LESSON #11: GIVING

“What is the Meaning of Giving and What Are

My Responsibilities in this Area?”

Giving is an extremely controversial subject in Christianity today largely due to the severe pressures exerted on God’s people to give to so many worthy causes. This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood subjects in Christianity.

Before you can properly understand the nature of New Testament giving, you must understand one fact clearly. God does not need your money - He owns everything.

This lesson will deal with your responsibility in stewardship of your life as well as your resources.

1. Biblical giving begins with your life.

1. God bought you with a price, His blood, and you belong to

Him.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

2. God commands you to present your body as a living

sacrifice, not just your pocketbook.

Romans 12:1

3. God will always bless your gift. But a willing mind and

heart with a life committed to serve God must accompany

financial giving in order for God to bless you.

II Corinthians 8:3-5, 12; Exodus 25:2

2. Biblical giving accomplishes several purposes.

1. Giving proves the sincerity of your love for Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 8:8

2. Giving develops an attitude of grace. It takes no special

talents or abilities to give, only grace.

II Corinthians 8:6-7, 9:8

3. Giving is an investment in eternal riches, removing your

focus from earthly riches which will eventually fade away.

Philippians 4:17; Matthew 6:19-21

4. Giving shows that God is your priority.

Exodus 22:29-30, 13:12-13, 34:19-20, 26

5. Giving shows your dependence upon God to bless all of

your substance, not just what you give to Him. Simply

giving God your leftovers does not show your trust in

Him.

Proverbs 3:9-10

3. Biblical giving has a clear destination.

1. Biblical giving first supports God’s missions through the

the local church.

1. That is what it means to bring God’s tithes into the

storehouse - it is God’s structure through which He

accomplishes His mission in the world.

Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2

2. The tithe has to be brought to the storehouse so there

is meat in God’s house. That is God’s priority.

Galatians 6:10

2. Biblical giving can reach beyond the local church but

must not conflict with your responsibility toward it.

1. Obviously, anyone is free to give to causes outside

the local church. But you cannot count that as

tithing because it is the local church which is

central in God’s plan.

2. Any giving outside of the church should never be

done at the expense of the work of the church. God will

lead you in all giving to the church - time and service

as well as money.

II Chronicles 31:11-12; Deuteronomy 12:5-7

3. Bring your giving to the place where God’s servant’s

can use it to take care of the house God has bought

as they follow His Spirit. Otherwise, we are robbing

God.

Malachi 3:8

4. Biblical giving is how God intended to meet practical needs

in and through the local church.

1. Church leaders are supported by your biblical giving.

I Corinthians 9:11, 13-14; Galatians 6:6;

I Timothy 5:17-18

2. Other works of God are supported through your biblical

giving to your local church.

Philippians 4:15-16; I Corinthians 16:1-2

3. Those within the church body who are UNABLE to

support themselves are helped through your biblical

giving to the local church.

Acts 6:1; I Timothy 5:16, 9-10

1. Those who receive such help should have proven

themselves faithful under New Testament guidelines.

2. These needs should be confirmed by your pastor.

4. Other needs will be met by your biblical giving as

determined by the leadership of your church.

II Corinthians 8:4; Acts 11:27-30

5. Biblical giving is systematic and grows as you grow.You begin by giving your life. Your giving is to be out of a

willing heart and because you love the Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 8:4-5

Let us examine types of giving from the Bible:

1. The tithe - this is for management. Tithing was

practiced by God’s people even before the law of

Moses. We see this when Abraham paid tithes

to Melchizedec. The tithe was one-tenth of a

person’s income. In addition, it had to be taken off

the top (first fruits). Even though it was such a small

amount, it was given first to show God was the priority.

Exodus 23:16, 19; Deuteronomy 26:2

The test of a right relationship with this church is that

a person starts tithing.

I Corinthians 16:1-2

1. The principles of the Old Testament establish patterns

for our relationship with God.

I Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4

2. The goal in tithing is to aim for transformed lives by

funding the general budget of the church - the many

logistical necessities to assure the smooth and un-

interrupted functioning of the local church.

B. Offerings - this is for ministry. The goal of giving is to

expand the church’s ministries by funding the special

projects and ministries established through your church.

This is where a person can mature in giving and go above

the tithe (ten percent of income) to give an offering to support the things he or she does in ministry together with

others.

II Corinthians 8:6-7, 9:1, 11-13

3. Sacrificial Giving - this is for missions. The goal of

sacrificial giving is to provide you with spiritual vision

by funding the budget of missionaries your church sends

out or approves.

A person grows to go above the offering for his ministry

and makes a sacrifice to support someone else in a mission

endeavor of the church. Sacrificial giving is a cell-function

based on a relationship with someone who is sent out. It

gets missionaries to places you cannot personally go.

Philippians 4:15-18

A young Christian should establish discipline in his life

in all areas. Structure in giving is laid out in the New

Testament. These principles of biblical funding are

structured in His likeness - as a trinity.

(WARNING) Failure to be obedient to God in giving is

an indicator of a poor steward and someone who is

obviously not qualified for ministry responsibility and

leadership in the local church. I Corinthians 4:2;

II Corinthians 8:7-8, 10-11

6. Biblical giving is subject to biblical truth.

1. Give as God has prospered you. Don’t concern yourself

with the giving of others, just give according to the

amount God has blessed you.

I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:12

2. Remember at all times the law of sowing and reaping.

II Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7-9

3. True New Testament giving goes much further than a

simple “tithe”. It includes offerings and sacrificial

giving. It concerns turning over complete control of

your life and resources to Jesus Christ. If God has

control of your life, He will find His mission through

control of your resources. All of the above principles

of giving can be applied to your time and service as

well as your money.

1. God’s will is that we be conformed to the image of

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:29

2. God’s essential nature is giving, manifested in the

person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:16; I John 4:10; II Corinthians 8:9

3. When you give according to biblical principles,

you will manifest the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ

in your life resulting in God being glorified through

you.

II Corinthians 9:8-15; I Chronicles 29:8-13

7. Basic questions.

1. How can I be sure I am giving to the right things and

that my money (and time) is being used as God would

have it?

1. Build your giving (time, service and money) around

the local church. It is Christ’s structure to accomplish

His mission in the world.

2. Our pastors are accountable to our people. Since you

are not mailing money to some far-off “electronic

church” you can see how the money is being spent

up close. If you have prayerfully sought God’s

leadership in choosing a local church and you have

followed the principles in His Word, then you ought

to trust the leaders of the church to handle this matter

properly.

II Corinthians 8:20-21

2. What should I do now?

1. Make giving to and through your church a priority over

any other organization.

2. Make biblical giving your goal. Don’t be an indis-

criminate giver. Call the church office and request

personal offering envelopes.

1. Offering envelopes will help you to be organized

in your giving. You won’t forget if you have done

it or not.

2. Offering envelopes will provide you a record of

your giving. This can lower your income taxes

and leave you more money for your family and

ministry.

3. Offering envelopes will provide the church a record

of your giving. This is important for designating

offerings above your tithe.

3. Make growth an objective in your giving. Learn to pro-

gressively mature in this important area of your life.

The tithe is God’s prescribed beginning point. An

offering is growing to give above your tithe. It is

a voluntary expression of your thankfulness and love.

LESSON #10: QUESTIONS AND MEMORY VERSES

Questions:

1. List the two primary aspects of your relationship with other

Christians.

A.

B.

2. List four responsibilities you have toward other Christians

and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.

A.

B.

C.

D.

3. List four attitudes you should have toward other Christians

and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.

A.

B.

C.

D.

4. What does the term “fellowship” mean?

5. The essential elements of true biblical fellowship are not

__________________matters, but pertain to the essence

of the common _______________and _____________

we share.

6. List five areas of true fellowship and give a scripture

reference for each.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

7. List four character qualities needed in the Christian’s life

in order to participate in true fellowship with other believers.

A.

B.

C.

D.

8. True or False

1. True biblical fellowship is based on exact doctrinal

beliefs. __________

2. True biblical fellowship is possible with a lost

person. _______________

3. We must have fellowship with Jesus Christ before we

can have fellowship with other Christians._________

9. In the event another Christian offends you, list three

principles which should govern your actions in attempting

to resolve the matter.

A.

B.

C.

10. In the event your brother refuses to help resolve a problem,

what should you do?

11. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Ephesians 4:32; I John 3:14-15; I John 1:7

NOTE: Among many Christians today, the following attitudes

prevail.

1. We are not to associate with Christians who do not believe

exactly as we do.

2. “Fellowship” must be centered around a meal or an activity.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these attitudes are false and why.

LESSON # 10: OTHER CHRISTIANS

“What is My Relationship to other Christians?”

As we learned earlier, when you got saved, you moved from the devil’s family to God’s family. Spiritually, you now have a new family with many brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

We saw how the church is likened to a body in the previous lesson and in this lesson we will study the special relationship which you now have with your spiritual family. This lesson is designed to give you a clear understanding of how the body of Christ operates as a family unit.

1. You have both a family and functional relationship to other

Christians.

1. Other Christians are your brothers and sisters in Jesus

Christ. Be sure to understand, only those in Jesus Christ

(saved people) are your brothers and sisters regardless of

any other factors. Likewise, those NOT in Jesus Christ (lost

people) are not your brothers and sisters regardless of any

other factors.

Romans 8:29; I John 3:1-3; Romans 9:8;

Hebrews 2:9-12

2. Other Christians are your fellow laborers in service for

Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 3:5-10

2. You share certain responsibilities with other Christians.

1. We are to pray for each other. Almost every one of Paul’s

letters opens with a prayer for those to whom he is writing.

I Thessalonians 1:2-3; II Timothy 1:3

2. We are to minister to each other.

1. Physically

1. For those in your immediate family

Galatians 6:10; Romans 12:13

2. For the entire body of Christ.

Acts 11:27-30

2. Spiritually

Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 15:1-2; Hebrews 13:3

3. We are to encourage and edify one another.

I Thessalonians 5:11

4. We are to serve one another with humility.

Philippians 2:3-4; Matthew 20:25-28

3. You have a personal responsibility to maintain a biblical

attitude toward other Christians.

1. You should love them.

I John 3:14-16; I Peter 4:8

2. You should be patient with them.

Romans 15:5-7

3. You should be sensitive to their needs.

I John 3:17-18; James 2:15-16

4. You should be forgiving of them.

Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13

4. You have a part in a biblical fellowship that unites

Christians.

1. Fellowship is sharing our common life in Christ.

1. “Fellowship” is a term commonly used by Christians

generally referring to getting together for activities

or times of sharing common interests. However,

this is only a small part of true fellowship.

2. While fellowship is sharing things in common, true

biblical fellowship goes FAR BEYOND just a meal

or an activity. It is the sharing of life and ministry with

other believers through the person of the Lord Jesus

Christ.

Philippians 1:3-6; 2:1-2

3. The essential elements of true biblical fellowship are

not physical matters (such as social status, friendship,

common interests, etc.) but are the biblical essence

of the common life and mission we share.

2. Fellowship involves many aspects of Christian living.

1. Prayer - II Corinthians 1:11

2. Faith - Romans 1:12

3. Ministry - II Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 2:9

4. Suffering - Philippians 3:10; I Peter 4:13, 5:1

5. Doctrine - Acts 2:42; Romans 16:17

3. Fellowship is maintained by the practice of biblical

character qualities.

1. Humility - Philippians 2:3-8

2. Honesty - Ephesians 4:25; II Corinthians 4:2

3. Love - John 13:35; Galatians 5:13-15

4. Hospitality - Titus 1:8; Acts 2:42, 46-47

4. Fellowship among believers must be based on your

fellowship with Christ.

* You must learn to have personal fellowship with Him

before your fellowship with others believers will be

proper. True biblical fellowship is rooted in the

elements listed above (prayer, faith, ministry, suffering,

doctrine) as we come together in our fellowship in the

person of Christ.

I John 1:3-7; I Corinthians 1:9-10

5. What if another Christian offends me?

Unfortunately, this will probably happen to you if you spend

any time with your brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Just

as in your physical family, there will be times of offense, hurt,

and disagreement within the body of Christ. The Bible gives

us directions dealing with all situations. In serious cases of

offense, the following principles provide a definite progression

to deal with such matters.

1. Privately take the offense directly to the other party first

and try to settle it between yourselves.

Matthew 18:15

2. If the matter is not resolved privately, take a mature

believer with you as a mediator in the situation. This

person should be able to bring an objective evaluation

and give balance in dealing with the offense.

Matthew 18:16; I Corinthians 6:1-5

1. Do NOT go to the lost world to settle a spiritual

problem within the body of Christ.

I Corinthians 6:6

2. Go to the authorities if a crime has been committed.

Romans 13:1-5

3. If this matter still cannot be resolved, take it to your pastor

so the offending party has the opportunity to submit to

the structure of the church.

Matthew 18:17

1. Be prepared to support church discipline.

Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:9,11; II Thessalonians

3:6, 14; I Timothy 6:5

2. Commit the situation to the pastoral leadership of the

church. They will handle it justly as the Holy Spirit leads

through the structure God has established.

Hebrews 13:7, 17

3. While you should be ready to forgive your brother or sister

if there is true repentance, reconciliation and restoration

cannot take place without this repentance on the part of

the offending party. God made forgiveness possible when

Christ died and rose again.

That forgiveness becomes operative only when we repent

and receive His forgiveness.

Matthew 18:21-22; Luke 17:3; Colossians 3:13

4. Pray for your brother.

Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:14

5. Though you are ready to forgive when the offense is dealt

with biblically, be certain you do not enter into sin by

harboring bitterness in your heart in the meantime.

Hebrews 12:14-15

LESSON #9: QUESTIONS AND MEMORY VERSES

Questions:

 

 

1. What are the three institutions God has established on earth?

A.

B.

C.

2. List some things that a church is NOT

3. Define the following terms:

1. Local church

2. The Church

4. In 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, Paul teaches that in many ways the

church body is similar to the ________________________.

List five parts of the body mentioned in this passage of

scripture.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

5. List four basic similarities between the church body and the

human body.

A.

B.

C.

D.

6. The first local church in the bible was at Jerusalem. In Acts 2:

41-47 we see this local church functioning. List the functional

purposes found in this passage of scripture.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

7. What is the most important priority of a local church?

8. There is a proper order to follow as you function in the

church body. List the three general stages connected with

spiritual growth.

A.

B.

C.

9. How do these three stages of spiritual growth match up with

the three stages of physical growth found in I John 2:12-14?

A.

B.

C.

10. The Christian should be ___________________because

growing spiritually is a process which can only be properly

accomplished with the established _________________

of the ______________________________.

11. When a Christian is looking for a place to worship and serve,

what qualities should be evident in that church?

A.

B.

C.

D.

12. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Ephesians 4:11-12; I Corinthians 12:27; II Timothy 2:2

NOTE: Many churches today are not fulfilling God’s plan because their primary attitudes are:

1. In order to really learn the Bible you need to go to a Bible

College.

2. The primary purpose of a local church is to be a social or

political organization.

3. The local church is primarily for weddings, funerals, and

religious holidays.

4. Only the “leadership” of the church is charged with any

responsibility of meeting people’s spiritual needs.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should

understand these attitudes are false and why.

LESSON # 9: THE LOCAL CHURCH

“What is the Purpose of My Involvement

in a Local Church?”

God has established three major institutions on this earth; the family, the civil government, and the local church. It is the local church which has been commissioned by God to carry out His purpose in reaching the lost and perfecting the saved. Therefore, God’s plan for a Christian will always be fulfilled best when connected with the local church.

The purpose of this lesson is to impress upon you the central role which the church should play in your everyday life.

1. Understand the biblical definition of the local church.

1. It is NOT a building. Acts 14:27

1. We worship God in spirit and truth. John 4:24

2. Our bodies are the temple of God. I Corinthians 6:19

B. It is NOT a denominational group of congregations.

3. A local church is a body of men and women who have

       been saved and called by God to serve in a specific

area. The Church is the body of Christ - the saved

multitudes from every nation.

1. Writing to saved people, Paul states clearly in

I Corinthians 12:27, “…ye are the body of Christ.”

2. Paul compares the church body to the human body

in I Corinthians 12:14-27.

1. Each member has a different function - verses

14-20.

2. No one member can function alone - verse 21.

3. Each member’s contribution is important -

verses 22-24.

4. A properly functioning body operates in a single

unit - verses 25-27.

2. Understand the biblical function of the local church.

1. According to Acts 2:41-47, the first local church in the
   Bible was organized for the following purposes.

1. Teaching the Word of God - verse 42.

2. Fellowship with other believers - verse 42.

3. Prayer - verse 42.

4. Observance of the two ordinances of the church;

baptism - verse 41 and the Lord’s supper - verse 42.

5. Testifying to God’s grace and power - verse 43.

6. Mutual assistance and ministry - verses 44-45.

7. Reaching out into the community - verses 46-47.

8. Glorifying and praising God - verse 47.

2. The first priority of the local church is to edify (build up,

teach, and strengthen) the saints.

Ephesians 4:11-16

3. Understand your function within the local church.

During your Christian life you should grow through three

broad and general stages as outlined in Ephesians 4:12.

1. You are to be perfected as a saint. This is a time to

observe and learn.

Your first priority should be submission to the teaching

of the Word of God and learning to be the person God

wants you to be.

Matthew 11:28-30

2. You are to do the work of the ministry. This is a time to

participate.

In time, you will naturally grow to the point where you can

begin to serve and take on some basic function through

the already established ministries of your church.

Matthew 4:19; James 1:22-25

3. You are to edify the body of Christ. This is a time to

lead.

As your growth continues you should reach the point where

you can begin to minister to others in the same way others

have ministered to you.

II Timothy 2:2

These three stages can be roughly compared to the stages of

physical growth: childhood, youth, and adult. BE

PATIENT! This process takes time. Just be sure to remain

faithful to God’s established institution - the local church.

4. Basic questions:

If God moves me to another location, how do I find the

particular local church through which God will want me to

serve?

1. Pray about it! Ask God to lead you to the right church.

James 1:5

2. Observe the qualities of a particular church and compare

them with the biblical requirements of a church.

1. Is there evidence of soul winning?

Matthew 7:20; Acts 2:47

2. Does the church leadership believe and teach the Bible

as the Word of God and the infallible guide for life?

Titus 1:9

3. Is the membership encouraged to read and study the

Bible as much as the leadership?

Acts 17:10-12

4. Do the people minister to the needs of others?

Acts 6:1

5. Does the church send out and support missionaries?

Acts 13:1-3