GIVING FOR GOD'S WORK

GIVING FOR GOD'S WORK

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Key Verse: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” — 1 Corinthians 16:2 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Malachi 3:10; Matthew 6:19-21; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:15-19; Hebrews 13:16

Description: Giving is an important expression of Christian worship, stewardship, love, and commitment to God's kingdom. First Corinthians 16:1-2 teaches believers to give regularly, personally, systematically, and proportionately according to God's blessing, so that the work of the Lord can advance and people can be reached with the Gospel.

INTRODUCTION

Giving has always been part of God's relationship with His people. From the offerings of Abel to the generous support of the early Church, Scripture teaches that God's people should willingly use their resources for His glory. Christian giving is not merely about money; it is an expression of gratitude to God, recognition of His ownership, and willingness to participate in His kingdom purposes.

In First Corinthians 16:1–2, Paul gives practical instructions concerning a collection for believers in Jerusalem. He tells the Corinthians that giving should be done regularly, personally, systematically, and according to how God has prospered each person. This shows that giving for God's work should not be driven merely by emotion or occasional pressure but should be a deliberate part of Christian stewardship.

God does not need our money because He owns everything. Rather, He gives us the privilege of partnering with Him through our resources. Our giving supports Gospel ministry, helps those in need, strengthens the Church, and demonstrates that our hearts are committed to God's kingdom. When we give with the right heart, our resources become instruments of eternal impact.

1. GOD IS THE OWNER OF EVERYTHING

Understanding God's ownership changes our attitude towards giving.

a) The Earth Belongs To The Lord (Psalm 24:1)
Everything in creation belongs to God.

b) God Gives The Power To Make Wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Our ability to acquire resources ultimately comes from Him.

c) We Are Stewards, Not Owners (1 Corinthians 4:2)
God entrusts resources to us to manage faithfully.

d) Everything Comes From God (1 Chronicles 29:14)
Whatever we give to God originally came from His hand.

2. GIVING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP

Giving expresses our devotion to God.

a) Give Honour To The Lord (Proverbs 3:9)
Our possessions can be used to honour God.

b) Give With A Willing Heart (Exodus 35:29)
God values willing and cheerful participation.

c) Give As An Expression Of Love (2 Corinthians 8:8)
Our generosity can demonstrate the sincerity of our love.

d) Give Glory To God (Matthew 5:16)
Our generosity can cause others to recognise God's goodness.

3. GIVE REGULARLY

Paul teaches consistency in Christian giving.

a) Give On The First Day Of The Week (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Giving should have a deliberate place in our worship.

b) Develop A Giving Habit (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Regular giving prevents generosity from becoming merely occasional.

c) Plan Your Giving (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Systematic giving reflects responsible stewardship.

d) Remain Faithful In Giving (Luke 16:10)
Faithfulness in financial matters reflects spiritual character.

4. GIVE PERSONALLY

Every believer has a responsibility to participate.

a) Let Every One Give (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Paul did not restrict the responsibility of giving to a few wealthy people.

b) Everyone Has Something To Offer (2 Corinthians 8:12)
God looks at what a person has and gives willingly.

c) Do Not Compare Your Gift With Others (Mark 12:43-44)
God evaluates sacrifice rather than merely the size of the gift.

d) Give According To Your Ability (2 Corinthians 8:11-12)
Giving should reflect what God has entrusted to each person.

5. GIVE PROPORTIONATELY

Paul connects giving with God's blessings.

a) Give As God Has Prospered You (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Our giving should take God's provision into consideration.

b) Give According To Ability (Acts 11:29)
Believers gave according to what they had.

c) Increase Your Generosity As God Increases You (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)
Greater provision can create greater opportunities for generosity.

d) Remember That God Sees The Heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)
God values the attitude behind the gift.

6. GIVE CHEERFULLY

The spirit behind giving matters greatly.

a) Do Not Give Reluctantly (2 Corinthians 9:7)
God does not desire forced generosity.

b) Do Not Give Under Compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Christian giving should come from a willing heart.

c) Give Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7)
God delights in cheerful generosity.

d) Give With Faith (Philippians 4:19)
Trust God as you faithfully use your resources for His kingdom.

7. GIVING SUPPORTS THE WORK OF THE LORD

Our resources can advance God's kingdom.

a) Support Gospel Ministry (Philippians 4:15-16)
The Philippians partnered with Paul in his ministry.

b) Support Those Who Labour In The Word (1 Timothy 5:17-18)
Those who minister faithfully should be appropriately supported.

c) Help The Needy (Galatians 2:10)
The Church has a responsibility to remember those in need.

d) Advance The Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20)
Resources can help fulfil the Great Commission.

8. GIVING DEMONSTRATES LOVE

True generosity flows from a loving heart.

a) Christ Gave Himself For Us (Ephesians 5:2)
Jesus is our supreme example of sacrificial giving.

b) Love Gives (John 3:16)
God demonstrated His love by giving His Son.

c) Care For Others (1 John 3:17-18)
Christian love responds to genuine needs.

d) Share With Those In Need (Hebrews 13:16)
Doing good and sharing are sacrifices pleasing to God.

9. GOD BLESSES FAITHFUL GENEROSITY

God rewards faithful stewardship according to His wisdom and purpose.

a) There Is A Harvest (2 Corinthians 9:6)
Generosity is compared with sowing seed.

b) God Provides Seed To The Sower (2 Corinthians 9:10)
God is able to supply what is needed for continued generosity.

c) Generosity Produces Thanksgiving To God (2 Corinthians 9:11-12)
Giving can cause people to glorify God.

d) God Is Able To Supply Every Need (Philippians 4:19)
Our confidence ultimately rests in God's provision.

10. GIVE WITH ETERNITY IN VIEW

Christian giving should focus beyond temporary earthly benefits.

a) Lay Up Treasures In Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20)
Jesus teaches us to invest in eternal things.

b) Your Treasure Reveals Your Heart (Matthew 6:21)
Our use of resources reveals what we value.

c) Invest In God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
Kingdom priorities should influence financial decisions.

d) Expect An Eternal Reward (Matthew 25:21)
Faithful stewardship has eternal significance.

CONCLUSION

Giving for God's work is a privilege rather than a burden. God has entrusted resources to us so that we can honour Him, care for others, support Gospel ministry, and participate in the advancement of His kingdom. First Corinthians 16:1-2 teaches us to make giving a deliberate part of our Christian lives: regularly, personally, systematically, and proportionately according to God's provision.

Let us therefore give with grateful and cheerful hearts. We should never give merely to impress people or because of pressure, but because we recognise that everything we have comes from God. When we give faithfully, we are not merely transferring resources; we are investing in God's kingdom and participating in work whose results can extend into eternity.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for every provision and blessing You have entrusted into my hands, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, give me grace to become a faithful and responsible steward of everything You have given me, in Jesus name.

3. Father, remove every spirit of greed, selfishness, and covetousness from my heart, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me a willing and cheerful heart that delights in supporting Your work, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to give regularly, systematically, and faithfully according to Your Word, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me wisdom to use my resources to advance the Gospel and bless those in need, in Jesus name.

7. Father, increase my capacity to give and make me a channel of blessing to Your kingdom and to others, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let every resource committed to Your work produce lasting fruit and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

9. Father, provide for every genuine need in my life as I faithfully honour You with my resources, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to keep my heart focused on eternal treasures and remain a faithful steward until the end, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall receive grace to become an excellent steward of every resource God has entrusted to you.

2. The Lord shall deliver you from greed, covetousness, and every wrong attitude towards money.

3. You shall become a cheerful and consistent giver for the advancement of God's kingdom.

4. As God increases you, your capacity to support His work shall increase.

5. Your resources shall be used wisely and shall produce lasting kingdom impact.

6. You shall become a channel through which the needs of God's people are met.

7. The Lord shall supply your needs and give you wisdom to manage your resources faithfully.

8. Every seed you sow into God's work shall produce fruit according to His purpose and timing.

9. Your generosity shall cause thanksgiving and glory to be given to God.

10. You shall remain a faithful steward, investing generously in God's kingdom, and your labour and giving shall have eternal significance, in Jesus name.