icocnairobi - Nairobi Christian Church and our East African Family of Churches
HOME Resources Articles About Us Youth Marrieds Singles Testimonials In Loving Memory Congregational Backgrounds

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTION
By Blaise Feumba

September 2002

1 Corinthians 16:1,2
We have many collections in the church, as did the disciples in the first century and the
people of God in the Old Testament. The main principal we see required is that one is to give according to one's means and ability. We have: a regular weekly contribution, a contribution for the poor and needy, and one main special contribution.
  1. WHAT IS GOD'S HEART AND JESUS' STANDARD ON CONTRIBUTION?

    2. Matthew 5:20     Our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. Our very position in heaven depends on it.
    Luke 18:12 The Pharisees gave a tenth of all they got! That meant everything - salary, bonuses, contracts, inheritances, gifts, etc. The truth is that we sin against God when we refuse to give a tenth of all we get! And many of us don't even give a tenth of our salary!
    In order to pass the Pharisees' righteousness, we must give more than "a tenth"! That is the standard Jesus calls his disciples to. Today let us make new pledges to God based on all that we get.

  2. THE HEART BEHIND THE GIVING

    3. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4     The Pharisees gave out of legalism; the Christian gives out of gratitude. The Christian has a sacrificial heart in spite of problems. This produces an overflowing in their life.
    vv. 3,4 A Christian gives as much as he/she is able and even beyond their ability entirely on their own! No one has to ask, they know what they must do and do it with joy! This is the heart behind the giving!

  3. WHY DOES THE CHRISTIAN GIVE BEYOND HIS/HER ABILITY?

    4. 2 Corinthians 8:1     Giving is a grace - a blessing. That is why Christians give.
    Philippians 4:18 Our sacrifices are a fragrant offering pleasing to God. God is pleased when our giving comes from the right heart, ex. Genesis 4:3-5 - Cain and Abel. Refusal to give our best to God results in bad attitudes, sadness, complaints, grumbling and curses! (Malachi 3:9)
    2 Corinthians 8:7 As we excel in faith, speech, knowledge, etc… Paul reminds us that we are to excel in the grace of giving! We should be excellent in contributions. This is why we give beyond our ability. Giving is a grace - a blessing!

  4. GOD'S PLAN TO THE GENEROUS HEART

    5. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10     Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously, ex. Luke 6:38 - give with a teaspoon, cup or bucket. It's up to you.
    v. 8 God promises to make all grace abound to us so that at all times we will have all we need and that we may abound in every good work, meaning that God will take care of us financially and will make our ministries successful! All this comes when we give generously.
    v. 10 God promises to enlarge the harvest of our righteousness. In Malachi 3:10, 11 God says that he will open up the floodgates of heaven and pour so much blessing down on us that we will not have room for it! God is always testing our hearts in this area of giving. Q. Are you passing the test?
    2 Corinthians 9:13,14 Finally, when we give sacrificially, God is glorified, which should be the desire of every Christian.

    Prayerfully, we will all take a close look at our hearts and make decisions to trust God, to obey him, and to give joyfully as God increases the harvest of our righteousness. May God bless us all as we repent in the area of giving.