The 5 Principles of Sacrificial Giving: Pastor Rajiv's Message

Excel in Giving

1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency [a]that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

2 Corinthians 8 Verses 1 to 7

Continuing our study from yesterday, PAUL’S PASSAGE TEACHES US FIVE PRINCIPLES OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING.

THESE ARE –

1. SACRIFICIAL GIVING GOES BEYOND THE SPECIFIC GIVING

The word sacrifice comes from the latin word “sacra” which means sacred and ficeo meaning ‘to make. So sacrifice means to make sacred or to make Holy. In other words to devote to god.

2. THE OLD TESTAMENT DEFINE “GIVING” BY LAW. THE NEW TESTAMENT ON THE OTHER HAND, DEFINES IT AS GIVING IS OUT OF LOVE.

Giving is through grace, through love, and, from the generosity of the heart as Paul points out in verse 3.

3. OT GIVING IS OBLIGATION SPECIFIC  NT GIVING IS OTHERS SPECIFIC.

4. OT GIVING WAS BY PERCENTAGE (TITHE)  NT GIVING IS BY PROPORTION

In verses 2 & 3 2 Paul says, “that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing”

5. SACRIFICIAL GIVING IS SPONTANEOUS.

It is not done out of obligation or because it had to be done. THE SPONTANEITY COMES FROM THE NATURAL OUTPOURING OF GOD’S LOVE IN ONE’S HEART.

Finally, Paul clearly states that GIVING WAS A RESPONSIBILTY in the Old Testament. But it is a “response” as per the New Testament. We are not bound to give, but because we received grace freely, our hearts respond to need by giving, and giving whole heartedly.

In verses 8 and 9 he says, “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich”.

Today as we travel through life as stewards of this earth and our fellow men, we are faced with needs all around us. What is our response going to be? Share what we have got out of grace or share what is left over from our own wants. Let us not forget God's desire from us stewards - 

Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it".