Giving In The Local Church Series

Giving In The Local Church

"The last part of the person to convert is the wallet." - Herbert Kane.

God wants us to have dominion over our finances. He wants you to have more than enough and one of the ways that we can win the battle over our finances is to apply His principles for financial blessings.

Reasons to give to God

1. Giving is a command

In both the Old and New Testaments, God’s people are commanded to give continuously and failing to give when one is able is therefore an act of disobedience.

2. Giving is a privilege

The churches of Macedonia were models of generosity in giving, even though they were poor. They gladly gave out of gratitude towards God and love for their brethren. Jesus teaches in the Word that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

3. Giving is one dimension of our stewardship

Very often Jesus spoke of the stewardship of His people in terms of money. Our faithfulness as stewards has a bearing on what other responsibilities we will be given.

4. Giving is an act of worship

The Old Testament saints could only approach God in worship with a sacrifice, and this sacrifice was a contribution, whether whole or in part. In the New Testament, contributions are also described as sacrifices offered up in worship.

5. Giving is an investment

Investing earthly money in the advancement of the Kingdom of God is one way in which we can lay up spiritual treasure in heaven.

6. Giving is an act of self-sacrifice

The Word teaches us that all Christian service should be a sacrifice. In giving, we should not seek man's praise, but God's.

7. Giving is an expression of brotherly love

Giving is an expression of brotherly love and of Christian unity.

Beneficiaries

2 Corinthians 9:8-14 - And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

Paul identifies four beneficiaries of charitable giving:

* the giver

* the recipients

* God

* the church

The verb "to abound" (perisseuo) refers to the giver's unmerited favor from God.

Set the right priories

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

This is a spiritual law and it actually pertains to every area of our lives including money. When we sow our time and effort into God’s Kingdom, God adds the things that are missing in our lives so that we can enjoy an abundance of all things.

We are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and only then will God add the blessings. This means that there are things that could be missing in our lives and God wants us to ensure that these things are added. This could be healing, possessions, and blessings.

When we place the things of God as a high priority in our lives, God blesses with things. Whatever God adds into your life is always a blessing. The more we seek the things of the Spirit, the less material things mean to us. We still use them and enjoy them, but we recognize who has given them to us.

Righteousness speaks about doing things that are right in the eyes of God. If you do things that please God, then that is righteousness.

Where your heart is

Luke 12:34 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is so true and we therefore need to form deep Biblical convictions about giving in our Christian lives.

God wants us to enjoy a full, abundant life free from the cares and stresses that confidence in money and other material possessions brings. Since everything we possess actually belongs to God and He has made us temporary stewards, we do not leave our money behind when we die, but God's money.

Many Christians work hard and leave their estates to heirs who are unfaithful to their trust, but after providing for the present and future needs of our family, we should invest in God's work during our lifetime.