PROSPERITY GIVING
Text: I Corinthians 16:1-3; Philippians 4:10-19
Introduction: May I say at the beginning that my definition of prosperity theology or prosperity giving may be much different than some of the TV religious charlatans, who are scheming to get your money, and the church’s money. The Apostle Paul gives us helpful insight, and instruction that pertains to Scriptural giving. As God prospers us, He gives us directions on how to use that prosperity. Keep in mind as the Lord does this, that He provides for our needs as we continue to meet the needs of others.
May we look at two different passages of Scripture that shows us the proper way of giving, and how God makes it all possible. First, we will look at, The Program That The Lord Gave For Our Stewardship; Then, The Provisions That The Lord Gives For Our Stewardship.
I. THE PROGRAM THAT THE LORD GAVE FOR OUR STEWARDSHIP. (1 Cor. 16:1-3)
A. When Should We Give? (V. 1) "NOW"
The word "now" is a word that moves with time. Obviously, when Paul wrote the church at Corinth, he was writing for the purpose of either instructing, or correcting their improper stewardship. The carnal Corinthians had many aspects of their ministry that needed correcting. The instructions that were given to this church were very valid for the day in which they were given, but the same must be said for today. This is based upon the concept that "Truth does not ever change". Realizing that the word, "now" may be applied to our church this morning, just as it was given to the Church at Corinth, we need to give great heed to these ancient instructions that are more up to date than tomorrows newspaper.
B. What We Should Give. (V. 1). "COLLECTIONS"
Within the context of our text, the collections were a form of giving that was to minister to saints who were not a part of the Church at Corinth. It would be similar to our faith promise mission giving in that it was given to be a blessing to those who had needs outside of the church. Yet, in the spirit of grace giving, it was to be done with not only a sensitivity involving saints who had needs, but in respect to the givers ongoing personal needs as well.
The word "collections" means that it was the actual taking up of money. The cornerstone word of the Christian faith is the word Give. No one illustrates a greater pattern for giving than did Christ Jesus when He gave Himself as a ransom for many. Obviously, the collections could never happen unless there were those who had the heart to give. Collections were not taken just to have collections. They were taken with purpose in mind. As we give, we should give with purpose just as Christ Jesus gave of Himself in such an unselfish manner.
A strong, and a healthy church is fired, and moved by great purpose. Purpose should be a major part of the churches passion. This purpose should originate in ones heart even as it did with Daniel, in Daniel 1:8. When either a church, in a collective sense, or a person in an individual sense loses its sense of purpose, that person or church is in a dying state. Our church not only needs to evaluate its reason for its existence, but should be exercising that reason through its giving. Before a person will give his money as a collection, he must have first given himself. Paul talked more of this in his second letter. We will examine this more later.
C. Who Should Give? (V. 1). "SAINTS"
Paul was using this word to describe believers. Saved believers are "saints". He was using this word to emphasize that saved people are sanctified people who have been set apart for the master’s use. Each one of us today is no different than those in Paul’s day. We too have been set apart for the Master’s purpose. This purpose involving giving is to be exercised by and through the local church. The systematic taking up of collections has been practiced for over 2000 years. It is still God’s way. The Lord’s work is to be done through the collection of offerings. We do not finance the Lord’s work through raffles, bake sales, car washes, etc. When our students in our school do this, they are doing it as a means to raise money for their school activities. When it comes to the church operations, we support it through the tithes and the offerings.
D. Where Should We Give? (V. 1) "CHURCHES"
We have already been emphasizing the importance of supporting the ministries through the local church. The instructions for doing this are immediately given in the very first verse. This is no accident; this shows the importance of our giving taking place in, and through the local New Testament church. God should have first place, and this will be demonstrated in a very practical way through your giving to the church. You support most what you love the most. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". (Matthew 6:21).
E. How Should We Give? (V. 2 "let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him").
During the time that Paul wrote this letter, much of the giving was done with crops, or animals that had been raised by the giver. That practice continued to some degree right up until recent times. The circuit-riding preacher was often paid with a cured ham or with a sack of meal. It seems that God has always used the unselfish, and the generous to take care of the church and God’s man. It will be no exception here. As long as there are people like you who recognize the blessings of God upon your lives, you will do right.
If you notice our text, the giving is not predicated on the need as much as it is upon the way God prospers you. God is saying here that there should be a deliberate time that you appraise the way that God has been blessing you, and to give accordingly. God’s program requires this to happen on the first day of the week, which is the Lord’s day, which is Sunday on our calendar. The wisdom of God in letting you monitor your giving by the way that He prospers you is for the purpose of you always being conscious of the ongoing blessings that you receive from Him. When a person really begins to see how blessed he is, and then regards the way that Christ is blessing him, it should inspire one to be very sensitive to the needs of others. I have learned that if God is prospering me, then I should let that be a signal that there is someone whom I should share my prosperity with. Todays corrupt prosperity theology teaching says, "Don’t wait until the bye and bye to get your pie in the sky;get it now’. This is absolutely not God’s way of teaching. His teaching is a selfless, rather than a selfish teaching. When you are sensitive to others, then God will take care of you. We will develop this thought further in our next section.
F. Why Should We Give? (V. 3) "that there be no gatherings when I come."
There is a practical reason that Paul issued these instructions as he did. He wanted attention given to the need in a planned manner. The first verse indicates this when Paul said, "as I have given order". The purpose of order is to give an arrangement or a pattern. Can you imagine how it would be to live in a world without order? Imagine teaching the alphabet or numbers in a random or mixed up order. The numbers would only become sounds without meaning. The proper order of the numbers makes the numbers useable. A church needs order with ever thing being done "decently and in order?. The way that giving is prescribed by Paul, helps the congregation to practice giving by a design, and by a plan rather than by only crisis, and emotion. Paul outlined the instructions pertaining to giving in order to bring strength to the local assembly.
II. THE PROVISIONS THAT THE LORD GIVES FOR OUR STEWARDSHIP. (Philippians 4:10-19).
Paul, in this section, tells us what it is like going to school;God’s school that is. Many of us have gone to His school. His school is not always the easiest, but it is always the best. I would not take anything for some of the lessons that the Lord has taught me.
Paul began this section with the expression, "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly". Paul then said, "I have learned" meaning he’s been to school. Because he had been to school, he was able to say in verse 12, "I know". He also said, "I am instructed". With the progression of his learning, in the Lord’s school, he was able to say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Paul was able to pass on that which he had learned, through divine inspiration on to the church.
A. Provides Care For The Ministry. (V. 10).
Paul rejoiced in the Lord over the blessings that he had received from the church at Philippi. The church at Philippi was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey. It was the first European church to be founded by him. In a very cordial way, Paul is expressing his joy over the care that was extended to him when he was experiencing great need. That same joy is being felt today when this church, and churches like this are helping others. We have been a blessing to so many missionaries and preachers down through the years. Thank you for being faithful in this area.
If there are those of you who for any reason have never, or maybe you are not presently supporting our missionary program, please begin today. You may have a part in bringing joy to others by your care in Giving. This letter by Paul is a thank you letter.
B. Provides Contentment In The Ministry. (Vv. 11,12).
Contentment is a learned characteristic. Paul, "learned in whatsoever state"that he was in, therewith to be content. He found that the provisions of God were always adequate to meet his needs. He learned to depend upon the Lord as the churches cared for him.. He also learned contentment from the Lord as the churches cared for him. In handling money as God’s money managers or as stewards, we should strive to have contentment like Paul as we do.
C. The Provisions Provide Confidence To Do The Ministry. (Vv. 13-19).
When Paul said that he could do all things through Christ which strengthneneth him, he was expressing a confidence that came from being faithful to the Lord, but more than that he had gained confidence from the Lord being faithful to him? For this reason in verse 19, he said, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
D.L. Moody said of the promises of verse 19.
"My God" - The name of the firm printed on the check.
"Shall supply" - The promise to pay.
"all your need" - The amount to be paid.
"according to his riches" - The deposit in the account
against which the check is drawn.
"in glory" - The address of the bank.
"by Christ Jesus" - The signature which appears on the check.
Moody said, "All that it takes to cash it is the endorsement of faith!"
Conclusion: The Lord has both a program, and provisions in which to practice good stewardship.
Sermon By Dr. Max Alderman
