If you give 20%, that would be “venting.” :-)
A. AS WE PROSPER...
1. Paul charged Christians to give as they prosper - 1Co 16:1-2
2. He instructed them to give according to what they have - 2 Co 8:12-13
— Our giving should be in keeping with the level of our
prosperity
B. SEEK TO EXCEL...
1. Paul called for Christians to abound (excel, ESV) in the grace of giving - 2Co 8:7
2. With God's aid, we can abound in every good work - 2Co 9:8-10
3. Jesus tells us to surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees(remember their meticulous tithing?) - Mt 5:20; cf. Mt 23:23
— If the Pharisees gave tithes (actually 20-30%), do we surpass them by giving any less?
C. DO SO WILLINGLY...
1. There must be a willing mind prompting our giving - 2Co 8:12
2. We cannot give with a grudging obligation or of necessity
- 2Co 9:5,7
— We must give because we want to, not because we have to
D. AIM FOR EQUALITY...
1. Paul did not expect others to be eased at our expense - 2 Co 8:13
2. Rather, that our abundance supply others’ lack - 2Co 8:14
3. Moving in the direction of more equality between brethren
- 2Co 8:14-15
— Giving should be in the direction of the greater to the lesser(both as individuals and as congregations)
E. SOW BOUNTIFULLY...
1. Again, our giving should seek to excel (abound) - 2Co 8:7
2. If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully - 2Co 9:6
3. Not for personal gain, but to abound for even more good works- 2Co 9:8-10
— Seek to give bountifully, that you might give even more!
F. GIVE PURPOSELY...
1. Each one is to give as they purpose in their heart - 2Co 9:7
2. That is, with careful planning and intention, not as an
afterthought
— Budget beforehand to give purposely and willingly (see below)
G. WITH CHEERFULNESS...
1. God loves a cheerful giver - 2Co 9:7
2. Giving cannot be with a begrudging spirit, or sense of
obligation
— If we cannot give cheerfully, then our giving is not acceptable to God!
MORE IMPORTANT THEN TITHE IS OUR ATTITUDE IN OUR HEART