1. PATTERN AND PRECEPTS FOR GODLY GIVING
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LESSON 671:
PATTERN AND PRECEPTS FOR GODLY GIVING

2. LESSON 671: PATTERN AND PRECEPTS FOR GODLY GIVING
MEMORY VERSE:
“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God’’ (2 Corinthians 8:5).
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

3. SUMMARY (1) In our last study, we learned the following lessons:
Christians are saved so that they can be partakers of God’s holiness.
It is the believer’s duty to separate from all that can defile him/her and the Church.
Filthiness of the flesh connotes external pollution, defilement by outward actions committed in the body and has connection with internal pollution.
Every Christian should seek to perfect “holiness in the fear of God” by resisting and avoiding sin in all its inviting and seducing forms.
The study of today touches on three points:
Pattern of sacrificial giving despite personal challenges.
Precepts of scriptural giving for Christians.
Practical sincerity and integrity in money matters.

4. SUMMARY (2)
Pattern of sacrificial giving despite personal challenges (2 Corinthians 8:1-6,9:6-8):
The first gift to give to God is yourself: He owns you and wants to redeem you.
Giving despite of financial challenges is an expression of true conversion and consecration.
Precepts of scriptural giving for Christians (2 Corinthians 8:7-12;vs 13-14; 9:8)
Christian giving is a virtue we must all develop and keep.
Our giving must follow Christ’s sacrificial example: give your best!
We must give willingly, following our good intention with practical action.
Fingers are not equal: the strong must support the weak; let there be no lack.
Practical sincerity and integrity in money matters (2 Corinthians 8:16-24):
Ministers should delegate the collection of money to capable and honest people (1 Cor 16:3,4).
Management of money should also be transparent and with accountability to avoid suspicion.
Handling of large projects should be delegated to skilled, trustworthy people to avoid slander.

5. DISCUSSION

6. QUESTION 1
What can we learn from the concern of Paul for the brethren in Jerusalem?
Romans 9:1-3;10:1

7. QUESTION 2
What are the principles of Christian giving from the example of the Macedonian believers?
2 Corinthians 8:2,4,5
Philippians 4:15-17
Proverbs 19:17
Galatians 2:10

8. QUESTION 3 (a) Why do people fail to give?
Exodus 25:1,2; Exodus 35:4,5
(b) Point out the effect of lack of giving in the church.
Malachi 3:8-10
Haggai 1:1-6

9. QUESTION 4
What are the precepts the Apostles used to stir up the Corinthians Churches to give unto the brethren in Jerusalem?
2 Corinthians 8:7
2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:15
2 Corinthians 8:10,11
Acts 2:44-46; 4:34-37

10. QUESTION 5
What can ministers and believers learn from the way Paul handled money in the early church?
2 Corinthians 8:16-24
1 Corinthians 16:3,4
Philippians 2:25

11. CONCLUSION Giving is evidence of conversion and consecration to God.
We must first give ourselves to God, and then our substance.
We should give our best willingly, regularly, and with a good motive.
We should give to support the weak. The weak should also give!
Ministers should not manage money all on their own: skilled and faithful people should be set to handle it.

12. TIME TO PRAY!