Xenos Christian Fellowship
Christian Ministry Unit 3
Practical Issues
Week 1 – Biblical Principles of Financial Giving
Why does grace motivate giving?
(Rom. 12:1) I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
(Phil. 4:18) But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Attitudes Toward Giving Under Grace vs. Under Law
Acceptance before God
Under Law:
Under grace:
Duty vs. Privilege
Under Law:
Under grace:
Amount Given
Under Law:
Under grace:
Qualification: Many Christians misinterpret 2 Cor. 9:7 “Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Misinterpretations include the following ideas:
(Ron Blue) Stewardship is "the use of God-given resources for the accomplishment of God-given goals."1
Biblical Implications of Stewardship
(Psa. 24:1) The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.
(1 Cor. 4:7) For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
(Luke 14:33) So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.
(Luke 16:9-11) And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon (money) of unrighteousness; that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 10 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. 11 "If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon (money), who will entrust the true riches to you?
(Mat. 25:19, 21) Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them…21 "His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master
(1 Cor. 3:13) ...each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work
(Rom. 14:12) So then each one of us shall give
account of himself to God.
Work heartily as unto the Lord! (Col. 3:22)
Attitudes toward giving as an owner vs. as a steward
A. Owners ask, "How much of my money will I give to God?"
Stewards ask, "How much of God's money will I keep for myself?"
B. Owners ask when purchasing “things”—“Will I enjoy this?” and (sometimes) “Can I afford it?” or “Can I make the monthly payment?”
Stewards ask:
Things to consider:
When we live with a grace-motivated attitude and a steward mentality, we are able to enjoy our giving and the possessions and pleasures God grants to us.
(1 Chr. 29:6-22) Then the rulers of the fathers' households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with the overseers over the king's work, offered willingly; (7) and for the service for the house of God they gave 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, and 10,000 talents of silver, and 18,000 talents of brass, and 100,000 talents of iron. (8) And whoever possessed precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, in care of Jehiel the Gershonite. (9) Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly. (10) So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, "Blessed art Thou, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever . . .(12) Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone . . . (14) For all things come from Thee, and from Thy hand we have given Thee . . . (16) and all is Thine . . . (20) And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the LORD and to the king. (21) And on the next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs, with their libations and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. (22) So they ate and drank that day before the LORD with great gladness . . .
C. Owners say "My finances and giving are my private business.”
Stewards say:
(Luke 12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Ron Blue) “Your checkbook reveals all that you really believe about stewardship . . . A person who has been a Christian for even a short while can fake prayer, Bible study, evangelism, going to church, but he can't fake what his checkbook reveals. Maybe that is why so many of us are so secretive about our personal finances.”2
Application:
·
(1 Tim. 3:3,8) [Elders must be] . . . free from the love of money . . . (8) Deacons likewise must be men of dignity…
·
GIFT Ministry (Generous Investment in Future Treasures)
(Mark 12:41-44) And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. (42) And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. (43) And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; (44) for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
(Oswald Sanders) "This is . . . the new mathematics, the arithmetic of heaven. God estimates our gifts not so much by their financial value, as by the sacrifice involved, the love that accompanies it, and the amount that is left. The supreme value of the widow's gift lay in the fact that she `out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on' - while the others gave `out of their surplus' (Mk. 12:44). Here is a searching test of our giving, but that incident should greatly encourage those who have only a little to give, but give it gladly." (Oswald Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy With God [Chicago: Moody Press, 1980], p. 155.)
Application:
A.
B.
(Mal. 1:6-14) "'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Thy name?' (7) You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled Thee?' In that you say, 'The table of the LORD is to be despised.' (8) But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts. (9) "But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts. (10) "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from you. (11) For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts. (12) "But you are profaning it, in that you say, 'The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.' (13) You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery, and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD. (14) "But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock, and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and My name is feared among the nations."
C.
(Prov. 3:9) Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce . . .
(1 Cor. 16:2) On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
Xenos Pledge Program
"What
about windfalls (bonuses; gifts; inheritances)?"
"What about faith giving?"
(Eph. 4:28) Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.
(Gal. 6:10) So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
(Prov 14:31) He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
Qualification: We should not let lazy Christians abuse this principle.
(2 Thess. 3:6-12) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. (7) For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, (8) nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you; (9) not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example. (10) For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. (11) For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. (12) Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
(1 Tim. 5:8,16) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever . . . (16) If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, let her assist them, and let not the church be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.
Applications:
A.
Definition:
B.
C.
D. Be a good steward of your abilities – don’t be underemployed (Prov 6).
(2 Cor. 9: 6ff, 8-14) Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully... {8}And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; {9} as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ABIDES FOREVER." {10} Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; {11} you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. {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.
Not “Health & Wealth”
What will we reap?
(Luke 16:9-11) And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. (10) He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. (11) If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you?
(Acts 4:32-34) 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 witness 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,
(1 Tim. 6:17-19**) Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. (18) Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
(Gal. 6:6) And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
(1 Tim. 5:17,18) Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. (18) For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
Application:
A.
Voluntary Pledge Program and Fiscal Support Team
B. Humanitarian Aid and Development Fund
C. Missions
D.
Current Building Campaign
2 Cor. 8:7* - Consistent, sacrificial giving is a non-optional component of spiritual vitality and maturity. We cannot be true disciples of Christ without this.
2 Cor. 9:6-11** - God blesses bountiful financial giving in a variety of ways.
1 Cor. 16:2* - Our financial giving should be regular and consistent.
Respond to questions on the handout entitled Discerning Materialism.
1 Ron Blue, Master Your Money (New York: Thomas Nelson, 1997), p. 23.
2 Ron Blue, Master Your Money (New York; Thomas Nelson, 1997) p. 20,21.