Worship In Giving Part 2

It is a shame that far too many in the church today have no clue how to study the Bible and determine authority even though we are told to “have authority for everything we do.”

Colossians 3:17 ESV

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If brethren understood biblical hermeneutics better today we could eliminate much of the controversy that arise and stamp it out easily.

We don’t have time to get into this “completely” today but if you would like to know more, just ask me after services.

Finding authority for giving today.

They authority, we find from God, for giving today is in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

As Paul writes them concerning “many topics” we find how the saints are to give in .

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 ESV

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

There are several things I want us to notice are authorized.

This collection was to be taken up, by the church, on the “first day of the week.” (2)

Not Saturday, Monday, or any other day.

This collection was to be taken up, by the church, “every” first day of the week.” (2)

Once again this wasn’t to be done every Saturday, Monday…but Sunday.

Each saint was to lay aside and store what he prospered to give on Sunday. (2)

This tells us that forethought had to go into this worship.

Each saint gives from what he has prospered. (2)

First we see, this giving was not to be perishable items as it would be more than a year before this specific collection would be received.

2 Corinthians 9:1–2 ESV

1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.

This giving was not to be perishable items as it would be more than a year before this specific collection would be received as it still had not been received by Paul when he wrote 2 Corinthians as seen in .

Second we see, this laying aside & giving was to be done “when” one prospered.

1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV

2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

If one did not prosper that which he could “lay aside” then he couldn’t give.

We are blessed beyond measure everyday, but that doesn’t mean we give every week, if we do not prosper in the form of achievable “laying aside.”

Summery

So what we find authorized concerning “worshiping in giving” is...

The collection was to be taken up by the church every first day of the week.

Each saint was to lay aside what he prospered and give that amount on the following first day of the week.

The Godly Principles Of Giving

Our giving is all from God.

What we give is simply what we have been made stewards of from God, it all belongs to Him.

1 Chronicles 29:14 ESV

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

We give to support the church.

As we noticed last week in the principle of giving to support the work of God was established long ago.

This same principle is seen in the N.T. as well.

Paul clearly taught this in our opening passage of .

1 Corinthians 16:3–4 ESV

3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

1 Cor 16:

;

Paul further developed this idea in other passages as well as it pertains to those that labor in the work of the Lord.

1 Timothy 5:17–18 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

1 Corinthians 9:11–12 ESV

11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

1 Cor 9:

1 Corinthians 9:14 ESV

14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

Romans 15:27 ESV

27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Galatians 6:6 ESV

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

As noticed last week in the principle of giving so the church can be help the less fortunate was established long ago.

This principle is also demonstrated in the N.T. as well as we clearly see the church helps the less fortunate.

James 1:27 ESV

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Galatians 6:10 ESV

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

1 Timothy 6:18 ESV

18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

We give the first of what we prosper.

Once again we saw this in wherein the Jews were expected to give the first even if it wasn’t the best.

This same basic principle is implied in the N.T. as well though not specifically addressed.

We know we are to put God and the church first.

Luke 10:27 ESV

27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Therefore when we “worship in giving” it is based on putting God and His church first.

We give to remember God’s mercy & rejoice.

Again we noticed in that our giving should make us reflect on the blessings of God, His mercy, and let us rejoice in what we remember.

In the N.T. this same principle is found as we “lay by and store.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Cor 9:

How does one find joy in giving?

First remembering it was given to us by God and we are only stewards of it ().

Second remembering all God has done to bless us as His children ().

Third understanding the impact that can have on the souls of others if used properly (; ).

We give so that God takes care of us.

We see in the O.T. this principle clearly demonstrated and taught by God ().

We also find this principle in the N.T. however, this isn’t the false “Health & Wealth” doctrine.

That false doctrine suggests “the more you give” the richer you will become and healthier you will be.

We do see God telling His children give and He will take care of us.

We see this principle in Jesus’ own words in .

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

We see this principle in Paul’s writing to the Corinthians in the second letter.

2 Cor 9:7-

2 Cor 9:10

2 Corinthians 9:7–10 ESV

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

2 Corinthians 9:10–11 ESV

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Summery

The principles we are commanded to observe in the O.T. () are vital to our full and complete understanding in the N.T. even as it pertains to our “worship in giving.”

Conclusion

Each week, as one reflects upon what they have prospered from God financially, let us rejoice and be glad at the opportunity to give back a portion of what has been given to us and entrusted to us by God.

Let us find peace, security, and comfort in knowing we have done that which pleases our Creator.

Invitation

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

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