"OUR LIFE TOGETHER"

A Giving Fellowship

INTRODUCTION
  1. We have seen that "fellowship" in the Lord's church is designed to have...
    1. The "intimacy" similar to that found in a "family"
    2. 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...
    1. I am referring to the "collection", known also as the "contribution", the "offering"
    2. 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...]

  1. SOME VIEWS OF "THE COLLECTION"
    1. 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
        1. I.e., singing, prayer, Bible study, preaching...those are spiritual activities
        2. 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!"
    2. A PRIVATE ACT BETWEEN THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS GOD?
      1. Others may understand that there is a spiritual side to the collection
        1. That giving is an act of devotion to God
        2. 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...]

  2. A BRIEF SURVEY OF GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
    1. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM...
      1. There was a commendable spirit of giving for those in need
        1. At first, the giving seemed to be informal, given directly from giver to one in need - Ac 2:44-45
        2. 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
    2. 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
    3. 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
        1. By giving instructions to the churches on how to collect the money for the poor saints - 1Co 16:1-4
        2. 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
        3. 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. 2Co 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. Ac 24:17
      -- HERE WE HAVE MANY CHURCHES HELPING ONE CHURCH

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

  3. THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF "THE COLLECTION"
    1. 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
    2. 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
        1. 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
        2. 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:
        1. Such sharing was the ultimate proof that they were of "one heart and one soul" (i.e., possessing true fellowship) - Ac 4:32
        2. 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...
    1. We are sharing (having fellowship) with those Christians whose physical necessities cannot be met on their own (whether here or afar)
    2. We are sharing (having fellowship) with those who are preaching the gospel (whether here or afar)
    3. 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...
    1. Even this simple "act of worship" becomes a means for developing our fellowship
    2. 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"...