THE BEGINNING OF GIVING
Giving begins with God. He commands that we give of our resources, including money. Giving shows our obedience. Remember, God is owner of all: The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, says the Lord (Hag 2:8). We are only managers of God's resources. We are to give to His work as He directs, for one day we will give an accounting.
THE BALANCE OF GIVING
God's plan for giving is balanced, meeting all needs for all people. Giving consists of tithes, offerings, and alms. A tithe means a tenth of our gross income before deductions. The tenth belongs to God: all the tithe of the land...is the LORD's. It is holy to the LORD (Lev 27:30). Tithing was practiced before, during, and after the law. Today Jesus Himself receives our tithes (Heb 7:8). Offerings are voluntary expressions of our gratitude to God, while alms are gifts to the needy. All giving is blessed, but giving beyond the tithe brings abundant blessings.
THE BASICS OF GIVING
Paul gives the basics of giving: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper (1 Cor 16:2). On the first day of the week indicates the time, Sunday, and the regularity, every Sunday. He is writing the local church, which is the place. Let each one of you indicates the personal responsibility of all. Lay something aside, storing up indicates the method, which involves planning and prayer. As he may prosper shows the reciprocity of giving, for the amount of our giving depends on our prosperity.
THE BLESSINGS OF GIVING
In Malachi 3:6-12 God promises three blessings from bringing the tithes into the storehouse (local church):
THE BLESSED OF GIVING
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 says no less than three parties are blessed in giving. The giver is blessed. He is blessed financially (having all sufficiency in all things [plus] an abundance for every good work). He is also blessed spiritually (his righteousness endures forever). The recipient is blessed, for giving supplies the needs of the saints. And God is blessed, for the recipients offer many thanksgivings to God.
THE BASIS OF GIVING
God has demonstrated His grace by giving us countless blessings. This culminated in His gift of Jesus Christ for our salvation. As we give joyfully and abundantly, we demonstrate the working of God's grace within us, for giving is the very essence of grace.
[Scripture from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982. Thomas Nelson, Inc.]
Reach Out Fellowship
218 Osborne Rd
Albany NY 12205
(518) 482-4565
EMAIL
Rev. Dr. Jerry Lynn, Senior Pastor
Rev. Jim Castillo, Assistant Pastor