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God Loves A Cheerful Giver

• What the New Testament
• Teaches About the Contribution
• in Worship to God

Prepared by Chris Reeves Skyline church of
Christ Gospel Meeting May 17, 2015
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Giving As An Act of Worship to God

• Giving our contribution (Acts 1128-30 Rom.
  1526) or collection (1 Cor. 161-2) is an act
  of worship to God because it
• Gives thanks to God (2 Cor. 98-12)
• Gives glory to God (2 Cor. 913-15)
• Gives a sacrifice to God (Heb. 1316)

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Contribution Basics Who?

• Individual Christians were ready to give
  (1 Tim. 617-19), as well as local
  churches (Acts 244-45)
• The local church contribution was an Apostolic
  order, a command for each Christian it was not
  a command for non-Christians (Acts 244-45
  432-37 1 Cor. 161)

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Contribution Basics When?

• The contribution was made on the first day of
  the week, Sunday it was not collected on the
  other days of the week (1 Cor. 161-2)

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Contribution Basics Where?

• The contribution was put into a common treasury
  (Acts 435,37 1 Cor. 161-2)

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Contribution Basics What?

• The contribution came from individual, free-will
  offerings it did not come from business
  enterprises, bingo, rummage sales, carnivals,
  etc. (1 Cor. 161-2 2 Cor. 97)
• The contribution was given as each one prospered
  and purposed (1 Cor. 161-2 2 Cor.
  812 97) it was not a pre-determined tithe
  like in the OT (Lev. 2730-34)

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Contribution Basics What?

• The contribution was for the work of the local
  church only evangelism (1 Cor. 96-14
  2 Cor. 118-9), benevolence (Acts 244-45
  etc.), and edification (1 Tim. 517-18)
• The contribution, when offered for benevolence,
  was for needy saints only (Acts 244-45
  432-37 1129-30 Rom. 1526 2 Cor. 84
  91,12 1 Tim. 59-10)

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Contribution Basics

• From 1 Corinthians 161-3
• Prescribed as I gave order to the churches
• Patterned so also do ye
• Periodic upon the first day of the week
• Personal let each one of you
• Planned lay by him in store
• Proportioned as he may prosper
• Preventive that no collections be made

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Contribution Basics

• From 1 Corinthians 161-3
• Purposeful carry your bounty unto Jerusalem

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Contribution Basics

• From 2 Corinthians 8-9
• Graciously (81) - the grace of God
• Liberally (82-3) the riches of their
  liberality
• Fraternally (84) beseeching us
• Sacrificially (85) they gave their own
  selves
• Sincerely (86-9) the sincerity also of your
  love
• Readily (810-11) the readiness to will

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Contribution Basics

• From 2 Corinthians 8-9
• Ably (811-12) out of your ability
• Equally (813-15) that there may be equality
• Wisely (816-24) take thought for things
  honorable
• Promptly (91-5) the same might be ready
• Bountifully (96) he that soweth bountifully

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Contribution Basics

• From 2 Corinthians 8-9
• Purposefully (97) purposed in his heart
• Voluntarily (97) no grudgingly or of
  necessity
• Cheerfully (97) God loveth a cheerful giver
• Generously (98-10) abound unto every good
  work
• Thankfully (911-15) thanksgiving to God

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What Is the Contribution?

• From 2 Corinthians 8-9
• Giving is a grace (charis) 81,4,6-7,16,19
  98,14,15 it offers a favored and thankful gift
  to others
• Giving is a fellowship (koinonia) 84 913
  it shares with the saints in their needs and in
  their work

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What Is the Contribution?

• From 2 Corinthians 8-9
• Giving is a ministry (diakonia) 84
  91,12,13 it is an act of service toward the
  saints
• Giving is a priestly service (leitourgia)
  912 Rom. 1527 Phil. 418 it is an act of
  priestly service to God

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What Is the Contribution?

• From 2 Corinthians 8-9
• Giving is a blessing (eulogia) 95-6 it
  bestows a bountiful, blessed gift to the saints
• Giving is a test or proof (dokime)
  82,8,22,24 913 it proves ones obedience to
  God and love toward other saints

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How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Give ourselves to the Lord first, before we give
  our money to the Lord (2 Cor. 81-5)
• Plan ahead and budget for God first
  (1 Cor. 161-2) dont rob God (Mal.
  114 38)
• Follow through with our plans to give
  (2 Cor. 811)

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How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Desire to be unified with other Christians in
  giving (Acts 244 432)
• Do not advertise your giving (Mt. 61-3)

19
How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Understand the different types of giving
  (2 Cor. 96-7)
• Stingy giving
• Bountiful giving
• Angry giving
• Forced giving
• Cheerful giving (note the good pleasure of
  giving in Rom. 1526-27)

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How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Use the example of Jesus giving (2 Cor. 89) and
  Gods giving (2 Cor. 98,14) for our own giving
• Sacrificially (Jn. 316)
• Freely (Rom. 832)
• Liberally (Jas. 15)

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How Can We Improve OurContribution?

• Focus on the fruit that is produced from our
  giving (Rom. 1528 Phil. 417-18)
• Be mindful of the stewardship of our money (Lk.
  161)
• Parents, encourage your children at an early
  age to give to the Lord!