There is little wonder to why so many of the world think that "church" is all about money. They hear some preachers begging for money, or they see some churches raising money by having rummage sales or selling raffle tickets. Let's stop and ask what the New Testament Church did not do to receive funds for the Lord's work.
(1) You can't find them investing in business ventures to raise the capital needed for their work.
(2) You will not read where a specific amount was required of each member to remain in good standing with the church.
(3) You don't hear the gospel of "get rich by sending us your money".
(4) You can't find where Christ's church requested funds from non-christians.
The following is what the New Testament teaches about our giving to God.
(1) Paul instructs Christians to give on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 15 :2).
(2) Their giving was based on how much they had prospered (1 Corinthians 16:2).
(3) They were to give as they had purposed in their heart (planned giving) (2 Corinthians 9:7).
(4) They were to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).
(5) They also gave sacrificially ( 2 Corinthians 8:2-3).
The Lords' work is the greatest work in the world and it deserves the support of God's people. God has been so gracious in His giving to us. That should motivate us to return a portion of those blessings back to His service. Please remember that what we still have belongs to the Lord. Let God's love be the motivation for liberal giving; not the rants, empty promises and the schemes that some try to employ to get gain. (1 Timothy 6:5-10).
- Gary Puryear
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