Worship In Giving

Rev. Leonard Reiss

2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Sacrificial Offerings

Benefit

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Our offering should always be an act of worship.

Notes

Transcript

We just finished our annual membership meeting yesterday, reflecting on the many ways God has worked in and through our church in its varied ministries and workers. We give God glory for allowing us all to be a part of His kingdom work. Along with that, is looking at what was spent and what we believe God has in store for us and how best to prepare financially to do those various acts of ministry. Believe it or not, that all requires money. Thus, I’m taking a one week break from our study in 1 Peter to encourage and challenge us in our financial giving to this church.

We even discussed this at our last SALT meeting, after the Elders had discussed it. Normally, I prefer to talk about finances as it comes up in the various passages in the Bible when we get to them while going through the Bible books in my sermons. However, it’s been long enough, plus, there were some ministries that did not receive the funds that they were hoping to receive, that we thought that it’s time to be reminded about our giving to the church.

There are some who might think that the church is only after money. There are also some who may have never thought about giving financially to the church, especially how often and how much and why. There are some who have recently come to understand the Bible’s teachings on this, or maybe have been responding appropriately for many years. Then there are also those who understand the Bible’s teachings, but like many other areas, they choose to ignore it.

We want to first of all, ask the question, What is involved in worship? Many think that it is the music. Others might think it’s the prayer times. Some might think it’s the presentation of God’s Word in the message. There are some who would suggest that these topics pretty well cover everything. However, I believe the Bible presents the idea that all we do for the glory of God is part of our worship. It even involves the work which we do to earn money. It is found in helping others in need. It can be seen in the love we show one another in our fellowship and greeting times. And for the purpose of today’s message, we’ll be looking at a part of worship that is overlooked many times, though Dean and others remind us—our giving in tithes and offerings.

Today, I want us to focus on this simple truth: Our offering should always be an act of worship.

The Offering

As we’ve already seen in the introduction, worship is far more than just the music portion of our worship as Christians who gather on Sunday mornings. Worship involves and includes the study of God’s Word, singing praises to Him, encouraging and being challenged by our brothers and sisters in Christ, even our giving our financial gifts. But worship doesn’t have to just happen in a church building or a gathering of Christians. It should be observed by others throughout the week and in the community by what we do for those in need, as well. This helps us to understand a little more about our worship gatherings as God’s family.

James 2:15–17 NASB95

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

If these things aren’t happening, then it seems somewhat hypocritical to think we are truly worshipping the Lord, when we’re not practicing our faith in obedience to the Lord’s commands. One of the three apostles who were the closest to Jesus writes in his first letter something quite similar.

1 John 3:17–18 NASB95

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

James says something very similar.

James 2:15–17 NASB95

James

It seems to me that just from these two Scriptures, the Bible clearly states that if there is not action produced by us with God’s help in obedience to God, then everything we say, as Christians, about love and our understanding of love seems quite shallow and empty.

So what should we do about this to make sure we are living in worshipful obedience? Paul gives some counsel.

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 NASB95

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

Very simply explained, when believers came together to worship the Lord together, that was the time to collect the offering.

Understanding this principle, we can move on to understand what the motive should be for the Christian when we give an offering.

The Motive

This concept of giving to the local church is not a North American or Western cultural concept. It did not originate with humanity at all. If it would have, it would have been eliminated fairly quickly, because people are basically self-centered and self-absorbed. In addition, an offering given in true worship cannot be manipulated or coerced by others. An offering should truly be a response to what God has already shown us, and continues to show us, in His grace.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB95

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 9:6 NASB95

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2 Corinthians 8:9

2 Corinthians 9:15 NASB95

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

These verse serve as the background to our giving. Spiritually, we were bankrupt. But in Christ, we have been made spiritually rich.

Another motive is that we exhibit a bit of what Christ showed in our incredible need for Him. We were indeed a needy people. That should lead us to have a concern for the needs of others. Once again, John expresses this in a way that helps us to understand better.

1 John 3:16–17 NASB95

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

At this point, I believe we have a fairly good foundation in our understanding of an offering being part of our worship and why we should be giving. Isn’t it interesting how the spiritual and the financial are so closely connected?

Now, is the time when some of you will get to have that burning question in your minds answered. At least, you get to hear how the Bible deals with it. How much should a believer give?

How much?

Let me be the first to disappoint you. I am convinced this question is a wrong question. It begs for us to put a set amount or a percentage which we can measure as to if it’s enough or too much. That leads to all kinds of rationalization. It’s the same sort of question which a disciple asked when wondering how many times they had to forgive someone. It’s the idea that we can actually figure out the requirements to make it spiritually acceptable.

Yet, I don’t want to leave you in disappointment, for the Bible does deal with this issue in various places.

2 Corinthians 8:12 NASB95

For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

In other words, it is really a heart and attitude issue. This requires faith and obedience to the Spirit’s leading. This allows us individually to deal with whatever God has blessed a person with financially. Sadly, many who have been blessed financially have their worship, especially in financial giving, a little confused. They tend to think of taking care of themselves, their wants and desires, before even considering how spiritually rich they are and the cost that was paid for their salvation. Thus, the local church, doing the ministry which Christ has called it to do, ends up with leftovers. Which, in essence, is giving God the leftovers.

Should a person give 10 percent of their income, or is that just an Old Testament requirement? The word for tithe literally refers to a tenth. The principle was to dedicate a tenth of all one had to give back to God for the purpose of ministry. Actually, it has been suggested that looking at the Old Testament requirements for the nation of Israel, they were supposed to give around 27% when combining all the giving commands. Also, the Old Testament tithe was never forced upon anyone, yet it was commanded by God. Overall, the purpose of the tithe was to support the ongoing work of God’s people.

In the Old Testament, there were also multiple offerings given. One Jewish scholar stated: all of these things added up to a lifestyle of giving to the Lord and to the support of the GATHERED PEOPLE OF GOD. He goes on to say: In the New Testament it appears that churches continued to give a tithe as a regular sign of Lordship. Jesus never abolished the concept of a tithe. He never spoke against it, nor taught that it should end. (In contrast, the New Testament did clearly abolish other Old Testament practices like sacrifices and dietary restrictions.) As in the Old Testament, New Testament giving should never be minimized to a simple 1/10. Rather, the Lord teaches us that our whole life and all that we have belong to Him. 1/10, by principle, is a good place to start, but not a good place to end.

Let’s look at another New Testament Scripture which gives further counsel.

all of these things added up to a lifestyle of giving to the Lord and to the support of the GATHERED PEOPLE OF GOD.

In the New Testament it appears that churches continued to give a tithe as a regular sign of Lordship. Jesus never abolished the concept of a tithe. He never spoke against it, nor taught that it should end. (In contrast, the New Testament did clearly abolish other Old Testament practices like sacrifices and dietary restrictions.) As in the Old Testament, New Testament giving should never be minimized to a simple 1/10. Rather, the Lord teaches us that our whole life and all that we have belong to Him. 1/10, by principle, is a good place to start, but not a good place to end.

Acts 11:29 NASB95

And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.

Obviously, it’s not to compare with others, but should be based upon each person’s ability. I also want to add that the purpose of giving is not to see what’s in it for me, but rather for me to be a blessing to someone else.

Let’s go over a few more verses to get some guidance from the Word.

2 Corinthians 8:2 NASB95

that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.

2 Corinthians 8:2

2 Corinthians 9:11 NASB95

you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:13 NASB95

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,

Romans 12:8 NASB95

or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

All of these Scriptures seem to strongly suggest that we should be quite liberal in our giving. In addition, our liberality seems to be to the point that we are sacrificing in our giving. The guidelines given do not appear to be suggesting giving comfortably, but sacrificially. Chuck Swindoll has a phrase to describe what God did for us and how we ought to be in our giving: extravagant giving.

Okay, we’ve seen the rationale and understand that it’s not simply measurable or to be limited. Now we’re all ready to be obedient in our giving to the Lord through our local church. So how do we do this?

The How

Again, it is not going to be a nuts and bolts answer. You see, it is marked by our attitude. I find it fascinating that the Bible spends so little time on the method, but a great deal of time on the spirit.

2 Corinthians 8:4 NASB95

begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,

2 Corinthians 8:11–12 NASB95

But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NASB95

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

I am pretty certain that our giving is to be done willingly and cheerfully, or hilariously, as the literal meaning of the word cheerful describes. One commentator suggested that it should be an exhilarating experience. Whether you give online or give in the offering plate, there should be joy, praise and worship because of all that Christ has done for you. Plus, you are actively participating in being a blessing to the church, the leaders, and countless other lives which your giving impacts.

1 Corinthians 16:2 NASB95

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 also suggest that our giving should be intentional. Never should it be an afterthought, but rather something to which we look forward to doing. Paul states that it should be done systematically and tied in with the overall worship experience.

The Benefits

Now, I mentioned earlier that we give, not for what we get, but how we can bless others. Yet, there are some benefits or rewards.

2 Corinthians 9:11–14 NASB95

you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 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. 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, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

This would strongly suggest that those who receive benefits from this are those who will glorify God. In addition, it causes people to pray for those who gave. We also know that it allows us to reach out to equip the saints to do further ministry. Plus, we are more able to impact the community in which God has placed us.

Prayer Required

We don’t enter into worship without prayer. In preparing for music, the message, even the order of events, outreach, helping those in need, and even our giving, we prepare with prayer first of all. In our own lives, those of us who belong to Jesus Christ, we want to give in a God-honoring way as part of our worship. This means that we examine our own lives and our finances and how we are using them. We need to ask ourselves if we are truly giving in a sacrificial way. We have to be honest in trying to discern whether our giving truly reflects our love and worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It has been stated that when God’s people are obedient, we can never overdraw on His account. He will provide as the needs arise.