Now That I Am A Christian
MY RESPONSIBILITY IN GIVING
A. A FREQUENTLY NEGLECTED AREA OF STUDY WHICH INVOLVES THE WAY
WE HANDLE OUR FINANCES. MANY OTHERWISE FINE PEOPLE ARE IN
DANGER OF LOSING THEIR SOULS DUE TO THE CARELESS WAY THEY
HANDLE THEIR FINANCES. N.T. examples:
1. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver - $17.
2. The rich man of Luke 16:19-31 didn't see possessing wealth as a stewardship.
3. Ananias and Sapphira died because of dishonesty( Acts 5:1-11 )..
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...work he wants us to do.
1. Give three examples where people endangered their souls because of their attitutude
toward money.
2. What belongs the the Lord?
3. Give two examples of how money was used in the New Testament.
4. The money we give is given for what purpose?
A. Men have different ideas as to how this is to be done:
taxation, entertainment, raffles, bingo, socials, sales, business enterprises, etc.
B. Does the Bible tell how money should be raised to meet its
needs?( 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 ).
4. Since God gave us a way of raising money and he is so much wiser, shouldn't we
accept his way?( Isa. 55:8-9 ).
1. What are some of the ways that men have decided to raise money for the church?
2. Is that the way that God has told us to raise money?
3. "On the first day of the week let each one of you
aside, storing up
, that there be no collections when I come" (1 Cor 16:2 ).
4. If God gives instruction on how to do something, must we do it that way?
A. "6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not
grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" ( 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? This is often asked out of
selfishness...we really mean "how little can I give?"
1. "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.
2. "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.
3. "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.
4. 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 ).
1. So let each one give as he
, not or of
; for God loves a giver.
2. Purposeful giving results from what?
3. According to 1 Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:6-7, how much should we give?
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?