(1 Tim 6:10 – “Love of money……). But now can we say?

Proverbs 31:32 “The lack of money is the root of all evil”

Dream It Achieve It
Ecc 10:19 – “A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything”.

Money is an important commodity in our life –

The person of God brings salvation thro Jesus and the principles of God thro Jesus brings multiplication.

 Edmun Burke. “ If we command our money, we shall be rich and free, if our money commands us we are
poor”
 Mike Murdock “ I don’t give where I feel like, but I give where I am commanded to”

1. The Bible mentions 4 areas of giving: Tithe; Offering; Alms; and Vows.
 The Bible speaks of commanded blessings for commanded giving (eg the 7 blessings connected to giving of
tithe;
 7 blessings connected to giving of offering; 7 blessings connected to giving of alms).
 Tithing we are much familiar with; but we are really not familiar in the area of offering. What does the Bible
tell us?
Let’s have a brief understanding of what it tells us.

2. What is offering? They are freewill gifts given over and above the tithe.
 Offerings were an integral part of life even before the law. (Ref Gen 4:3 – Cain & Abel)
 Offering is a heart matter, it is sacrificial giving, grace giving, and thanks giving.

a) OT Offering
Gen 8:21 – Noah’s offering pleased God and He made a covenant with Noah
Lev 1:9 – Offering is like a pleasing aroma to God.
1 Chr 16:28-29 – Tells us it is a part of thanksgiving and worship

b) NT Offering:
Apart from Luke 6:38; St. Paul writes to the Phillipian and Corinth CHURCH, concerning offering.
In 2 Cor: 8 & 9 and in Phil 4:15-19

c) In 2 Cor 8:3 – Paul highlights to the church in Corinth 3 elements in the Macedonians giving:
a) They gave according to their ability. (Propotionately)
b) They gave beyond their ability. (Sacrificially)
c) They gave willingly. (Willingly)

d) In 2 Cor 9:5-11 – Paul highlights to the church in Corinth on Offering as Seed/Seed Offering.
I. v5 – Encouraging the church in giving.
II. v6 – Referring to the offering as seed / seed offering ( Gen8:22andIsa55:10.)
III. v7 – 3 elements in seed offering:
i) Purposefully – with a purpose, predetermined, premeditated.
ii) Without compulsion – not out of a sense of obligation.
iii) Cheerfully – not with sadness but having a pleasure in giving.
IV. v8 - referring not to spiritual graces, but to money and material needs (2 Chr 31:10)
V. v10-11 – talks about multiplication of the seed sown and increase in everything temporal and eternal.
VI. v12 - onwards gives the purpose of the seed.

e) Some characteristics of a seed:

Seed is always in the fruit. (don’t seek for it outside); a farmer always keeps the seed aside from the harvest.
Seed is useless if not sown; and the amount matters – sow sparingly reap sparingly.
Seed sowing has a time (as in ALC it’s February)
Seed has the potential to grow
Seed grows automatically and no one knows how (Mk4:27) – Ecc 11:5 about baby growing in the womb.
Fruitfulness is a process (Mk 4:28) first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.
Eph 4:19 “My God shall supply……..” (condition?) – Abraham Jehovah Jireh?

e) Some very important characteristics of the offering as seed in reference to ( Gen 8:22 and Isa 55:10 )
Gen 8:22 - states that seed time and harvest time is a covenant (Ps 89:34 “ My covenant…..)
Isa 55:10 – states that God gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater

sow sparingly and reap sparingly.

 “Frugality (avoiding waste) includes all the virtues (good moral conduct)” – Cicero.

 “Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they
are” – James W Frick.