| Everything we have, everything we receive and everything we give ultimately belongs to God.
So giving and receiving must be considered as part of stewardship. We are trustees of God’s possessions, never absolute owners.
This TRUTH should make giving easier, more thoughtful and more generous.
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.
Since you have expressed the desire to give to the Lord's work - Now comes your part of actually taking steps to give as God has impressed you to do. Does what you are actually doing reflect your intentions or are they only intentions?
We would encourage you to look at giving as an investment in eternity. You have the exciting privilege and opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in the world.
These general guidelines can be met though giving to your church, to a parachurch organization, and/or to people involved in each of the areas. |
| In giving… we find several guidelines in scripture. |
We are to:
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| Meet the needs of those that teach or lead us. |
Gal. 6:6
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| Meet the needs of the poor and widows. |
I John 3:17;
James 1:27
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| Give for the furtherance of the gospel. |
I Tim. 5:18;
Romans 10:13-15
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| Give to the promotion of discipleship. |
I Cor 9:11-14 |
Many people preach "storehouse giving."(Malachi 3:8-12)
Without debating this concept, at a minimum, you should be meeting the needs listed above.
If your church does that in a way you are comfortable with, you may be okay with channeling your giving through the church. If not, you will need to find other avenues to meet the various needs.
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| Some things Jesus says about Giving: |
Meditate on the following passages of scripture: |
Matthew 6:3-4
What does this mean to you? |
Give in Secret |
Luke 6:38
What does this mean? |
Invest in God’s WORK |
Mark 12:41-44
What does this mean? |
Give sacrificially |
Luke 16:10-12
What does this mean? |
TRUSTWORTHINESS is crucial |
2 Corinthians 9:1
What does this mean? |
Give with a Cheerful heart |
Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; [21] for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What happens to earthly treasures?
Where are we to store our treasures?
Why is heaven a better place to “bank” than earth?
When you locate your treasure, what will you find there?
2 Cor. 9:6-8
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Each one must 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, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
What is the “truth” of sowing and reaping?
Who should give?
Where and how should the giving decision be made?
What kind of giver does God love?
What does God promise? |
