Why Should I Give to the Local Church

1. Read: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

2. About the Text:

1) The practice of Christians in the New Testament was to give to the local church.

2) We can see this in numerous places in the New Testament.

3) Today we want to ask, “Why Should I Give to the Local Church?”

4) We are not talking about giving to some generic charitable organization.

5) We are not talking about giving to some church-related project.

6) We are talking about weekly/regular contributions on the first day of the week.

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

1. Christ died on the cross specifically for my and your sins.

1) The sacrifice of Christ wasn’t just for anonymous people.

2) It was for everyone, you and me specifically.

3) That means that Jesus Christ was a personal gift from God to you and me.

4) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

2. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we remember what God gave us.

1) As I eat the bread, I should be thinking, Christ gave His body for me.

2) And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

3) As I drink the fruit of the vine, I should be thinking, Christ gave His blood for me.

4) “Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20).

3. If God gave specifically for me, then I need to give specifically for Him and to Him.

1) This is what local congregational giving does.

2) It allows us to show our love to God for what God did for us.

3) “I am testing the sincerity of your love” (2 Corinthians 8:8).

4) Giving to the local congregation tests how much we truly love God.

1. We have many areas of work that we are doing here.

1) We have a building and grounds to maintain.

2) We have an educational program to support.

3) We have transportation needs.

4) We have youth activities.

5) We have domestic and foreign mission needs.

6) We have an internet work to do that impacts thousands of lives.

7) No one else will pay the bills and do the work if we do not give.

8) But the main thing is to support the preaching of the gospel.

2. Why should I give to support the preaching of the gospel?

1) Because not everyone can be a preacher – “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:4-5).

2) To participate in preaching the gospel. “I seek the fruit that abounds to your account” (Philippians 5:17).

3) To support and uphold the whole truth.

a. “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

b. “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

c. We live in a world that hates the truth.

d. Who will stand up for the whole truth if we do not?

e. Will we let the truth die because we were not willing to give to have it proclaimed?

4) Because Gospel Preaching saves lives and souls.

a. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

b. “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).

3. Our elders should not have to decide what to cut from the budget.

1) Our giving should make it easy for our elders to support other works.

2) Our giving should reflect our economic situation.

a. We have had 30% inflation over the past 10 years.

b. Our money is worth 30% less today than 10 years ago.

c. We are doing 30% less work today than 10 years ago.

d. Does your giving go up when your income goes up?

1. It makes a difference in the lives of our youth.

1) Bible classes.

2) Church-related youth activities such as the SYS.

3) They go to summer camp.

4) Ice cream social.

2. It makes a difference for people in foreign countries.

1) Egypt

2) Central America

3) Philippines

4) Nigeria

5) India

6) Kenya

7) Matthew 28:18-20

3. It makes a difference for the preaching students that we support.

1) Memphis

2) Brown Trail

3) Southwest

4) 2 Timothy 2:2

4. It makes a difference for our school district.

1) Many of our members work for the school district.

2) They receive spiritual encouragement and support from our work.

3) This impacts their co-workers and students.

5. It makes a difference for the poor in our community.

1) Many poor have received help from our food pantry.

2) They have received lodging, gas, and other services.

3) Galatians 6:10

6. It makes a difference in your family.

1) You worship God here multiple times each week.

2) Many of you get to be with your family here.

3) This is valuable time together.

4) It is time well spent with your children.

5) Ephesians 6:1-4

7. It makes a difference for everyone who attends this church.

1) We have monthly potlucks.

2) We have ladies’ Bible classes here.

3) We have games nights here.

8. It makes a difference in my family’s life.

1) We have the same needs and wants that any family has.

2) We are very grateful for the support this congregation gives us.

1. If we are partaking of the Lord’s Supper and have an income, we need to put something in the plate.

1) “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

2) “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:10).

2. When it boils down to it, it is each person’s responsibility.

1) What if everyone gave like I gave?

2) It’s not just the older members who need to give.

3) “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

3. God wants you to test Him.

1) “Will a man rob God? ??Yet you have robbed Me! ??But you say, ?‘?In what way have we robbed You?’ ??In tithes and offerings. ??You are cursed with a curse, ??For you have robbed Me, ??Even this whole nation. ??Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, ??That there may be food in My house, ??And try Me now in this,” ??Says the LORD of hosts, ??“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven ??And pour out for you such blessing ??That there will not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:8-10).

2) “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:10).

4. Being a Responsible Giver Means Not Causing Problems with Money

1) Some people play politics with money because they want control.

2) Let’s be cooperative with our leaders when it comes to money – “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

3) Instead of finding ways to disagree, let’s find ways to cooperate and work together.

1. I should give to the local church because …

1) God Gave For Me

2) The Local Church Needs My Gift

3) My Gift Makes a Difference

4) It is My Christian Responsibility

2. Invitation