Worksheet V - Giving in the New Testament

V.a – "GIVING" IN 2 CORINTHIANS 8–9

37. Who was the money intended for in 2nd Corinthians 8-9? (8:4, 8:14, 9:1, 9:9, 9:12)
_____________________________________________

38. Did Paul say that the money was for ministers, the ministry of the word, church building maintenance or even for the church's ministries?
Circle answer: YES or NO

39. How often did Paul ask the Corinthians to "give" like this? (8:10)
_____________________________________________

40a. Is "tithe" or a required minimum percent of income mentioned in these chapters?
Circle answer: YES or NO

40b. Was there a command to give this gift? (8:8, 9:7)
Circle answer: YES or NO

40c. Was there a curse if the gift was not given?
Circle answer: YES or NO

41. Why was Paul comfortable urging them so strongly to give? (9:5)
_____________________________________________

42. The word "generously" or "bountifully" in 9:6 can literally be translated "blessing" (εύλογία). Since this gift was given to help people in need (8:14, 9:12), could it be possible that the "reaping" in 9:6 refers to the recipients (the people in need) reaping blessings from the Corinthians' gift instead of the Corinthians getting back blessings for themselves?

43. Who were the believers directed to look at as their ultimate example of "giving"? (8:9)
(And did He give "money"?) _____________________________________________


V.b – JESUS CHRIST’S TEACHING ABOUT "GIVING"

44. In His most direct teaching about "giving", who did Jesus talk about giving to? (Matthew 6:1-4)
_____________________________________________

45. What kinds of blessings did Jesus promise that we would "reap" because of our giving? (Mark 10:21)
_____________________________________________

46. Jesus promised to take care of us and meet our needs so that we could give to whom? (Luke 12:22-33)
_____________________________________________

47. Did Jesus teach that it's better to "have more" so that we can "give more"? (Luke 21:1-4)
Circle answer: YES or NO

48. What is the context of Luke 6:38 about? (Luke 6:27-37)
_____________________________________________

49a. Why did Jesus say that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" in Acts 20:35?
(Luke 6:27-36, Romans 5:6-8) _____________________________________________

49b. In Acts 20:35 what did Paul say about who we give to, and the motivation for giving?
_____________________________________________


QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION - V

If Christ and the apostles meant "giving to the needy" when they preached about "giving" and when they asked for donations, could God be upset that we've changed the meaning of "giving" today to mean "giving to church buildings and staff"?

God loved the poor and needy so much that He commanded ancient Israel to give them tithes, and although the apostles did not collect "tithe" for themselves, every year they collected freewill donations for the needy and continually reminded one another to help the poor (Galatians 2:10). So who do you think God longs for us to give to more than anyone else?

Doesn’t that make you want to go and do likewise?