[:en]SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 8
“But just you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete eagerness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8″7)
“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)
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means” ( 2 Corinthians 8:11)
“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12)
“He who gathered much did not have too much and he who gathered little did not have too little” (2 Corinthians 8:15)
In th early days of Jewish church, believers shared all things in common. But as this “Christian communion” died away, the poor saints were in need. So, Paul focused in this chapter with the special missionary relief offering and encouraged generosity.
PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN GIVING:
- Our first obligation is to the church we fellowship and serve.
- We must give willingly and sincerely from our heart.
- Our giving should be measured proportionately. Tithing is the fair way to give. Good seeks the proportion not portions. For His blessings are not according to how much we give.
- The Lord’s money must be handled honestly and spent wisely. Paul told the church to appoint 3 messengers to handle the money to avoid accusations and misuse of funds.
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