INTRODUCTION:
These chapters, II Corinthians 8 & 9, support the Bible truth that the work of God has never been supported solely by the tithe, but rather by tithes and offerings. Israel was often called upon to give offerings as well as the tithe. In fact, many Old Testament scholars believe the Jew of the Old Testament gave an average of 23% of their income to their worship of God. If that is true, they gave more in offerings than in tithe.
Paul shows us the New Testament church as well as the Old Testament saints added offerings to their tithe. It is what we call Faith Promise Giving. The most concise description of the Faith Promise principle found in Scripture is in II Corinthians chapters 8 & 9. These chapters are a description of two churches (Macedonia and Corinth) involved in Faith Promise Giving; hence, they are immensely practical. The Apostle Paul is involved in: (1) Encouraging their participation; (2) Describing the elements in Faith Promise; (3) Correcting their missteps; and (4) Keeping before them that this is an offering over and above the tithe. Note the following elements:
FOUNDATION ONE: WE MUST START NOW, WHERE WE ARE, WITH WHAT WE HAVE
From II Corinthians 8:1-2, we learn that we cannot wait for everything to get right before we do right. In other words we need to do right, right now. The church at Macedonia was doing right in spite of “…great trial of affliction…and their deep poverty…” This says that it was right to give an offering and that it was right to do it right now, in spite of internal problems and monetary challenges. We cannot wait to be obedient. The need is now and obedience is neither optional nor postponable. I am sure you know that World Evangelism is right for God’s children and right to do now. I am equally sure for many of us this is not the best of times to call upon you to get more involved financially. What is your affliction or poverty? Will you rise above it by faith for the cause of Christ?
FOUNDATION TWO: THE BASIC ISSUE IS WILLINGNESS, NOT WEALTH
In II Corinthians 8:3, we learn that the real issue is willingness, not wealth: “…they were willing of themselves;” willing in spite of great trial of affliction and deep poverty. They gave beyond human ability at the time, “…beyond their power…” We see the real issue is not wealth but willingness. The question is, “How do we become willing?” Our willingness is always connected to His worthiness, not by seeing the plight of the needy but by knowing the contribution of the divine. We should be made willing when we see in II Corinthians 8:9 what Jesus contributed to our plight “… though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,…” Or in II Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (Jesus). Jesus gave His life. God gave His Son. Will you be willing to give whatever is asked by Him of you? For additional verses on willingness in giving, see II Corinthians 8:11, 12, and 19.
FOUNDATION THREE: THE ORDER OF PARTICIPATION
In Faith Promise Giving, the order is: (1) Promise; (2) Give; (3) Receive. This is not as some teach, saying: (1) Promise; (2) Receive; (3) Give. The Scriptures say in II Corinthians 8:11 “…so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.” When we give out of what we already have, we are trusting God to replace it. According to Luke 6:38, He will do this, with “… good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,…” The faith is in His replacing, not in His adding to our already over-abundance. Our giving makes room for an abundant response from Him back to us. Giving must PRECEDE getting. Ask the farmer who sows seed and in return gets the same thing back, more back now and more later. I do not know of any place in Scripture in which we are asked to give what we do not have. I do know, however, of many places in which we are asked to give what we do have, regardless of how small or large the amount may be, with a promise of an abundant return. Ask the widow with the cruse of oil in II Kings 4. She had oil, gave it, and received vessels full “and not a few.” Ask the lad who had loaves and fishes in John 6. He gave what he had, and received twelve baskets full in return. Faith Promise is giving out of what you already have, trusting God to replace it.
FOUNDATION FOUR: THE AMOUNT IS OPTIONAL
In tithing, the amount, frequency, and participation are determined by God. In Faith Promise, you determine the amount. II Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give;…” Though you determine the amount you give, God has determined the fact of your participation. If being an obedient child of God is your goal, you must give because God said “Every man…” regardless of your “…great trial of affliction…their deep poverty...” Our participation tells volumes about our level of Christianity: II Corinthians 8:8 “…and to prove the sincerity of your love.” II Corinthians 8:24 “…the proof of your love,…” II Corinthians 9:2 “…I boast of you to them of Macedonia,…your zeal hath provoked very many.” (Paul was boasting of their participation in the giving effort, which was a giving program above the tithe, one for others that was reaching outside of their immediate ministry area, missions). Though they lived in Corinth, the offering was for people in Jerusalem, hundreds of miles away and on a different continent.
CONCLUSION
We cannot all participate at the same level, but we can all participate. Jesus was pleased with the widow’s mite and the woman’s alabaster box. These two gifts differed greatly in amount and value, but both were a pleasure to Him. He will also be pleased in our honest effort.
The kind of people we have proven to be in the past requires us to believe that this year’s Faith Promise Offering will be one in which we can boast of our faith in the Lord - an offering that will prove the sincerity of our love for the dear Lord Jesus and supply the needs of the saints.
