Giving Explained

Give with the right attitudes

• We’re to give willingly.

 2 Corinthians 9:12 – “For if the willingness is there, your gift is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.“

 1 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under pressure.” 

• Give joyfully.

2 Corinthians 9:7 –  “God loves a cheerful giver.”

• Give generously.

 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 – “They gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service.”

• Give expectantly.

 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.” 

The key to giving

2 Corinthians 8:5  – “They first gave themselves to the Lord.” 

•  If God owns me, He’s going to own my wallet. If He doesn’t own my heart, He doesn’t own my wallet. I need to first give myself to the Lord. 

 Here is a sample prayer, giving myself to the Lord:

‘Father, I know You love me and want what’s best for me. I recognize that all I have, or ever will have, comes from You. I am more interested in pleasing You than in having possessions. I want You to have first place in my life and I am willing to begin tithing as You have commanded. Out of gratitude for all You’ve done for me and in expectation that You will continue to provide for me, I commit myself to returning at least the first 10% of all I earn back to You. I want to begin investing for eternity. Help me to remain faithful to this commitment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.’ 

What is tithing?

• Giving a tithe is giving ten percent of my income.

What’s the difference between a tithe and an offering?

• An offering is anything I give in addition to my tithe.

Why should I tithe?

• Tithing demonstrates that God has first place in my life.

Deuteronomy 14:23 – “The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God in first place in your life.”

• Tithing reminds me that everything was given to me by God.

Deuteronomy 8:18 – “Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

• Tithing expresses my gratitude to God for the blessings He’s given me.

Psalm 116:12 asks, “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?”

The answer is found in Deuteronomy 16:17: “Each of you should bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.”