OK, so we can’t find a “thus says the Lord” on the amount we should be giving. But surely there are some guidelines for giving that we could employ (aside from what we have already discovered). One of the passages I have found to be particularly helpful is 1 Cor 16:1-2. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.” NAS
I can glean six giving principles from this passage. How many do you see?
1. _________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________
6. _________________________________________________________
When you read the Bible do you ever look up the cross references? I decided to do that as I was studying this passage and I found some confirmation as well as other giving principles. Take a look at these and see what you can add to the ones above.
Acts 11:27-30 ____________________________________________________
Rom 15:25-27 ____________________________________________________
2 Cor 8:1-5 _______________________________________________________
2 Cor 9:5-15 ______________________________________________________
1 John 3:17 _______________________________________________________
Gen 33:11 ________________________________________________________
Gen 26:12 ________________________________________________________
Deut 8:18-20 ______________________________________________________
Deut 15:11-14 _____________________________________________________
2 Chron 31:10 _____________________________________________________
Mal 3:9-10 ________________________________________________________
Mark 12:41-44 _____________________________________________________
Mark 14:8 ________________________________________________________
2 Cor 8:12-15 _____________________________________________________
Prov 3:9 _________________________________________________________
Deut 18:4 ________________________________________________________
We still haven’t answered the question everybody wants an answer to (or maybe they don’t really want to know). In the course of my studies, I ran across a book by Ron Blue. He has a suggestion I think is worth considering. He has suggested three levels of giving and it has helped me gain some perspective
- What SHOULD you/we give? How are you convicted by that question? 10%? 15%? 20%? More? Less? Based on what you now know about what the Bible says, can anyone justify less than 10%? Please let me know if you can.
- What COULD you/we give? This is an amount I could give if I were willing to give up something else. Should we call this sacrificial giving? Take a look at your own cash flow and label each item with an “N” for need or a “W” for want. God said He would provide for the N’s (so you could give the W’s away?).
- What WOULD you/we give if God supernaturally blessed us materially beyond our wildest dreams. Something you weren’t expecting. A real surprise. Could we call this a faith promise? Why not decide in advance what you would do in this circumstance.
Finally, I want to suggest that you read a little book entitled The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. I’m sure some of you have already read it. Read it again. It’s a fast read but he has some very encouraging thoughts and ideas.
If you want a little longer read on the subject of stewardship in general, I suggest you read another book by Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, and Eternity.
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Acts 11:27-30 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders. NASB
Rom 15:25-27 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. NASB
2 Cor 8:1-5 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. NASB
2 Cor 9:5-15 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, that the same might be ready as a bountiful gift, and not affected by covetousness. 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. 7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness abides forever.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! NASB
1 John 3:17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? NASB
Gen 33:11 Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have plenty.” Thus he urged him and he took it. NASB
Gen 26:12 Now Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him, NASB
Deut 8:18 “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. NASB
Deut 15:11-14 For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’ 12 “If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free. 13 And when you set him free, you shall not send him away empty-handed. 14 You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you. NASB
2 Chron 31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok said to him, “Since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the Lord has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.” NASB
Mal 3:9-10 “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. NASB
Mark 12:41-44 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on. ” NASB
Mark 14:3-9 And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 “For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7 “For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me. 8 “She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 “And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her.” NASB
2 Cor 8:12-15 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality — 14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.” NASB
Prov 3:9-10 Honor the Lord from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. NASB
Deut 18:3-5 “Now this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, either an ox or a sheep, of which they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. 4 You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, your new wine, and your oil, and the first shearing of your sheep. 5 For the Lord your God has chosen him and his sons from all your tribes, to stand and serve in the name of the Lord forever. NASB