Acts 2:44-47

Giving is an Essential Component of Worship in the Church

Introduction:

The Gospel of GRACE changes the dynamics of how a person should live - not alone, but with the community of believers.

The Gospel of GRACE changes the persons attitude towards money and finances - not hoarding, but joyfully giving.

As we shall see from our passage - The early church practiced generous giving as part of their worship!

Acts 2:42–45 NET 2nd ed.

42 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need.

Here, Luke described to us what was happening inside the first church in Jerusalem.

a. Devoted to the Apostle’s Teaching - Learning (disciple)

b. Fellowship

c. Communion

d. Prayer

e. Giving and Receiving

Holding everything in common was not socialism or communism because it was voluntary (cf. 4:32, 34–35; 5:4). Also their goods were not evenly distributed but were given to meet needs as they arose.

I. Giving and Receiving is part of everyday life of the church

vv.44-45- In the community of believers, giving and receiving (charity) is part of everyday life! There was readiness to help!

Giving to those in need is part of their worship -because of their generous giving, they were able to do things together!

We can learn from this - a God-centered church means that the members care for one another’s welfare.

Acts 2:46–47 NASB95

46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

v.46 - they study God;’s word together, they take meals together, they praise God together...

v.47 - Because of the love shown in their togetherness (unity), the LORD was adding more believers to the church.

II. When there is unity in doing things together, God increases His church.

Their love for each was the start - the growth was the result - God will caused the elect to respond!

Notice how it starts within themselves - they genuinely love each other - they genuinely care for each other - they are willing to engage on the deeper level - not superficial - they were serious in their discipleship.

So you see, when there is love for one another, the church will naturally grow.

Illustration:

A watered plant will naturally grow and bear fruit, a consistently fed baby will naturally grow and become adult and will have his or her own family and children...

Withhold water to your plant - it will die...

Withhold food and water to your child - the child will die...

Call to Action:

Should we want to glorify God in our giving and sharing - more souls will be added into God’s family

Application:

What can I help so you can attend prayer meeting?

What can I help so that the church can continue to meet without hindrance?

What can I help to strengthen our children’s ministry?

What can I help to strengthen our evangelism?

When you are a part of the church, you are part of the family.

In the family, there is SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.

So, when the family gathers together to share a meal, think of what you can do to help...

So, when the church gathers, think of what you can do to help...

So, do not withhold giving what God has given for you be to be used for the growth of His church.

Acts 2:46 NASB95

46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

they were taking their meals together - we can imagine them preparing the food - different assignments (kahoy sugnod, nang merkado, nanghiwa, nang luto, andam lamisa, hakot tubig, ihaw sa lamb or sa baka.. )....

wa pud giingon dire ug ang uban - naghimantay, nanghinambid lang, ug nag tan-aw…wa ta kahibaw…pero ang punto niini....

That those who had much might have the less, and so be kept from the temptations of abundance; and they who had little might have the more, and so be kept from the temptations of want and poverty - Matthew Henry

Having just Enough is the IDEAL way when it comes to money or wealth - not more not less - hear the Prayers of Agur.

Proverbs 30:7–9 NIV

7 “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

the writer asked the LORD for specific help in two areas of weakness before he died:

1. Protection from lying

2. Provision of daily sustenance (bread; cf. Matt. 6:11) without the temptations of wealth or poverty.

Wealth might cause him to disown and forget the LORD (cf. Deut. 8:12–17) thinking he could care for himself; and poverty might cause him to steal and thus dishonor God’s character.

CONTENTMENT - Attitude of the heart

Luke records another example of giving as essential part of worship:

Sharing Among Believers (Unity displayed in giving and sharing)

Acts 4:32–33 NASB95

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

One heart and soul - The believers were unified not only spiritually (one in heart and mind) but also materially (cf. 2:44–45 and comments there). Their selling of their goods was voluntary and the distribution was according to need.

III. True Love and Faith inspires Giving and Sharing

Practices we see in the early church as part of their Worship - that we can also follow and practice in our church

Boldness of Prayer (v.31) Unity of heart and soul (v.32) Faithfulness of preaching / evangelism (v33) Sharing of resources based on the need (vv. 34-35)

God’s part: abundant grace from God (v.33)

Luke’s apparent intention is to show that TRUE LOVE and FAITH INSPIRE SOCIAL CONCERN, especially within the community of believers (see 1 John 3:17–18; James 2:14–17; Gal. 6:10).

Their attitude towards money and material things is worth emulating - all we have is from the LORD and to be used to benefit the family of God.

What is your Attitude Towards Money?

Illustration:

Matthew 19:20–22 NASB95

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

Attitude towards money is important , it reveals who is the most important to you!

The words of Jesus, is like a mirror that allowed the rich young man to reflect and see what was in his heart all along!

The words of Jesus was like a fire that tested the sincerity of the rich young man’s heart.

His love of money caused him to missed the most important blessing of all - Eternal Life in Jesus!

Because He would rather keep his money and possessions than follow Jesus!

Where your treasure is,, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21

Matthew 6:21 NASB95

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

He has a high view of wealth and a low view of Jesus!

How about you? Is money more valuable than Jesus?

The rich young man withheld giving, and so he was not able to receive eternal life.

In contrast, the disciples gave up everything, and they were able to receive eternal life (Matthew 19:27-30)

What if we do not PRACTICE charity or giving? Can we still worship?

If it is ok to withhold giving, and each one of us will not give our offerings, what will happen?

Will God be glorified in our Worship? Will God be honored in our gathering? You know what will happen? 1. WE will miss a lot of blessings that should have been available for us!

A. the Joy of SHARING a meal together (fellowship)

B. the Joy of HEARING faithful preaching (when there’s no place for gathering)

C. the JOY of BLESSING other members of the church.

D. the opportunity to DISPLAY the PROVIDENCE of God.

E. The JOY of SEEING NEW CONVERTS added to the church.

2. The local church will suffer…like the Church of Laodicea…

Revelation 3:15–17 NET 2nd ed.

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! 17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,

Revelation 3:19 NET 2nd ed.

19 All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!