The Lord Jesus expects and requires of us to give. Christian giving is not optional; it is an imperative. He expects all His children to give (Luke 6:8; Matt. 6:2).
The Lord Jesus wants us to give for the right reasons. We are to give for the glory of God and the good of His people, His church (Matt. 6:1).
The Lord Jesus wants us to practise benevolent, charitable giving. This is to be done towards the needy (Matt 6: 2-3).
The Lord Jesus reminds us that our giving is ultimately to our allseeing heavenly Father. When we give, we are not doing so for the church budget; we are making a thanksgiving offering to the Father Himself. This we must give As Unto The Lord (AUTL). The ultimate goal is to please Him (Matt. 6:3-4).
Christian giving is an act of worship. When we put our money in the plate or bag, we are worshipping the Almighty God in accordance with His Word. The apostle Paul talks about giving by the church to the church for the church.
Christian giving should be done in light of the incarnation (2 Cor. 8:9). Christ’s self-giving should be the standard for our giving. We begin from the base of first fruits, tithes and offerings, etc., emulating His self-giving sacrifice. Ultimately, our giving is to be inspired and instructed by Christ’s inexpressible gift of Himself to and for us – the best that heaven can give.
The liberality of God’s blessings to us informs the liberality of our Christian giving (2 Cor. 9:6). Our reward in giving comes from our heavenly Father. Remember, the desire to be generous and the means to be generous both come from God. CLAM 2
Christian giving should be done in accordance with our means (2 Cor. 8:12). Two truths are evident here: a. We are supposed to give proportionately. Those who have more means, money or substance are expected to give more. b. The Lord has not asked us to give what we do not have, or to contribute beyond our means. (See also Luke 12:48).
Christian giving must be willing, free giving (2 Cor. 9:7). True Christian giving is both mandatory and voluntary. This means that it is required by God, but it is to be done willingly at all times by the believer. The attitude the Christian should have in his giving should be cheerful. Apostle Paul assures us here that the Lord takes special delight in those who are joyful, energetic, merry givers.
BENEFITS OF GIVING
God is pleased when we give generously (Ezra 2:68-69).
God is pleased with sacrificial giving (2 Cor. 8:2).
It gives honor to God (Prov. 3:9).
Giving is viewed by God as an act of worship (Matt. 2:11).
Giving tithes and offerings assures the blessing of God (Mal. 3:8, 10).
Giving commits God to prevent devourers from destroying our seed and harvest.
Generosity comes back to the giver (Luke 6:38). Our heavenly Father is not a hard task master. He set the pace for us by being the ultimate Giver (John 3:16). However, any giving that has its source in illegal business, or is polluted, is not acceptable to God. Advance fee fraud (“419”) business, prostitution, human trafficking, bribery, pimping, stealing, etc. – these are all sources of blood money. 3 Stop such illegalities! Engage in genuine businesses and let God bless your efforts. Make your offerings acceptable in His sight.
TITHING
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ The tithe is the tenth portion of all your income. ▪ It belongs to the Lord, so it is untouchable. ▪ It is mentioned both in the Old and New Testaments. ▪ Jesus did not come to destroy the Law, but fulfilled it. ▪ Disobedience in tithing leads to a curse. ▪ Obedience attracts blessings:
Open heavens
Outpouring of Creative, Divine ideas
Release of divine ideas
Victory over the devourer
Favour
Divine Intervention
Wealth Transfer ▪ It is to be paid on all monetary or material incomes, and all material gifts.
BENEFITS OF TITHING
Financial freedom.
It gives God the opportunity to bless us (Mal. 3:10).
It opens the door to a situation of more than enough (Mal. 3:10).
It helps in spiritual maturity, because it takes discipline to tithe faithfully.
This maturity will help our transformation into free givers. 4
It closes the door against the devourer (Mal. 3:11a).
Makes one to escape the curse of failing to do so (Mal. 3:9).
REASONS YOU SHOULD TITHE
Tithing teaches to put God first According to Deut. 14:23, the purpose of tithing is to teach us to always put God first in our life. If God has your finances, He also has your heart. If you refuse to tithe, you prove that He isn’t really the Lord of your life and the Owner of all things, including yourself.
Jesus reaffirms our obligation to tithe In Matt. 23:23, Jesus even commended the Pharisees for tithing. Tithing was the only thing they were doing right.
Tithing is essential to spiritual growth Jesus says in Luke 16:11, “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Many Christians want to believe and claim the promises of God, but don’t want, fulfill the conditions; to obey His commands. To paraphrase Luke 16:11, How can you expect God to bless you, if you refuse to bring your tithes and offerings to Him?
Tithing proves you love the Lord In 2 Cor. 8:8, God says that your giving proves the sincerity of your love. So, when you honour God with the tenth of your income, not the leftover, you are proving you trust Him, love Him, and you are putting Him first in your life. You see, you can say you love the Lord, but your actions will always speak louder than your words. Put your money where your mouth is!
Tithing is an investment for eternity Jesus tells us in Matt. 6:20, But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… When you give your tithes and offerings 5 to the Lord’s work, you are making an eternal investment. You are investing your money in souls for the kingdom. What an honor to give to God and see people’s lives changed for eternity. And eternity is all that matters.
You cannot ‘out-give’ God Paul tells us in Gal. 6:7, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. In other words, God is watching: whatever you give to Him, He will give back to you. You see, giving unlocks the windows of heaven for you. You cannot out-give God. The measure with which you give to Him is the measure He will use to give back to you. 4.FIRST FRUITS
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ It is the first of our income and God takes first place in our lives and blessings. ▪ It is to worship God, the Giver of all blessings. ▪ It is to honour God. ▪ God had respect to the offering of Abel because it was the firstling (firstborn) of his flock (Gen. 4:4). ▪ First fruits must be taken to the Priest (Num. 18:8-13). ▪ The Priest confers blessing on the giver (Ezek. 44:30).
WHAT QUALIFIES AS FIRST FRUITS?
It is your first harvest of the year. It is to be dedicated unto the Lord yearly to secure your financial breakthrough for each year.
If you start a new job, your first earning is your first fruit. 6
If you are earning N1,000.00 on a job and now receives promotion to N1,200.00, your first fruit is the difference between N1,000.00 and N1,200.00, which is N200.00.
It should be sent to the priest for blessing in accordance with the Word (Ezek. 44:30).
It may be money, land, agricultural produce, materials, etc.
BENEFITS OF FIRST FRUITS
Your life will be filled with plenty (Prov. 3:9-10).
Your work will bring forth new wine (Prov. 3:10).
Uncommon blessings will rest upon your house (Ezek. 44:30).
No attack will come near you (Jer. 2:3).
Unexplainable breakthrough will manifest.
God will take care of your finances.
Novel, creative, breakthrough ideas and opportunities will be your portion.
You will be fruitful in the land.
Anything you set your hands on in righteousness will receive God’s blessings (Deut. 28:8).
Makes you to escape the sweat and struggles of disobedience. 5.OFFERINGS
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ It is a divine command. ▪ God calls any act of default robbery and so must not be taken lightly. 7 ▪ It must be a sweet savor unto God. ▪ It is a token of worship. ▪ It must not reproach God (Mal .1:6). ▪ Your offering is as important as the attitude of giving it – must be of genuine reverence.
You must give it cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7).
You must give it willingly (1 Chr. 29:3-9). ▪ It must be according to ability, your financial status (1 Cor. 16:1
2).
KINGDOM PROJECTS’ PARTICIPATION
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ God’s kingdom is His priority. ▪ Financial prosperity is to build His kingdom. ▪ It is a true test of total freedom from idolatry (self-centeredness). ▪ The repercussion for neglecting God’s project is grievous as outlined in the foregoing. 7.HELPING THE NEEDY
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ The gospel of Jesus in a gospel to the poor. ▪ He became poor to make people rich. ▪ The true test of love is helping the needy. ▪ You are blessed to be a blessing (Gen. 12:3). ▪ Faith without deeds is dead. 8
BLESSING GOD’S SERVANT
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ God’s servants are His representatives on earth. ▪ He who honours them honours God. ▪ The Levites had no inheritance in Israel. ▪ They must eat from the Temple. ▪ The Word of God commands that servants of God must be encouraged by people they minister to spiritually. ▪ Anointing can be provoked through a gift from the right heart. ▪ They will focus on their call when their needs are met. 9.INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ God is a wise investor. ▪ He does everything with a profit or harvest consciousness. ▪ Joseph saved his generation from famine because of his skills in investment, financial discipline and planning. ▪ Jesus taught the disciples financial planning and money management. ▪ God is angry against wasting His resources. ▪ He delights in us when we invest wisely and multiply whatever He commits into our hands. ▪ Financial discipline is a true test of inner maturity. ▪ Saving is not pleasurable; but when you do it, it gives financial pleasure in the future especially at old age.
10.OUR COVENANT HERITAGE
BIBLICAL TRUTHS ▪ God owns everything and is the Source of financial blessing (Ps. 24:1; 50:10,12b). ▪ We have a covenant heritage of blessing in Him (Gen. 12:1-3). ▪ He wants to bless us to be a blessing. ▪ Giving is His provision for us to access the superabundance of the invisible kingdom of heaven.
