Page 46 - The Church and Education PDF Pro

We have learned that we don’t have to give a 10% tithe every Sunday at church. But today
we want to build a foundation of New Testament giving based on the principal passage of all
Scriptures on giving, II Corinthians 9. This passage was presented by Paul to the church at
Corinth who had made a pledge to give an offering to the needy church in Jerusalem.
However, they really never came through with an actual gift. Paul was on his way to see
them and was asking them to fulfill their pledge. He also added a whole bunch of principles
about giving in his dissertation to them, both in chapter 8, but especially in chapter 9. Today let’s
dissect this chapter to glean some giving principles for the Church. Let’s get started…..

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.

2. Give as the Holy Spirit directs you in your heart to give with a cheerful attitude! As you walk with
God daily, empowered by the Holy Spirit, He will speak to you through a still small voice. He will clearly
reveal to you to whom you can direct your financial gifts and exactly how much. Quite often my wife
and I get the same “tug” from God. And when we ask how much, most of the time both of us has the
exact same number in our heads. The gift is not based on a percentage of net or gross income, but on
the leading of the Holy Spirit.

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

3. God will provide for your sufficiency through His grace. In multiple verses in Scripture we are told
that God loves us and promises to take care of us.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all
things, may abound to every good work:

4. Giving to God will increase our attitude of thankfulness for all He has done for us. In giving, we are
learning what real love is. God loved us and gave His son for us. God demonstrated His love for us in

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