INTRODUCTION
Outline.
3. Day of Contribution
Remarks.
1. This is the last lesson in this sermon-series entitled: "The First Day of the Week." In it, we will investigate that the church contributed its money on: "the first day of the week” for the work and support of the church. Paul wrote: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order (direction) to the churches of Galatia, even so, do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gathering when I come," 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
2. It was the practice of the early church to come together, to offer spiritual sacrifices unto the Lord, in their financial contributions. The collections were taken up to support the work of the Lord and providing for the saints. Each saint was charged to give, “as they had been prospered.” The early church gave of their substance unto the Lord on: "the first day of the week." This was a weekly contribution to the Lord. With this introduction, let's consider lesson 3, "Day of Contribution," in this sermon-series.
BODY OF LESSON
III DAY OF CONTRIBUTION
A. The day of contribution. The “first day of the week,” is also a day of giving back to the Lord, as we have been prospered. Paul wrote: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order (direction) to the churches of Galatia, even so, do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gathering when I come," 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. To better understand this directive, let’s consider Paul’s careful instruction. Observe—
1. The day of our giving. It was to be done upon: “the first day of the week.” We have discussed this phrase in great detail earlier; we will not belabor this point. If, however, the phrase here is the same, as in Acts 20:7. Would anyone argue this does not mean every "first day of the week" in the collection? In both acts of worship, it means "every"-- "first day of the week." The Christians observed the communion; and, contributed to the church as the Lord prospered them. I wish I had some help! Amen, brother Ceilings!
2. Did the apostles teach and observe both these as necessary acts of worship unto God? Consider—
a. The communion: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and prayers," Acts 2:42.
b. The collection: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order...Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him," 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
c. Both the communion and the collection are the apostles' doctrine, one given to us by example, and the other unto us by a directive.
d. Aren’t both the commandments of the Lord? Luke 10:16; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Peter 3:1-2.
3. Who has the authority to change the commandments of the Lord? It is not up to us; to determine which means each Lord's Day, and which means "as often as we deem necessary." To decide such is to negate the commandments of the Lord; and bring upon ourselves swift destruction, Revelations 22:18-19. Recall we are commanded not to:
a. Diminish nothing from the commandments of the Lord, Deuteronomy 4:2.
b. Add to the words of the Lord, Proverbs 30:6; Deuteronomy 12:32.
c. Make void the commandments of God, Matthew 15:6-9; Matthew 15:13-14.
d. David wrote: “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” Psalms 119:89. If the changes or amendments of men, in any spiritual matter; are going to make a difference, it must be changed in heaven.
e. We have discussed this misuse of the scriptures in our discussion of the communion or the Lord’s Supper. Let’s look now at Paul’s instruction on the contribution of the saints.
B. This contribution was for the saints. The gift Paul has directed to be collected was for the "poor saints in Jerusalem.” Observe--
1. To the Romans, he wrote: “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem,” Romans 15:25-26; Romans 15:27-33.
2. It was an order to the church. The word “order” in Gr., is diatásso or de-ä-tä's-so, which means to arrange thoroughly, i.e., (especially) institute, prescribe, etc.:—to appoint, command, give, (set in) order, to ordain.
3. This was a directive for the church. There is a New Testament pattern; in giving unto the Lord. Paul directed that the Corinthians follow the same example of the collection that: “he had given to the churches of Galatia,” 1 Corinthians 16:1.
4. B. W. Johnson wrote: “Upon the first day of the week. This shows that the first day of the week was set apart and regarded by the church, Acts 20:7...the church assembled to break bread on that day. Let everyone...lay by him in store. This view is sanctioned by the translations and most of the commentators (:)...” On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay somewhat by itself, putting it into the treasury.”... All church history testifies that the early church took up weekly collections on the first day of the week ... (As) God hath prospered (them). Each week everyone is to give according to his ability,” Page 426-427. Comments on 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. (--) Are mine to clarify or shorten the quotation.
5. Matthew Henry wrote: “(Upon) the first day of the week...the Lord's day... (The)...public assemblies were held, and public worship was celebrated, and the Christian...attended upon; let everyone lay by him... for charitable uses, or layout in them, according as he has prospered us...That there be no gatherings when I come,” Page 1046. Comments on 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Let’s continue--
C. Layby him in store. Everyone was instructed to: “lay by him in store.” This was to be done: “upon the first day of the week.” This commandment is for all the saints, in all the churches of the Lord. He simply meant, for us to prepare our gift before we arrive for the worship service. Observe--
1. This gift is proportional. We give as we are blessed. Paul wrote: “Give as we have been prospered.” When God has prospered us a bunch; we, with thanksgiving, give back unto Him, in the same fashion.
2. The gift is reciprocal. We get back what we have sown. Paul continues: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Every man, according to him, purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver, "2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
a. If given plenty, we offer plenty.
b. If given a little, we offer as we are able, Acts 11:27-30.
c. Provided out of a cheerful heart, not grudgingly (out of sorrow, pain, or grief).
d. Given not out of necessity (out of constraint, imposition, or distress).
e. Because God loveth a cheerful giver.
3. The gift is innumerable. We cannot out-give God. Paul concludes: “And God can make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,” 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 8:9. He knows how much you have prospered. Let His grace abound in your gift, and giving, that you lack in nothing.
4. That there is no gathering (collections), taken up when I come. The apostle now encourages them; to be ready in their gift. Collect it, store it, so when he arrived, they can provide unto him their contribution! Have a readiness about your gift unto the saints, 2 Corinthians 8:10-12; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Amen, somebody.
D. Will a man rob God? Any bank robbers here today? Has anyone in this assembly, robbed or (held up) the bank of heaven? Malachi wrote: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say: Wherein have we robbed thee? He said: In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole Nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:8-10. How have we robbed thee? Observe--
1. In tithes and offerings. Under the Law, God required both tithes and offerings. These contributions were mandated. Not all people engaged in lawful giving. Some have decided to rob God. So Malachi charged them, as being “robbers of God.” They have held up the bank of heaven.
a. They withheld their gifts from God that He gave them in abundance. Whenever God blesses us, and we deny that which is due Him, we are robbers of God.
b. We become robbers of His storehouse. Is there any shame about our game?
c. When God’s storehouse is empty; there are no relief funds, to be used for the widows, poor and needy.
d. The people were commanded to give “tithes and offerings,” unto the Lord.
2. Jehovah said: "Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house. Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts." Put me to the test. Fill my house with my goods, and see what I will do for you. You rob me that you might have; but, I have taken my substance from you in other ways.
3. Test Me and see: “if I will not open you the windows of heaven. And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." They robbed God; to store up for themselves, in the banks, credit unions, and stock markets.
a. Jesus said: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” Matthew 6:19-21. When our hearts are turned to things on the earth, they are not “set upon Him, or on things above,” Colossians 3:2.
b. Luke wrote:
1) First, “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” Luke 12:33-34.
2) Second, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete; withal it shall be measured to you again,” Luke 6:38.
3) Finally, “And he (Jesus) said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying: The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul; thou hast many goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him: Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God,” Luke 12:15-21.
c. Paul wrote: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they are not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life,” 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
d. John wrote: “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have a need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in (good) deeds, and truth,” 1 John 3:18-19; Proverbs 21:13.
4. Haggai wrote: “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm, and he that earneth wages only to put it into a bag with holes,” Haggai 1:5-6. Why was God displeased with His people? Let’s consider Jehovah’s charges against them; and, the promises He will provide: “if they consider their ways.” Observe--
a. The people of God dwelt in ceiled houses, but the Lord's temple lies in waste. They built houses, furnished them, made them a place to live and be proud to show unto their neighbors. But, God's house yet lay in waste. For this evil that they commit to God; he promises.
b. They have sown much, but gather in but a little. Your fields have been planted with plenty of seed; but, they shall bear only a few.
c. They eat, but never have enough; drink and are never filled. They eat but are never satisfied. They drink water; but, their thirst is not quenched.
d. They buy beautiful garments; but, they are never warm. You buy the clothes from Macy; but, they will not keep you warm.
e. They have earned wages; only, to store them in bags with holes. You have great jobs and make plenty of salaries; but, it will be to you as putting all your wages into a bag that has holes in it. You will not benefit from your fees; until you remember who has given you the job. Jesus said: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God...all these things shall be added unto you," Matthew 6:33.
f. Conclusion: These are challenging times; for this Nation and the world, we have been impoverished by a pandemic, COVID-19. We must find a way to honor and serve God despite these tremendous challenges. And we will, “if the will of God be so.” Let's now consider a story of a widow that gave unto God, all that she had. Two mites, He judged, was more than all the rich men of Israel had “thrown into the treasury.” Let’s Observe why--
E. The widow’s two mites. Luke wrote of the charitable giving of a poor widow. He penned: “And he (Christ) looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He also saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said: Of a truth, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had,” Luke 21:1-4. Our Lord took notice and approved of this poor widow, that cast two mites into the treasury. Here are some observations--
1. Christ gives attention to our giving. That charity to the poor is an essential matter in our faith and religion. Our Lord Jesus took all occasions to commend it and recommend it. He saw this poor widow being the best benefactor to the public funds, over which the scribes had a responsibility to care for and offer relief to the poor of Israel. The Lord gave attention to:
a. The rich men: “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury,” Luke 21:1. The rich and wealthy of the land; made their way to the temple to offer their “gifts of charity” for the poor and needy of Jerusalem.
b. The poor widow: “And he also saw a certain poor widow casting in thither.” The one in whom this offering was being made; came and gave her gift to the poor. She required relief; but, she offered to God for the assistance of others.
c. Both were being obedient in casting into the treasury of God. Whether we are rich or poor, we have a responsibility to make deposits into the bank of heaven. The Lord also sees our giving upon the "first day of the week."
2. Christ views the amount of our giving: “And he said: Of a truth, I say unto you.” The Lord made mention of the amount of these gifts. He observes whether we are giving bountifully and liberally, in proportion to what we have, or whether we are withholding from Him that which is rightfully due Him. The Lord saw:
a. The rich men: “casting in of their abundance.” Their contributions were in no way, the gift of this widow. They gave from their abundance. The amount they offered, surpassing her gift; but, their sacrifice in giving; did not touch the “hem of Jesus’ garment.”
b. The poor widow: “casting in thither two mites.” Her two mites prove to be her entire substance for living that day. The amount is essential; as we compare it to what we have. The rich men, for them it was nothing. For this poor widow, it was everything. I wish I had some help!
c. What we have here in this story; is one that is herself poor, and yet gave what little she had into the treasury. It was but two mites, making a farthing, but Christ magnified it as an example of true charity, exceeding all that was given into the treasury of God that day. The Lord applauds this kind of giving.
3. Christ also approves of our gifts. Does the Lord approve of your giving? Or, does He view it as worthy of His blessing? It is imperative that we give in such a way, that the Lord is well, please. Notice how He speaks of these contributors.
a. The poor widow: “That this poor widow hath cast in more.” The Lord applauded her giving. He pronounced that she: “cast in more than the rich men.” It was but two mites. But it constituted “all that she had.”
b. The rich men: “she gave more than they all.” Jesus did not approve of these rich men, He merely said: “the poor widow cast in more than all of the rich men put together.” Maybe the older sister sitting near you has done the same thing in her gift. And you, on the other hand, have done as these rich men in this story.
c. The amount of our giving is attributed to the amount of God's blessing unto us in life. The rich men proportionately should have given more than this poor widow. But Jesus said: they had not given as much as she. He now tells us why. Observe--
4. Christ views our attitude in our giving. The Lord now tells us why this was so in this lesson today. I pray we are all listening to His explanation.
a. The rich men: “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God.” When we give from our "interest," this is not from our abundance. Dig down into a more significant portion of your salary in your giving. This will take a mind of sacrifice and willingness to give not only as we have been prospered, but also of our abundance. This will enable God to pour out a shower of blessings; we will not be able to receive it.
b. The poor widow: “But she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” The Master said: “she gave all that she had.” She gave her money, earned to be used for her daily living. She gave into the treasury her entire wages; that she had made, in a selfless manner, into God's storehouse.
c. The Lord observes whether we give charitably and with a willing mind, or grudgingly and with reluctance. What is given to the support of the ministry and the gospel, to the spreading and propagating of the faith, to the education of youth, the release of prisoners, the relief of widows and orphans, and for the caring of the poor and needed, when given to the offerings of God, it shall be so accepted and richly returned, by the Lord, Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 22:9; James 1:26-27.
5. Conclusion: What an example of giving; self-sacrifice and trust in God's goodness to provide for one's daily needs. As our Lord has promised in His model prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread," Matthew 6:11. We can rely on God to provide for His people, Psalms 37:25-26. Don't forget; we cannot out-give God. Give with thanksgiving and out of a pure house unto the Lord. That your “barrel of meal wasted not, neither your cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD,” 2 Kings 17:1-16. Thank you for your attention. With this, let me move to our conclusion of this lesson. Recall, we discussed...
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
3. Day of Contribution
B. Summarize main points.
1. In this lesson we investigated that the church contributed its money on "the first day of the week," for the work and support of the church. Paul wrote: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order (direction) to the churches of Galatia, even so, do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gathering when I come," 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
2. It was the practice of the early church to come together, to offer spiritual sacrifices unto the Lord, in their financial contributions. This was done to support the work of the Lord, in providing for the saints. Each saint was charged to give, "as they had been prospered." This was a practice of the early church to give of their substance unto the Lord on: "the first day of the week."
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. Clarke Commentary on the Bible, Eight Volumes, Published 1810-1826, New York, Published by J. Emory and B. Waugh, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the conference office, 13 Crosby-Street., J. Collord, Printer, 1831.
6. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
7. The Pastor’s Manual, by James Randolph Hobbs, D.D., L.L.D., Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN, Copyright renewal, 1962.
8. The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, by Edward T. Hiscox, D.D., American Baptist Publication Society, 1701-1703 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, Published, June 1903.
