God's Gym: The Exercise of Giving

The way we handle our money reveals the measure of our commitment we have to God. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul reminds the church at Corinth of the principles of giving. He used the churches of Macedonia as positive examples of giving even though they were impoverished. Let’s examine these biblical principles.

1. Give yourself to God first. (2 Corinthians 8:5; Romans 12:1-2)

2. Give according to God’s principles.

• God is the owner of everything. (Psalm 24:1)

• You are a steward of His possessions. (1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25)

• You are responsible to faithfully manage His possessions (e.g., money, children, time, the truth you know).

• God is your Boss, and you work for Him. (Colossians 3:23)

• You should be satisfied with eternal treasures alone. (Matthew 6:20)

• You must serve God and God alone.
(Matthew 6:24)

• You should give a minimum of 10% to God. (Old Testament believers gave approximately 25% of their incomes. Malachi 3:8)

• You should give to God first and give Him your best. (1 Corinthians 6:

• Every believer should give.

• You should give regularly.

• You should give proportionately.

• You should give generously. (Proverbs 3:10; Luke 6:39; Malachi 3:10)

• You should give purposefully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

• You should give willingly.

• You should give cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

3. Give according to God’s will.

•. It is God’s will for you to give yourself to God. (Romans 12:1-2)

• It is God’s will for you to give according to God’s principles.

• It is God’s will for you to tithe and to give sacrificially above your tithe as God leads.