Page 124 - Discipleship Ministries Student E-Book

Study Section 16: Basic Principles for Giving from II Corinthians 9

“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and

yet really not small) gifts.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer
16.1 Connect

There are MANY passages in the New Testament that define for us what giving is all
about. However, probably the best and most complete is found in II Corinthians chapter
9. Hard times had come to the church in Jerusalem. Paul, therefore, was taking up a
collection among the Macedonian churches for the church in Jerusalem. Many other
churches had given sacrificially, but so far, the pledges of the Corinthian church had not been received.
So, in this passage, Paul was giving the Church some giving principles that are extremely important for
the church today. We will be able to carefully study this passage and see what principles and promises
are there. Aren’t you excited?

16.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to share a study II Cor. 9 to glean principles for New
Testament giving.

2. The student should be able to recite other verses in the New Testament and bundle them
into ten principles for giving.

16.3 Basic Principles for Giving from II Corinthians 9

1. You will reap what you sow…even in the area of giving. You may have heard the
quote, “You cannot out give God!” What this means is that when God gets a hold of your
heart and pocketbook and begins directing you toward giving, He will honor obedience
with blessings. It may be a return on the gift. He may give you more money to give away
and even give you a special bonus of something you need. But this verse promises that
your faithfulness will be rewarded by God in a tangible way. Our
motive to give is not to get, but to express our love for our Savior. Giving to get a
return demonstrates a false motive and does not apply to the promise of a blessing.

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows generously will also reap generously.

8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having
all that you need, you will abound in every good work

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of
seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

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