HOW BUFF IS YOUR WALLET?
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 | #buffwallet
THREAD: HOW BUFF IS YOUR WALLET?
As we begin today, I would like us to read together the Scriptures that we will focus on. We are looking at just two verses in the book of 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians was written by a man named Paul. He was an Apostle of Jesus which means Jesus personally picked him to be a representative and witness for Him. The Apostle Paul wrote many books in the New Testament and informs us much about our Christian faith.
Let’s read together this morning from 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. There are only two verses so let us read them together out loud.
READ 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-2 (ESV) [read together]
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
Let’s read together this morning from 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 again, but this time from the Message Version. There are only two verses so let us read them together out loud.
READ 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-2 (MSG) [read together]
Regarding the relief offering for poor Christians that is being collected, you get the same instructions I gave the churches in Galatia. Every Sunday each of you make an offering and put it in safekeeping. Be as generous as you can. When I get there you’ll have it ready, and I won’t have to make a special appeal.
The topic that Paul is addressing in 1 Corinthians 16 is money even though in English in some translations the word “money” doesn’t appear. The Apostle Paul uses the word “collection” twice. He is not talking about collecting food or clothes or anything else, but specifically talking about the giving and collecting of money in the church. The Apostle Paul does not shy away from money in his letters and addresses it when it is appropriate.
The Apostle Paul teaches us much about giving and money actually:
READ 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-7 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
READ 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10 (ESV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
The Apostle Paul presents important Truths for us on the topic of giving and tithes and offerings and managing finances and our heart desire for material things. Money is part of life and a necessity for living and he shares these truths in many of his letters. As I read our verses for today from 1 Corinthians 16, we see the Apostle Paul teaching us about the spiritual exercise of giving. You can also call it a habit, a discipline, a requirement, a command, or some other term, but today as we think about tithing and giving gifts to God, I would like us to think of it as: a spiritual exercise.
Based on that thought, as giving as a spiritual exercise, I ask the question:
THREAD: HOW BUFF IS YOUR WALLET?
STRETCHING
As with most things, exercise needs preparation. The preparation before exercise is called TV watching. No, that’s not right. The preparation before exercise is called “stretching.” PE teachers across the fruited plains tell us that “stretching” is a deliberate release and contraction of a muscle or muscle group to increase elasticity and build strength.
ILLUSTRATION…acefitness.org/resources/blog/5107/top-10-benefits-of-stretching/
The American Council on Exercise lists ten principal benefits of stretching:
1. Decreases muscle stiffness and increases range of motion.
2. May reduce your risk of injury.
3. Helps relieve post-exercise aches and pains.
4. Improves posture.
5. Helps reduce or manage stress.
6. Reduces muscular tension and enhances muscular relaxation.
7. Improves mechanical efficiency and overall functional performance.
8. Prepares the body for the stress of exercise.
9. Promotes circulation.
10. Decreases the risk of low-back pain.
The spiritual exercise of giving is no different. There is stretching and preparation that needs to occur. There is preparation that needs to occur before the actual spiritual exercise of giving. The Apostle Paul focuses on the preparation in the verses that we read this morning from 1 Corinthians 16. In verse 2: “Set aside a sum of money in keeping with income.”
God expects everyone to give. God deserves every one of us to give back to Him because He has blessed us first. God is justified in asking that we worship Him by giving back to Him a portion of what He has given us. We should note, in these verses, that Paul does not say that all of us should give the same amount. The amount is not the same for each person.
The Apostle Paul sets forth the principle that as we are preparing to give, that we give “in keeping with our income.” Based on the history of giving back to God found in Genesis 14:20, Leviticus 27, Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 14, 2 Chronicles 31, Nehemiah 10, and Malachi 3:10 the amount that is keeping with our income is 10% of our income. The word “tithe” means “tenth.” We can certainly give more if we like, that is called an “offering” or a “gift,” but the tithe is 10% of our income and is what God expects. That is what God has claimed as His portion.
The Apostle Paul also sets forth the principle that as we are preparing to give, that we should “save it up.” The Apostle Paul instructs the Christians in Corinth that they are to first set aside the money that they will give to the Lord, but they are also to guard it. I don’t know about you, but a lump of money is tempting to spend! The Apostle Paul, in his instructions about preparing to give, tells us that when we have the money set aside for God that we should save it, guard it, and not use it for something else. That money should be “set aside.” That money should be “saved up.” It makes logical sense that you cannot give to God if you have spent all your money on something else.
APPLICATION [parallel from illustration]
Why stretch when it comes to giving to the Lord?
1. Decreases financial stiffness and increases the ability to give.
2. May reduce your risk of overspending.
3. Helps relieve greed and thinking we provide for ourselves all by ourselves.
4. Improves spiritual posture with money.
5. Helps reduce or manage stress with finances because God is in the mix.
6. Reduces financial tension and enhances thankfulness.
7. Improves the efficiency and overall functional performance of the Church.
8. Prepares your budget for the spiritual exercise of giving.
9. Promotes sanctification.
10. Decreases the risk of selfishness and materialism.
ILLUSTRATION… sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-sermoncentral-staff-stories-givinggeneral-60464.asp
Over the centuries people have come up with a lot of different ideas about Christian stewardship and giving. There’s a story told about a couple of guys who were discussing their approaches to giving. One man said, “Here’s how I decide how much to give. I cash my paycheck in small bills, then I go home a draw circle on the floor. I throw the money into the air and whatever falls into the circle is God’s.” The other guy said, “I think my way is even better. On payday, I cash my check in small bills. When I get home, I toss the money in the air, and whatever God catches he can keep.”
Stretching before the exercise of giving does not mean any of that! Stretching before the exercise of giving means two activities based on what Paul has told us: “decide what to give in keeping with our income” and “save up and guard” the money that we will tithe.
Stretching to give is not complicated and is very easy basic math. As you stretch in preparation for giving, take a look at your paycheck and move the decimal number one place to the left. When you do that, the amount that you see is your basic tithe:
If you make $1140.00 a week, your tithe is $114.00 weekly.
If you make $750.00 every two weeks, your tithe is $75 every two weeks.
If you make $3000.00 a month, your tithe is $300.00 once a month.
As a word of warning based on Malachi 3:10 in the Old Testament, let me tell you that no one who is a believer in Jesus Christ is exempt from this and you cannot lessen your tithe amount because you serve somewhere in the church and rationalize that it all balances out in the end. There is no provision for that in the Scriptures. Paul teaches us to stretch and prepare to give.
Stretching to give means you and I prepare in advance to give. If you pay your bills online like many of us do, make CCC one of your regular bills. The bank will cut a check and send it to the church. The instructions to do this are on our church website under the “Resources” tab. If you use traditional checks and keep up with your check book, write the check to the church first, subtract that from your account, and then pay the rest of your bills. If you are a cash person, set aside the cash for your tithe. There are good ways that you and I can stretch to prepare to give on a consistent basis for this is a spiritual exercise.
SUMMARY
I hope that you see based on the words of the Apostle Paul, that giving in the Christian faith is not “whatever you have in your wallet” or “slide God a couple of bucks” or “throw it in the air and God keeps what He catches.” Giving and tithing and approaching money with a Godly perspective simply doesn’t work that way. It takes prayerful preparation. It takes an act of the will to say to yourself and to your family, we are going to give to God. It takes faith to give to God when you aren’t sure how all the math works out.
TRANSITION
As we think about the spiritual exercise of giving, stretching is only the preparation for the actual act of exercise. The exercise is the point rather than just the stretch. The exercise is the goal. Giving is the goal. I want us to read these verses again together to remind us of the specific words God is telling us through Paul:
READ 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-2 (ESV) [read together]
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
THREAD: HOW BUFF IS YOUR WALLET?
EXERCISE
As we think about the verses that we just read together, I noticed several truths that we should be reminded of that inform us about the spiritual exercise of giving in the church:
First, if you look over the verses, is anything that Paul says a suggestion? Does he ask any questions? Does he seem timid in what he is talking about? The answer is a resounding “no.” The Apostle Paul, with his authority given to him by Jesus Christ, instructs the churches to give. It is not an option. “Do this” is the frame of these verses. Giving is not optional. If you want an active authentic deepening relationship with God, giving is not optional. It just isn’t. Giving is part of proper worship of the God of the Universe.
Second, Paul says the word “collection.” You might say, ok, big deal, there was a collection. What does the word “collection” indicate? What insight does it give that he uses that word? It indicates not one person carrying the load for everyone else. The exercise of giving in the church is a collective effort with all people giving of their incomes. Notice as well he says the collection is for all churches and not just for one particular church. The picture we get is a church family giving together on a regular basis for the work of God all over the world.
Third, Paul instructs them to give “on the first day of every week.” Some of you might wonder why churches take up an offering every Sunday. Here is why! We are simply following the instructions given to us by the Apostle Paul. There is to be an opportunity every time the church family gathers to worship for people to give because giving is a normal part of worship. Giving is worship. Worship is giving. Giving is a normal weekly part of what God’s people do when they gather together.
THREAD: HOW BUFF IS YOUR WALLET?
APPLICATION
The reason I keep asking the same question over and over this morning is not to be annoying in any way or to try and be witty, but honestly it is the central question of the morning. The question the way I have stated is: How buff is your wallet?
Let me ask the question with different words.
* Are you a believer in Jesus Christ who tithes?
* Are you a person who has money and finances in its proper place in your life?
* Do you consistently faithfully give 10% of your income to God?
* Are you skirting around giving in some way?
* Would you say your giving is weak or your giving is strong?
* Are you fully trusting God in all areas including your finances?
* Is God the Lord of your life including your finances?
These are questions that only you or you and your spouse (if you have one) can answer as you look over your check book or bank accounts and pray about how you manage your money.
TRANSITION
The last truth I would like us to talk about this morning is the benefits of giving.
ENJOY THE BENEFITS
According to the CDC, the results of physical exercise are many. Exercise helps to control your weight, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of some cancers, strengthens our bones and muscles, improves our mental health and mood, improves our ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, and increases our chances of living longer (cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/).
CONTENT Jukes, Andrew. The Law of the Offerings. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 1966. Pgs 189-215 [ADAPTED]
We might ask ourselves as we are listening: What benefit is there to giving? There are as many benefits to the exercise of giving as there are to physical exercise. The spiritual exercise of giving produces spiritual benefits. These benefits can’t be faked. They can’t be given by association.
First, exercising our giving puts us in a right relationship with God. We are obeying His commands and in so doing we place ourselves within the circle of God’s will. There are Scriptures that tell us clearly that when we give to God that He is pleased with us. I don’t know about you, but I want to live my life with the God of the Universe pleased with me.
READ HEBREWS 13:16 (ESV)
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Second, exercising our giving makes us obedient to God and we are following in Jesus’ footsteps. Jesus Christ gave and taught about finances. In Matthew 17:27, Jesus gives His tithe. When we give, we walk as Jesus did. When we give, we are Christ-like. If I want to emulate anyone in my life, I want to be like Jesus Christ and live my life like He did.
READ MATTHEW 22:19-21 (ESV)
Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then He said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
Third, exercising our giving improves our character. Giving God His 10% when we are trying to pay all our bills is a faith wrenching process sometimes. There are questions. There are doubts. The exercise of giving is our faith in action and proves our faith is not just words or bluster or something we think we have, but also action. Perhaps we realize today that we do not give 10%. As you commit yourself to that and make financial decisions to do so, you are growing in character and in faith.
READ JAMES 2:26 (ESV)
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Fourth, exercising our giving makes you an actual part of the church family. When giving your money, you help fund Sunday School, missions, salaries, Bible studies, pay the light bill, reach out through advertising, and all aspects of the church. You are not just taking from the church, but giving so that the church might continue. Sliding the church a couple of bucks here or there is not what God has in mind when it comes to being part of a church family or authentic in our faith or following Christ wholeheartedly.
READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12 (ESV)
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
ILLUSTRATION… sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-sermoncentral-staff-stories-givinggeneral-61654.asp
I am sure you have heard the old story about Bob and Frank who crashed their private plane on a deserted island and both of them survived. Bob ran all over the island to see if they had any chance of survival. When he returned, he rushed up to Frank and screamed, “This island is uninhabited, there’s no food and there’s no water. We’re going to die!” Frank leaned back against the plane, folded his arms, and said, “We’re not going to die. I make $250,000 a week.” Bob grabbed him and said, “There’s no food, no water, and we’re going to die!” Frank said, “We’re not going to die I make $250,000 every week.” Bob said, “I’m telling you we’re doomed! There’s no one else on this island, there’s no food and there’s no water We’re going to die” Frank calmly said, “Don’t make me say this again. I make $250,000 a week and I tithe. I promise you, my pastor will find us before Sunday…”
There are many benefits to giving. Just sayin’.
THREAD: HOW BUFF IS YOUR WALLET?
GIVING AT CCC
I wanted to mention one other truth that is important to share before we conclude today. I don’t know who did it, but someone in the past taught this church to give and tithe and place money in its proper context. My goal is to help us stay in that direction with money. Some of you are new to our church or maybe even new to faith and I do not do us any good if I neglect to preach on money because many folks are obedient in this area already.
Please understand that a proper attitude about finances and giving of tithes and offerings is expected of us by Scripture, deepens our faith, and is part of worship.
THREAD: HOW BUFF IS YOUR WALLET?
PRAYER
INVITATION
I’d like to mention one other verse as we close this morning. It talks about Jesus redeeming us which is financial talk about spiritual things. We were in dept and Jesus paid for our souls with His blood. He took the nails for us. He took on the curse of sin and the punishment of sin for us. We are free and have the ability to live life with God now and in the future because of Jesus Christ.
GALATIANS 3:13-14 (ESV)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
