The Purpose in Giving The Principles of Giving The Protection in Giving The Perspective of Giving Concerning the Collection 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 1

The Principles of Giving  The Period – regularly  The Participants – all  The Place – primarily thru the church  The Proportion Concerning the Collection 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 2

The Principles of Giving  The Proportion  Giving of a tithe – Gen. 14:18-20; 28:20-22  Genesis 41:34,35 was different  Under Moses, God gives us 10% - Lev. 27:30  Numbers 18:21,26 – tithe of a tithe  Deuteronomy 14 – second 10% for feasts  Deuteronomy 14:28,29 – every three years  Malachi 3:8-10 Concerning the Collection 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 3

The Principles of Giving  The Proportion (continued)  Proverbs 3:9,10 cf. 11:24 – voluntary giving  Exodus 25:1,2 cf. 35:5,21 cf. 36:6  Key idea in 2 Samuel 24:24  2 Corinthians 9:6-8 cf. Luke 6:38  Our giving is discretionary  But it is to be given from a heart sold out to the God who saved you at great cost the God who saved you at great cost Concerning the Collection 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 4

Motives for Giving  Giving is Motivated by God’s Grace  Example – Macedonian churches  Very poor region, yet very generous  Not philanthropy or human kindness  Grace of God that works in hearts  Not human merit  Giving was sacrificial Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 5

Motives for Giving  Giving Transcends Difficult Circumstances  Great – extreme nature  Ordeal – test or trial  Affliction – pressure in crushing grapes  1 Thessalonians 1:6  2 Thessalonians 1:4  Philippians 1:29 Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 6

Motives for Giving  Giving is with Joy  Abundance – surplus or overflow – Romans 5:17 Romans 5:17  They did not give grudgingly, under duress, reluctantly, out of a sense of duty or fear of divine judgment  They gave gladly and freely – 2 Cor. 9:7 Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 7

Motives for Giving  Giving is not Hindered by Poverty  Deep – extremely or rock bottom  Poverty – almost nothing to the point of begging – Philippians 2:7 begging – Philippians 2:7  Their confidence was in God’s provision – Philippians 4:19  Giving is not about how much one has Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 8

Motives for Giving  Giving is Generous  Overflowed – relates to abundance  Wealth – speaks of spiritual things  Liberality – simplicity or sincerity as opposed to duplicity  They did not get spiritual things mixed up with temporal with temporal Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 9

Motives for Giving  Giving is Proportionate  Paul has firsthand knowledge  Ability – power or strength  Giving is Sacrificial  Beyond  Focused on needs of others more than themselves themselves Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 10

Motives for Giving  Giving is Voluntary  On their own initiative, self-motivated, and spontaneous  One who chooses his own course of action  They were not coerced or manipulated Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 11

Motives for Giving  Giving is a Privilege, not an Obligation  Begging – to implore or plead  With much urging – most insistently  Favor – charis or grace  They were begging for the blessing to help others help others Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 12

Motives for Giving  Giving is an Act of Worship  First – not in time but priority  They gave of themselves first  Romans 12:1,2  1 Peter 2:5 Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 13

Motives for Giving  Giving is in Concert with Other Christian Virtues Virtues  Faith – true saving faith  Utterance – logos or doctrine  Knowledge – applying doctrine to life  Earnestness – spiritual passion  Love – self-sacrificing Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 14

Motives for Giving  Giving is Proof of Love  Not a response to a command  Earnestness – a spiritual passion  Sincerity – pure  Results in a self-sacrificing love Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 15

16 The Perspective of Giving They walk in humility and kindness, and falsehood is not found among them and they love one another. They despise not the widow and they grieve not the orphan. He that hath, distributeth liberally to him that hath not. If they see a stranger, they bring him under their roof and they rejoice over him as if he were their brother. For they call themselves brethren, not after the flesh but after the Spirit and in God. Concerning the Collection

17 Concerning the Collection But when one of the poor passes away from the world and any of them see him, then he provides for his burial according to his ability. And if they hear that any of their number is in prison or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs. And if it is possible that he may be delivered, they deliver him. And if there is among them a man that is poor and needy and they have not abundance of necessity, they will fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with his necessary food. Aristides

Application What motivates you to give? What motivates you to give? What is your attitude toward giving? What is your attitude toward giving? 1 John 4:20,21 1 John 4:20,21 How is your love for your brother? How is your love for your brother? Concerning the Collection Corinthians 8:1-8 18