[By Ron Halbrook]

2 Introduction: 1.Sacrificial, unselfish, cheerful giving 2.Bring in hand what is in heart! 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7

3 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

4 2. Bring in hand what is in heart! 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

5 Introduction: 3. Fellowship of giving part of worship Acts 2:41-45 Continued in fellowship: give, receive

6 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ============================================== 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common ; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:41-45 Continued in fellowship: give, receive

7 Introduction: 3. Fellowship of giving part of worship Acts 4:32-37 Apostles kept common treasury—used for work of church

8 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. ============================================== 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet : and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:32-37 Apostles kept common treasury— used for work of church

9 Introduction: 3. Fellowship of giving part of worship Acts 5:1-11 Lied to God & brethren about giving

10 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Acts 5:1-11 Lied to God & brethren about giving

11 Introduction: 3. Fellowship of giving part of worship Acts 6:1-7 Deacons administered help to widows

12 1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Acts 6:1-7 Deacons administered help to widows

13 Introduction: 4. God instructed the 1 st Christians in giving, & we too must learn: How the New Testament church gave What was the money used for? How should we give?

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19 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. “That there be no gatherings when I come:” collection, gathering, liberality (1 Cor.16:1-3)— NOT private funds at home

20 I. How New Testament Church Gave E. Depend on Love, Sacrifice, NOT Carnality: NOT entertain: concert, play, dance, movie, carnival, alcohol NOT solicit from sinners NOT auction, yard sale NOT gambling: raffle, bingo, casino night NOT sell meals, candy, trinkets, etc. NOT business investments

21 II. What Was the Money Used For? A. Mission of Local Church Ordained by God: Evangelism to the lost world 2 Cor. 11:8 Support Paul preaching at Corinth Phil. 4:15-19 Support preaching: fruit, accepted 1 Thess. 1:7-8 Sound out the word! Worship & edification by saints Acts 2:42 Continued steadfastly 1 Cor. 14:26 Come together…unto edifying Benevolence to needy saints Acts 6:1-7 Provide food for needy widows

22 II. What Was the Money Used For? B. “Let Not the Church Be Charged” (1 Tim.5:16) Social functions, social welfare services: showers, parties, psychology, day-care, job training, legal service, adoption agency, social meal after funeral sermon, etc. Secular education: K-12, college, G.E.D. Recreation: picnic, ball team, youth center, gym, puppet show, movies, camp, sight-see trips, “fellowship hall” Medical services Economic, social, political reform

23 III. How Should We Give? A. Measured by Spirit of Love for God 2 Cor. 8:1-5 “First gave their own selves to the Lord”— exceeded normal expectation

24 1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 2 Cor. 8:1-5 “First gave their own selves to the Lord”—exceeded normal expectation

25 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Cor. 8:1-5 “First gave their own selves to the Lord”—exceeded normal expectation

26 III. How Should We Give? A. Measured by Spirit of Love for God 2 Cor. 9:6-10 Bring in heart, then in hand

27 6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:6-10 Bring in heart, then in hand

28 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 2 Cor. 9:6-10 Bring in heart, then in hand

29 III. How Should We Give? A. Measured by Spirit of Love for God Lk. 21:1-4 Widow gave her heart, sacrificed “more than they all”

30 1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all : 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. Lk. 21:1-4 Widow gave her heart, sacrificed “more than they all”

31 III. How Should We Give? B. What Standard or Percentage Required? 1 Cor. 16:2 Personal decision: “as God hath prospered” 2 Cor. 9:7 “As he purposeth in his heart”

32 III. How Should We Give? C. How Law of Moses Taught Spirit of Giving âLev. 27: % fruit & flocks  IF WE USED THIS STANDARD: If $1,000 Annual Income, $2 per Week If $10,000 Annual Income, $20 per Wk If $20,000 Annual Income, $40 per Wk If $50,000 Annual Income, $100 per Wk

33 III. How Should We Give? C. How Law of Moses Taught Spirit of Giving ãEx. 13:1-2; 23:19 First fruits, first male ÐLev. Sacrifices, offerings: animal, food, drink—daily, annual, freewill ÑLev. 27; 1 Sam. 1:11 Gifts to sanctuary æDeut. 15:1-2 7 th year release debts çLev. 25: th year release debts, slaves, land

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35 III. How Should We Give? D. With a Better Covenant & Better Promises, What Is Our Spirit of Giving (Heb. 8:6)? 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

36 Do We Give 10 Percent? Based on 50 wks per yr, 10% is $2 per $1,000 If your annual income is: $ 1,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ 2.00 $ 5,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 10,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 15,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 20,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 30,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 50,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 75,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $100,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $200.00

What We Bring In Our Hands Annual Income Weekly Income 20% to God 15% to God 10% to God 5% to God 3% to God 30,000 27,500 25,000 22,500 20,000 17,500 15,000 12,500 10,000 7,500 5,

38 III. How Should We Give? E. Whatever We Give, Let Us Determine to Grow! Jn. 3:16 God’s perfect love: gave plan, sacrifice, & revelation of salvation! 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

39 III. How Should We Give? E. Whatever We Give, Let Us Determine to Grow! 1 Thess. 1:8 What the church can do to spread the gospel to a lost world: Limited or expanded by our giving! 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

40 III. How Should We Give? E. Whatever We Give, Let Us Determine to Grow! 2 Cor. 8:7 Set individual & church goals: grow “in this grace also” 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

41 III. How Should We Give? F. Our Giving: Rob God (Mal. 3:8) OR Lay Up Treasures in Heaven (Matt.6:19-21)? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

42 F. Our Giving: Rob God (Mal. 3:8) OR Lay Up Treasures in Heaven (Matt.6:19-21)? 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

43 Invitation: 1. God instructed the 1 st Christians in giving, & we too must learn: How the New Testament church gave What was the money used for? How should we give?

44 Invitation: 2. 2 Cor. 8:9 Sacrificial, unselfish, cheerful giving by Christ 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

45 Invitation: 3. To receive his riches: Acts 2:38 Alien sinner, obey the gospel 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 Invitation: 3. To receive his riches: Acts 8:22 Erring saint, repent & pray 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.