Now that I am a Christian
My Responsibility in Giving
PEOPLE ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR SOULS. N.T. examples:
1. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver - $17.
2. The rich man of Luke 16. He didn't see possessing wealth as a stewardship.
3. Ananias and Sapphira died because of misappropriation.
B. souls are involved! our subject IS worthy of study.
A. We often hear the expression, "the Lord's money."
All money belongs to the Lord. But the expression is used to designate that
portion of his money which is pooled in a common fund under the control of the
local church, which is devoted to the work given to the local church.
B. Some examples of money's role in the New Testament:
1. 1 Cor. 16:1-2. The relieving of needy saints.
2. 2 Cor. 11:8. The supporting of preachers of the gospel.
C. WE OUGHT TO see that money contributED is not the "Lord's
Money" in the sense that he needs something we have. it is
money GIVEN of love and interest by the members to
purchase things NEEDED to do the Lord's work.
II. HOW THE CHURCH OBTAINS ITS FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
A. Men have different ideas as to how this is to be done:
taxation, entertainment, raffles, bingo, socials, sales, business enterprises, etc.
B. WHAT Does the Bible SAY ABOUT RAISING money? ( 1 Cor. 16:1-2 ).
C. Many attempt have been made to discredit 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
1. Some argue it is limited to acquiring funds for a particular benevolent activity.
2. Whatever need arose, it was supplied by the members contributing of their
own private resources, on the first day of the week when they assembled.
3. The principle was put into action in the book of Acts( 2:44-45; 4:32-37 ).
4. These are scriptural activities which could produce such a need
( 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Cor. 9:14; 1 Tim. 5:16; Rom. 15:26 ).
5. Since God is so much wiser, shouldn't we accept his way?( Isa. 55:8-9 ).
A. 2 Cor. 9:6-7.
B. Purposeful giving is the result of a heart that knows the
value of the sacrifice of Christ ( 2 Cor. 8:9 ). It understands that the
money does not just disappear into the collection plate, but it used to carry on the
work Jesus wants us to do.
C. How much should I give?
1. This is often asked out of selfishness...we really mean "how little can I give?"
2. "As prospered" means in keeping with our prosperity. We rarely have
difficulty in understanding what this means in regard to what kind of clothes
we wear, or what kind of car we drive.
3. "Lay by in store"...We must plan ahead. Giving is to be done with the
church's need in mind along with all the contingencies that might arise.
4. "As he has purposed in his heart." Once again, thought must be given to
the amount we give compared with the amount we spend on pleasures,
temporal things, or the amount we waste. We must all consider our own
individual situations. Certainly we all could do better.
5. Priorities! What is most important?
D. Look at 2 Cor. 8:1-15. What are the lessons this passage teaches on giving?
E. What about "tithing?" No New Testament scripture for it. In the Old
Testament, the tithe was just a portion of what the Jew gave.
F. The blessing to the contributor
( Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-11; Heb. 13:16 ).
If we are going to be "New Creatures," one of the areas
where we are going to manifest this is in the handling of
our finances. Do we indicate worldliness or spirituality by
the way we give?