Sermon by Rev Dr Malcolm Tan
19 July 2020
1 Corinthians 16: 1-2
Notes by Anita Fam
When we make a pledge, it is simply a promise of payment.
Three important biblical principles in life governing the giving of offerings to God.
⁃ First, see 2 Thessalonians 3:10b. The importance of making an honest living in life.
⁃ Secondly, see Matthew 10:8. In as much as God has blessed us, we should give back to God as an act of gratitude and thanksgiving.
⁃ Thirdly, see Genesis 28: 19-22. The promise of being faithful and making a promise of payment unto the Lord.
What was the practice of the early Christian church?
⁃ See 1 Corinthians 16:1. It was a practice of not only the church of Corinth but also Galatia. So a common practice amongst the early Christian church can be imputed.
⁃ This was the practice of making congregational offerings and collections.
How did the church practice such congregational collection?
⁃ See 1 Corinthians 16:2.
First, it should be consistently periodic, ie, on the first day of every week, on the Lord’s Day. See Revelations 1:10A.
⁃ It was also the day of worship, teaching and receiving holy communion. See Acts 20:7.
⁃ This practice was confirmed in the writings of Justin Martyr in his early work of the First Apology (written in AD 155-157, Chapter 1, sections 67-68) where in his time, offerings were brought to the church on Sundays. This is clear evidence in church history.
⁃ So Sundays are for worship, teaching, holy communion and bringing offerings unto the Lord.
Secondly, the giving of offerings is specifically personal.
⁃ Offerings should come from our hearts personally and individually.
⁃ We should not be forced to give.
⁃ See 1 Corinthians 16:2A
Thirdly, the giving of offerings should also be reflectively proportionate according to our ability and how God leads us.
⁃ See 1 Corinthians 16:2A
⁃ We should set aside whatever He has prospered. This means that we should prayerfully consider what to give and not so recklessly.
⁃ It implies careful and prayerful thought before the act of giving.
⁃ See 2 Corinthians 9:7. We see the practice of giving a pledge unto the Lord. It is a spiritual exercise in the presence of God as to how much we should give in good conscience. This is the pledge/act of proportionate giving.
⁃ There is joy in giving when we give according to the way God wants us to give.
Fourthly, the giving should be appropriately preventive.
⁃ See 1 Corinthians 16:2.
⁃ Paul did not want fundraising to be the main thing on the Lord’s Day. He wanted to focus on worship and teaching.
⁃ The collection of offerings therefore should not be the main focus when we gather together on the Lord’s Day.
⁃ We should not give in such a way that it does not glorify God. We should not collect offerings in such a way that it distracts from worship.
God’s promise is in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
⁃ God’s promise to those who give to the Lord in a way which is appropriate and scriptural. We are to give proportionately as the Lord leads us.
⁃ The Lord promises to provide if we give in an appropriate and scriptural way ie, prayerfully and wisely unto the Lord.
⁃ See 2 Corinthians 9:8
May God rule over our lives and our finances so that His name may be glorified.
Comments