WELCOME TO THE
JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
PLEASE TURN OFF
CELL PHONES
1 Cor 16:1-2 Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I have
given orders to the churches of
Galatia, so you must do also: {2}
On the first day of the week let
each one of you lay something
aside, storing up as he may
prosper, that there be no
collections when I come.
Giving
GIVING
A. God, Himself, tries or tests the righteous.
Psalm 11:5; Mal. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:7
B. One way God tests our faith is in the matter of
“laying by in store on the first day of the
week.”
C. In 2015, Americans are spent more money on
lotteries than they gave to churches.
D. Poor people (under $13,000 a yr) spend 9% of
their income on lottery tickets.
dailyfinance.com
E. Let’s examine some things regarding giving.
I. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE WITH PURPOSE
A. If we remember our purpose, it helps us to respond
in a favorable way.
B. In 1 Cor. 16:1, it was "for the saints."
C. We are also to give so that the church can have
funds to do it’s work
1. Benevolence
2. Evangelism
3. Edification
D. We also give to receive God’s blessings - (2 Cor 9:6)
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully.
I. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE WITH PURPOSE
E. A certain Christian was heard complaining, “The
church costs too much. They are always asking
for money.” Another lady answered, “Sometime
ago a little boy was born in our home. He cost us
a lot of money from the very beginning; he died
at 10 years old, and since the funeral he hasn’t
cost us a penny. Now, which situation do you
think we would rather have?”
1. As long as this church lives it will cost. When it
costs us nothing, it is dead.
2. We are a living church with a vital message
that all the world needs.
II. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE PERIODIC
A. 1 Cor. 16:2 says, " On the first day of the
week“
B. It was convenient for them to contribute
when they assembled together on the first
day of the week.
C. The needs for benevolence, evangelism &
edification continues on a regular basis; so,
we should continue to give on a regular
basis.
III. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE PERSONAL
A. 1 Cor. 16:2 “let each one of you lay something
aside”
B. Paul emphasized the personal responsibility of
every member to give.
C. Little boy beside older lady as collection plate
was nearing, "Here, Ma'am, put in my nickel,
and I'll look embarrassed and ashamed in your
stead."
D. C. The child had been taught about his
individual responsibility of giving to the Lord.
IV. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE
PROPORTIONATE
A. 1 Cor 16:2c “Storing up as he may prosper“
B. In the N.T. we are not told exactly how much to
give. We are told only "as he may prosper"
B. In helping us to decide, we might consider what
was required under the Old Covenant
1. Tithes - One tenth of seed, fruit, flocks, etc.
Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:8-10
2. Of course, we realize that the Old Covenant
has been done away in Christ. Col. 2:14
IV. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE
PROPORTIONATE
C. Some Bible Principles to Consider:
1. Things written in the Old Testament were
written for our learning. Rom 15:4
2. Christians have it better than those under the
Old Covenant.
3. Our righteousness must exceed that of the
Scribes and the Pharisees. Matthew 5:20 For I
say to you, that unless your righteousness
exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and
Pharisees, you will by no means enter the
kingdom of heaven.
IV. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE
PROPORTIONATE
D. No one can tell you how much to give.
1. All of us need to examine our own hearts, and
our own earnings, and give accordingly.
2. All of us are to give with liberality. Rom. 12:8
3. Just as the people of Israel robbed God in not
giving as they were required (Mal 3:7-8) we,
too, can rob God in our giving.
4. How about you? Are you truly giving as God
has prospered you?
V. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE
PREVENTIVE
A. 1 Cor. 16:2 " that there be no collections
when I come “
B. Paul did not want to go from house to house
taking up collections when he arrived in
Corinth.
C. 1 Cor. 16:2 gives authority for the church to
have a treasury. The word, "in store"
"storing up" is the from the root word
"treasury" in the original Greek.
VI. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE PLANNED
A. 2 Cor 9:7a " let each one give as he purposes in his
heart "
B. A. Our giving should be a planned effort.
1. Decided what is the proper percentage of your
income you will give,
2. When you are paid, write the checks for that
amount, and put them into a drawer.
3. Each first day of the week, simply pull out the check
for that day and give it.
4. If you waited until later, there might be none left to
give.
C. What place does God have in your budget? - Do you
give Him priority over everything else, or does He just
get the leftovers?
VII. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE
PLEASURABLE
A. 2 Cor. 9:7b " not grudgingly or of necessity; for
God loves a cheerful giver.“
B. To give "grudgingly and of necessity" is to give
with reluctance and unwillingness. We need to
give willingly, liberally, and heartily.
C. "The Lord loves a cheerful giver, but He'll even
accept it from a grouch!“
VII. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE
PLEASURABLE
D. There are three kinds of givers -- the flint, the
sponge, and the honeycomb. To get anything out
of a flint you must hammer it, and then you get
only chips and sparks. To get water out of a
sponge you must squeeze it, and the more you
use pressure, the more you will get. But the
honeycomb just overflows with its own
sweetness. Which kind of giver are you?
VIII. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE BASED
ON GOD’S PROVISIONS
A. 2 Cor 9:8 " And God is able to make all grace abound toward
you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
have an abundance for every good work
B. God, Himself, will bless those who cheerfully give.
1. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be
put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you
use, it will be measured back to you."
2. Proverbs 3:9-10 9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns
will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with
new wine.
C. It takes a personal sacrifice on our part to be a true disciple and
follower of Jesus.
D. God, Himself, will abundantly bless those who thus serve Him.
YOUR GIVING?
A. Let us give as we have been prospered.
B. Through our giving, we are laying up treasures in
heaven.
C. Generous giving proves our allegiance,
demonstrates our faith, and shows where our
hearts are.
D. How about you? Are you laying up for yourself
treasures in heaven?
E. Is Christ really first in your life?
F. May God help all of us to give as He, Himself, has
prospered us.
TONIGHT’S SERMON
ABRAHAM’S FAITH