GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD

GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 8:24

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:24 — “Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.”

Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8; Philippians 4:18-19; Hebrews 13:16

Description: God-honouring giving flows from love, faith, sincerity and obedience, and it becomes a testimony of God's grace working in His people.

INTRODUCTION

Giving is not merely a financial activity; it is a spiritual expression of our relationship with God. When we give, we reveal what we value, where our hearts are and how deeply we trust the Lord. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to demonstrate the sincerity of their love through their generosity.k

In 2 Corinthians 8:24, Paul calls upon the Corinthian believers to show the churches the proof of their love. Their giving was not simply about transferring money; it was an opportunity to demonstrate genuine Christian love and to strengthen fellowship among believers.

God is interested not only in what we give but also in why and how we give. Giving that honours God is willing, sincere, sacrificial, responsible and directed towards His purposes. When our giving comes from a heart surrendered to God, it becomes an act of worship that brings glory to Him.

1. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD BEGINS WITH LOVE

True Christian giving is rooted in love. We do not give merely because we are pressured, but because God's love has transformed our hearts.

a. God Is the Greatest Giver (John 3:16) — God's giving of His Son demonstrates the depth of divine love.

b. Love Produces Generosity (1 John 3:17-18) — Genuine love does not ignore the needs of others when we have the ability to help.

c. Love Makes Giving Meaningful (1 Corinthians 13:3) — Even generous actions lose their spiritual value when they are separated from love.

d. Love Is Demonstrated Through Action (James 2:15-16) — Christian compassion must become practical when people are in need.

Biblical Example: The Macedonian believers gave generously because they had first given themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5).

2. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD BEGINS WITH GIVING OURSELVES TO HIM

God wants the giver before He wants the gift. When our lives belong completely to Him, our possessions can be placed under His direction.

a. Give Yourself to God First (2 Corinthians 8:5) — The Macedonians gave themselves first to the Lord and then to His servants.

b. Your Body Belongs to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) — We are called to honour God with our bodies because we belong to Him.

c. Surrender Produces Obedience (Romans 12:1) — A surrendered life naturally seeks to please God.

d. Everything We Have Comes From God (1 Chronicles 29:14) — Our resources are ultimately received from God's hand.

Biblical Example: Abraham demonstrated his complete trust in God when he was willing to obey God's difficult command concerning Isaac (Genesis 22:1-12).

3. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD IS WILLING

God values willing obedience rather than reluctant participation. The attitude of the heart matters greatly in Christian giving.

a. God Accepts a Willing Heart (2 Corinthians 8:12) — Giving is accepted according to what a person has and according to the willingness behind it.

b. Giving Should Not Be Grudging (2 Corinthians 9:7) — God loves a cheerful giver rather than someone who gives unwillingly.

c. Willingness Demonstrates Faith (2 Corinthians 8:3-4) — The Macedonians willingly participated in the ministry of helping others.

d. Willing Obedience Pleases God (Psalm 110:3) — God's people should willingly respond to His purposes.

Biblical Example: The Israelites willingly brought offerings for the construction of the tabernacle until Moses had to tell them to stop bringing more (Exodus 35:21; 36:5-7).

4. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD IS SACRIFICIAL

Honourable giving sometimes requires sacrifice. It is not measured merely by the size of the gift but by the cost and sincerity behind it.

a. Sacrifice Reveals Priority (2 Samuel 24:24) — David refused to offer God something that cost him nothing.

b. God Sees the Sacrifice Behind the Gift (Mark 12:43-44) — Jesus recognised that the widow's small offering represented great sacrifice.

c. Love Is Willing to Pay a Price (John 15:13) — Genuine love is demonstrated through self-sacrifice.

d. Sacrificial Giving Can Bless Others (2 Corinthians 8:2-3) — The Macedonians gave generously even in severe trials and poverty.

Biblical Example: The widow gave two small coins, yet Jesus declared that she had given more than the wealthy because of the sacrifice involved (Mark 12:41-44).

5. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD IS GIVEN WITH PURE MOTIVES

God examines the heart behind the gift. Giving should never be primarily about gaining human recognition or personal praise.

a. God Sees the Secret Place (Matthew 6:3-4) — Jesus taught that genuine giving does not depend on public recognition.

b. God Examines the Heart (1 Samuel 16:7) — God looks beyond outward actions to the motives of the giver.

c. Giving Should Not Seek Human Praise (Matthew 6:1-2) — Jesus warned against performing righteous acts merely to be seen by others.

d. Pure Motives Honour God (Proverbs 16:2) — God weighs the motives behind our actions.

Biblical Example: Barnabas gave generously without seeking to manipulate the Church or gain personal advantage (Acts 4:36-37).

6. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD IS RESPONSIBLE AND HONEST

God-honouring generosity must be administered properly. Paul wanted the Corinthians to demonstrate their love in a way that was transparent and trustworthy.

a. Give What You Can Honestly Give (2 Corinthians 8:12) — God does not demand that we give what we do not possess.

b. Honour God Through Integrity (2 Corinthians 8:21) — Financial dealings should be honourable before God and people.

c. Fulfil Your Commitments Faithfully (2 Corinthians 8:11) — Paul encouraged the Corinthians to complete what they had begun.

d. Steward Resources Wisely (Luke 16:10-12) — Faithfulness in financial matters is part of Christian character.

Biblical Example: Paul carefully arranged the collection for the saints so that the financial responsibility would be handled honourably (2 Corinthians 8:19-21).

7. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD BLESSES OTHERS

God does not bless us merely so that we can accumulate resources. He wants our lives and resources to become channels through which others are helped.

a. Giving Supplies Genuine Needs (2 Corinthians 8:14) — Abundance can become a supply for another person's need.

b. Giving Strengthens the Church (Acts 4:34-35) — Generosity helped ensure that genuine needs among the believers were addressed.

c. Giving Produces Thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:12) — When needs are met, thanksgiving rises to God.

d. Giving Demonstrates Christ's Love (1 John 3:16-18) — Practical generosity demonstrates the love we have received from Christ.

Biblical Example: The believers in Antioch sent financial relief to Christians suffering from famine in Judea (Acts 11:27-30).

8. GIVING THAT HONOURS GOD BRINGS GLORY TO HIM

The highest purpose of giving is not human recognition but the glory of God. Our generosity should point people towards the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.

a. Giving Produces Thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-12) — Generosity results in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

b. Giving Demonstrates Obedience (2 Corinthians 9:13) — People glorify God when they see genuine obedience to the Gospel.

c. Giving Advances God's Kingdom (Philippians 4:15-18) — Financial support can contribute directly to Gospel ministry.

d. Giving Becomes an Offering to God (Hebrews 13:16) — Doing good and sharing with others are sacrifices that please God.

Biblical Example: The Philippian church supported Paul's ministry, and Paul described their gift as “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

CONCLUSION

Giving that honours God begins with a heart that belongs to Him. It is motivated by love, expressed willingly, guided by integrity and offered with pure motives. God is not merely interested in the amount placed in our hands; He is interested in the heart from which the gift comes.

Let us therefore make generosity a lifestyle of worship. Let our giving demonstrate our love for Christ, meet genuine needs, strengthen His Church and advance His kingdom. When we give in a manner that honours God, our gifts become testimonies of His grace working through our lives.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me a heart that genuinely loves You and loves others, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to give myself completely to You, in Jesus name.

3. Father, make me a willing and cheerful giver, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, purify my motives whenever I give, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to make sacrifices that honour You, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, teach me to handle every resource with integrity and wisdom, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make my resources a blessing to people in genuine need, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, deliver me from selfishness and covetousness, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my generosity advance Your kingdom and strengthen Your Church, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let everything I give bring glory and thanksgiving to Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall grow in the grace of generosity.

2. You shall give with love, joy and a willing heart.

3. Your giving shall become a testimony of God's grace in your life.

4. You shall never lack the wisdom to steward God's resources faithfully.

5. Your hands shall be instruments of blessing to others.

6. God shall make your resources sufficient for every good work.

7. Your generosity shall meet genuine needs and strengthen lives.

8. Your giving shall produce thanksgiving and glory to God.

9. You shall not be controlled by greed, selfishness or covetousness.

10. Your life, resources and generosity shall continually honour the Lord, in Jesus name.