No Revolt of the Soul

Giving

6. Giving originates in the soul. First there is soul activity,

then the overt act of giving.

7. Giving reflects grace and love in the soul. Giving in grace 

does not make an issue of the amount of the gift.

8. Giving from an emotional revolt of the soul reduces it to a

bribe for love or good behavior and results in such phrases

as, "After all I've done for you!" " I've given enough money

 to have some  say around here!" That  is giving with strings.

There is no place in the function of the royal priesthood for

this type of giving.

" Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may

obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

Dear Heavenly Father, what a joy it is to begin the day talking with

Thee, opening heart and mind to Thee. Keep me in the center of Thy will. 

In Christ name pray

Grace

Giving

3. In recognition of and orientation to God's grace, the believer

must give on the basis of his own character--from doctrine in 

his right lobe.

4. Giving of self is the capacity for love and the capacity for 

grace based on doctrine.

5.Giving is both an extension and a manifestation of what is

in the soul.

"Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise

pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

Matthew 5:18

I'm glad You are never too busy to remember Your promises, Lord

In Christ name I pray

A Design

Giving

Eight Points Concerning the principle of giving:

1. While giving is a part of the design, the plan and the purpose

of God, there is a definite sequence in giving.

2. Giving is a commemoration of grace. Christ gave Himself on

the Cross, but His character was involved -- His divine character

and His human character. Therefore, He gave of Himself -- His

character and His soul. God gives in grace because of His character

of essence because of who and what He is.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

Matthew 5:7

Father, help me be as gentle and kind to others as I 

want You to be to me.

In Christ name I pray

What Is Our Motivation

2-Soul Activity

Doctrine in the right lobe of the soul is the basis for all true

giving the true motivation for giving. Giving on the basis of 

doctrine in the soul is giving without mental attitude sins, such

as approbation lust or human good motivation or emotion.

"He knoweth the way that I take: when He has tried me, 

I shall come forth as gold."

Job 23:10

Dear Lord, I desire today that You will use my life as a channel of Your love.

In Christ name I pray

 

What Is The Condition Of Our Soul

A Soul Activity

And not even as we expected [anticipated], but they gave

themselves, and only themselves, first to the Lord and then

to us, by the plan [purpose, design] of God (2 Cor. 8:5).

Although the Macedonian believers were destitute, they far

exceeded Paul's expectation in the matter of the offering. Why?

Because they gave of themselves from their own grace mental

attitude. "First" emphasizes the person rather then the gift. When

a person simply gives his money, he is doing what any unbeliever

can do. Because they are under condemnation from God, unbelievers

cannot give of themselves to the Lord; they cannot give of their souls.

The Macedonians gave of themselves---their souls! That soul activity

actually extends to the overt activity of giving. But the money or 

the amount is not important; it is the condition of the soul that counts.

 "A faithful man abound with blessings."

Proverbs 28:20

Lord, help me to remember that there are many ways to 

rejoice in any kind of day You make for us.

We Are Priest

A Grace Privilege

With much imploring, begging us the favor and the partnership

in the ministry [the priestly function of giving] to the saints

(2 Cor. 8:4).

This : ministry' of giving-- a privilege and function of the royal

priesthood -- is derived from two Greek nouns in this passage:

CHARIS, meaning "grace", and DIAKONIA, from which we get

 the word "deacon." The primary meaning of DIAKONIA is in

connection with the administrative function of the local church;

but here it refers to the priestly function of giving. Giving to the

Lord is a privilege of believers only!

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

Lord, some days I feel weighted down by the routine. Help me

now to rejoice in Your presence.

In Christ name I pray

Our Ability

Freewill Giving

That according to the standard of their ability, I testify, and

beyond their ability [willingly and voluntarily] of their own

free will (2 Cor. 8:3).

The royal priesthood of the individual believer must operate

from free will and privacy. These are the basic ingredients 

under the principles of divine establishment. Giving should 

be accomplished in privacy as unto the Lord and as a

 commemoration of God the Father's grace.

R.B. Thieme,Jr

 "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall 

lose his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it."

Mark 8:35

Lord God, I expect great things of You; please help me to attempt

and accomplish great things for You.

In Christ name I pray