By Request – Finances & Stewardship II

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Finances_Stewardship_albumartWednesday 03/09/16 

Series: By Request

Message –  Finances & Stewardship II

Click here for the Video

 

By Request is a segment of our normal Wednesday nights when I address and open for discussion, topics which have placed in a “suggestion box” as topics people in the church are interested in learning more about.

This weeks’ we are finishing up last’s weeks message on Finances and Stewardship.

Paul said quite a bit about giving and they all fall into about three basic categories.

  1. Giving to brothers in need and the poor
  2. Giving to support missions
  3. Giving to those who’ve invested in us Spiritually

 

This last one includes giving to the support and evangelism of the Jewish nation & to ministers of the gospel.

Paul on at least one of his missionary journeys, went out to strengthen the churches and to gather a collection for the Jews in Jerusalem who were in famine.

 

Act 11:27-30  “(27) And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.  (28)  Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.  (29)  Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.  (30)  This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”  – History says this particular famine occurred in Judea in 45-46A.D. however, there were MANY famines which took place in Rome from 41A.D.-52A.D.

However, Paul also made regular collections for the Jews who were in poverty.

Rom 15:25-27, “(25) But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.  (26)  For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.  (27)  It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”

Secondly, Paul taught and advocated giving to ministers of the gospel, by which he specifically mentioned Apostles & Elders, though extra biblical writings seem to include Prophets, teachers & evangelists.

When teaching the Corinthian church on this, Paul used ordinary human analogies to illustrate his point. TURN TO 1COR. 9:1-14,

1Cor. 9:1-14, “(1) Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?  (2)  If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 

(3)  My defense to those who would investigate, interrogate and judge me is this: 

note

(4)  Do we have no right to eat and drink? 

(5)  Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 

(6)  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?”  

 

*Question: What do you think those who wanted to “Judge” him were concerned about?

Answer – Minister’s and money – the same old and very tired refrain we hear about today. Nothing has changed much in 2000 years.

 

Paul makes use of illustrations to make his point…

“(7)  Who ever goes to war at his own expense?”

~ The implication was…. Why should the soldier of Christ have to do so?

 

“Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?”

~ The implication was…. Why should the man who plants churches not do so?

 

“Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?”  

~ The implication was….Why should not the Christian pastor do likewise?

 

“(8)  Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?  (9)  For it is written in the law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT TREADS OUT THE GRAIN.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?  (10)  Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.” [Favorable expectation] 

 

***Spiritual Principle***

“(11)  If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?” 

Let’s consider the same idea as it is presented to the Galatians…

Gal. 6:6-10, “(6) Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.  (7)  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  (8)  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. 

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

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

What is he saying here? IN CONTEXT these verses say something entirely different than they do if lifted out of their native context. This is ALL about giving to teachers of the Gospel.

What are the principles regarding giving here?

  • Let him who is taught share with his teachers.
  • Share what? ALL GOOD THINGS (Give example)
  • He who takes of those things and sows them to his own flesh will reap corruption.
  • He who takes of those things and sows to the spirit (by giving to those who teaches him spiritual truths) will reap deeper union with God.
  • Don’t grow weary in doing this service – or it will effect your outcome.
  • We give AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY.

 

Back to Corinthians…now in verse 12

Paul says this is the minister’s RIGHT….

“(12)  If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?”

 

This means that others who teach have the same rights, but Apostles and Elders MORE SO!

“Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.”  

Question – This is the ONLY place in scripture where Paul is said to have accepted and received NO wages for his ministering. Why here? What is so special about Corinth? What made them different?

Answer – Corinth was wealthy and wealthy people OFTEN have these two attributes….

  1. They are often suspicious of the motives of others in regards to money.
  2. They tend to be stingy

Paul addressed this concern of stinginess with the Corinthians early in his second letter to them.  He told them he was testing the sincerity of their love in Christ by their giving in comparison to the Macedonians who gave liberally out of their deep poverty and need. Also, earlier in this same passage Paul addresses that there were some who were judging him in regards to provisions being given to him.

 

Now Paul uses the Old Testament Priests as our New Testament example of giving

“(13)  Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 

(14)  Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”

Now the interesting thing here is the DIRECT comparison Paul draws between the minister of the New Covenant and the Priest of the old covenant.

(13)  Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat & partake…? 

(14)  EVEN SO – means “IN LIKE MANNER” the Lord has COMMANDED that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

 

So HOW did the Priest eat and partake?

The priests worked on rotations, so not all served in the temple at the same time. This had a direct impact on what they were “making”, BUT they were always amply provided for!

Those who were actively serving in the Temple received their share of the offerings…

Turn to Deut. 8:1-8,

 1“The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the LORD’S offerings by fire and His portion. 2“They shall have no inheritance among their countrymen; the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

3“Now this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, either an ox or a sheep, of which they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. 4“You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, your new wine, and your oil, and the first shearing of your sheep. 5“For the LORD your God has chosen him and his sons from all your tribes, to stand and serve in the name of the LORD forever.

6“Now if a Levite comes from any of your towns throughout Israel where he resides, and comes whenever he desires to the place which the LORD chooses, 7then he shall serve in the name of the LORD his God, like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD. 8“They shall eat equal portions, except what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.” – Deut. 8:1-8

Now turn to Numbers 18:8-20,

“And the LORD spoke to Aaron: “Here, I Myself have also given you charge of My heave offerings, all the holy gifts of the children of Israel; I have given them as a portion to you and your sons, as an ordinance forever. This shall be yours of the most holy things reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, every grain offering and every sin offering and every trespass offering which they render to Me, shall be most holy for you and your sons. In a most holy place you shall eat it; every male shall eat it. It shall be holy to you. This also is yours: the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel; I have given them to you, and your sons and daughters with you, as an ordinance forever. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it. All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the LORD, I have given them to you. Whatever first ripe fruit is in their land, which they bring to the LORD, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it. Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours. Everything that first opens the womb of all flesh, which they bring to the LORD, whether man or beast, shall be yours; nevertheless the firstborn of man you shall surely redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem. And those redeemed of the devoted things you shall redeem when one month old, according to your valuation, for five shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty GERAHS. But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the LORD. And their flesh shall be yours, just as the wave breast and the right thigh are yours. All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the LORD, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD with you and your descendants with you.” Then the LORD said to Aaron: “You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.” – Numbers 18:8-20

They were given of the offerings.

  • The Burnt-offering. This alone was burnt entirely except the stomach, the entrails and the sinew of the thigh (compare Gen 32:32).
  • The Sin-offering. In this case only the fat was burned on the altar and the priests received all the remaining meat.
  • The Trespass-offering. Again the fat alone was burned and the priests received all the rest.
  • The Meal(or Grain)-offering. This consisted of flour and wine and oil. Only a token part was offered on the altar; by far the greatest portion was the for the consumption of the priests.
  • The Peace-offering. The fat and the entrails were burned on the altar; the priest received the breast and the right shoulder; and the rest was given back to the worshipper.
  • Wave offering – Exodus 29:27, “And from the ram of the consecration you shall consecrate the breast of the wave offering which is waved, and the thigh of the heave offering which is raised, of that which is for Aaron and of that which is for his sons.”

The priests enjoyed further provisions as well.

  • They received the first-fruits.
    1. Firstfruits – was the beginning of harvest (beginning of fiscal year or season) Newly planted trees were not eaten from until 5th year. 1-3 = unholy 4th = completely dedicated to temple or sold and $ brought. 5th year the farmer could eat from.
  • The Tithe – 10% of Gross to the Levites and they in turn gave the top 10% of the tithe to the priests. The best to the levites and the best of the best to the priest. 10% of “everything which may be used as food and is cultivated and grows out of the earth.” It included all meats, oils, vegetation and wine.
  • The Terumah (Heave Offering) BEFORE Tithe – This was the offering of the choicest fruits of every growing thing. It was a 14-16% offering.
  • The 3rd tithe – IF it was the 3rd or 6th year in the sabbatical cycle then this second tithe was given to the poor and is known asmaaser ani,‘poor man’s tithe.’ but was shared with the Levites.
  • The tithe was offered according to the sabbatical year.
    1. Nearly 100% of families grew crops and raised kosher cattle. The torah didn’t mention giving tithes of money since all were to participate so the tithe was of crops and cattle.
    2. 10% of the agrarian produce – 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th year of the sabbatical cycle.
      1. The 1st tithe maaser rishon – AFTER the Terumah a tenth of the remainder of the yield was separated and given to the Levite – this is called the 1st tithe.
      2. The 2nd tithe (maser sheni) – The farmer separates a tenth of the reminder of his yield. This has to be taken to Jerusalem and consumed there in a spirit of sanctity. If it is too difficult to take the second tithe to Jerusalem, it can be redeemed by substituting for it a sum of money and adding a 5% to it which then was taken to Jerusalem to acquire food and drink to be consumed there.
    3. 3rd & 6th year of the sabbatical cycle, tithe was stored up and brought to priest to be eaten by them AND THE poor, stranger & widow. – Deut. 26:12-16
    4. The tithe in future years was allowed to be liquated into cash form for ease of transport according Deut. 14 – spend it on whatever your heart desires only do not forget the priest, the poor the orphan…etc. they were to eat it WITH you!

There is much more that could be said about the provisions for the priests, but suffice it to say that it was considerably more than the tithes alone.

 

 

This is where we left off this week. We will resume from here next Wednesday…Blessings! 

 

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. If you do not know Him, please use our ‘Contact Us‘ page and reach out so we may have the privilege of introducing you to the Lord. Attendance at our church will NOT even be mentioned nor will money.

If you have been spiritually fed by this ministry and wish to give, we truly appreciate that and you may do so here, but all outreaches of this ministry are FREE for you and anyone to enjoy at no cost.

 

Blessings!

 

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!