Outline:
MONEY - HOW TO TAKE UP AN OFFERING:
giving was Church centered (vs 1)
giving was regular (vs 2a)
giving was for everyone (vs 2b)
giving was proportionate (vs 2c)
giving was carefully handled (vs 3)
PEOPLE - EXAMPLES WORTH FOLLOWING:
Timothy (vs 10)
Apollos (vs 12)
Household of Stephanas (vs 15)
Aquilla & Pricilla (vs 19)
Sermon Text:
• In our type of Churches we tend not to get too much teaching on money & giving?
• We somehow assume people know what the Bible teaches.
• Over the past 5 or 10 years;
• I could count on one hand, the sermons on this subject.
• Probably because the subject of money / giving we find embarrassing;
ill:
• Speaker you find treasurer putting things in your pocket.
• Ill: Bob Telford. (bill for hymn books instead of his expenses!)
ill:
• Lady at Bitterne Gospel Chapel said to me on one occasion;
• “I would like to give you a gift towards your ministry buy I can’t because you live by faith”.
• Sadly she was serious in her misunderstanding of ‘Living by faith’.
It may surprise you to know that Jesus had a lot to say concerning both money & giving:
• In Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s gospels 1 in every 6 verses deals with money.
• Of the 29 parables Christ told, 16 deal with a person and his money.
• One out of every six verses in Matthew, Mark, and Luke;
• Deal with a person and their money.
• Jesus had more to say about money than any other subject.
• So really we ought to be clear in our thinking regarding our money and God.
Now you could divide chapter 16 under 3 headings:
• Giving, Greetings, and Goodbyes.
• Because of the restraints of time I am going to divide them into two.
(1). Money - How to take up an offering (vs 1-4).
• The instructions given here in verses 1-4:
• Deal primarily with a ‘missionary relief offering’.
• That the apostle Paul was organising on behalf of the Church at Jerusalem.
• Acts chapter 11 verses 27-30 tells us that a famine had hit Jerusalem.
• The Church (like all the other residents f the city);
• Was experiencing tough times and needed financial support.
• So long before ‘Comic Relief’ or ‘Children in Need’;
• The apostle Paul organised ‘Church Relief’,
• That is various Churches to send money and help relieve the hardships in Jerusalem.
Ill:
• Elsewhere in the New Testament i.e. Romans chapter 15 verses 25-27;
• Paul said it was the Gentiles obligation to help the Jewish Christians;
• He used strong language by saying the Gentiles ‘owe’ it to them.
• He meant of course salvation came from the Jews;
• Therefore all Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings;
• And we can repay them by letting them share in our material blessings.
• This was a principle Paul shared earlier in this letter (1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 9);
• With that great verse: ‘Don’t muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain’.
• Paul teaches the principle that if someone blesses you spiritually;
• You can return that blessing materially or financially!
Note:
• Although Paul is primarily instructing the Christians about a special missionary offering;
• He gives us some principles that relate to Christian giving in general:
• And in his next letter (2 Corinthian’s chapters 8-9);
• He would expand his thoughts and give even clear guidelines for giving.
Let’s look at the principles:
Principle # 1: Giving was Church centered (vs 1),
“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income”
Ill:
• There is a park in Warwick that my sisters and myself used to go with as kids;
• When we go back to the Midlands on a sunny day,
• We often jump in the car and head out to it.
• As you approach the park you have to go through a one way system;
• And you often get stuck at the lights facing a very old Church building.
• It has a big sign outside of it asking for money for the up keep of the building;
• The sign reads something like; “The future of this Church depends on you!”
• Now that might be true from an heritage point of view;
• But it is not a Biblical one!
• The up-keep of the Church and its activities do not depend on the general public;
• The up-keep of the Church & its activities depend upon the ‘Church body’!
So notice the apostle Paul only appealed to Christians:
• He was Church centered:
• He appealed to the congregation(s) to meet the needs out of their income.
• “Do what I told the Galatian churches to do”.
• Notice: The apostle Paul did not ask people to send their offerings to him personally;
• He wanted the act of giving to be an expression of love from one Church to another.
Ill:
• On another occasion (Philippians chapter 4 verse 15-16);
• He was grateful for the Church at Philippia who financially supported his ministry.
• But as a principle he was not a collecting point to pass on gifts;
• He wanted the local Church to see giving as their responsibility;
• He wanted the act of giving to be an expression of love from one Church to another.
Principle # 2: Giving was regular (vs 2a),
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made”
• That little expression ‘On the first day of the week’ is very important.
• Christians met together on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead.
• And it was also the day when the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost.
• In the early Church Christians met together on Sundays,
• And I would suggest that was and should still be the normal pattern on behaviour!
• All Christian’s – no exceptions;
• Need to meet regularly with the Church as a whole (not just Housegroups etc).
• If you do not regularly meet with other Christians on a Sunday;
• Then change whatever prevents you from doing so!
Ill:
• For a local Church to function properly we all need to be together!
• And in our UK culture;
• Sunday is still the best time for Christians to meet together as a whole Church.
Ill:
• For you to function properly;
• For your own spiritual health and growth you need to be there!
• You need the fellowship, the encouragement and the teaching – so be there!
Ill:
• From my experience people who are infrequent in their Sunday attendance at Church;
• Are often erratic in their Church commitment and schizophrenic in their walk with God.
• Sadly if you came to my Church, D.R.C. I could point you out some living examples!
• That is if you came on one of the occasional visits they decide to show up!
Ill:
• The visiting preacher took his son along with him;
• As he went to take the morning service of a small country Church.
• There were only a dozen people in the congregation;
• And at the beginning of the service they took up an offering.
• The preacher put his hand in his pocket and gave his son a £1 coin;
• As the collection box came around he and his son popped their £1 coins into it.
• At the end of the service the treasurer said to the preacher;
• “Before you go we would like to give you a gift for your ministry.
• He emptied the collection box into an envelope and handed it to the preacher.
• In the car the preacher opened up the envelope,
• H looked at the few coins and moaned to his son,
• “Huh! That will not even cover my petrol money”
• The little boy looked at his dad and said;
• “If we’d had put more in we would have got more out!”
• If every Christian put something regular into the Church offering;
• The Church as a whole would get so much more out!
Notice:
• Paul encouraged the Christians to give systematically and regular;
• ‘On the first day of the week’.
• Just as bad habits stick so do good ones;
• Paul the apostle instructs Christians to be disciplined and methodical in their giving.
Ill:
• In Philippians chapter 4 verse 18 he told the Christians;
• That giving was an act of worship and not an optional extra.
• Giving on the first day of the week helps us to be disciplined;
• It helps us to be consistent in worshiping God this way!
Principle # 3: Giving was for everyone (vs 2b).
• Verse 2: ‘…each one of you…’
• Giving was not just for the rich and wealthy,
• But was an activity for each member.
Quote:
• Doug Barnett (full-time Christian worker) was asked: "Do you give?"
• He replied: "I can’t afford not too".
• Verse 2: ‘…each one of you…’
• Every Christian is required to give.
Ill:
• A man who was about to be baptized by immersion,
• Was on his way into the pool when he realised that in his back pocket was his wallet.
• He stopped and was about to remove it when the preacher said;
• “Stop! Either I baptise you wallet and all or not at all!”
• Now the preacher was not interested in making the mans money wet;
• But he was making the point;
• To say I’m serious about following Jesus but it will not affect my money is a nonsense!
Giving was not just for the rich and wealthy, but was an activity for each member.
• ill: In his second letter to the Corinthians chapters 8-9;
• Paul tells how the poor Macedonian’s gave liberally – even out of their poverty.
• Quote: ‘An open heart cannot maintain a closed hand’.
• It is not the amount we give but the attitude we have to giving.
• ill: Widows mite.
• It is the act of obedience that is important;
• Remember it is an act of worship! ill: Offering at the Breaking of Bread.
Principle # 4: Giving was proportionate (vs 2c),
• Verse 2:
• ‘…each on of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income…’
• God gave us a brain and he expects us to use it;
• There is no point giving away money so that we are in debt!
• So the apostle Paul says, “Think!”
• Look at your income and give accordingly.
• In the Old Testament the believers were required to tithe (10%).
• In the New Testament we are not commanded to tithe.
• But if under the Law they gave a tenth;
• Then under grace we should give….. well I would suggest at least that!
• But God gives each Christian the freedom to pray it through;
• And give what he feels is right before the Lord.
Principle #5: Giving was carefully handled (vs 3),
“Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.”
• The apostle Paul was always careful about the handling of money.
• Lest anyone accuse him of stealing money for himself.
Ill:
• We read in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verses 20-21;
• That he wanted Church-appointed delegates to help him manage it,
• And take it safely to Jerusalem.
This verse reminds us that it is right and God honouring that a Church
• And Christian organisations should have;
• A financial system that includes receipts and records.
• So in concluding this first section:
• The apostle Paul gives 5 principles to the Corinthians;
• That all Christians would do well to take on board and apply!
• Joke: I guess at this point in the service the treasurer wants to take up the offering!
(2). People – examples worth following (vs 5-12).
• These verses remind us that the apostle Paul was a great friend-maker,
• There are more than 100 different Christians (named and un-named);
• Associated with Paul in the Book of Acts and in his letters.
• Paul enjoyed Team Ministry (working with others):
• Obviously you can achieve far more as a team,
• Than you can as an individual.
ill:
• Sarisbury Junior School have an acrostic in their school hall:
• T.E.A.M. - Together Everyone Achieves More.
ill:
Cartoon - It was a picture of two rowing boats:
• One had a man wearing a dog collar, in his hands was a punting pole,
• Also in the boat were rows and rows of people cheering him on.
• In the other boat, the man wearing the dog collar had in his hands a megaphone,
• He was urging on all the others, who were there as rowers and not passengers.
• This boat was obviously flying past the other one.
• The cartoon punch line said: “Which church is yours?”
Several people are mentioned by name:
(a). Timothy (vs 10-11):
10 “When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers”.
• Paul commends to them Timothy:
• Timothy was very different to Paul;
• He was young, he was nervous and fearful of others, he was timid in disposition.
• He was in many ways the opposite of the apostle Paul;
• Yet like Paul he was able to do a very effective work!
• Often sent by Paul into the most difficult places and situations.
• Timothy is a great reminder that God uses all sorts of people in his work.
• He doesn’t have a set mould that only produces one type of effective Christian.
• Timothy is a reminder that God uses all-sorts;
• The old & the young, the timid & the brave, the dynamic and the quiet.
• Key: is not just our ability it so often it is our availability!
ill:
There are 560 members in our church
But 100 are frail and elderly
That leaves 460 to do all the work
But 74 are young people at college
That leaves 386 to do all the work
But 150 are tired businessmen
So that leaves 236 to do all the work
And 150 are housewives with children
That leaves 86
A further 46 have other important interests
That leaves 40 to do all the work
But 15 live too far away to come regularly
So that leaves 25 to do all the work
And 23 say they have done their bit.
So that leaves you and me
And I’m exhausted
Good luck to you!
• Timothy is a reminder that God uses all-sorts;
• The old & the young, the timid & the brave, the dynamic and the quiet.
• Key: is not just our ability it so often it is our availability!
(B). Apollos (vs 12):
“Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity”.
• Apollos came to faith through the ministry of Priscilla and Aquila;
• (Acts chapter 18 verses 24-28)
• When Paul left the Church at Corinth;
• It was Apollos who followed him and help lead and teach the Church.
• He was a very articulate Jew with a good preaching ministry;
• And there were many in the Church who were strongly aligned to him.
• At the beginning of this letter;
• Some Christians tried to use Paul & Apollos to bring division in the Church;
• i.e. chapter 1 verse 12; “I am of…”
• But as in this verse (12);
• Paul and Apollos were careful to show themselves as one in the work.
• And Apollos and Paul enjoyed good fellowship.
Apollos is a good reminder that we are all on the same side:
• My ministry is not in competition with your ministry;
• My ministry should compliment your ministry and vice-versa.
• My Church is not in competition with your Church or the one down the road.
• My Church should compliment your Church and vice-versa.
(c). Household of Stephanas (vs 15).
“You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters”
• These were the first people to come to faith in Achaia;
• Chapter 1 verse 16 tells us:
• They were some of the few people Paul actually baptised himself,
• Instead of leaving it to his helpers.
Notice verse 15:
• Paul says of them they were ‘devoted in the service of the Lord’s people’.
• Every Church needs people who are ‘devoted’, committed, dedicated to the cause.
• Questions:
• How ‘devoted’ are you to this fellowship of believers?
• ill: Are you a pillar or a caterpillar?
• Let’s be honest this morning - How many points would you give yourself out of ten?
• If that is a low number;
• What are you going to do about it?
(d). Aquilla & Pricilla (vs 19).
“Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house”.
• Aquilla & Pricilla were a husband and wife team;
• That the apostle Paul met in Corinth.
• Like Paul they were tent makers (Acts chapter 18 verses 1-3);
• Their lives and ministries intersected and intertwined with Paul’s.
• When Paul moved to Corinth from Ephesus;
• Aquilla & Pricilla packed up their things and moved their business with him.
• They assisted Paul in founding the Church in that city (Acts chapter 18 verses 18);.
• Paul appreciated these fellow workers;
• He was aware that without their support he could not have done the work.
• Paul was glad to acknowledge his indebtedness to them.
Notice:
• Verse 19 tells us that they were given to hospitality. ‘The church that meets at their house”.
• Quote: “An open house reveals an open heart”.
Application:
• If God has given you a home then use what you have for his glory!
• It is a great place to do evangelism – i.e. meals & coffee.
• It is a great place for Christian fellowship – i.e. invite people around!
