The Principles Of Giving (Part 3)

Dear Bethelites,

Believers are commanded to give. Not that God needs our giving, but it is part of worship. At the very onset, giving is an acknowledgement that everything we have cometh from God. But it is not just any giving that is acceptable and pleasing to God, thus, we need to understand the principles of giving. We have since learnt about the purpose of giving, and the time to give. Today, we will consider how much to give!

I. How Much To Give?

1 Corinthians 16:3, And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality (or your gifts) unto Jerusalem (added words mine).

It seems like Paul tried to distance himself from the actual handling of the money. There is much wisdom here. As a pastor, I do not like to handle money. It does not mean I totally do not know what is going on, but it is wise for pastors not to handle money as much as possible. Can you imagine the pastor handling the money, and at the same time, overseeing how the money is being used? There will be this inevitable conflict of interest.

Believers must all be very careful with how we handle money, how much more pastors, ministers and preachers? Sadly, there are many men who were very good preachers and resourceful pastors, but today they are out of the ministry all because they were irresponsible, careless and unfaithful with handling money. When one cannot be trusted with money, how can he be trusted with the souls of men? Think about it!

In the early days, when the believers gave to the church, the Apostles were the ones who received and dispensed the money. But as their responsibilities grew, the Apostles had to commit themselves to preaching the Word and prayers, therefore, the deacons were elected to serve tables. One of the duties of the deacons was to collect the money, and then faithfully dispense the money to those poor widows (c.f. Acts 6). The church must appoint those men who were spiritual, of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, to take charge of the money, and Paul said, whomever ye shall approve, or you have appointed to take charge of the money, I will send them with your liberality or gifts to Jerusalem.

And finally, he said, And if it be meet (if necessary) that I go also, they shall go with me (1 Corinthians 16:4, added words mine). They would be the ones responsible with handling the money, and if it was necessary for Paul to go with them, then he would go together with them.

Dear friend, what is your attitude toward giving? 2 Corinthians 9:7 said, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Do you give grudgingly? Do you give out of obligation? Do you feel a sense of pain or unwillingness to part with your money each time you give to the Lord? If that is the case, then you are not the “cheerful giver” that God loves.

A cheerful giver is someone who gives willingly, sacrificially, joyfully and happily. He is thankful that he is able to give, and that he has the ability to give because of the bountiful resources that God has blessed him with. He sees the need, not as a burden but an opportunity to glorify God. When we love someone very dearly, we are most willing to part with our money, right? When we hear of our father, or mother, or children, sick and in need of our help, we are most willing to give. The reason is because we love them so much. How much do you love God? How much do you love His people?

I really thank God for all those brethren who have given so cheerfully to the mission work in Myanmar. People may not know who you are, as giving is secret. The recipients of the gift, the Myanmar brethren, may not even know you. If they know you, and are aware of your giving, they would give thanks and praise you for the generosity, and you have received your reward. But because they do not know who you are, all they can do is to give thanks to God. And God alone knows who you are. He knows that you are a cheerful giver, and you give for only one reason, to glorify Him. Thus, all praise and glory go to God!

So, we have learnt why do we give, who are the ones who give, what is the giving to be used for, when do we give, how often do we give, who do we give to. Finally, let us be faithful to give cheerfully!

With love in Christ,

Pastor Paul Cheng

1 CORINTHIANS 16

The Principles Of Giving (Part 3)

The Principles Of Giving (Part 3)

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

The Principles Of Giving (Part 2)

The Principles Of Giving (Part 2)

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

The Principles Of Giving (Part 1)

The Principles Of Giving (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 16:1-4