God Loves A Cheerful Giver

What the New TestamentTeaches About the Contribution

in Worship to God

Contribution Basics

• Individual Christians were ready to give (1 Tim. 6:17-19), as well as local churches (Acts 2:44-45)

• The local church contribution was an Apostolic “order,” a command for each Christian, not non-Christians (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 1 Cor. 16:1)

• The contribution was made on “first day of the week,” Sunday (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

Contribution Basics

• The contribution was put into a common treasury (Acts 4:35,37; 1 Cor. 16:1-2)

• The contribution came from individual, free-will offerings, not sales or businesses (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7)

• The contribution was given as each one prospered and purposed, not as a pre-determined “tithe” (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7)

Contribution Basics

• The contribution was an act of worship – “priestly service” - to God (Rom. 15:27; 2 Cor. 9:12; Phil. 4:18)

• The contribution brought glory to God (2 Cor. 8:19; 9:11-15; giving begins with God, flows through His people, and returns unto God)

Contribution Basics

• The contribution was for the work of the local church only: evangelism (1 Cor. 9:6-14; 2 Cor. 11:8-9), benevolence (Acts 2:44-45; etc.), and edification (1 Tim. 5:17-18)

• The contribution, when offered for benevolence, was for needy saints only (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 11:29-30; Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1,12)

Contribution BasicsFrom 1 Corinthians 16:1-3…

• Prescribed – “as I gave order to the churches…”

• Patterned – “so also do ye…”

• Periodic – “upon the first day of the week…”

• Personal – “let each one of you…”

• Planned – “lay by him in store…”

• Proportioned – “as he may prosper…”

• Preventive – “that no collections be made…”

• Purposeful – “carry your bounty unto Jerusalem…”

Contribution BasicsFrom 2 Corinthians 8-9…

• Graciously (8:1) - “the grace of God”

• Liberally (8:2-3) – “the riches of their liberality”

• Fraternally (8:4) – “beseeching us”

• Sacrificially (8:5) – “they gave their own selves”

• Sincerely (8:6-9) – “the sincerity also of your love”

• Readily (8:10-11) – “the readiness to will”

• Ably (8:11-12) – “out of your ability”

Contribution BasicsFrom 2 Corinthians 8-9…

• Equally (8:13-15) – “that there may be equality”

• Wisely (8:16-24) – “take thought for things honorable”

• Promptly (9:1-5) – “the same might be ready”

• Bountifully (9:6) – “he that soweth bountifully”

• Purposefully (9:7) – “purposed in his heart”

• Cheerfully (9:7) – “God loveth a cheerful giver”

• Generously (9:8-10) – “abound unto every good work”

• Thankfully (9:11-15) – “thanksgiving to God”

What Is the Contribution?From 2 Corinthians 8-9…

• Giving is a “grace” (charis) – 8:1,4,6-7,16,19; 9:8,14,15; giving offers a favored and thankful gift to others

• Giving is a “fellowship” (koinonia) – 8:4; 9:13; giving shares with the saints in their needs and in their work

• Giving is a “ministry” (diakonia) – 8:4; 9:1,12,13; giving is an act of service toward the saints

What Is the Contribution?From 2 Corinthians 8-9…

• Giving is a [priestly] “service” (leitourgia) – 9:12 [Rom. 15:27]; giving is an act of priestly service to God

• Giving is a “blessing” (eulogia) – 9:5-6; giving bestows a bountiful, blessed gift to the saints

• Giving is a “test” or “proof” (dokime) – 8:2,8,22,[24]; 9:13; giving proves one’s obedience to God and love toward other saints

How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Give ourselves to the Lord, before we give our money to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:1-5)

• Plan ahead and budget for God first (1 Cor. 16:1-2); don’t “rob God” (Mal. 1:14; 3:8)

• Follow through with our plans to give (2 Cor. 8:11)

• Desire to be unified with other Christians in giving (Acts 2:44; 4:32)

How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Understand the different types of giving (2 Cor. 9:6-7):

– Stingy giving

– Bountiful giving

– Angry giving

– Forced giving

– Cheerful giving (note the “good pleasure” of giving in Rom. 15:26-27)

How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Use the example of Jesus’ giving (2 Cor. 8:9) and God’s giving (2 Cor. 9:8,14) for our own giving

• Focus on the “fruit” that is produced from our giving (Rom. 15:28; Phil. 4:17-18)

• Be mindful of the stewardship of our money (Lk. 16:1)

• [ Parents, encourage your children at an early age to give to the Lord! ]