Attitudes toward giving (continued)

  • Elements of giving, continued

    • Planning

      • Giving should not be haphazard, but done with proper planning and management. II Corinthians 9:7

      • Demands thought, premeditation, intent

        • Strike a balance between church collection and charity

        • II Corinthians 8:13-14

      • Consider the gift itself

        • It’s ours – Acts 5:3-5

        • God placed it in our care

    • Following through

      • Determining to do what we’ve purposed

        • Called to be steadfast – I Corinthians 15:58

        • Sign of maturity – Ephesians 4:14-16

      • Review and revise the plan

        • The OODA loop – Observe, Orient, Decide, Act

        • Incomes and circumstances change

        • Ability to “do less with more”

          • Learned trait

          • Comes with time, practice, and purpose

  • Individual charitable giving

    • Who is needy? Psalms 41:1-3

    • Where do we find them?

    • What are they in need of? Isaiah 58:6-11; Romans 5:6

    • Acts 4:7-10 – Jesus helped the helpless. We should stribe to do the same.

    • How much to give?

      • According to need and ability.

      • Final rule is within the heart – II Corinthians 9:6-11

      • Example at the judgment – Matthew 25:32-46

      • Act of faith – James 2:15-17