Giving

Giving is mercy and no mercy without a giving. The ministry of mercy centres much on giving and fear of God (Mathew 25:30-44, Luke 1:50), for God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Giving forms a vital doctrine in the Christian Faith. And the word “Giving” is a derivative of the English word “Give”. The former being a continuous action.

The oxford dictionary has these definitions to explain the term “Give”.
1. To hand over to somebody without payment or exchange e.g. as a present or gift.
2. To have something in exchange for something else, for payment or as compensation.
3. To furnish, supply, provide, send something out, emit, release.

But giving is a continuous action of the verb “Give”. So it means we are talking about a present and continuous event that does not end. Giving – today, tomorrow and the next daily as we see or live a life.

LOVE AND GIVING (John 3;16)

To love is to give. To give is to love. Loving involves communicating in kind or cash etc. A loving life is a giving life. Hence God so loved the world, and so give His only begotten son. Love is measured by its gift. Love is expressed through giving. GIVING SHOWS CONCERN AND COMMITMENT TO SB’S WELFARE: Giving is a mark of showing concern and commitment to the welfare of somebody. A commitment to somebody’s fulfillment and well being. Giving is the service of your faith. A measure of your service of faith towards God, His word and to others.

GOD IS NUMBER ONE GIVER (JOHN 3:16)

God loves the world so much that made Him to give His only begotten son to us for our own good that we do not perish. God is a giver. The number one giver. He taught us to give. Man is created in the image and likeness of God. So God is a giver. All we have around us, enjoy daily is god’s giving. The (spirit) seed of giving is tram-planted unto us. So we aught to give.

IT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO GIVE, 

IT IS AN ACT OF MERCY TO GIVE PSALM 37:21. The righteous man will like to maintain his integrity and therefore gives, because it is righteousness to give. He gives because He is righteous. It is also an act of mercy to give. And he that showeth mercy giveth-expecting nothing in return.

GIVING AS PART OF WORSHIP

Psalm 50:14, 23. We enter God’s presence and gate with thanksgiving and worship. We cannot talk about worship without giving. Worship is not true, meaningful and complete without giving. Hence every denomination cannot play with giving. Hence the Psalmist penned down these words. Psalm 50:23… whose offereth praise, glorifieth God. And Psalm 50:14 God commands us to offer to Him thanksgiving “offer unto God thanksgiving. Thanksgiving being the end point of worship. No wonder the Psalmist says “seven times do I praise thee every day” (Psalm 119:164). This is one singular reason God loves David. Let us learn to enter into this gate a court with thanksgiving.

GIVING IS A COMMAND OF GOD, Exodus 25:1-8, Luke 6:36, Psalms 50:14.

Psalm 50:14, 23. We enter God’s presence and gate with thanksgiving and worship. We cannot talk about worship without giving. Worship is not true, meaningful and complete without giving. Hence every denomination cannot play with giving. Hence the Psalmist penned down these words. Psalm 50:23… whose offereth praise, glorifieth God. And Psalm 50:14 God commands us to offer to Him thanksgiving “offer unto God thanksgiving. Thanksgiving being the end point of worship. No wonder the Psalmist says “seven times do I praise thee every day” (Psalm 119:164). This is one singular reason God loves David. Let us learn to enter into this gate a court with thanksgiving.

membership-HoMW

PRINCIPLES AND FOUNDATION OF GIVING

No hand and mouth gives what the heart is unwilling to give or release. The foundation of giving depends largely on the heart. The hearts decision matters in giving. As there are many conditions of the heart while giving. Willingness and readiness are the principal foundation of giving. And willingness and readiness to give (share) is the foundation of giving e.g. Ananias and Sephirah gave deceitfully.

So the principles of acceptable offering are:
1. It should be willingly – 2Corinthians 8:4-5.
2. Not grudgingly – 2Corinthians 9:6.
3. With readiness – 2Corinthians 8:11-12
4. Liberally – Psalm 41:1, 2Corinthians 8:2.
5. Cheerfully – 2Corinthians 9:7
6. Give honourably – Proverbs 3:9, Give wisely and carefully
7. Give according to your ability 2Corinthians 8:12, Deuteronomy 16:17.
8. With simplicity – Romans 12:8
9. Give regularly – 1Corinthians 16:2, Acts 10:1-4.
10. Give purposefully – 2Corinthians 9:7.
11. Mathew 5:23-24 – It should be void of evil heart or wickedness, anger and malice or deceit.

AREAS OF GIVING (OFFERING)

To God – in support of God’s work e.g. Abel, Cornelius. Hebrew 11:4, Acts 10:1-4, Exodus 25. To ministers of God: Philippians 4:14-19 2Corinthian 11:9. Macedonia and Philippians believers. To the brethren – Galatians 6:10. To the poor and needy. Proverbs 3:27, Acts 20:35.

GIVING COMMENDED

Giving of offering or offering is commended by God throughout the scriptures.
1. Abel’s offering commended. Genesis 4:3-4, Hebrews 11:4.
2. Cornelius offering commended Acts 10:1-4, 31.
3. The widow’s mint commended Jesus commended the offering of the poor widow’s mint, which was all that she possessed. Luke 21:4.
4. The Philippians believers commended 2Corinthians 8:12, Philippians 4:14-19.
5. The Macedonia believer commended 2Corinthians 11:9.
6. Mary Magdalene – Mathew 26:7.

GOD HAS NOT CALLED US TO “INREACH”… HE HAS CALLED US TO “OUTREACH” Reaching out to others is vital to enjoying life, for life is all about mercy and mercy is the key to ministry. 2 Corinthians 4:1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. Ministry is all about giving. Ministry is giving to people to help them.