1. GOD'S OWNERSHIP IS COMPLETE AND INDISPUTABLE

A. Heaven and earth are His, and the fulness of each (Gen. 14:19:20; Deut. 10: 14; Psa. 24: 1; 89:1 1). All are His by virtue of creation (Gen. 1: 1).

B. The land was His, Israelites were stewards (Lev. 25:23); therefore the Sabbatical and Jubilee years (Lev. 25).

C. Every beast is His (Psalms 50:10-12). Silver and gold belong to Him (Hag. 2:8).

D. By right, all souls belong to Him (Ezek. 18:4); by purchase, all Christians belong to Him (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

II. CONSEQUENTLY, ALL LIFE IS A STEWARDSHIP

A. Christians are stewards-trustees or caretakers of that which belongs to another (Luke 16:1-14) 

1. Must be faithfu I as good stewards (1 Pet. 4: 1 0; 1 Cor. 4:.1-2); not wasting goods (Luke 16: 1). 

2. Must render account of stewardship (Rom. 14:12).

3. God demands a "first-fruit offering" (Lev. 23:9-14;
Matt. 6:33).

III. FELLOWSHIP-MUTUALPARTICI-PATION

A. In love (I Pet. 1:22, Col. 2:2).

B. In suffering (Gal. 6:2).

C. In service (Gal. 2:9-10; Phil. 1:5).

D. In finance-"Let each one of you" @l Cor. 16:1-2). "According to his ability" (2 Cor. 8:12). "Equality" (2 Cor. 8'13-15).   Equality in bearing the financial burden of the church does not mean one giving as much as another (2 Cor. 10:12), but each one giving according to his ability. Individual ability is the basis of personal responsibility (Matt. 25:41:44). One cannot be in "full fellowship" until he is doing his part. Cf. Mark 12:41-44, the widow's mite.

IV. LOVE, CONSECRATION OF SELF-THE BASIS OF GIVING (2 Cor. 8:1-5; 2 Cor. 8:8-24).

A. Cannot serve both God and Mammon (Luke 16:13-15).

B. Giving is proof of "the sincerity" of our love (2 Cor. 8:8-9).

C. Giving is voluntary, not compulsory (2 Cor. 8:12).

V. CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW TESTAMENT GIVING

A. Regularly (I Cor. 16:1-2)-First day of the week.

B. Systematically Cor. 16:1-2)-Lay by in store.

C. Individually (1 Cor. 16:1-2)-Each one of you.

D. Liberally (2 Cor. 8:1-4).

E. Purposefully (2 Cor. 8: 12-15)-Not haphazardly.

F. Cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7)-God loves a cheerful giver.

G. Readily (2 Cor. 8:12)-Whatever his gift may be.