Authority church finances Christ has authority over churches, Mt. 28:18 Organization, Titus 1:5 Worship, Jn. 4:23, 24 Work, Col. 3:17 Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJVS) Jn 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.“ (NKJVS) Tit 1:5 (NKJVS) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—

Authority church finances Submission to or rejection of His authority Brings consequences Submission: fellowship, 1 Jn. 1:3 Rejection: wrath, Mt. 15:7-14 Mat 15:7-9 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ' These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. '“ (NKJVS) 1Jo 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (NKJVS) Mat 15:7-14 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ' These people draw near to Me with their mouth,And honor Me with their lips,But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. '" When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, " Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" But He answered and said, " Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." (NKJVS)

Authority church finances Nadab & Abihu Violated the Pattern Bible Pattern for Church Finances Churches Violate the Bible Pattern

Authority church finances Nadab & Abihu Violated the Pattern Israel sacrificed to God, Lev. 9 Aaron offered the sin offering, Lev. 9:1-21 The Lord received it, Lev. 9:22-24 Lev 9:23b-24 (NKJVS) …Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, 24 and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Authority church finances Nadab & Abihu Violated the Pattern Nadab & Abihu were punished For their violation, Lev. 10:1-3 Burned incense w/unauthorized fire, 10:1 Struck dead by God, 10:2 Moses exhorted: respect God, 10:3 Lev 10:3 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me must be regarded as holy; And before all the people must be glorified. '" So Aaron held his peace. (NKJVS) And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified. '" So Aaron held his peace.

Authority church finances Nadab & Abihu Violated the Pattern Faulty “reasons” for their actions Right people: priests Right desire: praise God Right activity: burning of incense Right elements: incense & fire Occasion of excitement & worship WRONG source for the fire, Lev. 16:12 Lev 16:12 Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. (NKJVS) Lev 16:12 Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.

Authority church finances Bible Pattern How a church raises money Voluntary contribution of members, 2 Cor. 9:7 Give as purposed, 2 Cor. 9:7 Give as prospered, 1 Cor. 16:1, 2 Give on 1st day of the week, 1 Cor. 16:1, 2 2Co 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (NKJVS) 1Co 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: 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. (NKJVS) 2Co 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (NKJVS)

Authority church finances Bible Pattern How a church spends money For needy saints, 1 Cor. 16:1, 2; Acts 11:27-30 Support gospel teaching, Phil. 4:15-17; 2 Cor. 11:8 For worship & edification, Heb. 10:25; Jas. 2:2; 1 Cor. 11:20, 22 Act 11:27-30 (NKJVS) 27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. 1Co 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: 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. (NKJVS)

Authority church finances Bible Pattern Generic authority in raising & spending At beginning, middle, end of service Tray, hat, basket, bag Keep at member’s home, in bank Send check, wire transfer, give cash Buy material goods (food, clothes, gas) Pay rent, electric bill, hospital bill

Authority church finances Churches Violate the Bible Pattern In raising money Bake sale Yard sale Asking for public contributions Business ventures Ticket sales to church events Seek money from governments Preach tithing Collections on days other than Sunday

Authority church finances Churches Violate the Bible Pattern In spending money Recreation facilities Food-service facilities Send money to other churches for evangelism

Authority church finances Churches Violate the Bible Pattern In spending money Support of human institutions Colleges Orphan homes Nursing homes Missionary organizations Charities Hospitals Non-profit political or social-issue groups

Authority church finances Churches Violate the Bible Pattern “Justification” will not excuse rebellion, Mk. 7:8-13 We can raise more money We can reach more people We just want to praise God We can get more people involved

Authority church finances Christ has authority over churches, Mt. 28:18 Organization, Titus 1:5 Worship, Jn. 4:24 Work, Col. 3:17

Authority church finances Submission to or rejection of His authority Brings consequences Submission: fellowship, 1 Jn. 1:3 Rejection: wrath, Mt. 15:7-14