This document discusses biblical principles of giving. It explains that giving does not buy God's favor, but is part of obeying God's will. Christians should give from what God has prospered them with, giving cheerfully from an overflow of blessings rather than out of guilt or manipulation. Giving is a privilege that allows believers to minister to others and brings a spiritual return, with the purpose of glorifying God rather than man. Most importantly, Christians must first give themselves to God before giving their money, time or other gifts.

1. GIVING
1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-2 1 Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I have given orders to
the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On
the first day of the week let each one of you lay
something aside, storing up as he may prosper,
that there be no collections when I come.

2. Does not buy you anything.
• We are stewards, trustees of God's
possessions.
• Giving is not a “work” that earns us a special
place in heaven.
• Giving does not “buy” us forgiveness, gifts,
special favor from God.

3. The will of God in giving
• We are to live out the will of God in our lives.
• Giving is a part of the will of God.
• 2 Corinthians 8:5
• Giving is not guilt motivated
• Giving is not need motivated

4. The means of giving
• We give of the “means” of what God has
entrusted to us
– As God has prospered us – 1 Cor. 16:2
– According to what a man has – 2 Cor. 8:12
• Giving is not beyond our means.
– Presuming on God's grace
– Pledges of future assests

5. The overflow of giving
• We give from the overflow of God's
abundance
– Riches of His grace – Eph. 2:7
– All blessings in heavenly places – Eph. 1:3
– All things belong to you – 1 Cor. 3:21-23
– Abundance of joy – 2 Cor. 8:7
– Abound in everything – 2 Cor. 8:7

6. The overflow of giving
• Our giving is not just giving from the
overlflow of physical assets
– Our natural covetousness gets in the way
– We can not recognize “enough” or “too
much”

7. The choice in giving
• We are free to make choices in life.
• Giving is a free choice you make.
– Gave of their own accord – 2 Cor. 8:3
– Purposed in their heart – 2 Cor. 9:7
• With each free choice there are
consequences of our choice

8. The choice in giving
• Giving should not be manipulated giving
– Organizational fund-raising
– Psychological manipulation
– Social approval – Matthew 6:2-4
– Legalistic coercion – not under compulsion
– 2 Cor. 9:7
– Mandated percentages

9. The attitude of giving
• We were created to be the expression of
God's character – in His image
• Bad attitudes = result of being full and
satisfied
– Cheerful giver – 2 Cor. 9:7
– Greek – hilaros
– Origin of English word - hilarious

10. The privilege of giving
• Not just a tax write off with IRS
• Giving is the privilege we have of using,
managing, overseeing the property that
belongs to God

11. The ministry of giving
• In giving – we minister to others
– Ministry to the saints – 2 Cor. 8:4
– Ministry of all believers – Eph. 4:12
• Beware of so-called ministries
– TV, radio, mass mailings
– Begging for money

12. The return of giving
• Giving involves a spiritual “return”
– Father will repay you – Matt. 6:4
– Give, it will be given to you – Luke 6:38
– Sow bountifully, reap bountifully – 2 Cor.
9:6
– Think about the spiritual return –
salvation, eternal life, forgiveness,
redemption, adopted by God

13. The return of giving
• WARNING : Many pervert the idea of return
– Give in order to get
– Plant some “seed of faith”
– Health and wealth gospel; prosperity
doctrine
– Deceitfulness of riches – 1 Tim. 6:9-11

14. The purpose of giving
• Purpose : to glorify God
– Do all for the glory of God – 1 Cor. 10:31
– For the glory of the Lord – 2 Cor. 9:13
– God is glorified in our giving, sharing
• Purpose : Not for the glory of man
– Don't give to get a bronze plaque
– Recognition, prestige, leadership role

15. The prerequisite of giving
• Before we give money, time, ability, talent,
skill, labor or effort - - -
• We must FIRST give ourselves to the Lord
• 2 Corinthians 8:5 And not only as we had
hoped, but they first gave themselves to the
Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

16. The prerequisite of giving
God is not interested
in your gifts
until He has you.