Biblical Giving
12 Traits of a Biblical Church, part 6 | 1 Corinthians 16:1 – 14 | David Platt, MBC Pastor-Teacher

1 Timothy 6:9 – 10
“Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

James 5:1 – 3
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.”

Mark 10:23
“It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 6:21
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Acts 2:42 – 47
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together, and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Acts 4:32 – 37
“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.”

1 Corinthians 16:1 – 4
“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.”

Why do we give?

#1 – We give as an expression of God’s worship.

#2 – We give as the overflow of God’s grace.

Who gives?

Every follower of Christ.

Where do we give?

We give to and through the church.

When do we give?

We give regularly.

How much do we give?

Examples of giving in the Old Testament:

  • Tithes(Leviticus 27:30, Number 18:21 – 24, Deuteronomy 14:22 – 23, and 14:28 – 29)
  • Firstfruit offerings(Leviticus 19, Exodus 23 & 34, and Numbers 15)
  • Freewill offerings(Exodus 35 & 36 and Deuteronomy 12)

Exodus 36:3 – 7
“. . . they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offeringsevery morning,so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, ‘The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.’ So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, ‘Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.’ So the people were restrained from bringing for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.”

Examples of giving in the New Testament:

  • Luke 12:1 – 4
  • Luke 18:18 – 19
  • Acts 2:44 – 45; 4:32 – 37

Seriously consider starting with a tithe.

Continually expand your giving beyond the tithe.

What happens when we give?

#1 – Our hearts are changed.
#2 – The church will be edified.
#3 – God will be glorified.