Sermon May 31
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
How can we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” if we believe we are providing for ourselves? YOU ARE NOT THE SOURCE OF HEALTH. YOU DON’T CAUSE THE SUN TO SHINE OR THE RAIN TO FALL. YOU DON’T DECIDE TO BREATHE WHEN YOU SLEEP OR MAKE YOUR HEART BEAT. YOU ARE WHOLLY DEPENDENT ON GOD. THE RHYTHM OF GIVING FINANCIAL OFFERINGS TO GOD CONNECT YOU TO THIS TRUTH. GIVING IS WORSHIP BECAUSE IT RECOGNIZES GOD’S RIGHTFUL PLACE IN YOUR LIFE. He is your provider. He, alone, is self-sufficient and therefore independent. You are dependent. In verse one Paul says, “Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.” Paul regularly taught principles for giving. What are these? “On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside a certain sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” REGULAR: “On the first day of the week” Sunday. PROPORTIONAL: “Set aside a certain sum of money in keeping with your income.” ABUNDANT: “when I come no collections will have to be made” There’s an abundance. Why do we give? WORSHIP GOD – Giving is not primarily about money—it is about worship. The issue is not what God wants from us, but what God wants for us: hearts fully devoted to Him. CARE FOR PEOPLE – A church’s generosity should be felt by the people whose lives are being changed, helped, fed, encouraged, and cared for through its ministry. SUSTAIN THE CHURCH – The church is devoted to teaching, fellowship, prayer, generosity, and caring for needs. As a result, people thrive, the community takes notice, and lives are transformed. CHURCH STAFF – Those who devote themselves to gospel ministry should be supported by the church. If we were to close our doors tomorrow, who would notice? Who would care? We give because worship costs something. We give because people matter to God. We give because ministry changes lives. We give because the church is called to be visible, needed, and impactful in its community.
Discussion Questions
- What would happen if everyone in our church started giving 10% of their income? How might this change the ministry we are doing? Would it be better or worse?
- How does giving of your “firstfruits” financially effect your relationship with God?
- What is keeping people from giving? Is it ignorance, unwillingness, fear or something else?
