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I. Self Evaluation
1. Have I increased my giving as I have increasingly prospered?
Yes / No
1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
2. How does my giving comapre with my expenditures for non essentials - recreation, hobbies, comfort, conveniences, travel, etc?
Give more / About same / Less / Much less
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3. Does my giving reflect a deep and genuine concern for the mission and ministry of the church of Jesus Christ?
Yes / No
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
4. Have I considered the scriptures as a guiding principle of my giving?
Yes / No
Malachi 3:8-10
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.
9 You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me.
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
5. Has the element of sacrifice ever been part of my giving?
Yes / No
2 Corinthians 8:2
Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
II. Reasons for purposing
1. My duty to God demands it
His word instructs me to decide in my heart to give and then to give as I have decided.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
With a delibrate and definite written decision, I know that I will be serious and consistent in my giving.
2. My responsibility to Christ requires it
In giving himself for me, he did so willingly, intentionally and according to God's eternal purpose. I want to give to him as he gave to me.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
3. My responsibility to the leaders calls for it
They watch on behalf of my soul and I am to be in submission to them.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
If my parents, boss, teachers, must know all about me, then surely my leders of the church need to know somethings of my giving and ability to give, if they are to "watch for my soul".
4. I owe it to myself
I want my offering to be pleasing to God and in acceptable giving, there must first be a willing mind, a deliberate, definite and international purpose.
2 Corinthians 8:12
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
5. My conscience need it
When Bible and debts pile up and I am tempted to let the Lord wait for His, my purpose reminds me that I must honor God with the first fruits of my increase.
Proverbs 3:9
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
6. My place in the church complicity
We are all members of the one body and the body cannot function and grow as it should without the full cooperation of every member. And there is my influence.
1 Corinthians 12:25
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
Moreover, it's not the amount you give it's how you give.
Mark 12:41
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.
7. It is essential to the success of the Lord's work
His work is a business, the father's business and it should be planned and carried out with greater thought, care and diligence than any other business in the world.
1 Corinthians 14:40
But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Purposing will help.
III. Personal Contribution Worksheet
1. Expected Monthly Gross Income Amount.
Note: This is your gross income before taxes, insurance, PF or anything else held out: remember, God requires the "First fruits". Also, add into this figure any extra income that may come irregularly, such as: bonuses, investment returns, overtime pay, etc.
2. 10% of Gross Income Amount.
Note: Calculate this by multiplying gross income amount by 0.1
3. Weekly contribution amount (divide by 4.3 which is the average number of weeks per year, some months have 5 and others only 4).
4. Special Contribution Amount (multiply weekly contribution by 15)
5. If desired, a greater than 10% contribution amount.
Note: 10% was the Old Testament standard of giving.
Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
2 Corinthians 8:7
But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
As a person's faith in God and love for God grows their level of giving also grows.
Sit down and prayerfully consider your decision. If you are married, prayerfully discuss together your monthly giving level keeping with the teaching of 2 Corinthians 9:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2 and then keep it as a reminder of your commitment.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
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