Giving the attitude that God wants us to practice to be like Him, our Heavenly Father
Believer/Believe/Believing = 272 times in the bible
Prayer/Praying = 371 times in the bible
Love/loving = 714 times in the bible
Give/giver/giving = 2,162 times!!!
(3x’s more than love, 7x’s more than prayer, 8x’s more than believing)
“I’ve had many things in my hands and I’ve lost them all. But whatever I’ve put in God’s hands I still posses.” -Martin Luther
“It is well to remember that the Lord measures giving not by what we give, but what we keep for ourselves”. – Allen Cole
THE DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN GIVING
OR LIBERALITY
1. What are the rich commanded to do? Answer: 1Ti_6:17-18.
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate"2. What did the Gentile churches do for the poor saints at Jerusalem? Answer: 2 Co_8:14.
"But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality"3. What provision was made for the poor in the church at Jerusalem? Answer: Act_6:1-6.
"And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."4. What was the Old Testament rule of giving? Answer: Gen_28:22.
"And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."
5. How should we give? Answer: Mat_10:8.
" Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."
6. What is the promise to the giver? Answer: Luk_6:38.
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."7. Who receives the greatest blessing. the one who receives the gift, or the giver? Answer: Act_20:35,
"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."8. How should we give? Answer: 2 Co_9:7.
" Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
9. What promise is made to the liberal soul? Answer: Pro_11:25.
"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."
10. Who is the most liberal giver? Answer: Jas_1:5.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
11. Should there be regular collections taken in the church? Answer: 1Co_16:2."Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
12. Did Paul take wages of the church while he preached the gospel? Answer: 2Co_11:8-9.
"I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. "
