Worship: Church Finances #2
INTRODUCTION: The Church of God is engaged in the greatest mission under heaven. Money is an absolute requisite in carrying on its work and hence the proper use of money becomes an important theme in the New Testament and assumes an important place in the Christian's life. The first sin in the Jerusalem Church that we are told was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira in the matter of giving money to the Lord (Acts 5: 1 -2). Clnistians in making money must take "thought for things honorable in the sight of all men" and using the money they make must have the glory of God in mind.
General Principles Governing Church Finances
I. Stewardship (Lk. 16:1-14).
Christians Are Stewards. Stewards Are Trustees, Caretakers of That Which Belongs to Another:
1. Must be found faithful as good stewards (I Pet. 4:10; I Cor. 4: 1-2). Not wasting goods
(Lk. 16:1).
2. Must some day render account of stewardship (Rom. 14: 12).
3. Must not hoard for our own security (Lk. 12: 13-21).
4. God does not allow us to take out all that we want or feel that we need and give him a little of
what is left. He demands a "first fruit offering" (Lev. 23:9-14; Matt. 6:33).
5. It is then not a question of how much of our substance we are willing to give to the Lord
but, on the contrary, the problem is, "How much of what the Lord has entrusted to me shall I
keep?"
II. Fellowship (Acts 2:42). Coordination, Mutual Participation and Effort:
1. In love. "Love one another from a pure heart" (I Pet. 1:22). “Knit together in love" (Col. 2:2).
2. In suffering "Bear ye one another's burdens“ (Gal. 6:2).
3. In service (Gal. 2:9-10; Phil. 1:5; 4:16).
4. In finance. "Let each one of you" (I Cor. 16: 1-2).
"According to his ability" (II Cor. 8:12). “Equality” (II Cor. 8:13-15). Equality in bearing the
financial burden of the Church does not mean one giving as much as another (II Cor. 10:12)
but each one giving according to his ability. Individual ability is the basis of personal
responsibility (Matt. 25:41-44). One cannot be in "full fellowship" until he is doing his part.
See the comparison in the story of the widow's mite
(Mk. 12:41-44).
III. Discipleship (Matt. 16:24):
1. Requires self-sacrifice and giving up the world (Lk. 9:57-62; Matt. 19:27-29).
2. Rich young ruler failed here (Matt. 19:16-22).
3. Christ our pattern (Phil. 2:5-8; II Cor. 8:9).? Measure yourself by this standard and do not be
afraid of giving too much.
IV. Love. Consecration 0f Self the Basis
of Giving (II Cor. 8:1-5; II Cor. 8:8; 8:24):
1. Cannot serve both God and mammon Lk. 16:13-15; Matt. 6:19-24).
Questions For Discussion:
1. What of the importance of the mission of the Church? This necessarily involves the use of what?
2. What was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira?
3. What are Christians in their use of possessions?
4. How must each steward handle his Lord's affairs?
5. What is the great "question" of stewardship?
6. How is Christian fellowship manifested?
7. What maybe said of "equality?" What does this mean?
8. What of the cost of discipleship?
9. Who failed to pay the price of such service?
10. Who is the Christian‘s patten-1 of giving? Sacrifice?