Grace of God in giving.

The word grace is derived from the Greek word Charis. It simply means God's mercy and favour towards man kind.

Today we will be discussing grace from the angle of giving. 

Grace here is an enablement, power or divine ability to give. 

We learnt how to give from God. He was the one that first gave his all in the person of Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 KJV.

God had to give His only son because He loves mankind. Now mankind will learn how to give to God and to fellow man from Him. 

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.  Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.  Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

2 Corinthians 8:1‭-‬7 KJV.

This admonition was from Paul to the Corinthian church. explaining the grace of giving that the Macedonian church had gotten hold of. The striking thing about them that Paul noticed is that these people did not have much but because they have understood the secret and benefit of giving, so they took the responsibility of giving to Paul and his team out of the little they had.

Today we have to wake up and apply the same energy we use in talking about faith, knowledge and love in the area of giving especially where it is clear that we are receiving spiritual blessings. 

How do we give? 

“Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the Lord without a gift for him. All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 16:16‭-‬17 NLT

So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

2 Corinthians 9:5 NLT

Why should I give? 

1.you will become wealthy. 

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:24‭-‬25 NLT.

2.givers never lack. 

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

Proverbs 28:27 NLT.

3.your giving capacity is also considered in your reward.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV.

What is the rules of giving. 

1. According to your income. 

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.

Deuteronomy 16:17 KJV.

2. You should give without show. 

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:   That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:3‭-‬4 KJV.

3. You are to give with simplicity.

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:8 KJV.

4. You are to give cheerfully. 

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV.

As a teacher of the word, I have laid before you the benefits of giving and the procedures of giving for your gifts to be accepted by God. We know that God does not eat our gifts or take our money but it is meant for our own good and blessings. You are doing yourself a favour whenever you give in the house of God or the people of God. 

the truth is that giving should be our life style and we should seek for this grace of giving that the Macedonian church had. 

Before I conclude this message  I want you practice what I just taught you. If you want to change your financial level, the opportunity is all around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your giving 

You have seen the rules of giving and the benefits of giving. 

Remember that it is for your own good  and also it is not by force but according to your capacity.

No matter the little that you have, give it with love and see how God will bless you. 

Have a wonderful day.