The Contribution

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 NASB95

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

Introduction

5 acts of worship

Acts 2:42 “42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Fellowship included both the singing and the giving

Not talked about often… why?

Our pocketbooks are sensitive to us!

Because of the fear of turning people away

But the bible says as much about giving as really any other topic in the Bible!

The contribution is not merely putting money in a plate… but giving money to the work of the church, overseen by a good eldership who are using that money to get the gospel out to as many souls as possible!

If it were the nail pierced hand of Christ extending the plate, would our attitude change?

Would we tell him, How much do I HAVE to give?

3 Rules

Was to be done on the first day of every week

The amount obtained was to be put into the treasury of the church

Each ought to give as he has prospered of the Lord, and according to the “purpose in his own heart”

The Jewish Giver

3 Tithes

The priestly tithe

Leviticus 27:30–33 “30 ‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. 31 ‘If, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. 32 ‘For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord. 33 ‘He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.’ ””

The festival tithe

Deut 14:22-27.

Includes: increase of seeds, corn, wine, oil, firstlings of herd

The charity tithe

Deut 14:28-29.

To every third year bring out ALLLL your tithe for the produce that year to give to widows, orphans and foreigners

Average over 30%

Tithing began

Abraham… Genesis 14:20 Gave Melchizedek a tenth of all he had

Jacob Gen 28:22 Made a vow to give a tenth with that pillow of stone as a marker

Jesus didn’t condemn tithing

Matthew 6:19–21 “19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Mark 12:41–43 “41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;”

1. The Joyful Giver

The one who gives sacrificially

We sacrifice for the things we love!

Sacrifice for our country, our family

And if it be true that Christ is EVERYTHING to us! Then what a joyous occasion it is to sacrifice our blessings, tho the one who gave it all for me

The one who gives lovingly

The contribution is PROOF of our love to God

2 Corinthians 8:24 “24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.”

Titus and the messengers… MAKE YOUR LOVE EVIDENT!

If it be true for them, how much more for God?

The one who is a faithful steward

The one who makes returns on the grace we’ve been given

2 Corinthians 9:6 “6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

2. The Ungrateful Giver

Some have the attitude of:

The Rich Young Ruler

Mark 10:18-22.

He wanted to go to heaven, had a desire to follow Christ

But when Jesus said “Go sell all that you have!”… the man walked away

Judas

John 12:3–6 “3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.”

Judas was chosen to take care of the money alongside Jesus’ ministry

But money became his master

What was to Mary an act of pure love, was to Judas an act of pure waste!

Ananias & Sapphira

Acts 5:1-11.

They gave but yet they LIED about it!

They gave the impression that they were giving GENEROUSLY to the Lord… but in actuality they withheld the truth and their heart wasn’t right before God

Barnabas

Acts 4:36–37 “36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

What a blessing to the early church!

Financially yes, but spiritually! Knowing that men like Barnabas were SO devoted to Christ that he not only would give up his possession but give up his LIFE in service to Him!

3. The Greatest Giver

The Bible tells us “it is more blessed to give than to receive”

A LOT of men have been generous throughout history!

But God has given us all things

Acts 17:25 “… He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;”

James 1:17 “17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Everything belongs to God, we are just His stewards

Psalm 50:10–12 “10 “For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. 11 “I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. 12 “If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.”

1 Corinthians 4:2 “2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”

What has he given?

A perfect savior… for God so loved the world, that he GAVE

A perfect salvation

A perfect church

A perfect law… the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25)

A perfect home (heaven)

“I gave I gave my life for thee, what has thou givn’ for me?”