Where and How Should Christians Give?
In this series of teaching on stewardship, John Cole revised and taught from a published course made available without copyright by local church pastors shared for churches like ours. Read the handout notes here...
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
Giving Shows How Great God Is.
God Generously Gives to Us.
Giving Promotes Godliness.
Giving helps us keep our priorities straight.
Giving reminds us that God owns all we have.
Giving helps encourage others to give thanks and praise to God.
Giving Brings Blessing.
WHAT SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
Everything.
God gives you money for you to steward for His glory—some through giving to your church but not all of it.
Your job as a Christian is to assess every opportunity you have in life—many of which can benefit from your money—and spend every bit of it for God’s glory in this life.
Tithes & Offerings.
Old Testament Giving
1) One-tenth of all produce and flocks for the Levites.
2) One-tenth of one’s produce and flocks to be eaten and enjoyed in an annual feast before the LORD.
3) One-tenth every third year for the local storehouse to feed the Levites and the poor.
4) Also the temple tax, voluntary offerings, field gleanings, and taxes of kings.
New Testament Giving
Understanding our responsibility and opportunity to give according to the grace giving of the NT will produce more joyfully generous givers than will the OT law.
Sacrificial Giving
The first error says if your budget isn’t painfully tight, you’re not following Jesus.
The second error is the one that says living for comfort and Christianity can co-exist.
Generous Giving
“Give so that the money you’re spending on your own needs brings God equal or greater glory than it would if you were to give it away.”
WHERE SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
Obligations
1) The first societal institution God created for us: Family
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
2) The most lasting societal institution God has given us: Church .
1 Timothy 5:17–18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Healthy churches produce pastors, and pastors build up healthy churches.
Galatians 6:6–10 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Not only is giving to support elder-teachers commanded in Scripture, but also it is held out as an opportunity of partnership.
1 Corinthians 9:11–14 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
A priority for Christians “laying up for themselves treasures in heaven” is to invest in their local church since that is where they are receiving teaching to which they are accountable and since that is how they are most partnering in the advancement of the Gospel.
3) The necessary societal institution God ordained for us: Human Government.
Opportunities
2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE?
1 Corinthians 16:2 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.
Give in a way that is:
1. Periodic.
2. Personal.
3. Planned.
4. Progressive.
5. Plentiful.
CONCLUSION
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.