Our Life Together - A Giving Fellowship

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                          "OUR LIFE TOGETHER"

                          A Giving Fellowship

INTRODUCTION

1. We have seen that "fellowship" in the Lord's church is designed to 
   have...
   a. The "intimacy" similar to that found in a "family"
   b. The "interdependence" similar to that found among members of a
      "body"

2. As we continue this study of fellowship, I want us to examine how
   various "acts of worship" done in our public asssembles actually
   contribute to building this sort of fellowship

3. In this lesson, I will look at one "act of worship", which of all
   the things we do might be considered by some to be the least 
   "spiritual" and the least likely to build fellowship...
   a. I am referring to the "collection", known also as the
      "contribution", the "offering"
   b. Which is taken up each first day of the week, often with little
      thought on the part of some

[Let me begin by raising this question:  "What is the purpose of the
collection?"  People might answer that question differently...]

I. SOME VIEWS OF "THE COLLECTION"

   A. A WAY TO PAY THE BILLS?
      1. Some might think the collection is a mere mechanical detail 
         necessary to raise money to pay the bills
      2. Such would likely consider it to be a rude intrusion of 
         secular matters into an otherwise spiritual service
         a. I.e., singing, prayer, Bible study, preaching...those are 
            spiritual activities
         b. But taking up a collection...what does taking up money 
            (mammon) have to do with worshipping God?
      3. This attitude toward the collection might say:  "Hurry up and
         pass the plate, so we can get on to more spiritual matters!"

   B. A PRIVATE ACT BETWEEN THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS GOD?
      1. Others may understand that there is a spiritual side to the 
         collection
         a. That giving is an act of devotion to God
         b. For I give back to Him as He has prospered me
      2. This view looks at the collection solely as a private matter
         between a person and His God, with no bearing on my fellowship
         with others

[But are these Biblical views of the collection?  Is the contribution 
to be thought in such terms?

To answer these questions, let's consider...]

II. A BRIEF SURVEY OF GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

   A. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM...
      1. There was a commendable spirit of giving for those in need
         a. At first, the giving seemed to be informal, given directly
            from giver to one in need - Ac 2:44-45
         b. Soon, the process became systematic:  brought to the 
            apostles, and then distributed to needy saints - Ac 4:32-35
      2. From what is said by Peter to Ananias, this giving was a 
         "freewill offering", not a requirement - Ac 5:1-4
      -- HERE WE HAVE CHRISTIANS IN ONE CONGREGATION HELPING EACH OTHER

   B. THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH...
      1. Responding to a prophecy about a coming famine - Ac 11:27-28
      2. They sent relief "according to their ability" to the brethren
         in Judea - Ac 11:29-30
      -- HERE WE HAVE ONE CHURCH HELPING MANY CHURCHES

   C. THE MINISTRY OF PAUL...
      1. He was asked to remember the poor - Ga 2:9-10
      2. On his missionary journeys, he was careful to do so
         a. By giving instructions to the churches on how to collect 
            the money for the poor saints - 1Co 16:1-4
         b. By encouraging churches to imitate one another's liberality
            in giving
            1) He motivated the Macedonians by telling them of the 
               Achaians' readiness and zeal - 2Co 9:1-2
            2) He motivated the Achaians (Corinthians) by telling them
               of the Macedonians' sacrificial participation - 2Co 8:
               1-7
         c. By imparting principles to govern proper giving
            1) It must be willingly - 2Co 8:12a
            2) It must be according to what one has, as God has 
               prospered him - 2Co 8:12b-14; 1Co 16:2
            3) It must be with purpose (i.e., with forethought) - 2 Co
               9:7a
            4) It must be done cheerfully, not as a grudging obligation
               - 2Co 9:7b; cf. 9:5
      3. He writes of his plans to take these gifts to the poor saints
         in Jerusalem - Ro 15:25-26
      4. Which he eventually did - Ac 21:17; cf. 24:17
      -- HERE WE HAVE MANY CHURCHES HELPING ONE CHURCH

[With this background, I believe we are in a better position to 
appreciate...]

III. THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF "THE COLLECTION"

   A. A MEANS OF SUPPLYING NEED...
      1. A way for Christians to supply the needs of their brethren 
         - cf. 2Co 9:12a
      2. A way for Christians to supply the needs of preaching brethren
         - cf. Php 1:5; 4:15-16; 2Co 11:8-9

   B. A MEANS OF BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING FELLOWSHIP...
      1. This is how Paul viewed the support he received from Philippi 
         - Php 1:5; 4:15-16
      2. This is how Paul viewed the collection the Gentiles churches 
         were sending to their Jewish brethren
         a. The Gentiles had been partakers (fellowship) in spiritual 
            things with their Jewish brethren, now they were simply 
            sharing (having fellowship) with them in material things
            - Ro 15:27
         b. The effect of such sharing was to create "longing" for one 
            another; i.e., more fellowship together! - cf. 2Co 9:12-15
      3. Among the church in Jerusalem:
         a. Such sharing was the ultimate proof that they were of "one
            heart and one soul" (i.e., possessing true fellowship) - Ac
            4:32
         b. Such sharing was proof of their love for one another - cf. 
            1Jn 3:16-18

CONCLUSION

1. My point is simply this: The collection is just one means to promote
   "fellowship" in the body of Christ!

2. As we give...
   a. We are sharing (having fellowship) with those Christians whose 
      physical necessities cannot be met on their own (whether here or 
      afar)
   b. We are sharing (having fellowship) with those who are preaching 
      the gospel (whether here or afar)
   c. Indeed, we are sharing (having fellowship) with one another as we
      work together as a local congregation by pooling our resources!

3. When thought of in this way...
   a. Even this simple "act of worship" becomes a means for developing
      our fellowship
   b. What might be considered by some as secular intrusion into an 
      otherwise spiritual service is in fact an activity designed to
      increase our spiritual fellowship that we have together in 
      Christ!

4. Thus it confirms the idea that we are not to view ourselves as 
   "isolated worshipers" when we come together; we are truly "A Giving
   Fellowship!"

Our next study will continue examining the fellowship aspect of our 
"acts of worship"...
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