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God Loves A Cheerful Giver

God Loves A Cheerful Giver. What the New Testament Teaches 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)

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God Loves A Cheerful Giver

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  1. God Loves A Cheerful Giver What the New Testament Teaches About the Contribution in Worship to God

  2. 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)

  3. 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)

  4. 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)

  5. 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)

  6. Contribution Basics From 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…”

  7. Contribution Basics From 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”

  8. Contribution Basics From 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”

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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)

  12. 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)

  13. 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! ]

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