Thanks Giving

Temple Baptist Church - 11-23-2014

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  There are some misconceptions about these verses as some preacher use them as a “springboard” for preaching on tithing though that is not the interpretation.  These verses do have something to do with tithing though.

 

B.  These verses deal with giving as they pertain to the gathering of a love offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem. 

 

1.  Now the question may be asked, “Then what do they have to do with tithing?”  You cannot give until after you have tithed!  To place less than the tithe into the offering plate is to rob God according to Malachi 3:8. 

 

2.  Now, at this point, there those who will turn this message off because “there that preacher goes again: preaching on money!”  I guess I placed myself under conviction the other night when I asked the question: “Does anyone here remember the last time I preached on tithing or giving?”  No one could remember! 

 

3.  I thought on that I came to this conclusion: our adults know the blessing of tithing but, if not careful, our children are not taught the biblical precept because “Old Preacher” does not preach and teach on the subject.  They miss the blessing and earn the cursing. 

 

4.  Malachi 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  (Notice with me that robbing God is done both by not tithing and not giving!)

 

C.  I thought on it and got this message together for Thanksgiving: Thanks Giving!  Something to be thankful for.  Too many begrudge the tithes and offering through ignorance: either by not being taught or through willfulness.

 

D.  The “Thanks Giving” is found in the words “As God hath prospered!”  God has certainly prospered us, has He not?  How can we be anything other than thankful?

1.  Thanks Giving begins with realization!  2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  (Everything came from the Lord and it is His.  It is God who prospers us, not we ourselves.)

 

2.  Thanks Giving begins with gratitude!  1 Chronicles 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  (Many believers are tithers but givers are a special people.  They are grateful for the bounty God has bestowed upon them and have a desire to give above the tithe.)

 

3.  Thanks Giving is done in humility! Mark 12:41-44  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  (42)  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  (43)  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  (44)  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

 

Romans 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

4.  Thanks Giving is done in faith!  2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.  (It is not that we give in order to get; we give without expecting anything in turn.)

 

5.  Thanks Giving is done with joy!  2 Corinthians 9:6-8  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  (7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (Thanks givers love to give!  It excites them to make out their tithe and faith promise checks.  It is not that they owe a bill; it is not that God requires it; it is because they are temporally grateful for His many blessings!)