Giving | Christian Disciplines | 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Introduction

In our series on the Christian disciplines, we are looking at the habits of spiritual exercise believers practice that help them grow in godliness. Truth is, living in such a way that growth takes place means you walk a path without shortcuts.

We do not become sanctified overnight. It’s not a light switch. There are no shortcuts on the path to godliness. It’s a lifelong work of sanctification. Though all transformation is a product of God’s grace, our disciplines, our holy habits, put us in a position to experience God’s grace at work in our lives.

Our subject this morning is giving, which is one of the basic holy habits found in God’s Word. Speaking on the subject of giving isn’t the best way to earn friends or build a class, but it is a necessary part of the Christian life and benefits both the receiver and the giver. Here’s the thing: Christians don’t give because of tradition or because we’re forced: we give because we are Christians. 

We will deal with Biblical giving under three headings:

1. Why should I contribute

2. How should I contribute

3. How much should I contribute? 

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 makes it clear that giving is a part of a Christian’s life. We should note that we are specifically dealing with giving in the life of the church. 

Christians can be generous in a a lot of ways - you may personally give to something to meet needs the church’s mission does not address (giving to the poor, donating to a charity with a good cause). Maybe you give toward a need the church family knowns nothing about. There are many opportunities for that.

I gave 8 cents at Taco Bell a couple of weeks ago. Rounded up for a charitable cause. Pretty generous, I know. 

But looking at giving in the context of our congregation reminds us that generosity for the believer is not simply a private affair but a communal one. 

I. Why Do We Give?

#1 - To Support the Church’s Ministry

We give because we should support our church.

Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

We don’t operate this way because we’re in a different culture, but the concept is still valid - the church’s needs are to be met by the members of that church. If we intend to be an active church in our community, then we are going to perform operations that cost money.

Supporting your church through giving is not only necessary for paying the bills, it also provides for the church to have ministry staff. Although people have varying opinions as to whether or not ministers should be paid, the New Testament clearly speaks to this issue. 1 Timothy 5:17-18.

Paul addresses the Corinthians in regards to the same issue (Read 1 Corinthians 9:3-14). 

Giving allows the pastor and ministry staff to care for their families while they serve the church by studying and teaching the Word, visiting those that need attention, maintaining the property, and fulfilling the daily operations. 

The priority of leadership in the New Testament church is “prayer, and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). One of the most obvious ways to make those priorities a reality in a pastor’s life is to support him financially, so he can focus first on his call to the ministry of the Word. 

#2 - To Relieve Needs

Helping the needy is an important function of our giving. In fact, some of the major texts in the New Testament regarding giving were dealing with collections for poor saints. 

1 Corinthians 16:1-4, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.”

Paul references this collection again, in 2 Corinthians. Now that his relationship with the church at Corinth was restored, Paul wanted to resume his collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, and he encourages the Corinthians to get involved (Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-6, and 9:1-5).

It’s impossible to read the New Testament passages on giving and not see that many of them concern giving to the needy. That is why, as we give to the church, money is used to help those in need. Giving generously allows us to help those in need as the opportunities arise.

There are times when someone is helped, but out of discretion it is not brought up in front of the church.

#3 - To Propagate the Gospel

Every church’s mission is found in the words of Jesus in Matthew 28 (Read 28:18-20). Eastside Baptist Church exists, not only to evangelize, baptize, and disciple, but also to send others who evangelize, baptize, and disciple. 

To send and support missionaries requires money. Our missions giving enables us to support evangelism efforts throughout the world. Over the last sixty plus years, Eastside has had a part in hundreds of churches being established both here and abroad, and thousands of people hearing the gospel. 

The New Testament demonstrates the significance of helping missionaries financially (Read 3 John 1-8). When we help people who are preaching the gospel for “His name’s sake,” then we also are fellow helpers to the truth. 

II. How Do We Contribute?

If we assume our attitude in giving doesn’t matter as long as we get the job done, we are missing a clear teaching in the Bible. Giving is to be done willingly and sacrificially.

#1 - Willingly

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

There’s a big difference between giving and paying a bill. When we go to a restaurant, we pay the bill. When our rent or mortgage is due, we pay. When our utility bill comes, we pay. But no Christian should ever feel like he is paying the church. 

Payments are motivated by external compulsion, but giving is motivated by internal love.  This love is not only the love for our pastor, missionaries, and needy Christians, it is primarily a love for Christ.

In encouraging the Corinthians in their giving, Paul tells them to be motivated by what Jesus has done for them: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

#2 - Sacrificially

Paul refers to the Macedonians when he says, “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” (2 Corinthians 8:5)

If our giving doesn’t dent our budget, and doesn’t change anything about our lifestyle, we are probably not giving sacrificially.  

Sacrifice is not only something that costs. In the biblical story, sacrifice is both cost-oriented and, just as importantly, worship-oriented. Giving financially to the work of the kingdom is actually received by God as worship (Philippians 4:15-18).

III. What Do We Contribute?

It is true that Paul says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give…” But Scripture is not totally silent on where we can start.

#1- Know the Baseline

A. In the Old Testament, the established pattern for giving was tithing, or ten percent. 

Abraham gave a tenth of his war spoils to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20).

Jacob promised to sacrifice a tenth of his livestock to God (Genesis 28:22).

God instituted tithing for all of the Jews in the law. They actually had three tithes, one to support the priests (Numbers 18:21-24), one to support the festivals (Deuteronomy 12, 14:22-26), and one they paid every third year for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:18-29). 

B. Israel, of course, had a government, and the tithe was basically an income tax. While the church doesn’t tax its members, giving is to be done in relation to our income:

Acts 11:29, “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

Giving should be based on our income. Following the story of Scripture, we can view the tithe as our starting point, or basis for what proportional giving looks like. What is expected of us, at the very least, is to give the tenth of our total income to God.

#2 - Go Beyond the Minimum

A. Although the tithe is the beginning of our giving, it doesn’t have to be the end. It would be good for us to return to Acts 4 and remember how the land owners gave at the first church: 

“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:34-37)

B. These men gave 100% of the profit they made from selling their land. I’m not saying we give 100% of our income, I don’t think that’s the message. There’s an element of wisdom that we can’t ignore.

But the point is, if the folks in that first church could give sacrificially, then we should follow the pattern and be willing to give more than the tithe.

Application

A lot of young adults are in a stage of life where they say, “I can’t afford to give. Maybe when I get older.” But I would submit to you that you can’t afford not to give. Meaning, God’s blessings and provision in your life is dependent on your obedience. I’m not saying be reckless, use wisdom, but consider some things that God would have you sacrifice in order to be faithful to giving.

Conclusion

Do you give? If not, do you now see it as a Christian discipline, a habit that grows you into the person God is making you? Do you see it as something necessary for godliness?

Why do you give? Have you done it arbitrarily, because of tradition, or because it is expected of you? Are you conscious about the importance of what Christian giving accomplishes?

How do you give? Are you contributions to the work of God done in a spirit of willingness or compulsion, sacrifice or selfishness? Do you see giving as worship?