Text: 1Co 16:1-2; 2Co 9:6-14
A. Pattern of giving.
Command or counsel? – “order” (1Co 16:1).
When? – “Upon the first day of the week” (1Co 16:2).
Who? – “let every one of you” (1Co 16:2).
What? – “lay by him” (1Co 16:2).
Where? – “in store” (1Co 16:2).
How? – “as God hath prospered him” (1Co 16:2).
Why? – “that there be no gatherings when I come” (1Co 16:2).
B. Principles of giving.
Proportionately – “as God hath prospered him” (1Co 16:2). a. God expects us to give according to what we have, not what we do not have (2Co 8:12). b. Those who stinge in giving to God will find themselves with no excess, but those who give proportionately will find themselves with no lack (2Co 8:15; Pro 11:24-25). c. Paul commended the churches of Macedonia because they gave according to their ability (2Co 8:3 c.f. Act 11:29). D. Can we be like David, in refusing to give to God “that which doth cost me nothing” (2Sa 24:24)?
Plentifully – “he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2Co 9:6). a. God expects us to give with liberality (Rom 12:8 [ASV, NKJV]). b. Those who give little to God will receive little, but those who give more will receive more (2Co 9:6; Pro 13:7). c. Paul commended the churches of Macedonia because they not only gave according to their ability, but even beyond their ability, even though they themselves were in great poverty and undergoing great trials of affliction (2Co 8:2-3). d. Christ Himself set an example for us in giving up His riches and becoming poor, so that we through His poverty can be rich (2Co 8:9). e. Can we be like the Israelites, in giving so freely to God, that there was too much for the work and Moses had to restrain them (Exo 36:5-7)?
Purposefully – “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give” (2Co 9:7). a. God expects us to prioritize our giving to Him, before considering other expenses (Pro 3:9-10). b. One should carefully plan in advance how much he is going to give to God, not as an afterthought (Mat 6:33). c. Paul commended the churches of Macedonia because they were determined in their giving, urgently imploring Paul to receive their gift for the brethren in Judea (2Co 8:4). d. Can we be like Barnabas, in purposing to give to God the proceeds from the sale of his land (Act 4:36-37), even though he was not required to (Act 5:4)?
Proactively – “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2Co 9:7). a. God expects us to give with a willing mind (2Co 8:12). b. One should not give to God out of reluctance or compulsion (2Co 9:7). c. Paul commended the churches of Macedonia because they gave willingly (2Co 8:3). d. Can we be like the Israelites, in giving to God joyfully and willingly (1Ch 29:9), recognizing that “all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1Ch 29:14)?
C. Product of giving.
Grace of giving. a. Giving is a manifestation of the grace of God (2Co 8:1,5-9). b. We magnify God through our giving (2Co 9:11-13).
Blessedness of giving. a. Giving blesses the giver more than the receiver (Act 20:35). b. We increase the fruits of righteousness through our giving (2Co 9:10).
Joy of giving. a. The more we give, the more we experience the joy of giving (2Co 8:2). b. We partake of the fellowship of the ministering to the saints through our giving (2Co 8:4).
1. The more we give, the more we experience the joy of giving (2Co 8:2).
2. We partake of the fellowship of the ministering to the saints through our giving (2Co 8:4).