December 17, 2006
Sermon # 656
Concerning the Collection
1 Corinthians 16:1 - 14 (NKJV) 1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me. 5Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 10And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. 12Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. 13Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done with love.
1. Orders given
1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also
A. This is not a request for funds – it is an order of an Apostle!
B. Orders to Galatia
Romans 15:26 - 28 (NKJV) 26For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.
2 Corinthians 8:1 - 7 (NKJV) 1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
II. The Period – the fist day of the week
ILL; This was not the tithe & offering it was a special offering but it was to be given like the others!
III. The Participants – every one!
ILL: This was all inclusive. No Christian is excused.
IV. The Place – the local church
V. The Plan – save for it (administration)
A. Paul removed himself from the collection
2On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me. 5Now
ILL: The Pastor or Evangelist should be removed from direct contact with the funds
In the Cathedral of His Glory we have a counting committee, board of finances, and a CPA Company to handle the funds. The first problem I ever had concerning funds was $500. given to me to paint a local church. – I should never have accepted it – but I put in into an envelope and gave it to the church treasurer. When the church was not painted right away the giver accused me of stealing the funds. The church treasurer had to open the envelope in front of the people to clear my name.
Even with our administration we are never clear of suspicion - why? Because the names of those given and purpose are top secret!
Matthew 6:1 - 4 (NKJV) 1“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
B. Budget everything – even your giving!
C. Freedom Principles
Matthew 25:14 - 30 (NKJV) 14“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
1. Money is not inherently evil (God made Abraham, David, Solomon and Job rich!)
2. How much money you have is far less important than how you manage it.
3. What we have is not our own ( of course it belongs to God, but it also belongs to the family and if Mary and I have not budgeted it – I don’t have it!) – You knew Christmas was coming didn’t you?
4. We are all called to be good stewards, regardless of how much money we are entrusted with!
5. There are penalties for poor stewardship (the man with one talent lost it!)
6. There are rewards for good stewardship
D. The Collection was to help the saints not the aints!
1 Corinthians 16:1 (NKJV) 1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:
ILL: Do not let yourself be pressured into helping someone keep their ungodly, alcohol, drug, or sorry habit of laziness.
1 Timothy 5:3 - 16 (NKJV) 3Honor widows who are really widows. 4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 - 12 (NKJV) 6But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
Conclusion:
Giving without love is meaningless!
1 Corinthians 16:13 - 14 (NKJV) 13Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done with love.
