TMF 980718 A Biblical Model of Giving: Giving is the Behavior of Devout Christians

A Biblical Model of Giving

Giving is the Behavior of Devout Christians
2 Corinthians 8:1-8

Philippians 4:19 promises that "My God shall supply all my needs." In World War 2, orphan 
children were placed in camps set up by Allies to care for them. One camp, children could 
not sleep because there was fear that their needs would no be met tomorrow. They gave the 
children a loaf of bread at night, and they slept knowing that they had food for tomorrow. 
God will feed the birds; will He not feed you also? The point is that we do not need to 
stockpile, but we can give generously because God promises to meet your needs. Proverbs 
says that it is good to plan for the future. The motivation is not out of fear but of wisdom.
In 2 Corinthians 8:1, Paul uses the churches of Macedonia as an illustration on giving. Paul 
is asking the Gentile churches during his third missionary journey for money to give to the 
church of Jerusalem. The reasons why Jerusalem were needy were threefold. First, they were 
populated by pilgrims who converted and decided to stay. Second, there was persecution of 
the church. Third, the Roman economy took much resources and impoverished the people. The 
Gentile churches helping out the Jerusalem Christians would be sign of solidarity. In verse 
10, Paul tells the Corinthian church that they had started giving but stopped. Now finish 
your giving. The giving stopped probably because of the sin and problems in the church as 
discussed earlier in 2 Corinthians.

A first basic principle acquired from the text is that giving is a behavior of devout 
Christians. The example of Macedonia (Phillipi, Thessalonica and Berea - today northern 
Greece) was given to the Corinthians as they were probably not aware of their sacrificial
giving. The Macedonian church were likely to be very poor, not too much better than 
Jerusalem. (2 Cor 11:9, Php 2:25; 4:15,18) There are several characteristics of giving by 
a devout Christian. Giving is initiated by God's grace (v.1) This giving is beyond the 
measure of human kindness. It is not a giving that is normal or human but produced by God. 
The grace of God makes us love others to give. This notion shuts up the idea of human merit
and commendation. Philippians 2:12-13 says that "God is working in you."

Giving transcends difficult situations (v.2)

"Great ordeal of affliction" is very strong wording. Affliction speaks of a smashing or 
crushing pressure. Great means large or huge. Ordeal refers to a difficult test, something 
very severe. Macedonia experienced a prolonged period of suffering; grinding poverty. Acts 
17:5 describes the churches undergoing persecution. They were experiencing the same suffering 
as Paul from his own countrymen. (1 Thess 2:14) These trials revealed spiritual character, 
and Macedonia passed the test with an A+. (1 Thess 1:6, 3:3ff, Php 1:29) Furthermore, they 
were giving sacrificially to people they had never met.

Giving is with joy (v.2)

"Abundance of joy" refers to a surplus that is above or in spite of suffering. This was a joy 
of obedience.
 
Giving is not hindered by poverty (v.2) 

"Deep poverty" Deep refers to rock bottom or extreme depth. Poverty here refers to the lowest 
level of poverty, cringe, cower, having nothing. (Other uses in Luke 14:21; 16 - Lazarus; 
16:10) Macedonia had been a place of civil wars also.

Giving is generous (v.2) 

"Overflowed in the wealth of their liberality" The church was gusted in generosity. They 
overdid it. This the opposite of being double-minded or duplicity. It is single-minded with 
no regard for self. It is giving with the right hand without knowing what the left hand was 
doing. They had learned the two principles that it is more blessed to give than receive and 
you cannot out give God. See also Romans 12:8.

Paul teaches about giving by example of the local churches in Macedonia. They have learned 
that giving to the Lord's work will invest in immortal wealth. They were exchanging earthly
wealth for heavenly wealth. Previously we discussed giving is initiated by God's grace, 
transcends difficult circumstances, with joy, not hindered by poverty, and generous. Paul
continues in verse 3 with "For I testify..." signifying that he has first hand experience 
on this giving.

Giving is proportionate (v.3)

"according to their ability" refers to power to give. There is no fixed amount or percentage. 
We are not expected to go into debt by our giving. The notion of 10% is not biblical. 

Giving is sacrificial (v.3)

The Macedonians gave with great generosity. Giving needs to cut into our lifestyle. The 
Macedonians understood Philippians 4:19 and Matthew 6:8 and Matthew 6:25ff. The widow gave 
sacrificially in Mark 12.

Giving is voluntary (v.3)

Giving was of their own accord, volition and free will. This has the notion of one who chooses 
his own course or direction. See also Philemon 14 and 1 Cor 9:2 [Achia volunteered giving]. 
Some belief that ten percent is God's standard, both in the law and before the law. Abraham, 
Isaac and Jacob all transcended the law. There is the problem that sabbaths and animal 
sacrifices are not treated consistently also as giving. Let us examine three periods: 
pre-law, law (Moses) and post-law. There are two types of giving: required and voluntary.

Pre-Law (voluntary)

Tithe = "tenth". It is a mathematical term. The giving by Abraham and Jacob in Genesis was 
voluntary and not required. They chose the time, amount and percentage of their giving. The
used of a tenth is not limited to the Bible. The history of man has used ten as a counting
system. Pagans gave a tenth also. Ten symbolizes totality or wholeness. But in Genesis, God 
never required or commanded tithing. Genesis 4:3, "in course of time" implies voluntary. 
There was no certain percentage given. There was probably guidelines to the giving, that the 
offering was the shedding of blood of an animal. Genesis 8:30, Noah was not commanded but 
spontaneously gave out of gratitude to God. Genesis 12:7, Abram is grateful and builds altar 
in response to God's promise to him. (Genesis 13:18 - Hebron) Genesis 14:18-20 gives the first 
mention of tithe. Abraham returned from fighting Chedorlaomer and other kings and returned 
with many spoils. He meets Melchizedek who is both priest and king. Abram gave a tenth in 
gratitude to the one who represents God Most High. As Hebrews indicates, it was probably 
only a tenth of some that he took. Hebrews 7:4 (Greek) describes Abraham taking the top of 
the heap. It might very well have been that a tenth of all the spoils might be more then 
the priest can take. Genesis 28:20-22, Jacob bribes God saying, "If God is with me and 
protects me in journey, I will give and live under God." The offering was not an 
obligation, and God probably did not want it under the given circumstances.

Pre-Law (required)

Genesis 41:34 describes the first tax of 20% to store food for the impending famine. Note in 
the pre-law period, voluntary giving was personal to God, but required giving is government 
taxation for the needs of people.

Law (required)

A. Every year Jews gave a tenth to Levites to supply government. (Lev 27:30-33) This included 
a tenth of animals, land, food, etc. all belong to the Lord. It was demanded and required. 
The Levites ran a government as a theocracy. (Lev 27) Malachi 2:8 says we rob God from not 
tithing. B. Second tithe was for the national festival "potluck" as described in Deuteronomy 
12. The first tithe was for the priesthood, while the second tithe is for social and spiritual
life of the nation.C. Once every three years, a poor tithe was collected. (Deut 14:28) It was 
like a welfare tax. This three tithes total about 23.3%, and it was tithing for the government, 
not for God.+ There was a national profit sharing, to not glean all the wheat but to let the 
poor pick up the scraps. (Lev 19:9-10)+ There was a temple tax. (Neh 10:32-33)+ Every seventh 
year, the Jews were commanded to let the land rest. (Ex 23:10-11)The Law commanded the people 
to give their first fruits. It was the best that they gave as an offering. It was an act of 
faith because they gave first before they knew exactly what the total crop was going to be 
like. It was never a set percentage or requirement. Numbers 18:22 speaks of giving the best 
of oil, wine and wheat. Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9 teach the same 
principle of giving the first and best. If we honor God, He will fill the barns. In Malachi 3, 
people gave the worst animals and kept the best for themselves. Exodus 25:1-2 speaks of the 
raising of a contribution which was voluntary for whatever amount. See also Proverbs 11:24-25; 
Exodus 35:21-22; Deuteronomy 16:10; 17. 1 Chronicles 29, David asks to people to give 
voluntarily for the building of the temple. Recall, giving is characteristic of a devout 
Christian. It is initiated by God's grace, transcends difficult situations, with joy, 
not hindered by poverty, generous, proportionate, sacrificial and voluntary. There are two 
types of giving. 

Required is taxation which was 20% in Egypt (pre-law) and about 25% during the Mosaic Law. Free 
will giving comprised of giving the best and first fruits to God.

New Testament (required)

The Jews were still under the Law, giving to the Levites, the temple and the taxes of the 
theocracy tax law. The Romans issued an additional tax since they were occupying Israel. 
Zaccheus and Matthew were tax gatherers for the Romans. Jesus paid his taxes to avoid offending 
the system. (Matt 17:24-27) We are to walk as Christ (1 Jn 2:6) Give to custom what custom is 
due. (Rom 13) In a public forum, Jesus was asked should you pay taxes. Jesus responds to render 
to Caesar what's Caesar's and give to God what is God's. (Mt 22:15-22) Jesus criticized 
Pharisees that though they have paid their tithes, they ignored weightier issues. (Mt 23:23) 
There is nothing to boast about paying taxes. (Lk 18:12) There is no command about tithing; 
just pay taxes. (Rom 13:6; Mal 3:8)

New Testament (voluntary)

The Macedonians gave freely. (2 Cor 8:3) Zaccheus after his salvation voluntarily gave half his 
possessions to the poor and return the cheated fourfold. (Luke 19:1ff) Jesus did not ask him to 
do that. It was voluntary.Giving is viewed as privileged, not obligation (v.4)
"Begging" refers to pleading with much passion. Same usage as Luke 8:28. "grace of giving" uses 
the Greek word charis. The word support is where we get the words minister and deacon.

Giving is an act of worship. (v.5)