Worship in Giving
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Worship In Giving
Worship In Giving
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Is he talking about tithing?
Tithe - tenth.
Jews were required to give a tenth of their harvest to back to God.
This was NOT the only requirement they had for giving.
They had freewill offerings.
So how has it changed?
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart...”
No we are not REQUIRED to “tithe”
Not in the legal sense.
But we are EXPECTED to give.
But this expectation is to be a certain “kind” if giver.
Every Christian should be a Cheerful Giver!
How do we know that?
Because scripture says so.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
When it comes to the topic of giving, there so many questions.
How much should I give.
How often...
To what (church, various ministries)
Before or after taxes.
Can I propose we start from a different question.
What is a cheerful giver?
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
They do not give reluctantly.
You’re not paying the electric bill.
They do not give under compulsion.
Church should set up a legalistic system to check if you are giving.
A strong desire to give regardless of their circumstance.
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,
4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
Because our Lord Jesus has a giving heart.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Paul was talking ABOUT the Macedonians.
Who were themselves poor ad afflicted.
Yet desire deeply to participate in giving to God’s kingdom.
Paul is talking TO the Corinthians.
Who are blessed greatly.
Encouraging them to have the same heart.
Which means their gift should be proportionally greater.
14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
God (in His sovereign wisdom) blesses some differently than others.
God’s desire is that we give proportionally so there is always enough.
There is an expectation of generosity.
There is also a reward of generosity.
This is where we have seen this issue fall prey to sinfulness, greed, and false teaching.
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
There is a correlation between our giving and our blessings from it.
sow sparingly = reap sparingly
sow bountifully = reap bountifully
This teaching is further supported by verse 10.
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
God is willing and able to supply you greatly.
False teachers treat this like an INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY.
They even treat God as the Venture Capitalist
rewarding those willing to GIVE BIG.
As if we need proof that their teaching if sinful greed...
Our giving is a part of participating in a relationship with God and also an important part of our worship.
11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Promise: “You will be enriched in every way.”
Purpose: “To be generous in every way.”
Result: Thanksgiving to God
Biblically defines giving IS worship!
Some important take-aways!
Christians are called be Givers.
time
gift
finances
Giving comes from thanksgiving and therefore is an act of worship.
Participation in giving is a participation in the kingdom of God.
God is the greatest giver.
Gives us gifts
Gives us physical and spiritual blessings
He give us grace
The greatest gift...
He gave His only son!