Pulpit Speech II                                                KL Paulson
Preacher Silcox                                                  3-31-1999

Principles Of Christian Giving

TEXT: II Corinthians Chapters 8 and 9

INTRODUCTION:

   -- The Bible shows God's Viewpoint on the subject of money and CHRISTIAN GIVING.
       [Biblical Instruction will Protect the born-again believer.]

  -- The CHRISTIAN can fall into ERROR in money matters. 

     [A source of TEMPTATION (I Timothy 6:6-10,17-19)  

      A Christian should spend his money WISELY.  
      Investigate carefully BEFORE you give.] 

  -- CHRISTIAN GIVING is a part of STEWARDSHIP, and FAITHFULNESS is a key 
     requirement.  (I Corinthians 4:2) 

     [God really owns everything and gives to believers (James 1:17). 

      The Christian is ACCOUNTABLE for everything that the Lord provides 
      (Romans 14:12).] 

  -- CHRISTIAN GIVING expresses the Principle of Grace. 

     [Having been a recipient of God's grace in salvation and in the Christian 
      life, the Christian ministers grace to others. 

      He is a CONDUIT of grace. 
      "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  (Acts 20:35)] 

  -- Grace depends upon the CHARACTER of the GIVER. 

     [A Christian gives because of WHO and WHAT he is, not because the needy 
      person deserves it.] 

I. BACKGROUND of II Corinthians 8 & 9. 

  An example of correct Christian giving is given by the Apostle Paul in his 
  description of the giving done by the Macedonian converts, II Cor. 8:1-6. 

  A. The Macedonians were born-again believers, and had the PRIVILEGE to give. 

  B. Paul wanted the Corinthians [and us] to know of the grace of God which 
     was "bestowed" upon the churches of Macedonia. 

II. OBSERVATIONS of II Corinthians 8 & 9. 

  A. Participation in Giving.

  8:1-2 True giving is defined as mental ATTITUDE, not as an overt act. 
        ["the abundance of their joy"; (8:12) --> "a willing mind"]

  8:3 Christian giving should be free from pressure and coercion. 
      [Free will (volition) must operate.
       "they were willing of themselves"] 

  8:4 The believers considered it a privilege to give. 

      [They begged Paul in order to be allowed to give. 
       "Praying us with much intreaty that we should receive the gift" 

      Giving under pressure contradicts grace.] 

  8:5 They were in "fellowship" BEFORE they gave. 
      Giving starts with self and NOT with money. 
      ["first gave their own selves to the Lord"]

  B. Purposes for Giving.

  8:7 Giving is part of GRACE. 
      ["ye abound in this grace also"]

  8:8 Christian giving is LOVE giving, not Law giving. 
      ["not by commandment", "to prove the sincerity of your love";
       (8:24) --> "the proof of your love"]
  
  8:9 As Jesus Christ voluntarily gave Himself, we in giving must have the 
      same ATTITUDE of volition, willingness. 
      ["though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor"; 
       "ye through his poverty might be rich."
       (Philippians 2:7-8)]

  8:10 Past failures should not stop one from giving. 

  8:11 Giving is in accordance with what you "have". 

  8:12 Even if a believer has next to nothing to give, it is "accepted" by 
       God, provided there is "first a willing mind" to give. 

       [e.g. poor widow's "two mites" Luke 21:1-4
        Have you ever given sacrificially?]

  8:13-15 When one member of the family of God is unable to give, others make 
          up for their lack so that there is "an equality" in sustaining the 
          local church. 

  C. Policies in Giving.

  8:16-17,23 Personal commendation of Titus. 
             [He was honest and headed the delegation to collect the offering 
              for the Jerusalem church.
  
              What kind of "heart" do you have for giving? (Matthew 6:21)] 

  8:19-21 Money given to the Lord's work should be handled ORDERLY and 
          HONESTLY. 
          [This is detail work for the administrator(s).
           "Providing for honest things" (21)]

  8:19; 9:1-2 Both the giving and administration of money should GLORIFY the 
              Lord. 

  9:3-4 A collection or offering should NOT intentionally embarrass anyone. 

  9:5 Blessing in the Christian life results from giving to the Lord and NOT 
      spending money for self-pleasure. 
      [The word "bounty" used twice means 'blessing';
       "not as of covetousness".] 

  D. Promises in Giving.

  9:6 The more you SOW, the more likely you will REAP.
      [Are you PLANNING and/or PLANTING for a harvest? (Luke 6:38)] 

  9:7 God blesses the believer whose mental ATTITUDE is right. 
      [God loves "cheerful" giving & "cheerful" givers.
       Remember, (8:2).] 

  9:8-9 God's divine essence guarantees the principles written here. 
        ["God is able..." (9:8);
         "He hath dispersed abroad; 
          he hath given to the poor: 
          his righteousness remaineth for ever." (9:9); Psalm 112:9]

  9:10 God keeps on supplying so that the believer can keep on giving. 

  9:11a "enrich[ment]" you receive. 
        ["bountifulness" means blessing.] 

  9:11b-13 Biblical giving results in "thanksgiving" expressed and the 
           glorification of God. 

  9:14 Giving also stimulates "prayer", love, and an admiration of grace in 
       the believer who gives graciously. 
       ["long after you", 
        "the exceeding grace of God in you."]

  9:15 The EXAMPLE of Lord Jesus Christ. 
       ['I can never come close to what Christ gave me in salvation.  He is 
         the "unspeakable gift".'  
        (I Peter 2:21)
        True Bible giving is the RESULT of occupation with Christ and 
        gratitude to Him on the basis of WHO and WHAT He is.] 

CONCLUSION:

  -- Poverty was and is no excuse for not giving. 

  -- Born-again believers should not have to be urged to give, because Jesus 
     gave Himself. 

  -- We should give in gratitude, cheerfully, willingly, and in grace.