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The ABCs of Christian Giving

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Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith

This presentation gives an overview of the the New Testament principles for Christian giving. It was prepared by Dr Kevin Smith, Vice-Principal of the South African Theological Seminary.

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The ABC's of Christian Giving Biblical Principles for Giving to God By Kevin G. Smith
Outline 1. Excuses • Why don't we give? 2. Defence • Why should we give? 3. Called • Who is called to give? 4. Beneficiaries • To whom should we give? 5. Amount • How much should we give? The ABC's of Christian Giving
Key Questions Primary Question Secondary Questions • What is the will of • What then shall we God regarding this do? matter? • How then shall we • We ask this question live? because we want to live in a way that is faithful to God? The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why don't we give? EXCUSES The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why we do not give generously Objection Statistics • Many Christians do give • There is research to suggest generously to the Lord and that on average Christians his work. give 2-3 per cent of their income to the Lord. • On Friday I heard about a church gives 80 per cent of • The 80-20 principle applies its income away, and a to church giving: 80 per cent pastor who gives away 30 of the giving comes from 20 per cent of his income. per cent of the people. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family This is a fairly typical scenario in a church. Amongst the 40 families that contribute 20 per cent are some poor families who give generously out of their limited means. However, there are also a number of families that have the means to give, but do not give in proportion to their means.
5 reasons believers 1. They think they are too poor to do not give give. Many believers have 2. They wait for God to move their the means to give hearts. generously to God's 3. They do not understand God's work, but they do will. not do so because … 4. They are unfaithful and unwise stewards of God's provision. 5. They are greedy, rather than content with a simple lifestyle. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why do some not give? 1. They think they are Consider: too poor to give. • The women who gave her last two coins (). • The Macedonian Christians in 2 Cor. 8:1- 5. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why do some not give? 2. They wait for God • Giving really is a matter to move their of the heart, but for many people God never hearts. touches their heart. • One of the ways to know if Christ is Lord of your life is to see if he is Lord of your wallet. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why do some not give? 3. They do not There are two opposite extremes here. There are understand God's churches that manipulate will. giving every week, but there are many that do not teach their people God's will about giving at all. Jesus Christ did not hesitate to teach and challenge people to be good stewards of God's gifts. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 4. They are unfaithful • They get themselves into debt through poor financial and unwise planning. stewards of God's provision The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 5. They are greedy, Rich Mullins rather than content "Everybody I know says with a simple they need just one thing, lifestyle. but what they really mean is they want just one thing more." The ABC's of Christian Giving
1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from Quotable the love of money and be content with what you "For a happy have, because God has said, "Never will I leave life, want what you; never will I forsake you have." you." The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? DEFENCE The ABC's of Christian Giving
5 reasons believers 1. We should give because we are should give grateful to God. There are many 2. We should give because we reasons to give. Let have idolatrous hearts. us note five of the 3. We should give because we biblical reasons to value God’s workers. give. 4. We should give because God loves the poor. 5. We should give because God loves the lost. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 1. We should give Romans 12:1-2 because we are Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your grateful to God. bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 2. We should give Matthew 6:24 because we have No one can serve two idolatrous hearts. masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 2. We should give Matthew 6:19-21 because we have Do not store up for yourselves idolatrous hearts. treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 3. We should give Luke 10:7 because we value Jesus speaking: "the God's workers. worker deserves his wages." The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 4. We should give because God loves the poor. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Why should we give? 5. We should give because God loves the lost. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give generously? CALLED The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who does God tell 1. The leaders should set an to give? example of generous giving. 2. The people who benefit from a ministry should give to support that ministry. 3. The rich are especially called to give generously. 4. The poor are challenged to give in faith. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give? 1. The leaders should set • David: an example of generous 1 Chr. 29:1-14 giving • Family leaders: Neh. 7:70-72 • Barnabas: Acts 4:36-37 The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give? 2. The people who Galatians 6:6 benefit from a ministry Anyone who receives should give to support instruction in the word that ministry. must share all good things with his instructor. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give? 3. The rich are especially 1 Timothy 6:17-19 called to give Command those who are rich in this generously. present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give? 3. The rich are especially Mark 10:21-22 called to give Jesus looked at him and loved generously. him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give? 3. The rich are especially Interview with Rockefeller called to give Q How much is enough? generously. A Just a little more. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give? 4. The poor are 2 Corinthians 8:1-3a challenged to give in And now, brothers, we want you faith. to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Who should give? 4. The poor are 2 Corinthians 8:3b-5 challenged to give in Entirely on their own, they faith. urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. The ABC's of Christian Giving
To whom should we give? BENEFICIARIES The ABC's of Christian Giving
To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the 1 Timothy 5:17-18 local church. The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ The ABC's of Christian Giving
To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the Galatians 6:6 local church. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. The ABC's of Christian Giving
To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the local church. 2. We should give to advance the gospel. The ABC's of Christian Giving
To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the Proverbs 19:17 local church. He who is kind to the poor 2. We should give to lends to the Lord, and he advance the gospel. will reward him for what he has done. 3. We should give to brothers in need. The ABC's of Christian Giving
To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the Galatians 6:10 local church. Therefore, as we have 2. We should give to opportunity, let us do advance the gospel. good to all people, especially to those who 3. We should give to belong to the family of brothers in need. believers. The ABC's of Christian Giving
To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the 1 Timothy 5:4 local church. But if a widow has children or 2. We should give to grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their advance the gospel. religion into practice by caring 3. We should give to for their own family and so brothers in need. repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The ABC's of Christian Giving
How much should we give? AMOUNT The ABC's of Christian Giving
How much should we give? • Many churches have a fixed answer to this question: give 10 per cent (a tithe). • In the Old Testament, God's people were told to give three tithes; these added up to just over 20 per cent of their income (21.7 to be exact). • In the New Testament, God's people are told to give generously, but no percentage is specified. We need to discern what will please the Lord. The ABC's of Christian Giving
How much should 1. We should give we give? proportionately. Here are some " On the first day of every week, biblical principles each one of you should set aside for deciding how a sum of money in keeping with much God expects his income, saving it up, so that us to give? when I come no collections will have to be made" (1 Cor. 16:2). The ABC's of Christian Giving
How much should 2. We should give we give? generously. Here are some " Remember this: Whoever sows biblical principles sparingly will also reap sparingly, for deciding how and whoever sows generously much God expects will also reap generously." (2 us to give? Cor. 9:6). The ABC's of Christian Giving
How much should 3. We should give we give? cheerfully. Here are some " Each man should give what he biblical principles has decided in his heart to for deciding how give, not reluctantly or under much God expects compulsion, for God loves a us to give? cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). The ABC's of Christian Giving
How much should 4. We should give we give? deliberately. Here are some " Each man should give what he biblical principles has decided in his heart to give, for deciding how not reluctantly or under much God expects compulsion, for God loves a us to give? cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). The ABC's of Christian Giving
How much should we give? • Instead of teaching us to obey the law of tithing, the New Testament teaches us to excel in the grace of giving (2 Cor. 8:7). • You will need to decide how much that is in proportion to your income. I think 10 per cent is a good guideline for most people. • If you give significantly less, I challenge you to work towards 10 per cent—gradually but deliberately. The ABC's of Christian Giving
"Am I tipping God?" • Do you spend more on DSTV than you give to the Lord's work? • Do you spend more on alcohol or cigarettes than you give to the Lord's work? • Do you spend more on cell phones than you give to the Lord's work? • Do your children go to a private school, yet you give God a few hundred rand a month? The ABC's of Christian Giving
What then shall we do? How then shall we live? APPLICATIONS The ABC's of Christian Giving
Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family If you are in this group, I am not speaking to you. God may be, but I am not. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family If you are in this group, and you are poor, I am not speaking to you. The ABC's of Christian Giving
Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family If you are in this group, and you are not extremely poor, I am trying to speak to you, and I hope God is too. The ABC's of Christian Giving
What then shall we do? 1. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ what he expects from you with respect to loving him with your income. 2. Repent for misusing your finances to serve your own greed, for the love of money [or things]. 3. Set a goal for your giving, and milestones to get there. 4. Make sacrifices in your lifestyle so that you can begin giving to the Lord (and conquering greed). The ABC's of Christian Giving
Malachi "Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." The ABC's of Christian Giving
THE END The ABC's of Christian Giving

More Related Content

The ABCs of Christian Giving

  • 1. The ABC's of Christian Giving Biblical Principles for Giving to God By Kevin G. Smith
  • 2. Outline 1. Excuses • Why don't we give? 2. Defence • Why should we give? 3. Called • Who is called to give? 4. Beneficiaries • To whom should we give? 5. Amount • How much should we give? The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 3. Key Questions Primary Question Secondary Questions • What is the will of • What then shall we God regarding this do? matter? • How then shall we • We ask this question live? because we want to live in a way that is faithful to God? The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 4. Why don't we give? EXCUSES The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 5. Why we do not give generously Objection Statistics • Many Christians do give • There is research to suggest generously to the Lord and that on average Christians his work. give 2-3 per cent of their income to the Lord. • On Friday I heard about a church gives 80 per cent of • The 80-20 principle applies its income away, and a to church giving: 80 per cent pastor who gives away 30 of the giving comes from 20 per cent of his income. per cent of the people. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 6. Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family This is a fairly typical scenario in a church. Amongst the 40 families that contribute 20 per cent are some poor families who give generously out of their limited means. However, there are also a number of families that have the means to give, but do not give in proportion to their means.
  • 7. 5 reasons believers 1. They think they are too poor to do not give give. Many believers have 2. They wait for God to move their the means to give hearts. generously to God's 3. They do not understand God's work, but they do will. not do so because … 4. They are unfaithful and unwise stewards of God's provision. 5. They are greedy, rather than content with a simple lifestyle. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 8. Why do some not give? 1. They think they are Consider: too poor to give. • The women who gave her last two coins (). • The Macedonian Christians in 2 Cor. 8:1- 5. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 9. Why do some not give? 2. They wait for God • Giving really is a matter to move their of the heart, but for many people God never hearts. touches their heart. • One of the ways to know if Christ is Lord of your life is to see if he is Lord of your wallet. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 10. Why do some not give? 3. They do not There are two opposite extremes here. There are understand God's churches that manipulate will. giving every week, but there are many that do not teach their people God's will about giving at all. Jesus Christ did not hesitate to teach and challenge people to be good stewards of God's gifts. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 11. Why should we give? 4. They are unfaithful • They get themselves into debt through poor financial and unwise planning. stewards of God's provision The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 12. Why should we give? 5. They are greedy, Rich Mullins rather than content "Everybody I know says with a simple they need just one thing, lifestyle. but what they really mean is they want just one thing more." The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 13. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 14. Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from Quotable the love of money and be content with what you "For a happy have, because God has said, "Never will I leave life, want what you; never will I forsake you have." you." The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 15. Why should we give? DEFENCE The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 16. 5 reasons believers 1. We should give because we are should give grateful to God. There are many 2. We should give because we reasons to give. Let have idolatrous hearts. us note five of the 3. We should give because we biblical reasons to value God’s workers. give. 4. We should give because God loves the poor. 5. We should give because God loves the lost. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 17. Why should we give? 1. We should give Romans 12:1-2 because we are Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your grateful to God. bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 18. Why should we give? 2. We should give Matthew 6:24 because we have No one can serve two idolatrous hearts. masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 19. Why should we give? 2. We should give Matthew 6:19-21 because we have Do not store up for yourselves idolatrous hearts. treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 20. Why should we give? 3. We should give Luke 10:7 because we value Jesus speaking: "the God's workers. worker deserves his wages." The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 21. Why should we give? 4. We should give because God loves the poor. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 22. Why should we give? 5. We should give because God loves the lost. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 23. Who should give generously? CALLED The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 24. Who does God tell 1. The leaders should set an to give? example of generous giving. 2. The people who benefit from a ministry should give to support that ministry. 3. The rich are especially called to give generously. 4. The poor are challenged to give in faith. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 25. Who should give? 1. The leaders should set • David: an example of generous 1 Chr. 29:1-14 giving • Family leaders: Neh. 7:70-72 • Barnabas: Acts 4:36-37 The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 26. Who should give? 2. The people who Galatians 6:6 benefit from a ministry Anyone who receives should give to support instruction in the word that ministry. must share all good things with his instructor. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 27. Who should give? 3. The rich are especially 1 Timothy 6:17-19 called to give Command those who are rich in this generously. present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 28. Who should give? 3. The rich are especially Mark 10:21-22 called to give Jesus looked at him and loved generously. him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 29. Who should give? 3. The rich are especially Interview with Rockefeller called to give Q How much is enough? generously. A Just a little more. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 30. Who should give? 4. The poor are 2 Corinthians 8:1-3a challenged to give in And now, brothers, we want you faith. to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 31. Who should give? 4. The poor are 2 Corinthians 8:3b-5 challenged to give in Entirely on their own, they faith. urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 32. To whom should we give? BENEFICIARIES The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 33. To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the 1 Timothy 5:17-18 local church. The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 34. To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the Galatians 6:6 local church. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 35. To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the local church. 2. We should give to advance the gospel. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 36. To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the Proverbs 19:17 local church. He who is kind to the poor 2. We should give to lends to the Lord, and he advance the gospel. will reward him for what he has done. 3. We should give to brothers in need. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 37. To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the Galatians 6:10 local church. Therefore, as we have 2. We should give to opportunity, let us do advance the gospel. good to all people, especially to those who 3. We should give to belong to the family of brothers in need. believers. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 38. To whom should we give? 1. We should give to the 1 Timothy 5:4 local church. But if a widow has children or 2. We should give to grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their advance the gospel. religion into practice by caring 3. We should give to for their own family and so brothers in need. repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 39. How much should we give? AMOUNT The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 40. How much should we give? • Many churches have a fixed answer to this question: give 10 per cent (a tithe). • In the Old Testament, God's people were told to give three tithes; these added up to just over 20 per cent of their income (21.7 to be exact). • In the New Testament, God's people are told to give generously, but no percentage is specified. We need to discern what will please the Lord. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 41. How much should 1. We should give we give? proportionately. Here are some " On the first day of every week, biblical principles each one of you should set aside for deciding how a sum of money in keeping with much God expects his income, saving it up, so that us to give? when I come no collections will have to be made" (1 Cor. 16:2). The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 42. How much should 2. We should give we give? generously. Here are some " Remember this: Whoever sows biblical principles sparingly will also reap sparingly, for deciding how and whoever sows generously much God expects will also reap generously." (2 us to give? Cor. 9:6). The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 43. How much should 3. We should give we give? cheerfully. Here are some " Each man should give what he biblical principles has decided in his heart to for deciding how give, not reluctantly or under much God expects compulsion, for God loves a us to give? cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 44. How much should 4. We should give we give? deliberately. Here are some " Each man should give what he biblical principles has decided in his heart to give, for deciding how not reluctantly or under much God expects compulsion, for God loves a us to give? cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 45. How much should we give? • Instead of teaching us to obey the law of tithing, the New Testament teaches us to excel in the grace of giving (2 Cor. 8:7). • You will need to decide how much that is in proportion to your income. I think 10 per cent is a good guideline for most people. • If you give significantly less, I challenge you to work towards 10 per cent—gradually but deliberately. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 46. "Am I tipping God?" • Do you spend more on DSTV than you give to the Lord's work? • Do you spend more on alcohol or cigarettes than you give to the Lord's work? • Do you spend more on cell phones than you give to the Lord's work? • Do your children go to a private school, yet you give God a few hundred rand a month? The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 47. What then shall we do? How then shall we live? APPLICATIONS The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 48. Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family If you are in this group, I am not speaking to you. God may be, but I am not. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 49. Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family If you are in this group, and you are poor, I am not speaking to you. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 50. Typical Church Giving 80 per cent 20 per cent 10 families contribute 80 40 families contribute 20 per cent of the church's per cent of the church's income. income. Average giving of R3000 Average giving of R187.50 per family per family If you are in this group, and you are not extremely poor, I am trying to speak to you, and I hope God is too. The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 51. What then shall we do? 1. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ what he expects from you with respect to loving him with your income. 2. Repent for misusing your finances to serve your own greed, for the love of money [or things]. 3. Set a goal for your giving, and milestones to get there. 4. Make sacrifices in your lifestyle so that you can begin giving to the Lord (and conquering greed). The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 52. Malachi "Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." The ABC's of Christian Giving
  • 53. THE END The ABC's of Christian Giving

Editor's Notes

  1. identity
  2. There is a right and a wrong way to ask the question, "What is God's will?"The way of faithfulness. The right way is with a heart desiring to be faithful to him. We should be saying, "Lord Jesus, I really want to do your will; please show what it will take for me to give in a way that will please you."The way of legalism. The wrong way is with a heart desiring to get away with the minimum. We should not be looking for ways to cut corners in our favour. I have met people who say, We give 10 per cent. But what they mean is, I earn R50000 but after I have paid all my expenses, I only have R1000 left, so I give God R100.
  3. 1. Under too poor to give, comment on the woman with the two coins and the Macedonian Christians in 2 Cor. 8:1-5.2. 3. There are two opposite extremes here. There are churches that manipulate giving, but there are many who do not teach their people God's will about giving at all. Many Christians tip God. They think God is satisfied with their scraps. He is not! (e.g. Malachi 1).4-5. These last two are the primary reasons I want to focus our attention on.
  4. Please note that the list does not include, "You should give because the church needs your money." There are two truths: (1) The church does need money to minister. (2) You are not the church's source. In other words, if you are unfaithful to God, God remains faithful to his church. He will supply its needs, with or without your contribution.
  5. Set the record straight: If you don't trust the church with your money, either get your heart right or find a church you trust, but don't use that as an excuse for not giving to the church.
  6. Explain that I do not give to charities, etc.I give to the family of believers.
  7. Explain that I do not give to charities, etc.I give to the family of believers.
  8. We should not give haphazardly; giving is an act of worship, and we should worship God intentionally.We could add sacrificially, cheerfully, etc.We should give enough to glorify God. (2 Cor. 9:11)We should give in response to a faith commitment to give. (Giving is a matter of the heart and a matter of faith.)