Kinds of Givers (part 2)

Good Morning,

In the prior lesson, I mentioned three types of givers: the cheater, the controlled, and the carnal giver. Today, I will add a few more of the types of givers in the church. 

4. The Consistent Giver 

2 Corinthians 8 tells of the character traits of consistent givers. 

2 Corinthians 8:2  “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”

vs. 3  “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;”

These people gave through their poverty and affliction.  They gave beyond their ability.  Someone might ask how one could give beyond his ability, but that is simply a matter of faith and God moving in the life of the one seeking His blessing.  Many are believers who have found themselves doing impossible things. There is a God in Heaven, and He will often work in impossible situations.  

The consistent givers make the church their priority, and the work of God their purpose.  All else is done so that they might more fully serve their King. 

5. The Cheerful Giver

The following chapter speaks about the cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.“

These givers enjoy the Lord’s work.  They look forward to church, anticipate opportunities to serve in the ministry, and involve themselves in the great work of the Gospel. When it comes to giving, they are cheerful to take what God has given them and offer it back to their God.  

6. The Careless Giver

Malachi 3 tells of the trouble Israel was having. The root problem was that they had forgotten to place the things of God as their priority.  

Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

vs. 9  “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”

These kinds of givers may give if there is extra money that week, or if they happen to have a few dollars extra in their pocket.  Some of these careless givers will give when some project at church touches their heart and they feel moved to give. 

Consistently making a budget or planning their giving (like they do their mortgage or car payment) is not going to happen.  

In secular work, the boss needs to plan expenses, income, and unusual situations to keep the business afloat.  To carelessly operate his business will surely end in a failed financial world; the employees and customers will suffer.  So it is with the church. The careful giving of God's people is what keeps a church budget in order.  

7. The Critical Giver

3 John 9 "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not."

vs. 10  “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

Diotrephes did not want the Apostle John around, and he definitely did not want the church's money used to help these missionaries and traveling church planters.  This critical spirit is unhappy with the preaching, complains about the church budget, gripes when there are extra offerings, and brings a selfish and critical spirit into the church.  

I will address a few more kinds of people in the church in the next lesson.

Pastor