Giving 

Luke 6:38; Matthew 23:23; Malachi 3:8-12; Hebrews 7:1-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8,10
We believe in giving unto the Lord. Giving is a part of the ordinance of the new testament church. Giving alone is not the key. The gift must be mixed with faith and joy. 
 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
The Bible has a lot to say about Christians and their money. In fact, the Bible contains more than 2,000 verses on the subject. Time and again, the Bible associates our money with our commitment and relationship to the Lord. WHAT IS GIVING? The word give has been defined as “to make a present of.” One of the many ways we can give to others is to give financially. Through giving, the early church helped one another and invested in God’s work.
 

GIVING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP
Giving is a spiritual sacrifice and an expression of love and gratitude, because everything we have comes from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). Some say, “I can’t afford to give!” In reality, we can’t afford not to give. David said that he would not give to the Lord that which cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). No matter what we give to God, what is left will always sustain us better than if we hadn’t given at all.
 

GIVING IS A TEST OF OUR FAITHFULNESS
Giving reveals our value system. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). God does not ask us to give because He needs our resources. Rather, He challenges us to make Him the focus of our lives instead of our money and possessions.
 

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR GIVING
Although the Apostle Paul never overemphasized the subject of giving, he never neglected the importance of it, either. In 1 Corinthians 16:1–2, we find specific guidelines for giving: it is to be a universal practice for believers (v. 1); it is to be done weekly (v. 2); it is a personal act (v. 2); and it is something we should be prepared to do (v. 2). As we give, God will meet our needs and prosper us (2 Corinthians 9:6–10).
 

MOTIVES FOR GIVING
God promises to bless us if we have the right attitude toward giving (Luke 6:38; Proverbs 3:9–10). However, some people give with the wrong motives. They may give in an attempt to manipulate God, to relieve guilt, to increase self-worth, to achieve recognition, to obtain power, or to gain tax advantages. However, the Bible instructs us to “let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The motives that God desires for our giving are to: express our love to Him, please Him, lay up treasures in heaven, and help reach the world for Jesus Christ.
 

THE PRINCIPLE FOR STEWARDSHIP
A steward oversees the affairs and property of another person. Stewardship implies that everything we have belongs to God. Being a good steward means to manage our resources well and use them to glorify God.
 

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