My Responsibility in Giving

Lesson #281

TEXT: 1 Cor. 16:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

A. A FREQUENTLY NEGLECTED AREA OF STUDY. MANY OTHERWISE FINE

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.

I. FINANCES AND THE CHURCH.

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 ).

III. THE ATTITUDE OF THE GIVER.

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 ).

CONCLUSION:

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?
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