Biblical Principles of Giving

Descipleship

8

1Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,

– 2 Corinthians 8:1

4begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

– 2 Corinthians 8:4-5

8I am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well.

– 2 Corinthians 8:8

12For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— 14at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality; 15as it is written: “The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”

– 2 Corinthians 8:12-15
(NASB® © 2020)

Biblical Principles for Giving

1. Giving manifests God’s grace in our lives: “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia” (2 Cor 8:1). 

2. Giving is the privilege and responsibility of fellowship with others: “Imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints (2 Cor 8:4). 

3. Giving involves oneself before one’s substance: “…but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Cor 8:5). 

4. Giving is a sincere proof of one’s love: “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others” (2 Cor 8:8). 

5. Giving should be governed by the principle of equality: “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack – that there may be equality. As it is written, ‘He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.’” (2 Cor 8:12-15).

6. God’s blessing is proportionate to one’s giving patterns: “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor 9:6). 

7. Giving is voluntary worship from a cheerful heart: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). 

8. Giving guarantees the provision of God in your life: “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” (2 Cor 9:8). 

9. Giving is an act of faithful worship that results in righteousness: “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” (2 Cor 9:10-11). 

10. Giving glorifies God before others as a tangible testimony of the gospel: “For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God (2 Cor 9:12).

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