By Request – Finances & Stewardship III

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Finances_Stewardship_albumartWednesday 03/16/16 

Series: By Request

Message –  Finances & Stewardship III

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.

  • Number 1 – Giving to brothers in need and the poor
  • Number 2 – Giving to support missions
  • Number 3 – Giving to those who’ve invested in us Spiritually – IT is there right. “Do I have no RIGHT?” Paul said…..”If others are partakers of this RIGHT OVER you – we are more so.”~ 1 Cor. 9

The word POWER means – authority & license. (also waved)

Question: Who has invested into us spiritually?

  • The Jewish Nation – Rom. 15:26 says that the Gentiles are their DEBTORS!
  • Shepherds – Who tends the flock and does not drink of the milk?
  • Teachers
  • Prophets

 

***Spiritual Principle***

1 Cor. 9:11,  “(11) If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?” 

Gal. 6:6,9&10, “(6) Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.  (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 were the principles regarding giving in these verses?

  • Let him who is taught share ALL GOOD THINGS with his teachers.
  • God is not mocked whoever takes of those things he SHOULD SHARE with his teacher and sows them to his own flesh will in his flesh reap corruption.
  • He who does share them will reap life – deeper union with God.
    • People may mock at this idea but it is supported in other places as well. Our union with God is absolute – but our ability to enter into that union and enjoy it is measure to us based upon our responses to God. “Draw near to God and He will Draw Near to you.” James says to his Jewish Christian brothers and sisters.
    • Turn to 2 Cor. 9:9-11, “(9) As it is written: “HE HAS DISPERSED ABROAD, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR; HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” (10)  Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,  (11)  while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.”
  • Don’t grow weary in doing this service – or it will effect your outcome.
  • Give as you HAVE OPPORTUNITY.

 

So HOW did the Priest eat and partake?

  • First fruits
  • Heave offering (14-16%)
  • Tithe
  • Second tithe (poor man’s)
  • Offerings & Sacrifices

 

Although money is certainly a main avenue of giving in America in that it is the commodity that most have and use –  it is not the only means of giving Paul was emphasizing.

In Corinthians Paul points to the multiple streams of giving available to the church by pointing out the provisions for the priests – sacrifices, offerings, tithes, first-fruits…etc.

In Galatians, Paul seems to be stressing the obligation of those who are ministered to, to minister in return with ‘all good things.’

The emphasis of this statement is upon the words ‘all’ and ‘good.’

Not only should the servant be worthy of his wages, but he should also share in the ‘good things’ of life, which those who are taught possess.

These are all expressions of appreciation to those who minister. As the teacher shares with the church the blessings of the Word of God and the ruling oversight of a Godly shepherd, the congregation shares of its material blessings in return.

In the end, what Paul is advocating is in MUCH the same spirit as what the law said in Deut. 14:27,

“(27) You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.”

Who has invested into us spiritually?

  • The Jewish Nation – Rom. 15:26 says that the Gentiles are their DEBTORS!
  • Shepherds – Who tends the flock and does not drink of the milk?
  • Teachers
  • Prophets

 

Is there a priority in our giving? Yes

Paul, as an apostle (and by extension the elders) said, “If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.” – 1Cor. 9:12

Even within the elders there is even another level of priority…turn to 1 Timothy 5:17-18.

Here the obligation of determining the amount of salary received by a minister (or teaching elder) is based upon the work they do with special emphasis being upon studying and teaching the Word of God while ruling well.

Out of the elders these ones are to be counted worthy of a double portion.

1Tim. 5:17-18,  “(17) Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.  (18)  For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.””

The word honor here means wages or compensation.

 

So how do I give?

The ONLY guide we are given for giving in under the New Covenant is in 1 Cor. 9, 16 & 2 Cor. 9.

II Corinthians 9 & I Cor. 16 are BOTH referring to giving to the poor – it was a special collection.

That was supposed to be determined by the individual and was encouraged to be a willing & liberal offering. Paul encouraged them to set aside at the beginning of EVERY WEEK as they prospered. So at very least it was to be out of what one has (though you were allowed to give sacrificially) and it was to be weekly.

 

I Cor. 9, Gal. 6 & I Tim. 5 are examples of giving to those who AS GIFTS in the body, have invested spiritual truths into you. Such were to receive “EVEN AS” the Levites received.

  • First fruits – simply means the first and best of
  • Heave offering (14-16%)
  • Tithe
  • Second tithe (poor man’s)
  • Offerings & Sacrifices

Paul NEVER goes into detail as to how these things are realized in the New Covenant.

 

For example:

Paul never said, “Now firstfruits means “X” amount of all your new increase, and the Heave offering represents this and so therefore you should give thus and such….

In the end, I cannot recommend an amount that should be given, though I agree with others who have also come to some of these conclusions before me that Jesus’ sermon on the mount is a great trend setter.  If the “law” commanded not to kill – I am telling you the heart behind the law was to not even hate. If the law commanded to not commit adultery, I tell you that the heart of God was that you should never covet another person’s wife or husband in your hearts.

We know that the intention of the tithe was that there might be meat (or provision) in the Temple for the priest & the Levite. So using Jesus’ teachings as a guild I believe that to be a good standard.

In many churches a set salary is assigned for Pastors and certain teachers…etc. The remainder of the money goes to the maintaining the building (temple – so that is scriptural) and the remainder is stored up for meeting special needs.

Here we do it very similar. I get paid a weekly salary of $100. Teri gets a monthly amount of $125 for all book keeping and bill paying and so on. The remainder pays for electric, annual fees, website space and the rest (if and when there is any) is set aside for special needs.

Nearly everyone in the church at one time or another has had some need met from that fund – whether it be something simple like gas or something more major like a rent payment or car repairs.

In the end, I believe since this assembly has practiced 10%, down would be a fleshly indulgence while more may be a blessing or a grudging obligation. So I believe it should be led by the Lord.

What I WILL say is that Paul’s words apply, “church first…then Israel…then other ministers & saints in need”.

 

Two last passages concerning stewardship of money

Eph. 4:28,  “(28) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

Col. 4:1,  “(1) Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

 

This is the end of this mini-series on Finances & Stewardship, I hope you have enjoyed it and learned more clearly what God has to say about finances and the giving practices of believers under the New Covenant…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!