Doctrine of Giving

1. Definition: Biblical giving is the giving of self and wealth to God and his work, and doing so voluntarily and out of love for God and his work.

2. Central passages of Scripture for giving: Matthew 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 6:6-8; Philippians 4:10-19, 1 Timothy 5:8, 17-18; 3 John 5-8.

3. Central passages of Scripture that teach of giving for those in official ministry: 1 Corinthians 9.9-14; Galatians 6.6; 1 Timothy 5.17-18; 3 John 5-8; and Philippians 4.14-19.

4. Procedure for Grace Giving from 1 Corinthians 8, 9, and 16.

a. Planned
b. Regular
c. Orderly
d. As God has prospered you
e. Honestly administered

5. Local church stability and ministry result from biblical giving (1 Corinthians 9:12-13; Philippians 4:14-18).

6. So What? application

a. Make myself available to God for service.

b. Evaluate my present giving.

c. Decide to be a regular grace giver

d. Remember that grace giving is a spiritual investment that benefits the giver and the receiver.

7. Principles for Biblical Giving from 2 Corinthians 8 and 9

a. Right giving demonstrates God's grace (2 Corinthians 8.1).

b. Joy and poverty overflow by grace giving (2 Corinthians 8.2).

c. Give according to and beyond your ability (2 Corinthians 8.3).

d. Genuine giving must be of one's own free will, voluntarily (2 Corinthians 8.3).

e. It is a favor or benefit to be able to give (2 Corinthians 8.4).

f. Giving is a way of participating in the ministry with others (2 Corinthians 8.4).

g. Give 1) self to the Lord, 2) self to spiritual leaders, 3) money to church (2 Corinthians 8.5).

h. Follow through and finish the giving that you began (2 Corinthians 8.6).

i. Grace giving is a normal and desirable activity for every believer (2 Corinthians 8.6, 7, 10).

j. Giving is a grace work (2 Corinthians 8.7).

k. Giving demonstrates divine love (2 Corinthians 8.8).

l. Christ demonstrated grace giving (2 Corinthians 8.9).

m. Follow through and complete the giving you began, but based upon your ability (2 Corinthians 8.11).

n. There must be a willingness or a readiness (2 Corinthians 8.12).

o. Giving is based on what you have or ability (2 Corinthians 8.12).

p. Grace giving is a way to support a part of the church that lacks (2 Corinthians 8.13-14).

q. Grace giving is a ministry to other believers (2 Corinthians 9.1).

r. The sow what you reap principle is true in grace giving (2 Corinthians 9.6).

s. Grace giving is a normal and desired activity of believers (2 Corinthians 9.6).

t. Deliberately choose for yourself what and how you shall give (2 Corinthians 9.7).

u. Do not give from or motivated by spiritual pain (reluctantly) (2 Corinthians 9.7).

v. Do not give from or motivated because you think that you have to (compulsion) (2 Corinthians 9.7).

w. Give because you are genuinely cheerful about giving or glad to give (2 Corinthians 9.7).

x. God will provide the material support for those that graciously give to others (2 Corinthians 9.8).

y. God will multiply the means and results of grace giving (2 Corinthians 9.10).

z. Grace giving brings gain to the giver (2 Corinthians 9.11).

aa. Giving supports other believers (2 Corinthians 9.12).

bb. Giving honors God because others thank Him for the gifts (2 Corinthians 9.12).

cc. Giving is a good witness (2 Corinthians 9.13).

dd. Giving motivates the recipient to prayer for the giver (2 Corinthians 9.14).