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GIVING

Lesson 11

1. GOD'S OWNERSHIP IS COMPLETE AND INDISPUTABLE

A. Heaven and earth are His, and the fulness of each (Gen. 14:19:20; Deut. 10: 14;

Psa. 24: 1; 89:1 1). All are His by virtue of creation (Gen. 1: 1).

B. The land was His, Israelites were stewards (Lev. 25:23); therefore the Sabbatical and Jubilee years (Lev. 25).

C. Every beast is His (Psalms 50:10-12). Silver and gold belong to Him (Hag. 2:8).

D. By right, all souls belong to Him (Ezek. 18:4); by purchase, all Christians belong to Him (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

II. CONSEQUENTLY, ALL LIFE IS A STEWARDSHIP

A. Christians are stewards-trustees or caretakers of that which belongs to another (Luke 16:1-14)

	1.	Must be faithfu I as good stewards (1 Pet. 4: 1 0; 1 Cor. 4:.1-2); not wasting goods (Luke 16: 1).
	2.	Must render account of stewardship (Rom. 14:12).
	3.	God demands a "first-fruit offering" (Lev. 23:9-14; Matt. 6:33). 111. FELLOWSHIP-MUTUALPARTICI- PATION A. In love (I Pet. 1:22, Col. 2:2).

B. In suffering (Gal. 6:2).

C. In service (Gal. 2:9-10; Phil. 1:5).

D. In finance-"Let each one of you" @l Cor. 16:1-2). "According to his ability" (2 Cor. 8:12). "Equality" (2 Cor. 8'13-15).   Equality in bearing the financial burden of the church does not mean one giving as much as another (2 Cor. 10:12), but each one giving according to his ability. Individual ability is the basis of personal responsibility (Matt. 25:41:44). One cannot be in "full fellowship" until he is doing his part. Cf. Mark 12:41-44, the widow's mite.

I V. LOVE, CONSECRATION OF SELF-THE BASIS OF GIVING (2 Cor. 8:1-5; 2 Cor. 8:8-24).

A. Cannot serve both God and Mammon (Luke 16:13-15).

B. Giving is proof of "the sincerity" of our love (2 Cor. 8:8-9).

C. Giving is voluntary, not compulsory (2 Cor. 8:12).

V. CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW TESTAMENT GIVING

A. Regularly (I Cor. 16:1-2)-First day of the week.

B. Systematically Cor. 16:1-2)-Lay by in store.

C. Individually (1 Cor. 16:1-2)-Each one of you.

D. Liberally (2 Cor. 8:1-4).

E. Purposefully (2 Cor. 8: 12-15)-Not haphazardly.

F. Cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7)-God loves a cheerful giver.

G. Readily (2 Cor. 8:12)-Whatever his gift may be.

CONCLUSION: The church is engaged in the greatest mission under heaven. Money is absolutely essential in carrying on its work. Thus, the proper use of money assumes an important place in the Christian's life. Christians in making money must take "thought for things honorable in the sight of all men" and using the money we make must have the glory of God in mind. Let us learn that giving is a stewardship; and stewardship is exacting. There will be a calling to account. It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:1-2).

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