SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE - TV Program for 4/16/01

GOD and Giving

By Murray Wade



We live in a world that tends to worship money and the making of money. This priority of money and things is not from God (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17). In this program we would like to examine how God wants money to be used.

1. Giving In the Church

Free will offerings on the 1st day of the week as Christians prosper (1 Corinthians 16:1)

Supports teaching the Gospel (Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 5:12, Titus 2:3)

Supports elders/preachers (1 Corinthians 9:7-14, I Timothy 5:17-18, Galatians 6:6)

Supports its own needy (1 Timothy 5:10)

Not with man-made institutions not authorized by God (Matthew 28:18-20). Man has no right to build schools, hospitals, societies, colleges, ball teams with the Lord's money.

2. Today the Emphasis is all Wrong!

Today we see a lot of emphasis placed on huge, multimillion dollar facilities built with money collected in the name of God. Is this the emphasis Jesus wanted? Only once did He talk about the place where one ought to worship (John 4:19-25). The emphasis had always been on worshiping God in the elaborate Temple. But Jesus tells the woman at the well that the place of worship would one day not be important (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). We have a lot of people who want to build temples, sanctuaries, hospitals, and dedicate them to God. Notice Acts 7:49 and 17:24-25.

3. Examples of how money was used in the New Testament

For relief of brethren (Acts 11:27-30, I Corinthians 16:3)

To support of preachers to spread the gospel (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)

To support of needy widows (1 Timothy 5:10)

4. Responsibility of Christians to give to all

Provide for their own (1 Timothy 5:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Love (Mark 12:29-31, 1 Peter 2:17)

Time (Matthew 25:41-46, Romans 12:13-18, Galatians 6:10)

Possessions (even homes if necessary) (Mark 10:28-31, Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37)

Their Money (1 Timothy 6:17-19, Ephesians 4:28)

Putting Others First (Romans 15:1-2, Matthew 7:12, Philippians 2:3-4)

With an Attitude of sacrifice (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Mark 12:41-44)

With a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

As to the Lord (Colossians 3:17, 23)

Especially to give the gospel (Acts 8:4, 20:27, 1 Timothy 4:12, 16)

Storing up treasures in Heaven, not on Earth (1 Timothy 6:18-19, Matthew 6:19-21)

CONCLUSION

1. For everything that a Christian does, the thought needs to be "it is written" (John 14:15)

2. You cannot love God and mammon (Matthew 6:24, 16:24-28)

How are you using your blessings? On your pleasures or on material things that turn to rust? Or are your storing up for yourselves everlasting treasures in Heaven? Examine the scriptures. Think about what we have said. If it is true hold to it and obey it (1 Corinthians 11:1). We hope to see you next time on "Speaking the Truth in Love".