3rd Sunday of Epiphany SUNDAY 26th JANUARY 2020
Introduction: Christian giving is one of the basic biblical principles, so let us go to the Word of God itself, without comment:
Matthew 6:1-4 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Body: There are 10 Principles of Christian Giving

1. The Lord Jesus expects and requires us to give. Jesus said to His disciples, “when you give” not “if you give” (Matthew 6:2)! Christian giving is not optional, but rather essential. He expected all His followers to be givers. Christians will give.
2. The Lord Jesus wants us to give for the right reasons. Jesus warned His disciples not to give for the sake of being admired by men. We must desire His approval of our giving, rather than the praise and admiration of people.
3. The Lord Jesus wants us to practice charitable giving. Jesus said “When you give to the poor /needy. . . .” (Matthew 6:2-3).
4. The Lord Jesus reminds us that our giving is ultimately to the all-seeing heavenly Father. Jesus said “When you give . . . ; you’re Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4).
5. Christian giving is an act of worship. (1 Corinthians 16:2). Paul says taking up of the collection is an act of worship which is to be a part of the regular Lord’s Day worship.
6. It is done in light of the incarnation. The command of the tithe (10% of our income) is still the standard for our giving to the Church (Malachi 3:6)
7. The Bible teaches that Christian giving should be done in accordance with our means. Paul “says, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” or proportion to what God has given you (2 Corinthians 8:12).
8. The liberality of God’s blessings to us is connected to the liberality of our Christian giving. Though it may seem strange, both Jesus and Paul emphasize that there is a relation between our giving to the Lord and the Lord’s giving to us. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”
9. Christian giving must be willing giving, free giving. We learn this in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not under compulsion.
10. The Bible teaches that Christian giving ought to be cheerful giving. As Paul says “God loves a cheerful giver.”
    In Conclusion: Christian Giving is a basic biblical principle, essential for God’s ministry and not optional for Christians and therefore whether children or adults we ought to give generously!
    Mr. Michael Rusoke.
    FATHER’S UNION CHAIRPERSON.