EXCELLING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING

By Pastor Waweru

KEY VERSES 2CORINTHIANS 8:1-12. [Emphasis v7]

Understanding the kingdom economics and its blessing to us.

THREE KEYS TO SUCCESS.

1. Hard work.

2. Integrity.

3. God’s blessing and favor.

GIVING IS PART OF GOD’S PLAN TO INVOLVE US IN HIS WORK.

The greatest joy of life is in giving.

Life is not what you have but what you give.

God is a giver and we are partakers for his nature

Every opportunity of giving is a planting time

Planting is a means of multiplication-2 cor 9:6-11, Galatians 6:7.

-plant the good seed

-plant in good soil

-plant at the right time.

WHY GIVE TO GOD

1. God wants to involve us in his work.

2. It is a demonstration of love [God demonstrated his love by giving his only son].

3. God is a giver [all things are given by God].

4. God to bless our lives [Luke 6:38 acts 20:35 proverbs 11:24-25].

PRINCIPLES OF GIVING

Principles enable us to have the right attitude towards giving. [1chl 29:5-9, 14].

1. God’s owns everything including us. [Psalms 24:1, 50:10].

2. God gives power to work and be rich [deut 8:17-18, 1chronicles 29:11-12].

3. God expects us to be faithful stewards and give generously [Luke 16:10. 1COR 4:2].

4. When God supplies an abundance it is so that we may multiply our good works.[2cor 9:6, 10-12]

VARIOUS TYPES OF GIVING.

1. Tithe.

2. First fruit.

3. Alms.

4. Thanksgiving.

5. Mission work giving.

6. Church project giving. 1 Chr. 29:16

7. Vow.

8. Freewill offering.

9. Giving to your teacher of the word.

1. TITHE GIVING.

MALACHI 3:9-10, GENESIS 14; 18-20,

WHY GIVE TITHE.

A. We accept that God owns all things.

B. Our faithfulness and obedience is expressed.

C. Prevents from the spirit of the love of money.

D. It is a command from God.

BLESSING OF TITHING

A. The favor of God rests upon you.

B. Windows of heaven are opened for you and you receive a blessing.

C. God rebukes the devourer.

WHERE TO GIVE TITHE.

Where you fellowship that is your storehouse.

2. FIRST FRUIT

PROVERBS 3:9-10, EXODUS 23; 19. Num 18; 13. Deut 18; 4

a. It is recognition that God has given you the produce.

b. It is honoring the lord.

c. Makes our barns to be filled.

WHERE TO GIVE FIRST FRUIT.

It is for the priest who ministers to you.

Deut 18:4

3. ALMS [GIVING TO THE NEEDY]

PROVERBS 19:17. LUKE 12:30-34.

a. Attracts reward from the lord.

b. It is keeping treasure in heaven

c. Makes God to remember you in times of trouble. Illustrations: Deborah and Cornelius.

4. THANKS GIVING.

LEVITICUS 7:12-14, PSALMS 107:22

a. It is an appreciation of what God has done for you.

b. Thanks’ giving opens a door for you.

c. It is a way for telling God it is not your effort but his help.

WHERE TO GIVE THANKS GIVING OFFERING.

It goes to the priest who serves you.

Leviticus 7:12-14.

5. GIVING FOR CHURCH PROJECTS.

ü Like most other organizations, churches need financial income to accomplish their work. Knowing this, God has authorized churches to raise funds by taking up collections from the members.

ü Those who are not members are not responsible to support the church (though they ought to become members). But all those in the church ought to give to finance the work. 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 – “Every one of you should lay by in store.”

Note: what Michael Griffiths, said

§ Giving should be decided, carefully planned and budgeted

§ Giving should not be reluctant, but cheerful, it should not be thought as mourning our loss but as a privilege: Hallelujah: I was able to increase my giving this year;

§ Giving should not be under compulsion.

1 Chronicles 29:1-16

From the scripture [1st chronicles 29] we can learn the right reasons this people gave for the work.

I. God deserves the very best. [ verse 1-5]

II. Devotion to God and commitment to God’s kingdom. [verses 5]

III. Giving to the work of the Lord should be our joy and privilege. [verses 6-9]

IV. We give because all that we have comes from the Lord and rightly belongs to him. [verses 10-16]

6. MISSION WORK OFFERING

The gospel is spread through missions as demonstrated in the book of acts. It is the great commission.

Supporting missions financially is biblical

2corinthians 11:8, 1corinthians 16:1-3.

Philippians 4:16-18

7. VOW.

NUMBERS 30:1-2. PSALMS 76:11, 50:14

a. Vows or pledges are commitment to the lord to fulfill something for him

b. Every vow is accompanied with a special blessing from the lord.

c. Pay your vows makes the Lord to remember you in time of trouble

d. They must be fulfilled.

8. FREEWILL OFFERING.

A voluntary religious offering made in addition to what is required by a vow, tithe, or pledge.

In other words an offering given to the Lord freely, spontaneously, willingly, voluntarily abundantly and plentifully. Freely, joyfully and generously might sum it up.

DEUT 12:5-6

LEVITICUS 22:21, EZRA 3:5.

9. GIVING TO YOUR TEACHER

GAL 6:6, PHILIPPIANS 4:15-19.

a. Connects with the anointing

b. God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory.

c. Attracts a breakthrough in life in times of crisis.

RULES FOR GIVING.

1. According to income [deut 16:17]

2. Freely [matt 10:8]

3. With simplicity [romans 12:8 regularly [ 1cor 16:2]

4. Cheerfully [2cor 9:7].