God and for others, run as a consistent
thread throughout the Bible. So, too, does the principle of
stewardship and of our being good stewards of all with
which we’ve been entrusted.C. Stewardship is a broad concept that encompasses time,
talents, material possessions – everything we have and are.1. One specific area of stewardship is our giving to
God of that which He’s given us.2. Any serious student of the Bible must admit that
giving is required of God’s people – and has always
been required.3. The practice may have changed from past to
present, but the principle is as valid as ever.D. In Malachi 3, God addressed Israel about their giving.
Again, while we call this part of the Old Testament, there
are principles here that provide us with valid guidelines for
our giving.1. Notice how verse 8 begins. (RE-READ). Here is a
first principle of stewardship and giving: we can
only steal something that doesn’t rightfully belong
to us.a. We “rob God” when we don’t give to Him
the proper portion of what belongs to Him.b. The Israelites robbed Him by not giving the
proper “tithes and offerings.”c. What they were to give, and what we’re
commanded to give, is not what God
needs – Paul told Athenians God does not
“need” anything we can give Him – but
what He expects and requires.d. What we may possess is for our use while
we live. Remember the question God asked
the “rich farmer” (Luke 12:20): “But God
said to him, ‘Fool, this night your soul will
be required of you: then whose will those
things be which you have provided?’”2. Second principle in Malachi: when we don’t give
as God requires, we cannot be blessed. (refer to
verse 9).3. Then principle number three: when we do give as
God commands – when we do act as good, faithful
stewards of His provisions for us – when we return
to Him what is rightfully His – God will bless us
beyond our greatest expectations. (refer to last part
of verse 10).a. When we don’t give as we should, we’re
admitting a lack of confidence in God and
His promises. (God says “test Me” – I’ll
keep my promises.”).b. Israel fell time and again before their
enemies because they failed the test of
obedience to God and went their own willful
way. The church cannot be blessed unless
we accept God’s word, trust His truth, and
obey it. And we, as individuals, will be
blessed to the extent that we obey God’s
commands.c. That principle is still true: (READ
Luke 6:38).II. Practices Of Giving.
A. These same three principles can be applied to the practices
God established for giving under both the old and new
covenants.1. According to the law that applied to the Jews, there
were tithes that were required of them, either
annually, or periodically.2. By definition, a “tithe” represents a tenth part of
something, or 10%. It was not just a tenth of
income, but the law required different kinds of
tithes. When added together, amounted to much
more than 10% of what people produced or earned.
Jews were required to give much under an inferior
covenant.3. There was giving to support the tribe of Levi, who
had no inheritance in Canaan. Within that tribe,
there was giving to support the priests. There was
giving for special occasions and purposes. There was giving to feed the poor, or widowed, or those who were not Jews living in the land. Then, there were free-will offerings to be given, and sacrifices
required.4. These were practices of giving among God’s people
according to first covenant.B. Under the second, or better, covenant, practices have
changed, but principles remain the same.1. Christians are to be giving people. Told when to
give: on first day of the week.Christians told how to give: to “lay by . . . in store.”
(Give with purpose and thought and planning
behind what we give.)Christians told what to give: that with which we
have been “prospered.” (Give out of what we
have received.)III. Guidelines For Giving.
A. Based upon what Paul wrote about the Macedonians, in
II Corinthians 8, what are some principles, or guidelines,
for giving in the New Testament era?B. One guideline: Our giving should be based upon our
ability to give.1. NKJV gives a more literal translation of
II Corinthians 8:3 when it says Macedonians gave
according to their “ability”, and even beyond that
ability. They sacrificed to help others.2. Notice, also, verse 12 (READ). New Testament
practice, according to command of
I Corinthians 16:2, is to give as God has prospered
us – “prosperity” differs among people.3. God, in His righteousness, does not expect any
more from anyone than He first has enabled us to
do. Since God has provided for all of us, we all
share the responsibility to give, but at the level
of our ability.C. Another guideline: We are to give willingly.
1. Again, what does verse 12 say? Take different
approach to this verse. We may give according to
our ability, but what pleases God is that it comes
from a “willing mind” – one that is glad to give, not
simply out of a sense of duty.2. What is acceptable giving? That which is done
willingly, not grudgingly. Does that mean if I
begrudge giving, I just might as well not give? No.
Means we’d better examine ourselves, our attitudes,
and our whole relationship with God. Our problem
may be with giving, but it’s also with our love for
God.D. Brings us to number three: Our giving must be motivated
and the first motivation must be love. (READ
II Corinthians 8:8).1. The example of the Macedonians gave Paul an
opportunity to challenge the Corinthians to “test
the sincerity of” their love. As much as any aspect
of discipleship, giving is a test of our love for Him
Who gave His Son for us (READ, verse 9).2. When we give out of love, we will not give
sparingly. When we are motivated by duty, we will
give only what we believe is required. That may
not even be what God requires.3. Use example of buying gift for someone we love.
Money is less of a consideration; we want to give
the best we can to show our love.E. One last guideline: Our giving should reflect a desire to do
our part in helping carry on God’s work. If we want to be
blessed, we must do this.IV. Conclusion.
A. Giving is an action that should be based upon proper
motivations and attitudes.1. For the Macedonians, the attitude was right and the
giving followed accordingly (II Corinthians 8:5) –
(READ).2. It is only in giving ourselves to God that our
material giving is pleasing to Him and will return
blessings to us.B. God does not desire what we have for its own sake, but
desires us. Stewardship is material, but also spiritual.
Our souls are in our hands.