Biblical Principles of Giving
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. Imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints... but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God... I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. ... 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.’... But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 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... 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." (2 Cor 8:1,4-5,8,12-15; 9:6-8.,10-12)
Biblical Principles for Giving
1. Giving manifests God’s graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More in our lives: “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More 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 blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More 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 worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More 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 graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More 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 worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More 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).
