How Paul Motivated Churches To Give

HOW PAUL MOTIVATED CHURCHES TO GIVE

1. He thanked them when they did give.

(Phil 1:3 NIV) I thank my God every time I remember you.

(Phil 1:4 NIV) In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

(Phil 1:5 NIV) because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

(Phil 1:6 NIV) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

(Phil 1:7 NIV) It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

(Phil 4:10 NIV) I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

(Phil 4:11 NIV) I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

(Phil 4:12 NIV) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

(Phil 4:13 NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

(Phil 4:14 NIV) Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

(Phil 4:15 NIV) Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;

(Phil 4:16 NIV) for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

(Phil 4:17 NIV) Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

(Phil 4:18 NIV) I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

2. He cited their past records in other areas of Christian living and service.

(2 Cor 8:7 NIV) But just as you excel in everything??in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us ??see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

(2 Cor 8:8 NIV) I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

3. He boasted of the giving of one church to encourage another church to give.

(Rom 15:24 NIV) I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

(Rom 15:25 NIV) Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the

saints there.

(Rom 15:26 NIV) For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution

for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

(Rom 15:27 NIV) They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

(Rom 15:28 NIV) So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.

(Rom 15:29 NIV) I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

(Rom 15:30 NIV) I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love

of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

(Rom 15:31 NIV) Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,

(Rom 15:32 NIV) so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

(Rom 15:33 NIV) The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

(1 Cor 16:1 NIV) Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

(1 Cor 16:2 NIV) On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

(1 Cor 16:3 NIV) Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.