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Joy, Grace and Giving at GPBC (Selected Scriptures)

Joy, Grace and Giving at GPBC (Selected Scriptures).

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Joy, Grace and Giving at GPBC (Selected Scriptures)

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  1. Joy, Grace and Giving at GPBC(Selected Scriptures)

  2. “Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man’s real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index to a man’s true character. All through Scripture there is an intimate correlation between the development of a man’s character and how he handles money.” Richard Halverson, former Senate Chaplain

  3. Giving Among American Protestants 1921 – 2.9% 1933 – 3.3% 2000 – 2.6% (and still declining) We are convinced that God has prospered us so that we can raise our standard of living, not our standard of giving.

  4. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustdestroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21)

  5. “Giving to God is no loss; it is putting your substance in the best bank. Giving is true having. As the old gravestone said of the dead man, ‘What I spent, I had; what I saved, I lost what I gave, I have.’” Charles Spurgeon

  6. OT Tithe • Leviticus 27:30-33 10% • Deut. 14:22-27 (Jerusalem)9% • Deut. 14:28-29 (third year)2.7% Total 21.7%

  7. Some Questions • Do we support God’s called workers like the OT pattern? • Do we give a tenth (“tithe”) like the OT pattern (or perhaps 21.7%)?

  8. Some Questions • Do we support God’s called workers like the OT pattern? Yes.  1 Cor. 9:3-14  Galatians 6:6  1 Tim. 5:17-18 “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:14)

  9. Some Questions 2. Do we give a tenth (“tithe”) like the OT pattern (or perhaps 21.7%)?

  10. Tithing in the New Testament • Matt. 23:23 / Luke 11:42 (Pharisee) • Luke 18:12 (Pharisee) Both of these instances are of someone living under the Mosaic Law. They also had to sacrifice a lamb at the Temple, have a parapet on their roof, never touch a dead body, etc. This is Old Covenant Law. 3. Hebrews references Melchizedek (Gen. 14)

  11. New Testament Tithe?  Some say yes, because it was the OT law.  Some say yes, because the tithe preceded the OT Law (Abraham & Jacob), and therefore transcends covenantal distinctions.  Some say yes, because they want larger offerings.  Some say no, because that’s not the NT instruction.

  12. NT Grace Giving  Self-determined  “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7)

  13. NT Grace Giving  Proportionate  “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.” (1 Cor. 16:2; cf., Luke 21:1-4)  But the proportion that pleases the Lord is costly. David said, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24)

  14. NT Grace Giving  Systematic  “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.” (1 Cor. 16:2)  Notice how it can be faithfully done in “deep poverty.” (2 Cor. 8:2; “deep” = bathos) When the grace of God fills your heart with joy, you don’t look for excuses; you look (and beg) for opportunities to give.

  15. NT Grace Giving  Evidence of your love  “proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also”(2 Cor. 8:8, 24) I can gladly sacrifice this because I love Christ, and I love His redemptive truth, and I love His servants, and I love the glory of His name advancing among the nations.

  16. NT Grace Giving  Abundant  wealth of their liberality(8:2; 9:11, 13)  beyond their ability (8:3)  abound in this work (8:7)  bountiful gift… bountifully (9:5-6)

  17. NT Grace Giving  Worshipful  “for the ministry of this service” (9:12)  “But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” (Phil. 4:18)

  18. NT Grace Giving  Joyful / Cheerful  “not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7) cheerful = hilarion, from which we get hilarious.  “their abundance of joy … overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.” (2 Cor. 8:2; cf., Heb. 13:5)

  19. NT Grace Giving  Self-determined (2 Cor. 9:7)  Proportionate (1 Cor. 16:2; Luke 21:1-4)  Systematic (“1st day of the week”; 1 Cor. 16:2)  Evidence of love (2 Cor. 8:8, 24)  Abundant (2 Cor. 8:1-5, 7; 9:5-6, 11, 13)  Worshipful (Phil. 4:18)  Joyful / Cheerful (2 Cor. 9:7; 8:2)

  20. New Covenant Giving A systematic offering in church gives you an opportunity to worship the Lord and to evidence your love for Him. Your giving should be abundant, generous, self-determined, and proportionate to the Lord’s prospering you. It should be done cheerfully, thankfully, and out of the fullness of the joy you derive from Him.

  21. Why do we take an offering? • Obedience to God (1 Cor. 16:1-2) • Support Kingdom ministry (1 Cor. 9) • Worship the Lord (Phil. 4:18) • Evidence our love (2 Cor. 8:8, 24) “An offering in the middle of the service gives you a chance, Sunday after Sunday, with a check or a dime in your hand, to say, I love the Gospel.” … John Piper

  22. “I cannot help leaving my books behind me whenever God calls me hence; but in every other respect, my own hands will be my executors.” John Wesley

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