Introduction
God is engaged in the new building project moving from
his old temple to his new temple, the focus is on Jesus – on his church. Jesus
is described as the cornerstone and the new temple that is growing out from
that cornerstone is central to God’s purposes – the church of God, the church
of Jesus Christ.
The church of God is the people of God where God’s Kingdom is God’s people in God’s place
under God’s rule enjoying God’s blessings.
The church of God is the new temple of God – the fulfillment of his promises, to his
people. God dwells within it. The new temple is served by his people – who are
priests within that new temple. In the Book of Acts, priests like Joseph, also
called Barnabas, a Levite – one of the priestly family – no longer serves in
the old temple but serving instead in the new temple. Not serving by bringing
animal sacrifices, but financial sacrifices – thank offerings to the holy God –
in order that God’s new community in which God dwells might be the fulfillment
of the promises that he has made.
Giving in the New Testament is in the context of
nourishing and protecting the Body of Christ instead of giving in a
system or to an organization. In the Old Testament, it is to fulfill a legal
obligation.
5 marks of Christian giving:
1 The Essence of Christian giving is Grace
(Deuteronomy
8:17,18; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
We
give because God has so graciously lavished on us everything, not because God
needs or for us to earn points to heaven. God does not need our money. God does
not want our money. God demands our surrender.
2 The focus of Christian giving should be God’s
family
(Galatians
6:10; 1 Timothy 2:3,4)
It’s good that we love our neighbor and to give to
the needs of the world, but the focus of Christian giving should be first and
foremost be God’s family.
As we look to the needs of Christian brothers
& sisters around the world, we look also to the advance of the Gospel.
3 The issue with Christian giving is Stewardship
(John
3:27; Deuteronomy 8:17,18; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Luke 12:16-21; Matthew 25:14-30)
It is not really giving at all. The issue then is
stewardship.
We have got what we have got because God has given
it to us – God is the owner.
And the issue is how am I looking after it? Am I using
it for his purposes or storing it away for mine. We are managers.
4 The benefits of giving are out of this world
(Matthew
6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 8:13-15; 9:6-11)
Jesus
spoke of storing up treasures in heaven and using wealth to make friends. There
is no credit crunch in the kingdom of God, when it comes to God’s work, moth
& rust will not destroy.
We
are enriched to give with the glorious joy of seeing the Gospel advance.
5 Every Christian should give
(Luke
6:38; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:7)
God
is a generous giver. That is his character. Every Christian should give in any
number of different ways, not just financially – in time, in serving, gifts and
skills and helping. But for the majority of us, will also be able to give
financially.
Tithe
(Genesis 14:18-20;
Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Luke 21:1-3; Romans 4:13; Galatians 3:17,18)
Abraham gave a tenth (tithe) to Melchizedek, the king
of Salem, the priest of God Most High before the Law was given. Abram was blest
then Abram tithed. Abram did not tithe to gain the blessing.
Later, it was given in the period of the Law for
those who are under the Law. But now we are under what is known as the Law of
Christ – the law of love and of grace – and we are to decide ourselves how to
be generous.
Conclusion
God’s work done in God’s way will never lack any
resources.
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