PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING
$$Why talk about money?• Spotlight on one’s
spiritual condition.• Index to a person’s
character.• Reflection of a person’s
heart.
PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING
Macedonian churches:• Severely impoverished• Roman territory for 200 years (taxed, persecuted…)Paul’s Fundraising Campaign:• Jerusalem church (growth, provision of needs…)• 10 year campaign• Church in Corinth already pledged to give
PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING
Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. Initiated by God’s grace.
“And now brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the
Macedonian churches.” (8:1)
PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING
Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult
circumstances.“Out of the most severe trial...” (8:2a)
“Remember this – you can’t serve God and money, but you can serve God with money.” –
Rev. Selwyn Hughes
PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING
Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult
circumstances.3. generous.“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing
joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (8:2)
PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING
Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult
circumstances.3. generous.“Generosity” = single-mindedness (oneness in purpose)
“…but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)
PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING
Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult
circumstances.3. generous.“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this
service to the saints.” (8:3-4)