Stewardship – 2 GIVING

Giving does not “buy” you anything.

1. We are but trustees and stewards of God's possessions

2. Giving is not a "work" that is meritorious before God.

3. Giving does not "buy" forgiveness, gifts, special favor from God.

The will of God in giving.

1. The will of God is the life of Jesus Christ lived out in His people.

2. Christian giving is part of the will of God – 2 Corinthians 8:5

3. Christian giving is not guilt-motivated giving.

4. Christian giving is not need-motivated giving.

The means of giving.

1. We give of the "means" of what God has entrusted to us.

   1. "as God has prospered us" - 1 Corinthians 16:2

   2. "according to what a man has" - 2 Corinthians 8:11,12

2. Giving is not giving "beyond our means."

   1. Presuming on God's grace.

   2. Pledges of future assets - James 4:13-15

   3. Giving sacrificially

The overflow of Christian giving.

1. We give as the overflow of God's abundance.

   1. "riches of His grace in Christ Jesus" - Ephesians 2:7; 3:8

   2. "all blessings in heavenly places - Ephesians 1:3

   3. "all things belong to you" - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

   4. "abundance of joy" - 2 Corinthians 8:2

   5. "abound in everything" - 2 Corinthians 8:7

2. Giving is not just giving from overflow of physical assets

   1. Our natural covetousness cannot recognize "enough" or "too much"

The choice in giving.

1. Christians are free to make choices.

2. Christian giving is a choice.

   1. "gave of their own accord" - 2 Corinthians 8:3

   2. "purposed in their heart" - 2 Corinthians 9:7

3. Christian giving is not manipulated giving.

   1. Organizational fund-raising

   2. Psychological manipulation

   3. Social approval - Matthew 6:2-4

   4. Legalistic coercion - "not under compulsion" - 2 Corinthians 9:7

   5. Mandated percentages

The attitude of giving.

1. We were created as vessels for the expression of God's character.

2. We are satisfied and fulfilled when we allow such to take place.

   1. "a cheerful giver" - 2 Corinthians 9:7

   2. Greek word hilaros = English origin of “hilarious”

3. Satisfaction not in amount given - Mark 12:41-44

The privilege of giving.

1. Christian giving is privilege of being vessels of God's grace

   1. "begging for the favor" - 2 Corinthians 8:4

2. Christian giving is not just for a tax write-off with the I.R.S.

The ministry of Christian giving.

1. In Christian giving we are used of God to minister unto others

   1. "ministry to the saints" - 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:1

   2. ministry of all believers - Ephesians 4:12

2. Beware of so-called "ministries" begging for your money.

The return of giving.

1. Christian giving involves a spiritual "return"

   1. "Father will repay you" - Matthew 6:4

   2. "Give, and it will be given to you" - Luke 6:38

   3. "he who sows bountifully, will reap bountifully" - 2 Corinthians 9:6

   4. The "return" on Christian giving is the greater appreciation of the fullness of blessing we have in Jesus Christ, and the joy of being vessels through whom God is working and fulfilling His intent.

2. The idea of "return" is often perverted

   1. Give in order to get.

   2. "Seed-faith" giving

   3. Prosperity doctrine; health and wealth

   4. Deceitfulness of riches - Mark 14:8; 1 Timothy 6:9-11

The purpose of giving.

1. God's glory is the purpose for Christian giving.

   1. "do all for the glory of God" - 1 Corinthians 10:31

   2. "for the glory of the Lord" - 2 Corinthians 9:13

   3. God is glorified only when His all-glorious character is being expressed within His creation.

2. Christian giving is not for the glory of man.

   1. Bronze memorial plaques

   2. Recognition, prestige, leadership positions

The integrity of giving.

1. Those handling Christian gifts are to exhibit character of God

   1. "honorable in sight of Lord and in sight of men" - 2 Corinthians 8:20,21

   2. Avoid any suspicion of misuse or misappropriation

2. There has been much fraudulent mishandling of religious funds.

The prerequisite of giving.

1. The first giving is the giving of ourselves to the Lord - 2 Corinthians 8:5

2. God is not interested in your gifts until He has you.