Christian Giving

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: CHRISTIAN GIVING

...CONTINUE FROM LAST WEEK

6. The Bible teaches that Christian giving should be done in light of the incarnation.

Many Christians argue about whether the tithe (10% of our income) is still the standard for our giving to the Church (disputants usually want to show that less than 10% is fine).

Paul scuttles the whole debate in one verse. He says: "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 through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Christ's self-giving is now the standard for our giving! We begin from the base of the tithe and aim for emulation of His self-sacrifice. Our giving is to be inspired and instructed by Christ's inexpressible gift. In light of such a challenge, who could possibly satisfy himself with asking "how little a percentage is acceptable for me to give?" Do you try to get by with giving as little as possible to the Lord, or do you give in view of the Lord's costly sacrifice?

7. The Bible teaches that Christian giving should be done in accordance with our means.

Paul is quite clear on this: "For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12).

In another way Paul is saying that you should give in proportion to what God has given you. He said it this way in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper."

This means at least two things:

(1) since we are all supposed to give proportionately, those who have more money are expected to give more [those who are particularly blessed materially must remember this], and

(2) the Lord never asks us to give what we do not have, or contribute beyond our means. Are you really giving in proportion to the material blessings that the Lord has given you?

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BLESS US THIS WEEK ACCORDING TO YOUR RICHES IN JESUS NAME. AMEN

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Good morning friends