GOD and Giving  

by Murray Wade

 

Introduction

We live in a world that tends to worship money and the making of money. This priority

of money and things is not from God

 

(1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17). ¶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain.7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and

 harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the

faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

 

In this program we would like to examine how God wants money to be used.

 

1. Giving In the Church

Free will offerings on the 1st day of the week as Christians prosper

 

 (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) ¶ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper,

that there be no collections when I come.

 

Supports teaching the Gospel

(Ephesians 4:11-12, And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

 

Hebrews 5:12, Titus 2:3)

 

Supports elders/preachers

 

(1 Corinthians 9:7-14, Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain."Is it oxen God is concerned about?10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written,

that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

 

I Timothy 5:17-18, ¶ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and,  "The laborer is worthy of his wages." also Galatians 6:6)

 

Supports its own needy

(1 Timothy 5:10) well reported for good works: if she has brought up children,

if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

 

Not with man-made institutions not authorized by God

(Matthew 28:18-20). And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

 

Man has no right to build schools, hospitals, societies, colleges, ball teams with the Lord's money.

 

2. Today the Emphasis is all Wrong!

Today we see a lot of emphasis placed on huge, multimillion dollar facilities built with money collected in the name of God. Is this the emphasis Jesus wanted?

Only once did He talk about the place where one ought to worship (John 4:19-25).

The emphasis had always been on worshiping God in the elaborate Temple. But Jesus tells the woman at the well that the place of worship would one day not be important

 

(1 Corinthians 3:16-17). ¶ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

 

We have a lot of people who want to build temples, sanctuaries, hospitals, and dedicate them to God.  [Notice ]

 

Acts 7:49 Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?

and 17:24-25. "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.25 "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives

to all life, breath, and all things.

 

3. Examples of how money was used in the New Testament For relief of brethren

(Acts 11:27-30, Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. also I Corinthians 16:3)

 

To support of preachers to spread the gospel

(2 Corinthians 8:1-5) ¶ Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

 

To support of needy widows

(1 Timothy 5:9-11) Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently

followed every good work.11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

 

4. Responsibility of Christians to give to all Provide for their own

(1 Timothy 5:8, But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

also 2 Thessalonians 3:10)

 

Love (Mark 12:29-31, also 1 Peter 2:17) Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

 

Give time (Matthew 25:41-46,  Romans 12:13-18, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.Also Galatians 6:10)

 

Possessions (even homes if necessary) (Mark 10:28-31, Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's,30 "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.31 "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

 

Acts 2:44-45, Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

 

Their Money (1 Timothy 6:17-19, Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

 

Ephesians 4:28) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

 

Putting Others First (Romans 15:1-2, ¶ We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

Matthew 7:12, ¶ "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the  Law and the Prophets.

 

Philippians 2:3-4) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

 

With an Attitude of sacrifice (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Mark 12:41-44)

With a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

 

As to the Lord (Colossians 3:17,& 23) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

 

Especially to give the gospel

(Acts 8:4, ¶ Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

20:27, "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

 

1 Timothy 4:12, 16) ¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

 

Storing up treasures in Heaven, not on Earth (1 Timothy 6:18-19, ¶ This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,

 

Matthew 6:19-21) ¶ "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys

and where thieves do not break in and steal.

 

CONCLUSION

1. For everything that a Christian does, the thought needs to be "it is written" (John 14:15) ¶ "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

 

2. You cannot love God and mammon

(Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

 

16:24-28) ¶ Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward  each according to his works.28 "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

 

How are you using your blessings? On your pleasures or on material things that turn to rust?

Or are your storing up for yourselves everlasting treasures in Heaven? Examine the scriptures.

Think about what we have said. If it is true hold to it and obey it (1 Corinthians 11:1).