Sunday, 12/23/12 pm
THE CHRISTIAN AND MONEY
Giving
Lessons like this are often uncomfortable to preach, because
they seem self-serving as the preach “lives by the gospel” or it seems
like the church is seeking to “get as much out of me as it can” or “they
are just in it for the money.”
But it is my hope that you don’t see this lesson presented that
way. Like anything I preach
about, the goal is to find the truth of God’s word – not just the
commands, but the motives behind them.
It is also painful because it deals with our wallets and
purses, which for many is a subject they don’t want to hear about.
But again, the truth is the truth, and it must be preached “in
season and out of season.” (2 Tim. 4:2-4)
As I present this lesson, I encourage each of us to make an
honest examination of what we do and if we see need for change, to work
toward that end.
a.
The Contribution – in
this lesson, when we speak of giving, what we are dealing with
Christians contributing to their local congregations.
We have already discussed sharing with others which ought to be
an integral part of our lives, but for the purpose of this lesson we are
talking about the contribution given to the church.
b.
It is commanded
- 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – it
is to be done on the first day of the week.
In this text we have the only passage that gives specific
instructions as to WHEN we are to give to the church.
It is the first day of the week and it was when they were
assembled. We are also told,
“let EACH OF YOU lay something aside.”
c.
First century examples
–
2 Cor. 8:1-5, as Paul wrote to the brethren at Corinth (a 2nd
or 3rd time), he cites the example of brethren in Macedonia
who in poverty gave beyond their ability, for the same purpose that Paul
had commanded the brethren in Corinth to give.
d.
Necessary Inference
– In addition to the command and examples of brethren giving, we also
must consider the various works the church ought to or can engage in
(such as supporting evangelism, saintly benevolence, etc. – more next
lesson), the command to assemble which necessitates a place (which we
are at liberty to choose), supporting preachers locally and abroad, and
other things, etc. With
these it becomes clear that the resources necessary to FUND these
projects call for Christians to give and support the local work.
The ONLY examples of receiving funds as a local congregation comes from
the saints laying something aside for the work, as recorded in the above
verses. Therefore, it
behooves us to understand that we have a responsibility to give and
support the local congregation.
a.
The “tithe” – the word
“tithe” does not mean “a set amount.”
It means, “a tenth part”.
b.
In the Old Testament we
read of this as the BASELINE for giving.
i.
WE first read of this in
Genesis 14:20 where Abraham gave a tithe of all to Melchizedek, “priest
of God Most High.”
ii.
In Genesis 28:22, as
Jacob fled from his brother Esau toward Haran, he made a vow to God
saying, “If God will be with me,
and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and
clothing to put on, so that I
come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.
And this stone which I have set
as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will
surely give a tenth to You.” I
believe that this was to become the basis of the tithe that Israel was
to give.
iii.
Under the Old Law,
Israel was commanded to give a tithe to God.
An example of this is in Lev. 27:30, 32 where we read, “All the
tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of
the tree, is the Lord’s…And concerning the tithe of the herd or the
flock, or whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to
the Lord.”
iv.
The tithe was to be used
to support the Levitical priesthood (Num. 18:21-24)
c.
In actuality, giving
under the Old Law involved much more than a simple 10%.
It is estimated that after providing sacrifices for feasts,
special collections for the poor and others, etc. that their required
giving was in the neighborhood of 23%.
One author described the tithe, not at the ceiling, but the
basement of their giving.
d.
The “first-fruits”
belonged to the Lord – He expected the first born of animals, the first
fruits of the crops, even redemption of the first born child.
Recall how when Israel conquered Canaan that Jericho, the FIRST
city belonged to the Lord? A
principle was being set.
God first!
e.
And then there were the
“free-will” offerings which went above and beyond – throughout the Old
Law instructions were given for offering above “the minimum.”
When there were special needs, the people were asked to give
voluntarily. At times these
offerings were so abundant that the people had to be restrained from
giving more (what a dilemma)!
(cf. Ex. 35:4-7)
f.
Will a man rob God?
Malachi. Mal. 3:8-10.
Malachi points out how they were NOT being blessed because they
were failing to give the “tithes and offerings” to God.
g.
Prov. 3:9, “Honor the
Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your
increase… “ Haggai 1:9-11
finds the Jews (after the return) not being blessed because they
neglected the things of God.
Ex. 23:15 – in describing the feasts they were to observe, the Lord said
they were to be kept and then “none shall appear before Me empty.”
h.
These are instructions
concerning the Old Covenant.
We are under a New and Better covenant.
If they were expected to give so liberally for that law, what
about our new and better covenant?
a.
We often hear the number
10%. It is based upon the
“tithe” of the Old Law.
Under the New Law (which I might add is in every way BETTER than the Old
Law- see the book of Hebrews) we are not commanded a specific percentage
or amount to give.
I am fearful that for many this has become a crutch which keeps us from
giving as we ought to. I
have heard it called “grace giving” which means that since we are under
God’s law of grace instead of under the Old law of “legalism” or
“letter” we simply give as we have been blessed (or how we FEEL we have
been blessed) instead of a “legalistic” amount.
There is a point to be made in this, BUT it does bring up a relevant
question: If giving is based upon this description of “grace”, how much
does your giving say you have been blessed by God?
For far too many, giving is an indictment instead of grace.
It shows our unwillingness to let go or the things of this world.
What does our giving “by grace” show as to how much we honor the
Lord?
While we are under the New Law, and a specific amount has NOT been
determined, there are principles that we are to abide by which I am
fearful will convict many of us.
b.
Considering the numerous
principles we have discussed –
i.
We are stewards – what
we have actually belongs to God.
It is entrusted to us to use wisely.
Are we faithful stewards?
ii.
We are to be content –
does our giving demonstrate a craving for more worldly stuff?
This goes to the attitude that will govern HOW much we are
willing to give to God, or shall I say “let go of”?
Remember the rich, young ruler who wasn’t willing to let go of
his stuff.
iii.
We are to be laying up
for ourselves treasures in heaven – we have often asked in this study,
“Where is your treasure?”
Our giving is a reflection of where our heart is.
iv.
We are to seek FIRST the
kingdom of heaven - we know this.
It is to apply to every aspect of our lives, including our
giving! What type of a
priority does our giving demonstrate concerning the Kingdom of God?
Is He really first when it comes to our possessions? Sadly, more
often than not, giving reflects how God is NOT the priority He ought to
be.
And the same could be said of the church, which IS His kingdom.
If our giving is a reflection of how important this congregation
is to us, what does it say?
v.
We are to live
sacrificial lives – Romans 12:1-2.
Does our giving reflect a willingness to give of our prosperity
and even our livelihood?
THOUGHT: COULD it be that if we gave as we ought to we would have less
to “get into trouble” with?
Recall how David when he went to offer a sacrifice to God said, “I will
not offer to him that which costs me nothing.”
vi.
Then there is the sheer
gratitude for what He has given us - Can we EVER repay Him for all that
He has given us?
vii.
All of these principles
and others develop a mindset that will determine proper giving.
And the way we give IS a reflection of the influence of these
principles and others in our lives.
c.
We are to “lay
something aside” – 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
This indicates that it is to be planned and with purpose.
Our giving ought not to be a little of what I have left.
I believe this command implies that we need to “budget” God into
our finances. And that ought
to not be done lightly.
d.
“Storing
up as he may prosper” – 1 Cor. 16:2 - it is the extension of a word
which means to travel along a good road.
The meaning is one who has gained or earned something.
The point being our giving ought be based upon our blessings,
which we know are many. It
is no secret that we are living in troubling times.
The dollar does not go as far, and after taxes and expenses, we
have far few dollars to work with.
BUT, we are still prosperous – more so than the majority of the
world. Does our giving
reflect that prosperity?
e.
2 Cor. 9:6-11 – a
context where Paul is encouraging the brethren at Corinth to give as
they had committed to do at an earlier time. In this text, he encourages
these brethren to give and to do so properly, both in attitude and
action. And He gives promise
if they do so.
f.
As he purposes–
2 Cor. 9:6. This
demonstrates that one ought to “produce from one’s stores”
The idea goes back to that of planning.
It also demonstrates something
that is important. What does
giving show is important to us?
Do we give God more than we spend on entertainment? On
communications (cell phones, internet, telephones, etc.)?
On recreation? On our
pets?
g.
“In his heart” -
Giving must be from the heart.
The idea is that it is voluntarily.
Rather than the compulsory “tithe” it ought to be the “free-will
offering”. Some reason from
this that they can give whatever amount they want to, and it’s nobody’s
business how much that is.
While there is some truth to that, the bottom line is there are a number
of principles that we have discussed that need to govern this.
h.
“Not grudgingly or of necessity, For God loves a cheerful”
- we ought to be happy in our giving.
The fact that you NEED TO give is clearly established in the
texts we have been discussing, but if your reasoning is because you HAVE
TO, you will be miserable.
And I contend that if you are giving “grudgingly” (with unhappiness and
regret) there is an attitude problem.
i.
Liberally
– 2 Cor. 9:6 says, “He who sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will
also reap bountifully.” Everything we have discussed thus far leads
toward this conclusion. The
principle of this verse is a truth that farmers and investors
understand. A farmer knows
that if he only plants 50% as much corn he is NOT saving money (i.e. the
50% of the cost of the seed) but losing the profits of a much larger
crop.
In 2 Cor. 8:2 Paul commended the churches in Macedonia for their
liberality in giving. And it
wasn’t the dollar amount that he had in mind.
Liberality has to do with percentages as to specific amounts
(e.g. $1000 is much more to
the one who only has $10,000 than it is to one who has a million).
Consider Mark 12:41-44 finds Jesus observing the giving of money into
the treasury. He sees a
widow who gives a meager 2 mites.
But Jesus tells His disciples that she had given more than all
who gave into the treasury because it was all that she had – “he
livelihood.”
And thus we can see the blessing of giving.
Could you imagine how much we could do if everyone gave as they
ought to? We have prospered
so much and as a congregation, we give liberally.
But could we do more?
Are there works that are hindered because of sub-par giving?
Under the Old Law, when the
people failed to give they were NOT blessed.
How much more is this true under the New Law?
My point in this lesson is not to guilt you (or pressure you)
into giving more – at least, not because I say so.
It is to challenge each of us to examine ourselves – our
priorities, our attitudes and our actions.
If we are found wanting, let us do something about it.