Burley W. Moore-Bible Teacher

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Volume 15, Number 3 July Summer 2020

Financial Giving in the New Testament Church

Part II

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order 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 gatherings when I come.” (I Cor. 16:1-2)

Biblical Principle #1

New Testament Giving is to be Christ Centered

“upon the first day of the week”

We need to keep in mind that after Christ’s resurrection, the New Testament believers assembled on the “first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). Every Lord’s day is a reminder to the believer of our victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave because of the finished work of Christ on the cross and His glorious resurrection on the third day afterwards. Christ came out of the tomb to come into our hearts and make new creatures out of sinful men (II Cor. 5:17). Every Lord’s day we gather in remembrance that God’s love was not just wordy, but demonstrative. God left the portals of glory in a place of perfect paradise to come and live among sinful men, be crucified, and give Himself to satisfy the wrath of God against sinners.

The very mention of the “first day of the week”, reminds us that Christians gather on Sunday to celebrate our risen Lord in worship which, according to our text, includes financially supporting the Lord’s work. Worship means to reverence, honor, praise, and glorify the One and Only God of our salvation Who “gave His only begotten son that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jh. 3:16). Because God “gave” the very best that Heaven had to offer, we ought to give of our best to Him.

There are many worthy Christian ministries that deserve our support. However, a Bible believing church should never suffer as a result of its members sending their money elsewhere to the point of not supporting their local assembly. There are many radio and TV preachers and para-church organizations who are doing a good work, but will they be available to minister to you when you need a pastor? People ought to give to the place from which they receive their blessing and to the ministry that is doing God’s work God’s way. This may very well include a par-a-church ministry, but by no means exclude the local church. Some interpret Malachi’s passage to mean that the “storehouse” is the local church, but the local church did not exist in the time of Malachi. In those Old Testament days, the Jews had their temple in Jerusalem and synagogues in various communities. I personally understand the “storehouse” to mean God’s work which today most definitely begins in a local New Testament church, but is not limited to it. If a person cannot support the local church they’re attending, then they ought to find one they can support. Therefore, local churches ought to be mindful in how they spend God’s money. It ought to be to the glory of God and not to the glory of ourselves or our own selfish agendas.

Biblical Principle #2

New Testament Giving is to be Regular

“first … of the week”

Although, it’s true that it has been customary for believers to assemble on Sunday, the thought behind this verse goes further. Our giving doesn’t have to be given on the first day of the week, but in Paul’s case it was a most opportune time to take this “collection” since believers would congregate together on that day. Not only should the local church be supported by our financial giving, it ought to be periodic, systematic, and consecutive, not occasional, spasmodic, emotional, or haphazard. In other words, it should be on a regular systematic basis depending on how a person receives his income, it could be every other week, monthly, or whatever the case may be. For the believers in Paul’s day, “the first day of the week” was the best time for them to receive this “collection” and do their giving. The simple principle taught here is that our giving is to be given regularly from a heart of love and not compulsion. We learn from Second Cor. 9:6-7, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” The Believer is to give unto the Lord, not expecting anything in return, but His favor. God knows our hearts and the reason with which we give and why we do what we do.

This passage in our text is teaching that God’s “tithes and offerings” are not to be accumulated for ourselves or spent on our own selfish pleasures. When one fails to give as normal, then they ought to make it up as soon as possible. That’s what I believe “Paul” meant when he said, “that there be no gatherings when I come.” A good biblical principle to follow is to “first” give unto the Lord His rightful portion soon after receiving one’s income. Failure to stay up to date with God, often allows room for temptation to set in and our giving to become less than regular and systematic in so much that one never catches up. This can lead to people getting out of the routine and backsliding.

Biblical Priinciple #3

New Testament Giving is for Everyone

“every one of you lay by him in store”

No believer, regardless of age, status, or wealth has been left out of the responsibility in giving. The rich, poor, young, and old alike are to share in God’s work by making a financial contribution. Children, who receive an allowance, ought to be taught by their parents the principle of giving out of what they have earned. I do believe that children ought to be given a task around the house to earn what they receive and taught a good work ethic. The truth about the matter is that giving not only becomes an act of worship unto God, but it reveals our gratitude and love for Him. Jesus did not give just 10%, but His life in sacrifice for our sins on the cross. God gave the very best that Heaven had to offer, God in human flesh in Substitutionary Atonement for our sins.

Parents should “teach” their “children” from the youngest age the truths of God which includes the responsibility of financially supporting God’s work (Deut. 6:4-7). This means that if a child receives an allowance, he should be taught about the Old Testament “tithe” and the principles of New Testament Grace-Giving. If a child has no money of their own, then parents ought to give them money to contribute regularly in order to teach the principle of financial worship unto the Lord. Furthermore, if parents are to teach their children the importance of worship, so should the church be taught. Christian stewardship involves every aspect of our lives which includes our time, talents, and finances. Our daily lives should be lived in worship to our God, giving Him honor and glory.

Biblical Principle #4

New Testament Giving is to be Proportionate

“as God hath prospered”

Herein, we are reminded of the New Testament principle of grace-giving and not holding legalistically to the “tithe.” There is no substitute for the giving of our financial and material substance to God. We must never forget that God is the One Who allows us to prosper in the first place. Everything good that we possess is a gift of God’s grace. Our text shows us that New Testament grace-giving is on a basis that is equal and fair for all. Even the Old Testament “tithe” was a fair way to give because it robbed no man. It permitted all believers, regardless of wealth or poverty to receive God’s blessings from giving. Like the person tithing in the Old Testament, who gave 10% of a

large income, was not blessed more than the person tithing off a small income. New Testament giving does not call for a mere portion, but for a proportion of our income. When I use the word, proportion, I’m simply referring to a part of the whole.

The question that is often asked today is, “What proportion should be given since tithing is not actually mentioned in this passage?” First of all, we should never try to excuse ourselves from giving, by saying that “tithing” is Old Testament and we’re not under Law. Since “tithing” was the minimum standard for Old Testament giving, it most certainly becomes a good general minimum standard under New Testament Grace. Besides, many of the early Christians did far more than “tithe” as they “sold” their possessions and gave to the needy (Acts 4:34-35). Scripture has not commanded believers to give all their finances to the Lord’s work, but to give “as God hath prospered.”

As a young person growing up, I heard of a very wealthy Christian businessman who lived off of 10% of his income and gave 90% to the Lord. That man was R.J. LeTourneau, an inventor of earth moving machinery who became widely known as the man who moved men and mountains. I mention him merely to illustrate how God admonishes believers today to give as “God hath prospered.” Very few people can do what this man did, but we can give as “God hath prospered” us.

The Old Testament “tithe” consisted of the “firstfruits of the land” (Deut. 26:10) and the “firstlings” of their “herds” and “flocks (Deut. 12:6). The offering of “firstfruits” by the Israelites was an acknowledgment that the produce of the land and increase of their animals came from God. It was an offering unto God of the fruits that ripened first and firstborn animals which taught that God ought to be FIRST in every aspect of our lives,

including our money. These “firstfruits” in the Old Testament went for the support of

the priesthood, just as our giving today finances God’s work. We learn from the “firstfruits” offering that God deserves our best and not the leftovers. We’re not to give God the least we can, but the most; therefore, deducting our bills to determine how much we have left to give shows something about our priorities. That which we should give in today’s economy is to be determined from what we financially gain.

If we’re not careful, we can become very legalistic about what we give or how we determine a “tithe” as a minimum standard. Therefore, we must remember that giving is an act of “worship” and true “worship” originates within the “heart” of man and if a man’s “heart” is not right with God, then neither will be his giving (Jh. 4:24, Mk. 12:30).

One who is in love with God will not see how little he can give, but surrender his all unto the Lord, thus trying to be a good steward in every aspect of their finances. The giving of one’s monetary gifts to God carries a special blessing and failure to give as God prospers forfeits that particular blessing.

Closing

Giving is scriptural and tithing is normally a good starting place in determining how much we need to financially give to the Lord’s work. The Christian is not forced by law to “tithe,” but he is compelled by love to obey the teachings of his Lord. We’re not to give out of fear, personal recognition, or for the mere purpose of a tax benefit, but out of loyalty, obedience, and love (II Cor. 9:6-7). Don’t ever try to figure out how you can give, just discover God’s miraculous multiplication system through faithful obedience to God’s Word. By faith, give your rightful proportion back to God and trust Him to supply your every need and in so doing, you’ll discover that it’s impossible to out-give God.

New Testament giving is an acknowledgment before Holy God of our appreciation for His saving and keeping grace. The Christian should give because he has personally experienced how God “gave His only begotten Son” (Jh. 3:16). Not only does God want our mere “tithes,” but our all on the altar as a “living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1). When God has our ALL, He will not just have 10% of our income, but everything that we possess.

Because of His Sovereign Grace.....................BWM

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