Contribution

Jonathan Ledbetter

Back to the Basics • Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

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I’m Planning on Eventually Doing a Series Called:

“Back to the Basics”

We’ll Go Back & Look at the Basics of Things Like:

The Function & Activity of the Church

What Salvation is & How to Receive it

I Don’t Know When We’ll Do this Series…

But this Morning & Next Sunday Morning…

We’re Going to Look at 2 Lessons…

That would Fit Within that Series:

Next Sunday Morning, for the Worship Service…

We’ll Be Looking at Jesus Instituting the Lord’s Supper

So for Bible Class We’ll Also Take a Look at that

Our Sermon Text this Morning…

Deals with the Topic of Money

So I Thought, for Bible Class…

Why Don’t We Talk about the Basics of the Contribution

We’ll Use the 5 W’s 1 H Approach:

What, Who, Why, Where, When, How

What is the Contribution/Offering?

It’s When Individual Christians/Families…

Contribute Money to a Collective Church Fund

Who is to Contribute to the Collection?

The Basic Answer would Be Christians

We Don’t Expect Non-Believers to Give…

Because They aren’t a Part of the Community

Why Do We Do the Contribution?

Because the Work of the Church Takes Money to Do

What Works is the Contribution to Fund?

The Original Purpose of the Contribution was:

To Help Support the Needy in the Church

Acts 2:44–45 (NASB95)

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Acts 4:32–35 (NASB95)

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Acts 6:1 (NASB95)

1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

Romans 15:26–27 (NASB95)

26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (NASB95)

1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

To Support Evangelists & Teachers

1 Corinthians 9:11–14 (NASB95)

11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

Are There Any Other Things the Contribution can Be Used for?

Where/When Do We Do the Contribution?

The Early Christians Gave the Money to the Apostles…

But it Doesn’t Tell Us Where or When

The Only Specific Instruction We See in the NT…

Is When Paul Instructed the Corinthians to Do it on Sundays

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 (NASB95)

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 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.

This was for the Collection for the Needy Christians in Jerusalem

This was a One-Time Offering

This was Not a Perpetual Collection

Paul’s Command Here was Not for the “Correct” Way to Do the Contribution

It was Out of Convenience

How Do We Do the Contribution?

We aren’t Told a Specific Way to Take Up Money

Could have a Box Where People Put in Money

Could Pass Baskets

Could Do Online Giving

Doesn’t Matter

Is Every Christian Individual/Family Obligated to Give?

In Acts, it was Those Who were Able to Do So

And Even Then, it was of Their Own Free Will & Out of Generosity

Paul Laid it Out Plainly to the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 8:7–9 (NASB95)

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. 8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:24 (NASB95)

24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NASB95)

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:12–14 (NASB95)

12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

The Contribution was Not a Command Like the OT Tithe

It Ought to Be Done Because:

It Proves Our Love for One Another

It Shows Our Allegiance to King Jesus

But No One was Every Commanded to Give

Forced Generosity is Not Generosity

It Must Be Freely Offered, Just as Jesus Freely Offered Himself

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