Authentic Christianity Means Giving to the Church

1. Read: Galatians 6:6-10

2. About the Text:

1) Because of the problems in the churches of Galatia, some had stopped giving.

2) This problem has not gone away even today.

3) Many times, people who take issue with others will stop giving.

4) This is sinful.

5) When we give to the church, we are giving to God.

6) The giving that we do goes to support the Lord’s work.

7) Let’s look at four reasons to give from Galatians 6:6-10.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (Galatians 6:6)

2. Paying the Preacher – “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

3. Mission Works – “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

4. Schools of Preaching – “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

5. We give to the church to support the gospel.

1. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

2. Everyone is sowing something.

1) Are our efforts primarily fleshly?

2) Are they primarily spiritual?

3) “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

4) “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

5) What about our giving to the church?

3. We reap what we sow?

1) This is not “karma.”

2) Paul is discussing eternity, not earthly affairs.

3) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

4) “Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath” (Romans 2:7-8).

4. We give to the church to be spiritual.

1. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).

2. What does it mean to “do good?”

1) “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).

2) “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

3. We can either do it ourselves, or support someone who is doing it.

1) “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

2) “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:18).

1. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

2. This verse supports the idea of the church giving to the poor both saints and non-saints.

3. “So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22).

4. “Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

5. “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

1. Authentic Christians Give to the Church to…

1) Support the Gospel

2) Be Spiritual

3) Do Good

4) Support the Poor

2. Invitation