A FAITH PROMISE OFFERING?

A FAITH PROMISE OFFERING?[1]

2 Corinthians 10:13-16 (KJV)

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

The Bible teaches primarily two ways of giving for the finance of the Lord’s work. God’s people are instructed to bring their tithes and offerings to the house of God to finance the work of God on earth.[2]

Tithing is simply returning the first tenth of all your income to the Lord through the local church. This has been God’s plan of providing the finances for maintaining His house and His preachers from the days of Abraham.[3]

Offerings are those gifts required by the Lord, of His people, above and beyond their tithe. The children of Israel were charged with robbing God when they withheld both their tithes and offerings.[4]

The Faith Promise Offering is a free will offering collected weekly in your church to provide the finances for worldwide missions. 

Missions involves the 

·  training, 

·  equipping, 

·  sending and 

·  supporting 

of personnel who devote their time preaching the Gospel and planting churches in the regions beyond your local church ministry. 

These persons are called missionaries who are sent forth by the local churches.

The Faith Promise method of giving is described in detail for us in 2 Corinthians chapter 8, 9 and 10. Answers to the many questions you have concerning this plan are given in these Scriptures for example:

I. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY, “FAITH PROMISE OFFERING?”

First, it is a promise to God

This is no a pledge to the church. 

A pledge is something you sign guaranteeing liability of collection in case of nonperformance.

No one will ever come to you personally demanding payment of your promise This is entirely between you and God. However, may we hasten to say that your promise to God should be as binding if not more binding than a pledge to an organization.

Second, it is an act of faith

You are promising to give beyond your present ability to give. It was said of the Christians in the churches of Macedonia:

2 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV)

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Paul said:

2 Corinthians 10:15 (KJV)

Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

Faith Promise offerings tend to increase our faith by the exercising of faith through this yearly event.

It is simply trusting and believing God to supply the amount He impresses your heart to promise.

Thirdly, it is a free will offering

2 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV)

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

2 Corinthians 8:12 (KJV)

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

Fourth, it is a promise for one year

2 Corinthians 8:10 (KJV)

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.

You are promising to do something for one full year, fifty-two weeks, without fail.

A second question might be

II. WHY SHOULD I GIVE A FAITH PROMISE OFFERING?

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

In five different places the Lord gives us the command we call, The Great Commission. This command obligates each Christian with the responsibility of giving the Gospel to every creature.[5]

The only way we can be obedient to this command is by witnessing at home and sending others to witness where we cannot go. The sending of others, to the regions beyond our ability to go is what we call missions.

You should give a Faith Promise offering:

First, to express loving obedience to His commands

John 14:15 (KJV)

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Consider these words in:

2 Corinthians 8:8 (KJV)

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

And,

2 Corinthians 8:24 (KJV)

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

How can we truly say we love our Lord and let those perish, for whom He died, without hearing the Gospel?

You should give a Faith Promise offering:

Second, because of the example of Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)

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.

You should give a Faith Promise offering:

Thirdly, because of God’s blessing upon you

We Americans are blessed of God. In our land we experience greater freedom and a lifestyle in which we enjoy 51% of the world’s wealth and yet comprise only 5% of the world’s population.[6]

2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (KJV)

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

Acts 20:35 (KJV)

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

When we honestly consider the condition of the perishing heathen it is more blessed to be on the giving end than the receiving end.

What if you were waiting for someone to give you the Gospel?

The third question you might ask is,

III. HOW CAN I GIVE A FAITH PROMISE OFFERING?

We find the answer to this question without 2 Corinthians chapters, 8, 9 and 10:

First, submit to the Lordship of Christ

2 Corinthians 8:5 (KJV)

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.

Jesus Christ has the right of Lordship over your life because of,

His purchase of your life

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

His position over you

Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

His power

Matthew 28:18-19a (KJV)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, …

When Paul met the Lord on the road to Damascus the Bible says,

Acts 9:6a (KJV)

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? …

Secondly, surrender your will to His will

2 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV)

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

And

2 Corinthians 8:12 (KJV)

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

Self-will and self-centeredness are sinful characteristics of the carnal nature and will keep you from giving a Faith Promise offering.

Romans chapters 6 and 7 reveal four steps to victory over a self-centered life:

1. Admit your carnality

Romans 7:14 (KJV)

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 

Romans 7:18 (KJV)

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Romans 7:24 (KJV)

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

B. Acknowledge your crucifixion

Romans 6:6 (KJV)

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

C. Apply the Cross

Romans 6:11 (KJV)

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus said,

Luke 9:23 (KJV)

… If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

D. Appropriate the Christ life by faith

Romans 6:11 (KJV)

… but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) says

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

When these steps become a reality in your life you will experience, what Paul spoke of in Philippians 2:13 (KJV)

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

How can I give a Faith Promise offering?

Thirdly, settle the amount He wants you to give

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)

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

The word “purposeth” comes from a Greek word meaning “to bring forth.” 

The word “heart” comes from a Greek word means “reason, will and emotions.”

How do I know what God wants me to give?

Ask God with a submissive will: “Lord what will you have me to do?”

If you are truly willing to do His will, He will impress your mid with the amount He wants you to give. The amount He indicates may be beyond your personal ability but remember this verse: Mark 9:23 (KJV)

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

The next step in the Faith Promise offering

Promise this amount on the Faith Promise Card you have received

2 Corinthians 9:5 (KJV)

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

Paul sent some of his missionary team to Corinth to “make up beforehand” what they would give.

The word “bounty” means “blessings.”

It doesn’t take a whole lot of imagination then to see an annual Faith Promise missions program laid out for us in 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5.

Finally, How can I give a Faith Promise offering?

Set your promise aside and give it faithfully

2 Corinthians 8:11 (KJV)

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.

Knowing that it is God’s will for you to give this amount it then simply becomes a matter of good stewardship to give it as he has led you to promise.

Conclusion

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (KJV)

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

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

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

When your interests involve world evangelization you can count on God’s blessings.[7]

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[1]By Granville LaForge (Having heard of Granville LaForge all of my Christian life, I was pleased to have found his message on the Faith Promise Offering while visiting Yakima Bible Baptist Church some time ago. I picked up a copy of the message from their tract rack and saved it to be used in our missions emphasis month. The message is delivered here nearly word for word. Only very minor changes and additions have been made.

[2]Deuteronomy 12:5-6 (KJV)

But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

Malachi 3:8-10 (KJV)

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

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

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

[3]Genesis 14:18-20 (KJV)

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Genesis 28:20-22 (KJV)

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Leviticus 27:30-32 (KJV)

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

Malachi 3:8-10 (KJV)

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

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

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Matthew 23:23 (KJV)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

[4]Malachi 3:8 (KJV)

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

[5]Mark 16:15 (KJV)

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Luke 24:44-48 (KJV)

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things.

John 20:21 (KJV)

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

[6]Updated numbers tell us that the United States comprises just 4.27% of the world’s population and that Americans own 45% of the world’s wealth. (from a simple Google search)

[7]God employs many ways to provide the money He leads us to promise for world missions. He is able to:

1. Increase your supply (Deuteronomy 8:18

2. Decrease your spending

3. Give wisdom to be good stewards

4. Give grace to sacrifice (2 Corinthians 11:7-10)

5. Perform the miraculous (Mark 10:27)

Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.