Day 5: Giving (Part I)

DAY 5: GIVING, Part I: Sacrificial Giving

The Old Testament Precedent - Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 1:13-14
1. The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth (tithe) of all their income to the Lord
2. The Israelites had many other kinds of sacrifices (e.g. burnt, sin, grain, fellowship offerings) in addition to the tithe. The Israelites actually gave up to 33% of their income to God.
3. The sacrifices were to be the best available. God will not accept a second rate sacrifice.
New Testament Examples
1. The Widow - Mark 12:41-44
  She was commended not for what she gave, but her giving heart. She was totally dependent on God.
2. Barnabas - Acts 4:36-37
  He sold his property and gave all the proceeds from the sale to meet the needs of the church.
3. The Macedonians - 2 Corinthians 8:1-3
  They gave beyond their ability even though they were extremely poor
True Sacrifice Costs Something - 2 Samuel 24:21-25
1. David refused to sacrifice to God something that cost him nothing.

QUESTIONS

Am I giving my best to God in my weekly giving? Do I give to God first out of my pay or out of what is left over?
What percentage of my income am I giving in my weekly contribution?
What am I willing to sell or sacrifice for the special contribution?

Lev 27:30 "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

Mal 1:13-14 And you say, 'What a burden!' and you sniff at it contemptuously," says the LORD Almighty. "When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?" says the LORD. {14} "Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.

Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. {42} But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. {43} Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. {44} They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

Acts 4:36-37 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), {37} sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

2 Cor 8:1-3 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. {2} Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. {3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

2 Sam 24:21-25 Araunah said, "Why has my lord the king come to his servant?" "To buy your threshing floor," David answered, "so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped." {22} Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. {23} O king, Araunah gives all this to the king." Araunah also said to him, "May the LORD your God accept you." {24} But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. {25} David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the LORD answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.