The Grace of Giving

1.    THE ESSENTIALS OF GIVING

1 Corinthians 16:1–4

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. (ESV)

How is it that the Apostle Paul finds no difficulty in moving from the theological heights of chapter 15 to the practical depths of chapter 16? So Paul is saying a shared resurrection life in Christ is a serving life.

In other words the Lord gave Himself in death and resurrection, not in order to save us from sacrifice, but rather to show us, to teach us, how to give ourselves and our substance in continual sacrifice. The occasion of this instruction in stewardship was a crisis in the church at Jerusalem. Probably because of the persecution and opposition, many believers suffered the despoiling of their goods and some even the loss of their lives. Paul then takes on the duty of raising financial assistance for such poverty-stricken saints in the mother church. Enshrined in this teaching, however, are principles that will abide for all time. We do well, therefore to consider what embodies giving in 3 aspects.

 

1)    The Purposeful Regularity of Giving to God (v.2)

·      The establishment of a holy habit – 1^st day of every week

In God’s wise economy this establishment is to be a remedy for our weakness of indiscipline, irregularity and indifference in our acts of worship.

·      The encouragement of the high honour of giving - so that there will be no collecting when I come.

All giving to God should be a matter of theological conviction that leads to practical expression. Too often, this holy habit has been dishonoured by using carnal pressures to extract money from un-instructed and undisciplined Christians. The Apostle Paul insists that giving is not only a habit but a high honour to participate in giving towards the work of God. As a matter of fact giving is an indication that God the Giver is still enthroned in the life of the giving believer.

    And so he wants collections to be made before his arrival in Corinth.

    The generosity of the Corinthians was not to depend upon his presence.

    This is so far removed from the general practice in churches today.

    The adds up to point towards thoughtful secret giving.

With shame we have to confess that so often, certain preachers are asked to occupy pulpits because it is known that their presence will insure a good offering. This is unscriptural and hence unspiritual.

2)    The Personal Responsibility of Giving to God

·      The inclusion – each of you

No one in membership is excluded including the pastors! The words are specific and the application is inescapable for all with not exception. Old and young, rich and poor, must all be involved in this matter of Christian stewardship. Our Lord received the widow’s mite so that no one would be too poor to give and He also received the wealth of Barnabas so that no one could be too rich to sacrifice for God. God has no favourites. He wants to bless all His children. He expects everyone to give.

·      The direction – to put something aside and store it up

In various translations it would read, lay aside or save or form a little hoard. This laying aside is an activity of stewardship which takes place before the money is brought to the central treasury of the church. As a church we discuss with those joining the church, at the point of admission into the membership the responsibility that they have before God and before the church to faithfully give, rather than berating them every Sunday. When a young person in the church lands a new job, discuss with them about their new income because it has spiritual implications. Counsel the couples getting married to think of what to give to the Lord together before they get married.

Setting aside money beforehand involves thought, time and planning in the whole matter of giving. It puts to shame the present day procedure of so many who come to worship without the preparation or consecration of their gifts. This obviates any hastiness or untidiness in the whole area of giving. It is thus clear that all giving represents personal responsibility to God. No one is excluded and no one can act without thoughtfulness and deliberateness.

 

3)    The Practical Reciprocity of Giving to God

Reciprocity involves taking and giving. It is a co-operation – an exchange – and Paul here is teaching that we cannot always be taking without giving. If we are reasonable and responsive we are bound to reciprocate in some measure to what God  so bountifully lavishes upon us.

·      The consideration of what we receive of God – put something aside and store it up

Is the prospering of God limited to the material gains of our daily work? No – it involves all divine favours and benefits, spiritual and physical, it incorporates all the riches of the grace of God. “He blesses us with all spiritual blessings….in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3. Physically he prospers us with health and strength - “…for in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28. Temporarily, He continually, “loads us with benefits.” Psalm 68:19

God supplies us with that by which we may live our normal lives – the time, talents, tools and strength for our toil. These are all His giving and we need to remember this when we face up to our responsibilities of giving to God. Indeed, all giving reflects the measure of our appreciation of God’s prospering hand upon us.

·      The calculation of what we return to God – as he may prosper

Paul does not state the exact amount or percentage that we are to give to God, but leaves the matter open to the practical reasonableness of every taught and yielded believer to work out, just as the Lord has not given us the number of times we are to pray in a day. Instructed Christians in the apostle’s day would know that under the law, the Jew was bound to give one-tenth of his income to God. Then of course, there were free-will offerings, trespass offerings and costly journeys to the temple etc. It has been estimated that the aggregate of religious gifts among the Jews in the OT could not have been less than 20% of each man’s income and possibly one third! This is something to seriously bear in mind when we talk so zealously about tithing, bearing in mind that New Covenant Christians are far more blessed and privileged than the OT believers. Every privilege has a corresponding responsibility.

The collection for what Paul was asking was something over and above the normal giving of the church at Corinth. This was an extra collection.  The point is that OT saints, under the law, could give gifts of this kind, can we under grace, give God any less? The NT then leaves this matter open for us to act in proportion to the prospering of God. Believers owe everything to God – this is the basis of Christian stewardship. If there is genuine consideration there will be a generous calculation of what we are to keep from God, the Giver. In giving we are not doing God a favour, we are signing the fact that His gifts and blessings to us have not taken over His throne.

This giving will cost because the cross inspires it and the church requires it.

Note: Accreditation by letter of those to carry the gift is necessary and is to be done by the church

 

2.    THE EXAMPLE OF GIVING - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Notice Paul’s high conception of giving – to him, giving is a grace: a ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is wrought in in the heart and outworked in practical expression.  The Apostle brings forth the fact that even though the Corinthians abounded in such gifts as, “in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness,” they lacked in the grace of giving. So Paul confronts them with two examples of giving to get in them into this responsibility of Christian stewardship.

1)    The Example of Human Giving (vv.1-8)

·      It was Sacrificial Giving (vv.1-2)

Paul clearly shows that it was not in circumstances of prosperity that the saints in Macedonia gave their liberal offering. Some severe test of affliction had come upon these local churches and they had reduced to what is described here as, “extreme poverty.” Thankfully, this giving in poverty demonstrates a wealth of generosity that is informed by the riches of God (they considered it a favour!), So that they begged to give more, (usually people beg to receive!) Therefore, they gave according to their means, and beyond their means! But in all their affliction they dug deeper into their pockets and overflowed in joy and generosity. This was true sacrifice – one that can only be learnt from the matchless Saviour – “who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame.”

·      It was Spontaneous Giving (vv.3-4)

This grace does not need an outward compulsion, for they gave ‘of their own accord’ (v.3). Paul even admits that they had no authority to demand gifts from the Corinthian saints, but he would certainly give them an opportunity to “prove the sincerity (or genuineness) of (their) love.”(v.8). Further, they took initiative in begging / beseeching Paul “earnestly” that he would receive their gifts as a token of their fellowship with the Saints in Jerusalem. Spontaneous giving is not careless giving. Rather it is prompted by the Holy Spirit and guided by the Word of God.

·      It was Spiritual Giving (v.5)

Their giving was an outward expression of the state of their hearts. If one is owned by God, it will not be difficult to give utter dedication to God. The crowning point of their generousity was their complete self-surrender. they gave themselves FIRST to the Lord.]

Is there a kind of giving that is unspiritual?

Unspiritual giving is one that contradicts God’s word. For example, it may have ulterior motives. One form of such a motive is:

    Drawing attention to one’s self which would obviously contradict God’s word Spiritual giving must be Secret Giving (Matthew 6:3-4)

    Bringing offerings to God reluctantly or under compulsion. This would be contrary to the injunction that we give with purpose of heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7

    Attempting to buy-off one’s indebtedness to God.  The construction of verse 5 shows that the giving of themselves to the Lord and the apostles was a greater act of commitment.

This means that before their generous giving, these people had dedicated themselves to the Lord, and then placed themselves unreservedly in the hands of the apostle’s for the service of Christ, and provided support for the saints in Jerusalem. This is spiritual giving.

2)    The Example of Divine Giving (v.9)

·      Christ’s Giving Was Sacrificial - Luke 2:7; Matt 8:20; Matt 27:59-60

·      Christ’s Giving Was Spontaneous – Romans 10:6-7;

·      Christ’s Giving Was Spiritual

3.    THE ETHICS IN GIVING - 2 Corinthians 8:10-9:5

Why ethics in giving? 1 Timothy 6:9-10

1)    There is Integrity in Giving – 2 Corinthians 8:10-11

·      Honesty in keeping our trust with God

·      Honesty in keeping our time with God

2      Corinthians 8:10

2)    There is Ability in Giving – 2 Corinthians 8:12

·      Intent in the Ability of Giving

·      Extent in the Ability of Giving

·      There is Equality in Giving

 

3)    There is Motivation for Efficient Management – 2 Cor. 8:20-21

·      The glory of God

·      The good of man

Paul shows that it is important that contributions made by church members should be handled with scrupulous care so that neither the leader nor his associates would be liable for the slightest suspicion of misappropriating other people’s money.

4)    The Administration of Gifts – 2 Corinthians 8:20, 1 Cor. 16:3-4.

·      The engagement of efficient men - 2 Corinthians 8:16-23, 2 Corinthians 12:14

·      The employment of effective methods

What methods did Paul employ in managing the whole issue of giving?

§  Biblical indoctrination

§  Pastoral communication

§  Official administration.

The deacons have a specific mandate from God to administer the resources of the church, while pastors are to shepherd the souls and exercise oversight in the management of resources.

 

4.    THE ENRICHMENT OF GIVING  

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

1)    The Enrichment of Fruitfulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:6

2)    The Enrichment of Joyfulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:7

·      Without Casualness

·      Without Complaint

·      Without Compulsion

3)    The Enrichment of Usefulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:8-10

·      He meets our personal requirements (vv.8-9)

(see. 1 Kings 17; Ps 37:25; Luke 22:35; Philippians 4:19)

·      He multiplies our actual resources (v.10)

The enrichment here is for greater usefulness (Proverbs 11:24-25)

·      He multiplies our spiritual resourcefulness (v.10)

 

4)    The Enrichment of Thankfulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:11-15

·      Satisfies the soul (V11)

·      Edifies the church (V12-14)

·      Magnifies the Lord (V15)

Conclusion:

Pastors have a divine duty and mandate to be faithful stewards in the resource mobilization and management in the church of Christ, which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers (Acts 20:28).  The Bible is the basic tool for both mobilization and management. The gauge that this is being done in a healthy way is the willingness and eagerness by the pastors to be transparent and be accountable to the church.

Credit: Eric Abwao's contribution on this subject has been invaluable.