September 21, 2008
Morning Service

I Cor.16:1-3.

 

Review:

1.                   Last week we received, what the Apostle said that he had received from the Lord Jesus, concerning the resurrection.  There were some in the church at Corinth that did not believe in the resurrection. Paul says it must be that the Lord arose, “1Co 15:14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” 

2.                  Paul told of all those that had seen Jesus after He arose.  All the Apostles, and some 500 brethren, which the greater part was still alive, but some had fallen asleep, which means they were dead.

3.                  Then Paul said, “1Co 15:8-10  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.  (9)  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  (10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

·                      I think we have to ask ourselves “has God’s grace been bestowed upon me in vain?”  Am I laboring as abundantly as I should?”  “Am I what I want to be for the Lord?”  If I was the Lord, would I be proud of me?        Christian, we need to keep our priorities in line with our confession.

4.          Paul tells us of the order of the resurrection; he tells us how our bodies are going to be; then he tells us

             Concerning those who will be alive when Jesus returns.

 

This morning we want to look at what Paul teaches concerning giving:

 

1Co 16:1-3  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  (2)  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  (3)  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

·                      It is very clear that this offering, that is being received, is going to the poor saints in Jerusalem.  It was also true that there was a great need there;

·                      In chapter 11 of Acts Peter is telling the leaders is Jerusalem what happened in the house of Cornelius, notice what is said; Act 11:28-30  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.  (29)  Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea:  (30)  Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.    And again;  Rom 15:25-27  But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.  (26)  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.  (27)  It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 

·                      Paul says that he has instructed all the churches to contribute to this cause.

·                      He tells them when to collect it, “upon the first day of the week.”

·                      He told them to give as God had prospered them.

·                      And he wanted no collections taken while he was there.

·                      And you choose the ones you want to deliver this offering to Jerusalem.

·                      We will address this issue again in 2Cor. 8-9;

 

There were no doubt Jews, and Gentiles in most of the churches at this time.  I don’t know how the Gentiles were instructed to give, but we do know concerning the Jews.

·                      The offering to help the poor in Jerusalem was in addition to what the Jews would give to support the Synagogue. 

·                      Giving back to God started with Jacob.  Gen 28:22  And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

·                      So this is where it began.

·                      God speaking through Moses;  Num 18:21  And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

·                      There were 12 tribes of Israel, and eleven of them were to give one tenth of what God blessed them with for the upkeep of the tribe of Levi, and the tabernacle needs.

·                      This became the standard for giving, the tithe, however, there were free will offerings, and other offerings that was given to God.

·                      The tenth part of one’s wealth was so commonly done that when the children of Israel ask for a king, Samuel told them that he would take a tenth part of all they had;  1Sa 8:15  And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And 1Sa 8:17  He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

·                      Then Malachi said this;  Mal 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

·                      It is very clear that this was what the Israelites were instructed to do.  And if they didn’t there was a curse on them.

 

SO WHY DO WE GIVE TODAY?

·                      It is without question that the church has evolved to what it is today.  At first the disciples went only to the Jews concerning the Gospel message. 

·                      Then in the 10 chapter of Acts God, thru the Apostle Peter opened the door to the Gentiles.

·                      The early churches met in homes, and as they grew in numbers, and realized in order for everyone to worship together, they began constructing larger buildings.  You get the picture, and see the need.

·                      We give today because of the needs we have.  

·                      The bills you have coming at your home every month, we have here. 

·                      You pay your Levite, or preacher, a supplemental income. 

·                      We still help others when we have the funds. 

·                      We support two children in a Iulla for their education.

·                      We give to Backstreet Missions in Bloomington.  Greg checked this out, and it is a good thing.

·                      You should be very proud of yourselves.  You support this wonderful facility, which we call God’s house, and we allow people to use it at no cost.  Weddings, birthday parties, family get togethers, and such.  You are what makes this possible, your giving to the Lord’s work.

SO HOW ARE WE TAUGHT TO GIVE?

·                      We have seen in the Scriptures how the Israelites were instructed to give, the tithe.

·                      Tithing is a good way of giving, but it is not going to send you to hell if you don’t tithe.

·                      You must understand that there are congregations that require that you pay tithe or you are kicked out. I have even heard that some ask to see your check stubs.  Very sad.

·                      If Gentiles had been required to tithe, it would have been mentioned in Acts chapter 15. 

·                      The Scripture that stands out to me is;  2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

·                      I know that this is in respect to giving to support the poor saints, but this is the principal we should follow when we give to the Lord’s work.

·                      I ask at the beginning; “ we have to ask ourselves “has God’s grace been bestowed upon me in vain?”  Am I laboring as abundantly as I should?”  “Am I what I want to be for the Lord?”  If I was the Lord, would I be proud of me?        Christian, we need to keep our priorities in line with our confession.

·                      Times are going to get very tough in the coming days, and we can only help those in need if we give faithfully to the Lord.

·                      We need to weigh in the balance, are we spending more on THINGS, than we are giving to the Lord?

 

We need to examine ourselves, and make sure God is getting our best, and not our crippled offerings.  We need to keep our Christian priorities in line, so that we bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.