teaching about money in church part 1

Recently we have been addressing how we support local and global gospel work financially. I porduced a brocure for people in our church who need to start from the basics about how the gospel shapes our financial resources.

What does the bible say about giving?

Our Generous God

All things belong to God and everything we have comes from him (1 Chr 29:10-12). Our whole living is part of God’s gracious provision and care.
Out of gratitude for God’s generosity his people in the Old Testament times gave various offerings, as well as a tithe (one tenth) of their income (Deut 26:1-11; Lev 27:30).

In the New Testament God’s generosity toward us is seen most clearly in the death and resurrection of his Son. “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ,” wrote Paul to the church in Corinth, encouraging them to help the poor in Jerusalem, “that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (2 Cor 8:9). We give because our God is glorious and there is no greater joy than his service. It is in view of God’s mercy that we give of ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, serving him with our thinking, our time, our energy and our treasure (Rom 12:1-2).

Financial obligation and giving is not an optional extra. It is an integral part of Christian character and Gospel partnership because generosity is an integral part of God’s character. As we grow and are transformed in the image of Christ, we should expect to grow in a generous giving heart.

To Whom Should I then Give?

A portion of the Old Testament offerings and tithes was given as obligation to the priests and Levites who ministered in the temple and had no other source of income (Num 18:8-21; Deut 26:11-12, 1 Cor 9:13). Part of the tithe was also used to help the needy (Deut 26:11-12).
The New Testament encourages Christians to give to at least three groups of people. They are told to give to the poor (Luke12:33; Eph 4:28; 2 Cor 8:1-15); they’re praised when they support and send those who spread the gospel in other places (Phil 1:3-5, 4:15-18) and they’re under obligation to support those who preach and teach in their own churches (Matt 10:10; 1 Cor 9:13-14; Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18).

Principles of Giving

When I was in the UK I picked this up in a church and thought it was worth reflecting on

Ten principles of giving
• Sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8:1-2) despite our needs
• Generously (8:3-7) as much as we are able
• Gratefully (8:8-9) for the grace of Christ who though rich became poor that we might be rich
• Realistically (8:10-12) according to our means
• Equally (8:13-15) giving of our plenty to help supply what others need
• Properly (8:16-24) ensuring that our management of money is beyond reproach
• Actually (9:1-5) to ensure our practice matches our claims
• Freely (9:6-7) not reluctantly but cheerfully
• Confidently (9:8-11) knowing that God will always supply our needs
• Encouragingly (9:12-17) others will praise for God for what he is doing in our lives.