Lesson 12 - Our Giving in Worship
Introduction to the Lesson
Finally, we come to the last act of New Testament worship and it is that of giving. If the Bible teaches anything, then it is this. Yet, most people are very ignorant of this subject. Therefore, we want to see what the scriptures say about it. We'll begin by noticing some key passages of scripture.
Turn with me to [1 Corinthians 16:1 - 2 (KJV) 1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon 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.] Now before we go any further, let us analyze these verses to get the points that he is making.
1. This giving was to be done on the first day of the week. Why? Being the day that Christians meet for worship then this was the time chosen in which the collection would be taken. But what about other days? Nothing is said about other days. As far as this command is concerned then it is specified that it is to be done on the first day of the week. Now various religious groups have a collection or more every time they meet, even if there are times that they meet every day. However, as far as this particular act is concerned then it must come at the time specified if we are going to abide by the scriptures. Churches of Christ therefore meet each first day of the week and this is when the members are expected to give.
2. All of the Christians were expected to give. Of course this was provided they had been prospered during the week before. The Lord does not expect his people to give if they have not earned anything. However, he does expect them to give if they are able to do so, and to refuse to do so is a sin.
3. They were to lay by in store according to what they had. In that time that could have meant vegetables, livestock, or whatever they might have had. It could have also meant money. Today we usually give money since most people turn much of that which they have into cash or else work to earn financially each week. But it would depend on the place, the people, and the situation, whether the contribution might be given in terms of money or various commodities.
4. They were to give as they had been prospered. That is, they were to give according to their earnings. But how much of their earnings? That would be up to them and the same is still true today. The New Testament does not teach tithing or that we should give one tenth. Rather, we should no doubt give more than a tenth inasmuch as we live under a much better law than the Jews lived under and they gave a tenth. But if we have a better law, better promises and greater hope, then why shouldn't we give more? I have noticed in the Philippines when I was there that everyone wants to give but usually it is a small amount. In some cases this may be as much as a person can give, but in all probability, all could give much more than they do. I also notice that some of the Philippinos have money for cinema, tobacco, and many other things. I realize that these people are of the world, but if they have money for these things, then what do you do with your money? You may also be using some of it on such things or similar things. Yes, even here we can do much more than we are doing. The Lord said that we should give as we have been prospered. You know what you have been prospered and you know how much you should give. But in all probability it should be in terms of giving paper money instead of coins. In some cases, some of you may be able to give a good bit more of that paper money than you might think. Of course I can't tell you what you should give, and neither can you tell me, but the Lord knows that we should give, and therefore it is time for us to begin to give more. Don't you agree?
5. They were to go on and give so that there might not have to be any gathering on his arrival. In other words, if they would follow his exhortation then on his arrival everything would have already been taken care of and he could proceed to take care of the need that was at hand. The same is true today. If we will give as the Lord intended that we should then we will have the necessary funds to goon with the Lord's work. Now out in the religious world most churches do not follow this teaching and therefore they are constantly begging for money. Instead of giving themselves, then they go out into the world to beg for help. Some of them sell magazines or books. Some of them have some kind of bazaar or yardsale. Some of them put on some form of entertainment. But the Lord has commanded his people to give of their means that the needs of the church might be cared for. This is the Lord's way of doing things and as far as he is concerned it cannot be improved on.
Now let us proceed to notice another text that deals with giving. If is found in [2 Corinthians 9:6 - 7 (KJV) 6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.] Now observe the following:
1. He says that we will reap according to the way we have sown. If we sow a little then we'll reap a little. But if we sow much then we shall reap much. Now this is true in farming, in business, and in all walks of life. It is also true in the Lord's work. The more we put into it the more we will get out of it. The reason a lot of people never get anything out of it is because they never put anything into it. You can't just keep taking from the church without ever giving to it. I am afraid most of us don't believe the Lord enough to take him at his word. But we should try him. If we would I am confident that we would find that it is true that the more we give then the more we will receive.
2. He says that each one should give as he has purposed in his heart. Before coming to worship we ought to have already made up our minds as to how much we are going to give. That is what he is talking about. Don't wait until it is time to give and then to fumble around and to try to come up with something to put in the collection plate. But know what you are going to give, based on what you are able to give, and then give.
3. He says that one should not give grudgingly. That is, you should not feel forced or compelled to give. If you give, when you really didn't want to do so, and you had preferred to keep it for something else, then your giving is in vain as far as you are concerned and as far as the Lord is concerned.
4. He says that one should not give because he feels that it is necessary to give. The Lord is not trying to force you into a situation where you feel that you have to give. Certainly not.
5. Rather, he says that God loves a cheerful giver. How does he want you to give? He wants you to give cheerfully, because you want to, and you are happy to be able to do so. This is the kind of givers we ought to be always.
Now in closing, we should remember that the Lord himself said, [Acts 20:35 (KJV) . . .and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.] I am afraid though that many of us have turned that around to make it read, "It is more blessed to receive than to give." Why? Because so many of us are covetous, stingy, selfish and therefore we rob God of that which rightfully belongs to him. May God help us to wake up and to begin to return a portion of that which we have to him which in reality already belongs to him. We will never be the kind of Christians we ought to be until we learn how to scriptually give.
NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
QUESTIONS FOR LESSON 12, GIVING
1. Does the Bible teach giving?
2. Do most people give as they should?
3. Read 1st Corinthians 16:1,2.
4. Give the day on which Christians are to assemble to lay by in store,
5. What about other days?
6. How often do the various denominational groups take up a contribution?
7. Are all Christians expected to give?
8. What if some are not able to give?
9. Does the Lord expect his people to give if they have not prospered during the past week?
10. Does he expect them to give if they have prospered during the past week?
11. What are they to give?
12. How much are they to give?
13. Does the New Testament teach tithing?
14. Why should we give more than a tenth?
15. Do people usually have enough money for the things they want?
16. Why don't we have more for the Lord?
17. Explain why Christians are to give?
18. How do most religious groups raise money for their needs?
19. Is this what the Lord wants his people to do?
20. Read 2nd Corinthians 9:6, 7.
21. Explain the principle of sowing and reaping.
22. Why is it that more of us do not reap more?
23. What does it mean to give as we have purposed?
24. Does the Lord want us to give grudgingly or of necessity? Explain.
25. What kind of a giver does the Lord love?
26. Who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive?"
27. Describe most Christians when it comes to giving.
Finally, we come to the last act of New Testament worship and it is that of giving. If the Bible teaches anything, then it is this. Yet, most people are very ignorant of this subject. Therefore, we want to see what the scriptures say about it. We'll begin by noticing some key passages of scripture.
Turn with me to [1 Corinthians 16:1 - 2 (KJV) 1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon 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.] Now before we go any further, let us analyze these verses to get the points that he is making.
1. This giving was to be done on the first day of the week. Why? Being the day that Christians meet for worship then this was the time chosen in which the collection would be taken. But what about other days? Nothing is said about other days. As far as this command is concerned then it is specified that it is to be done on the first day of the week. Now various religious groups have a collection or more every time they meet, even if there are times that they meet every day. However, as far as this particular act is concerned then it must come at the time specified if we are going to abide by the scriptures. Churches of Christ therefore meet each first day of the week and this is when the members are expected to give.
2. All of the Christians were expected to give. Of course this was provided they had been prospered during the week before. The Lord does not expect his people to give if they have not earned anything. However, he does expect them to give if they are able to do so, and to refuse to do so is a sin.
3. They were to lay by in store according to what they had. In that time that could have meant vegetables, livestock, or whatever they might have had. It could have also meant money. Today we usually give money since most people turn much of that which they have into cash or else work to earn financially each week. But it would depend on the place, the people, and the situation, whether the contribution might be given in terms of money or various commodities.
4. They were to give as they had been prospered. That is, they were to give according to their earnings. But how much of their earnings? That would be up to them and the same is still true today. The New Testament does not teach tithing or that we should give one tenth. Rather, we should no doubt give more than a tenth inasmuch as we live under a much better law than the Jews lived under and they gave a tenth. But if we have a better law, better promises and greater hope, then why shouldn't we give more? I have noticed in the Philippines when I was there that everyone wants to give but usually it is a small amount. In some cases this may be as much as a person can give, but in all probability, all could give much more than they do. I also notice that some of the Philippinos have money for cinema, tobacco, and many other things. I realize that these people are of the world, but if they have money for these things, then what do you do with your money? You may also be using some of it on such things or similar things. Yes, even here we can do much more than we are doing. The Lord said that we should give as we have been prospered. You know what you have been prospered and you know how much you should give. But in all probability it should be in terms of giving paper money instead of coins. In some cases, some of you may be able to give a good bit more of that paper money than you might think. Of course I can't tell you what you should give, and neither can you tell me, but the Lord knows that we should give, and therefore it is time for us to begin to give more. Don't you agree?
5. They were to go on and give so that there might not have to be any gathering on his arrival. In other words, if they would follow his exhortation then on his arrival everything would have already been taken care of and he could proceed to take care of the need that was at hand. The same is true today. If we will give as the Lord intended that we should then we will have the necessary funds to goon with the Lord's work. Now out in the religious world most churches do not follow this teaching and therefore they are constantly begging for money. Instead of giving themselves, then they go out into the world to beg for help. Some of them sell magazines or books. Some of them have some kind of bazaar or yardsale. Some of them put on some form of entertainment. But the Lord has commanded his people to give of their means that the needs of the church might be cared for. This is the Lord's way of doing things and as far as he is concerned it cannot be improved on.
Now let us proceed to notice another text that deals with giving. If is found in [2 Corinthians 9:6 - 7 (KJV) 6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.] Now observe the following:
1. He says that we will reap according to the way we have sown. If we sow a little then we'll reap a little. But if we sow much then we shall reap much. Now this is true in farming, in business, and in all walks of life. It is also true in the Lord's work. The more we put into it the more we will get out of it. The reason a lot of people never get anything out of it is because they never put anything into it. You can't just keep taking from the church without ever giving to it. I am afraid most of us don't believe the Lord enough to take him at his word. But we should try him. If we would I am confident that we would find that it is true that the more we give then the more we will receive.
2. He says that each one should give as he has purposed in his heart. Before coming to worship we ought to have already made up our minds as to how much we are going to give. That is what he is talking about. Don't wait until it is time to give and then to fumble around and to try to come up with something to put in the collection plate. But know what you are going to give, based on what you are able to give, and then give.
3. He says that one should not give grudgingly. That is, you should not feel forced or compelled to give. If you give, when you really didn't want to do so, and you had preferred to keep it for something else, then your giving is in vain as far as you are concerned and as far as the Lord is concerned.
4. He says that one should not give because he feels that it is necessary to give. The Lord is not trying to force you into a situation where you feel that you have to give. Certainly not.
5. Rather, he says that God loves a cheerful giver. How does he want you to give? He wants you to give cheerfully, because you want to, and you are happy to be able to do so. This is the kind of givers we ought to be always.
Now in closing, we should remember that the Lord himself said, [Acts 20:35 (KJV) . . .and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.] I am afraid though that many of us have turned that around to make it read, "It is more blessed to receive than to give." Why? Because so many of us are covetous, stingy, selfish and therefore we rob God of that which rightfully belongs to him. May God help us to wake up and to begin to return a portion of that which we have to him which in reality already belongs to him. We will never be the kind of Christians we ought to be until we learn how to scriptually give.
NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
QUESTIONS FOR LESSON 12, GIVING
1. Does the Bible teach giving?
2. Do most people give as they should?
3. Read 1st Corinthians 16:1,2.
4. Give the day on which Christians are to assemble to lay by in store,
5. What about other days?
6. How often do the various denominational groups take up a contribution?
7. Are all Christians expected to give?
8. What if some are not able to give?
9. Does the Lord expect his people to give if they have not prospered during the past week?
10. Does he expect them to give if they have prospered during the past week?
11. What are they to give?
12. How much are they to give?
13. Does the New Testament teach tithing?
14. Why should we give more than a tenth?
15. Do people usually have enough money for the things they want?
16. Why don't we have more for the Lord?
17. Explain why Christians are to give?
18. How do most religious groups raise money for their needs?
19. Is this what the Lord wants his people to do?
20. Read 2nd Corinthians 9:6, 7.
21. Explain the principle of sowing and reaping.
22. Why is it that more of us do not reap more?
23. What does it mean to give as we have purposed?
24. Does the Lord want us to give grudgingly or of necessity? Explain.
25. What kind of a giver does the Lord love?
26. Who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive?"
27. Describe most Christians when it comes to giving.