Text: 1 Cor 16:1-4, Title: The Collection, Date/Place: NRBC, 4/15/12, AM
Opening illustration: Sometimes he would take me and my little brother Steve to the Thursday morning Bible study. George, an elderly gentleman, would split his donut with my little brother. One Sunday my brother came to church with a sandwich bag full of Cheerios. George leaned over and asked Stevie if he could have some. My brother reached in his bag, pulled out a Cheerio, and split it in half, giving George half a Cheerio! I think our view of our own generosity is often like that! God gives us so much, and we give Him back half a Cheerio! A little girl became restless in church as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"
Background to passage: Paul moves from the resurrection to practical matters as he winds up his letter. After covering sin of all sorts (division, immorality, laxity, lawsuits, marriage issues, christian liberty), then speaking toward the worship issues (proper appearance, Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, love), then following the resurrection, he addresses giving. This particular reference is toward a collection that he has instructed the churches to help with. It is going to the poverty-stricken saints in Jerusalem. Paul says that he is going to stop by and pick of the offering, and he didn’t want to have to collect it when he arrived.
Main thought: from this specific instance of giving, we can derive some principles that apply to all our giving
Associated with worship (v. 2)
It seems clear that Sunday was at this point (55 AD) was the day of worship and gathering for the early church. 1) During the meeting, it also seems custom (and it attested to in the church fathers) to have a time of offering. One account says that the normal practice in some churches was to bring a food offering first, share a meal, then take some of the remainder to the homebound, widows, and orphans; then the money gift, and it was distributed too by the deacons as they went. 2) Another principle that is found here is that giving was regular. It is indicated here to be weekly, but Justin Martyr (150 AD) said that some of the churches practice was monthly. What Paul knew was giving a check of $100 a week was easier on most people than a yearly check of $5200. 3) Another principle was that the gift was to the church treasury. That is the connotation of the word used, and the only thing that would make sense with Paul’s last comment in the verse about not having to collect all the money when he arrived.
Acts 5:2,
Illustration: “There is to be no last-minute, superficial scraping around for funds as an unplanned off-the-cuff gesture,” When I got saved at 17 years old, I began to put back 10% of whatever I made on Friday in a special place in my wallet when I deposited my check each week.
Giving is an act of worship. It is not a bill. You are not paying God. You are honoring your relationship with an act of thanksgiving and trust. Attitude is extremely important to Christian giving. Giving cheerfully and from a heart of love is critical to attaining the benefits of giving, and honoring the Lord of all. Why and how do you give? Make a habit (a regular routine) in your life of giving. We have several, even some of our homebound and inconsistant attendees that honor their commitment to Christ and New River, by sending in their gifts if they are not here. We should give to the church and allow the church to determine where it goes. The practice of the early church was deacons, elders, and missionaries handled it, but the church is the one who handles it here. Go to business meeting prayed up, and set us in motion to do the will of God.
Participation was expected (v. 2)
Note the language “each one of you” of giving. 1) Everyone is supposed to give. From the richest to the poorest. Even slaves and widows gave in the early church, neither of which had any income. In fact in American Christianity The two groups in the United States that give the highest percentages of their income are the poor (those making less than $20,000 per year) and the rich (those making more than $100,000 per year). Middle-class Americans (those making between $40,000 and $100,000 per year) are the smallest percentage givers. 2) Giving was voluntary in the sense of not a “tax,” not optional, but voluntary. Many of the early church leaders did not advocate tithing in the Jewish sense. Explain. Giving was not mandated, but expected. And in our church covenant we voluntarily agree to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel. 3) In the early church giving was primarily intended for the poor among the church, widows, orphans, homebound, survivors, ministers and missionaries, sick, and the imprisoned. Interesting comment, “These gifts are, as it were, piety's deposit fund. For they are not taken thence and spent on feasts, and drinking-bouts, and eating-houses.” –Tertullian.
2 Cor 9:7,
Illustration: Only one-third to one-half of U.S. church members financially support their churches; only 3 to 5 percent of those who donate money to a church tithe (give 10 percent of) their incomes. “No pressure, no gimmicks, no emotion. A need had to be met, and the Corinthians were capable of playing a role in it.”
Some of you don’t give. Nuff said. If you are a member, not only is your lack of giving an offensive to God who gave you everything, but it is a breach of your integrity, because you are breaking your covenant that you made with the other members. You are missing out on spiritual growth and other blessings in your life because you are not giving. And this is not coming from a financial crisis. We are not in dire need of funds, our budget is in good shape, so don’t hear me saying what I am not saying. Another thing that we need to address as a body is how much of our budget is being spent on these groups of people. It is not that these are specified in the NT as being the only recipients of funds, but I am not sure that barely 1% is a sufficient amount to go toward all these groups but ministers and missionaries.
Amount related to blessing (v. 2)
Most early church fathers (Iraneus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, all second century) felt like “tithing” was not required. They felt like if Jesus said our righteousness is to exceed that of the Pharisees, we should be giving more than 10%. NT giving was sacrificial, but related to theology: God owns it all. And as the owner of it all, He is the one with a plan of how to use it. “And for this reason they (the Jews) had indeed the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord's purposes, bestowing joyfully and freely not the less valuable portions of their property, since they have the hope of better things.” –Irenaus. But the principle is that giving should be in proportion to income. All gave some, but those that God has blessed more, should give more. Another NT principle is that giving should be sacrificial. It should cost us something.
2 Sam 24:24,
Illustration: After being away on business, a man thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift. “How about some perfume?” he asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle costing $50.00. “That’s a bit much,” he said, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30.00. “That’s still quite a bit,” he complained. Growing annoyed, the clerk brought out a tiny $15.00 bottle. “You know,” he said, “What I mean is that I’d like to see something really cheap.” The clerk handed him a mirror. J. D. Rockefeller said, “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.” : I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. - C. S. Lewis
Ten percent is a good place to start. If you need a number, you can use it. If you need accountibility, let someone know. One reminder, God doesn’t need your money. The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, "What difference does that make?! We’re on an island with no food and no water! We’re going to DIE! "The second man answered," You just don’t get it. I make $100,000 a week and I tithe 10 percent on that $100,000 a week. My pastor will find me!" It is not as though He is broke. But it is as though all you have is His. A steward does what the Master wants with the Master’s stuff. And just to let you know, God is just as concerned about how you use the other 90% of His money as He is about the first 10%. Do you really believe that all you have is God’s? Do you think of it that way? Ask God how much you should give. Better yet, ask God how much you should keep. Materialism is the main reason that Christians do not give. Do you ever ask yourself if you really “need” that? If we all tithed, our budget here would probably double.
Closing illustration: 10 Reason for Christian Giving
Recap
Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
“Though we have our treasure-chest, it is not made up of purchase-money, as of a religion that has its price. On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be able: for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary. These gifts are, as it were, piety's deposit fund. For they are not taken thence and spent on feasts, and drinking-bouts, and eating-houses, but to support and bury poor people, to supply the wants of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons confined now to the house; such, too, as have suffered shipwreck; and if there happen to be any in the mines, or banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons, for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God's Church, they become the nurslings of their confession.” –Tertullian
"And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son…Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday,(1)and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given,(3) and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need." - Justin Martyr
“And for this reason they (the Jews) had indeed the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord's purposes, bestowing joyfully and freely not the less valuable portions of their property, since they have the hope of better things [hereafter]; as that poor widow acted who cast all her living into the treasury of God." – Irenaeus
Justin Martyr (pictured left) (100–165 A.D.) provided an early, detailed, account of church services. He says that Christians met on Sundays and read the writings of the Apostles and prophets. After an exhortation to do good and pray, the love feast took place. They took the offering at the end of the service and those who were wealthy were free to give as they saw fit. The church used this offering to help the poor, widows, and others in need. There were two parts to the offering: (1) the first consisted of food: the congregation consumed part of the offering at the love feast and part of the offering was taken to those who were absent. The remainder of the offering was for the poor. After this meal, they partook of the Lord’s Supper. Finally, they took a second offering that included both money and food. This offering was for the clergy and the poor. Justin’s description of the offering neglects to mention tithing. Furthermore, his emphasis on personal responsibility in giving and that giving was mainly dependent upon the rich argues strongly against Justin advocating tithing. All of Justin’s explicit references to tithing were either incidental or quotes from Scriptures containing the word.
Giving by Class: The two groups in the United States that give the highest percentages of their income are the poor (those making less than $20,000 per year) and the rich (those making more than $100,000 per year). Middle-class Americans (those making between $40,000 and $100,000 per year) are the smallest percentage givers.
Few Support the Church: Only one-third to one-half of U.S. church members financially support their churches.
Religious Donations: More than $60 billion a year is donated to religious nonprofit organizations. The vast bulk of that sum-more that $40 billion annually-goes directly to churches, almost all of it from individuals.
Pets: In 2007, it is estimated that Americans will spend over $40 billion on their pets.
Weight Loss: It is estimated that by 2010, Americans will spend over $60 billion on weight-loss programs.
Giving Not a Priority: Christians worldwide had personal income totaling more than $16 trillion in 2007 but gave only 2 percent, or $370 billion, to Christian causes.
Donating over Tithing: Overall, only 3 to 5 percent of those who donate money to a church tithe (give 10 percent of) their incomes.
Tithing: 9% of American "born-again" adults tithed in 2004.
Then and Now:Giving by North American churchgoers was higher during the Great Depression (3.3 percent of per capita income in 1933) than it was after a half-century of unprecedented prosperity (2.5 percent in 2004).
Sunday Offerings: The average amount of money given by a full or confirmed member of a U.S. Christian church in 2004 was $691.93. This comes to an average of $13.31 per week.
Income versus Net Worth: Ninety-six percent of evangelical giving is given out of income, and only 4 percent is given out of net worth. (Ron Blue & Co.)
Enormous Prosperity:At the turn of the 21st century, the United States was home to 276 billionaires, over 2,500 households with a net worth exceeding $100 million, 350,000 individuals with a net worth of $10 million, and 5 million millionaires.
High Wealth, Small Population: Americans own approximately 40 percent of the world's wealth but comprise only 2.5 percent of the world's population.
Incomes Up, Giving Down: Incomes have gone up nine to 10 times in the last 20 years while giving has gone down about 50 percent.
