Paul's Treatise on Missions Giving

Because of the Great Commission, the final instructions of the Lord to His church before His ascension, missions is the paramount assignment of the church. We are commanded to take the gospel to the regions beyond. We cannot all pack up and head overseas to live in a grass hut and eat bugs (some people’s idea of missions), but we can send those who have a special calling and equipping of God to do so.

When it comes to giving to missions, which every Christian should do, Paul gives us the following considerations in II Cor 8:1-11
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia; 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. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their
power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty
that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first
gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also
finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing,
in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love
to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by
commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove
the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through
his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice: for this is
expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be
forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there
was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that
which ye have.


1. We need to understand God's grace in the matter of giving, 1
a. He equips us to give
b. He blesses us as we give
2. Understand a mathematical formula, (Abundance of joy + deep poverty) x God's grace = riches of liberality, 2
3. Giving extends from beyond our power (can only mean according to His power), 3
4. There exists an insistence on helping others, 4
5. There must first be an offering of self, 5
6. Godly giving is all of grace, from start to finish, 6
7. We should abound in giving as we would in the other Christian graces (faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, love), 7
8. Let your love (which is expressed by giving) be sincere, 8
9. As Christ poured Himself out for our enrichment, we should do the same for others, 9
10. Give consistently, with incremental increases according to your faith, 10
11. Missions commitment, set your mind to it, then do it! 11

I hope and pray that you feel the compulsion to get behind the missionaries and the missions program of your church.