Practical Areas of Consideration Regarding Giving: Responsibilities of Givers

Wayne Galloway
01/24/14 - N/A

Series: Additional Studies

Introduction:

1.  Previously we have observed . . .

a.  That giving is always commended in Scripture while self-centeredness, covetousness and greed are condemned.

b.  That God Himself is the master giver and thus our model in giving.

c.  That giving occupied a prominent place in the early church and that the N.T.’s regulation of giving in the church is fairly explicit.  The N.T. church actually becomes a model for us because they were following the teaching given by the Lord through the apostles.

2.  In Scripture there are many examples of problems associated with giving.

a.  Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) ran into trouble when they lied about how much they had given.  Evidently they were seeking to be honored because of the size of their gift.

b.  Jesus warned not to give to be seen of men, but rather to let our giving be in secret (Matt. 5:6-4).

3.  One of the major problems that I have in giving is getting my self out of the way.  I tend to want the praise of others.  But this should not be my motive for giving whether that praise should come from others, or from myself.  There are things that I want that I must sacrifice if I am to give.  My giving should not be affected by covetousness.  So again, the major hindrance in my giving is me. 4.  With these thoughts as background I want to talk with you about being a responsible giver.

Discussion:

I.  The Bible teaches that we are to be givers, but the Bible teaches that we are to be responsible givers.

A.  We are to labor and share with the one who has need (Eph. 4:28).

B.  But this is not a call for indiscriminate giving (2 Thess. 3:6-12).

1.  It is wrong to ignore genuine needs (James 2:14-16).

2.  It is also wrong to support an undisciplined life (2 Thess. 3:6-12).

C.  We have a responsibility to be responsible givers.

1.  Good giving involves the use of good judgment.

2.  This means that I have to evaluate the circumstances associated with my giving.

II.  It is sometimes easy for me to give without evaluation to relieve my personal stress.

A.  It is easier for me to throw money at a solicitation for funds than it is to evaluate the situation and make an informed decision.  Ex.  Someone calls and says they do not have money for gas to go to the doctor.  Inform me that they have cancer.  Easier for me to buy them a tank of gas than it is to get involved.

B.  There are those who solicit funds from those who are gracious intentionally using them and taking advantage of them.

1.  This is little different than extortion or robbery.

2.  “If you were really a Christian you would turn these stones to bread for me.”

3.  It is not the Lord’s intention for His people to be taken advantage of by shrewd manipulators.

a.  “Wealth adds many friends” (Prov. 19:4).

b.  “Man will seek the favor of a generous man” (Prov. 19:6).

4.  “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing” (Prov. 20:4).

a.  Now when this sluggard comes begging what are you to do?

b.  Indiscriminate giving encourages the continuation of his behavior.  But who can let him starve?

c.  National economic systems are challenged by slothful behavior, let alone family systems.  What does Scripture teach?  2 Thess. 3:6ff; 1 Tim. 5:8.

III.  Sometimes we want to commend ourselves for our giving (cf. Acts 5) and play into the hands of those who would take advantage.

A.  Our reasoning goes something like this:  “Giving is a good thing.  Here is an opportunity for me to give.  I feel good about having given.”  We make our giving about ourselves and not about what is right and actually helpful.

B.  We give for our benefit rather than the benefit of the actual need.

IV.  Sometimes we give to meet the approval of those who are requesting our gift.

A.  It makes a difference who is asking.

B.  When we want to meet their approval we are more likely to contribute.

1.  When someone is asking that we do not know it is easy to overlook it.

2.  We need to be careful about expecting repayment (Lk. 14:12-14).

V.  What’s a giver to do?

A.  There are all kinds of legitimate needs.

B.  Be careful about yourself and your giving.  Is your motive to commend yourself, to meet someone else’s approval, to escape responsibility and make things easy for yourself, to ease your conscience, to get someone off your back?

C.  Everyone of you is kind, compassionate, and caring.

1.  You would not want to see a stray cat mistreated let alone a child in some unfortunate situation, but the reality is that you cannot give to every need.

2.  Some “needs” are not legitimate.  But we cannot uses these to excuse us from giving to those that are.

3.  Be deliberate.  Have a plan.  Every solicitor presents their need as THE need of the decade.  Your tendency is to respond on the basis of emotion rather than having evaluated the circumstances and made a good judgment.

4.  Many do not have a plan and so are responding to emerging pressures rather than deliberate identification, evaluation and graciousness.  When you have a deliberate plan you can respond to emerging pressures by saying, “I appreciate what you are doing, but I have budgeted my giving.”  Have a plan and execute your plan.  I believe this finds its precedent in Scripture especially as it relates to the church.  Recommend a similar thing in your personal financial planning.  Your plan should (and will) reflect what your priorities are.  It should be deliberate and not merely based on emerging emotional pressures.

Conclusion:

1.  Giving is a critical area in the life of every Christian. 2.  It is a very practical consideration. 3.  This material has been presented in an effort to think through some of the practical issues that we face regarding ourselves and our giving.