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Giving with Joy

June 9, 2024 Mark Massaro Church, Generosity, Giving, Glorifying God, Joy, Paul, possessions, Salvation, Share, Tithe, Trusting God 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians - Living in Light of Eternity

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-11

Intro
‌If you have been coming to our church for any amount of time, you may have noticed that we don’t talk about money a lot. We don’t beg or guilt you to give more. We don’t promise God’s riches if you give all you have. We don’t have fundraisers asking other people to make donations. We believe the Bible teaches it is our church members who are responsible to support the needs of our church and our ministries.
Today’s message from 1 Corinthians 16 is about giving and I hope you find it practical and challenging. Our mission behind me is Worship God, Grow Spiritually, and Share the Gospel. We are also called to share our resources with God and others – our time, our abilities, and our money.
Series
‌We are almost done with our series in 1 Corinthians called Living in Light of Eternity. We have heard the Apostle Paul’s words to the church in Corinth about some very serious problems they were dealing with like divisions, fighting, sexual morality, marriage, and singleness. Then he taught about using their spiritual gifts humbly and properly, and the need for everything to be done in love. Paul ends his letter by giving the church encouragement about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our future resurrection as believers.
‌That’s where the series title “Living in Light of Eternity” comes from. With our view of eternity, knowing that our souls will go on forever and ever, knowing that God will judge our behavior, and knowing that His Son Jesus died so that we can spend eternity with God – how should we think, live, and act today?
‌As Paul concludes the letter in chapter 16, he gives instructions for collections at church.
‌If we trust God with everything, our focus in life should not be amassing or hoarding great wealth, it should be eternity focused – using our resources for sharing the Gospel and for God’s kingdom.

Give Regularly

Verses 1-4

‌Background – The churches throughout the area were encouraged to take up a special offering for the believers in Jerusalem. The Christians in Jerusalem were under extreme persecution and faced financial struggles as they saw family members thrown into prison or executed for being followers of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in several of his letters including these two to the church in Corinth, to the church in Rome, in Galatia about bringing aid to the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. But even though this is about a special financial collection, we have solid principles for giving in general.

This principle of giving regularly and from the beginning can apply to us today as well. If you are paid weekly, you should give weekly. If you are paid bi-weekly or monthly, that’s fine to give then, but it should not be after all of your bills are paid and whatever is left-over. It is from the gross or total. You are giving God the firstfruits or best of what you have.

Give Proportionately

Here is my personal advice to you. Make a budget including your tithe or proportional regular gift to your church. If you can afford to give extra that’s great, but if you don’t have income to support it or the money in the bank, don’t write a big check and hope God will cash it for you in heaven. Use the wisdom God gives in Proverbs and others places in the Bible and give as you are blessed by God. Cindi and I have trusted God with our budget and giving over the years of our marriage and He has faithfully provided for us.

‌It is up to the members of this church to support the expenses and ministries of this church. We don’t have bake sales to raise money. We don’t ask guests to give. But if you are a member or regular attender you should be giving regularly and giving a consistent portion of your income. We keep giving records very confidential. There a just a few people who count the offering each week, and only one person, our financial secretary who sends out an annual report to you of your giving. The deacons and I have no idea who gives what amount. I think that is best so we can obey

and show no partiality or favor on people who are blessed to give more than others.

Give Joyfully

Previously in chapter thirteen, Paul wanted to make sure everything was done in love. Including your giving. We should care about those in need in our church and community. We should care about the Gospel going out around the world through our missionaries. We should care about our local ministries and provide for our local church. This love for others should be an outpouring of our love from God who loved us first.

Ministry Update

‌v. 5-11

In verse 8-9 Paul says I will stay here in Ephesus a while longer because of the ministry opportunities. The class Adam is finishing about Hearing from God, addressed this verse really well. Yes, Paul was staying because there was an open door but notice the second part “and there are many adversaries.” Paul wasn’t choosing the open, easy door. He was choosing the door with many adversaries to the Gospel. He knew it would be difficult, but he knew he was called to faithfully share the Gospel whether it was easy or hard.

‌v. 10-11 It appears that Paul sent his young friend Timothy to deliver this message to the church. And he wants the Corinthians to be an encouragement to him. Put him at ease. Don’t give him a hard time. And don’t let people despise or put him down. Paul gave this same encouragement to Timothy and Titus – don’t let anyone despise or discourage you for your youth. This must have been an issue to these young men being disregarded or dismissed by the older church members.

‌I hope we encourage our young people to serve and not ignore or push them aside. When we have younger people reading Scripture or helping around the church, make a point of encouraging them. Don’t be harsh in judging them. Help them learn and grow so they will stay faithful and be leaders in the church.

Take Aways
‌Are you a generous person? Do you see needs and quickly respond with help? People who are thankful are usually more generous.
‌When you give a gift are you demanding a thank you or repayment? If you expect nothing in return, you will be more pleased if you do get a thank you or response.
‌Are you giving to your church regularly, proportionately, and joyfully?
‌Are you purposefully encouraging to the younger people in our church? When you see them serving say something kind! 
‌Have you accepted God’s generous gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ? Come talk to me.

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