Sermon on the Amount

by Tony Denton
Christian's Expositor Journal Dec 1993

The story is told that a man had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He was not to receive many visitors or be overly excited. While in the hospital, a rich uncle died, leaving him $1,000,000. His family wondering how to break the news to him, decided that they would ask the preacher to tell him as gently as possible. So, the preacher went, gradually leading up to it. He finally asked the patient what he would do if he inherited $1,000,000. The man said ''I think I would give half of it to the church." The preacher dropped dead!

Would we be so shocked to discover that there are Christians who give very liberally to the Lord, as much as twenty percent of their income? The purpose of this essay is to give four reasons why we should not be shocked when we discover such.

Giving Very Liberally
Is for Our Own Good Malachi once wrote concerning God's anger with His people over their selfishness and lack of giving. "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But, you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation" (Malachi 3:8-9) When the Jews held back part of their tithes, or brought inferior products to the service, they were thereby robbing God, and God cursed them. Thus, it would have been to their clear advantage if they had been giving to God as He expected --- unselfishly and liberally.

Paul reinforced this truth of how giving is for our own good in the New Testament. "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians. 9:6). Because the Philippians had been so liberal in aiding Paul (Philippians 4:10-18), he wrote, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

A preacher asked a member of a church, "Are you interested in going to heaven?"

"What a question to ask me, preacher," said the man. "Of course, I'm interested in heaven!"

The preacher then asked, "How much have you given to the church?"

The man responded, "Now just a minute, preacher. You can ask me all the questions you want to, but when you ask about money you've gone a mite too far. It's none of your business! That's one thing I never do, go around bragging about how much I give when people ask like you did, I'm not going to tell them. (Just makes me glad 1 didn't give anything! The very idea, asking me if I was interested in heaven!)"

Giving Liberally Is for the Good of the Church Referring back to what Paul said in Philippians 4 demonstrates how their liberal giving to save souls: "You sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I need a gift, but I seek the fruit which abounds to your account," (Philippians 4:16-17). Paul may have had the Philippians in mind when he wrote to Titus, saying, "Let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful" (Titus 3:14, Romans 15:26-27 ; 2 Corinthians. 8:9; 1 Timothy 5:3). However, many Christians are like the two Arab chiefs in the following story:

Colonel T. E. Lawrence told of two Arab chiefs who came to London and were entertained in a luxurious hotel. He asked them if they would like to take something back as a reminder of his country, and they said, "We have decided that we would like to have two of those hot water faucets to take home with us. It would be a great thing in Arabia to be able to turn them on and have hot water anytime." But, when the Colonel explained that behind the faucets on the wall there had to be an intricate pattern of wells and plumbing systems if the faucets were to work, they decided that hot water faucets were not what they wanted after all.

Sometimes we are like that. We want people out spreading the gospel, and we want the sick aided along with all the other types of help the church is authorized to give; but, when we are told about generous contributions of cold hard cash necessary to keep these things in existence, how easily we decide that we really did not want those things after all.

Everyone should understand that the church operates on finances, not unlike any other institution on earth, and the more money there is in an institution, the better job it can do! A story is told that a certain treasurer of a church resigned. Another man, the manager of a grain elevator, was asked to take the position. He agreed to do so if, for one full year, the church would require no report concerning the church's finances. The members were puzzled at the strange request, but finally granted it. (Most of them had him processing their grain, so they trusted him.) At the end of the year a glowing report was given. The church's debt of $25,000 on the building had been paid in full. What the preacher received had been increased. There were no outstanding bills. And, there was even a cash balance of $25,000 on hand. A pleasantly surprised congregation wanted an explanation. "Most of you bring grain to the elevator," the man replied. "When I paid you, I simply withheld ten percent on your behalf and gave it to the church in your name. You never missed it. Do you see what we could do for the Lord if we were willing to give at least the first tenth of our income to the Lord?"

Although we understand that Christians should not attempt to prove a point in such a questionable manner, yet the point that the church can run smoother and better if Christians give generously to it is easily understood and should be well taken.

In 2 Corinthians 8:12, the phrase "a willing mind" is translated from the same word as "readiness" in verse 11, and it means "eagerness" Without willingness to do the Lord's work there will certainty never be very much accomplished. We should have the Macedonian attitude as found in 2 Corinthians 8:1-16.

How much should we give if we want to aid the church? Let the amount he determined by how much we ourselves would like to get (Luke. 6:38; Matthew 7:12). Let the amount he in direct proportion to our faith --- little faith, little amount; great faith, great amount (Matthew 6:33). Let the amount be in proportion to our love for our fellowman. Do we want the gospel taken to those who are lost, the hungry fed, the naked clothed, and care for the sick and aged? Then we must give according to our love for our fellowman. And, let the amount be determined by how much we are prospered (I Corinthians 16:2).

The story goes that a mother and daughter attended the worship of a church. After the services the mother was telling the rest of the family and a neighbor how boring the services were: the singing did not suit her, the preacher talked too long very few came around and spoke to her, and on and on she went. Finally, the little girl piped in, "But Momma, you can't expect much for only a dime!"

Giving Very Liberally Is Taught by The New Testament Paul said, "On the first day of (every) week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper." The teaching of this verse will regulate the amount given prospering members of the church. The all too common practice of chipping in an old worn out dollar bill or two, week after week, year in and year out, regardless of how our income may fluctuate, is an unrealistic and unscriptural basis on which to give. The very language of Paul suggests that our giving is founded on a percentage basis: "Lay something aside ... as he may prosper." Whatever amount we lay in the offering plate on the Lord's day is exactly what we are telling God He has prospered us! In our rich, prosperous country, it is easy for us to be guilty of covetous giving, that is, not giving as we have been prospered (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:11).

The old adage "The more we have the more we want" is not far off the truth for most Americans. Years ago a young man knelt down with a preacher and prayed, committing himself to give a tenth of what he made to the church. The first week's pay was $10, and the tenth was $1. As he grew older he became more prosperous, and his tenth was $100 a week, then $200, and then $500 a week. He sent for his old preacher friend. The preacher arrived, at the man's beautiful home, and they had a good time talking over old times. Finally, the man came to his point. "You remember the promise I made years ago to give at least a tenth of all I made to the church? How can I be released from it? It's like this," the man continued, "when I made that promise I had only to give $1, but now it's $500. I can't afford to give that kind of money." The old preacher looked at his friend and said, "I'm afraid you cannot get a release from a vow, but there is something we can do: we can kneel here and ask the Lord to shrink your income so you can afford to give a dollar again."

Giving Liberally Is A Sign of Our Appreciation to God Paul explained that the Law of Moses possessed no glory compared to the glory of the new law (2 Corinthians 3:10; Hebrews 8:6). In addition, hope is not built on the blood of animals, but on the ultimate sacrifice of the Son of God Himself. With all this in mind, can you imagine the Jews on the day of Pentecost wiping the sweat from their brows, saying, "Oh boy! Now we don't have to give God so much anymore!" Certainly not! Rather, their love for Christ and God provoked them to sell both houses and lands in order to give money for the cause of Christianity (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-37). Someone once said, "If a Jew gave more under the law of sin and death than a Christian gives under the law of grace, it's a dis-grace."

Jesus said, "Everyone to whom much is given, from him much will he required. and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (Luke. 12:48). Certainly we have been given much more under the Christian system than those under the Mosaical system. Think about this: when we give less than the Israelites, we are doing less than what was required of the poorest Jew! Therefore, we should he willing to give more to God --- He deserves it!

Yes, there are many Christians who are giving beyond their ability to express their gratitude to God for His unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians. 9:15). Nonetheless, we should not conclude that God desires some members to he eased while a faithful few are burdened (2 Corinthians. 8:13-14). God is an equitable God, which, incidentally, is why the tithe was required under the Law, and not a specified amount for each person.

Conclusion We should give very generously because it is for our own good, for the good of all other people and the church, it is taught in the New Testament, and we owe it to God. If we manifest these attributes, no one will he surprised what we give to God, no matter how much it may be. Rather, knowing these facts should shock us when we find people who do not give very liberally, that is, a predetermined percentage of their income which will go to the Lord right off the top every week.

"Honor the Lord with all your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase"
(Proverbs 3:9).

407 N. Kings Rd., Henryetta. OK 74437

WHAT CAN YOU DO?You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46).
Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of Christ” Romans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@Gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks, Dennis Crawford, editor.