Faith is made complete by actions

⁶ So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. ^{…………….10} Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. ¹¹ Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. ¹² Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.  [2 Corinthians 8:6, 10-12 (NLT)

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ……..²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did…….²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:14,21,22,24)

Types of Biblical Givings: First fruits (Proverbs 3:9-10), Tithes, Seed Offerings, Freewill Offerings, Alms, Thanksgiving and Grace giving.

The case of David and Giving:

A. He had a Desire to Build the Temple

2 Samuel 7:1-3

B. God made an unconditional promise to him because of this desire

v16 “Your house and your kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever”

• 1 Chronicles 17:11-14
• 2 Chronicles 6:16
• Matthew 1:1
• Matthew 21:9

C. His Desire was put into Action

i. He gave the Temple Plans

1 Chronicles 28

v11-12 He gave plans of the temple as the spirit had given him

v13 Gave distribution of work for the priests, and articles that were to be used

v14-18 Guidelines for the gold and silver for the articles (lamp stand, lamps, tables for consecrated bread, forks, sprinkling bowls, pitches, dishes, altar of incense and cherubim).

ii. David gave encouragement to Solomon who was to build the temple

1 Chronicles 28:19-21

iii. David gave all his resources and personal treasures

1 Chronicles 29:2-3,6 shows that all the leaders gave willingly

v9-19 Also shows that all gave willingly for the work of the temple.

iv. David thank God for the opportunity to give.

v14-18

He acknowledged that all that he, the leaders and the people gave came from God and belongs to him.

He acknowledged that they gave willingly and with honest intent.

• Dedication of the temple: 2 Chronicles 7:11-16

1 Samuel 2:30b states, “……..Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

Luke 8:1-3 talks of women who were financial supporters of the ministry of Jesus.