The Collection

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-12-2026

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

 

Introduction:

 

1 Corinthians 16:1-4  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  (2)  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  (3)  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.  (4)  And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

 

A.  Chapter 16 begins in a definitive change from the previous 15 chapters. 

 

1.  The first 15 chapters dealt with the carnality of a new church plant that was filled with babes in Christ.  There was confusion, division, willful sinfulness, and scolding by the Apostle Paul: reproving and rebuking. 

 

2.  Chapter 16 is exhortational!  Paul is following the command that he gave to young Timothy:

 

2 Timothy 4:1-2  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

B.  We find in the second Corinthian Epistle tremendous spiritual growth within the local church’s believers.  Where the first 15 chapters dealt with the self-centeredness of the believers, chapter 16 focuses on their love and care for the less fortunate.

 

1.  We live in days of “entitlement” mentalities.  People with their hands out for freebies instead of working and earning.  I will not spend time on them as the Bible says that man is to earn his bread by the sweat of the brow.  Hard work.  The Bible also states that the man who will not work is not to eat.  These think that it is more blessed to receive than to give.

 

2.  But there are honest, godly people who struggle at times.  This offering was taken for such as these. 

 

C.  Now, for the backdrop of chapter 16.  This letter to the Corinthian Church was during a time of great persecution in Jerusalem.  The church at Jerusalem was heavily persecuted in the days of Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) and continued long after his conversion. 

 

D.  Our Lord had commanded the believers in Jerusalem to go into all the world, and they continued to remain in Jerusalem in disobedience.  The Lord raised up an instrument of persecution, Saul of Tarsus, and allowed great persecution to take place which forced the believers to either hide or flee. Many chose to “go into all the world,” which was the command given to the church at Jerusalem through the Apostles.

 

Acts 7:58-8:3  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep…And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.  As for Saul,  made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

 

Acts 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

 

Acts 12:1-4  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

 

1 Peter 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

 

1 Peter 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

 

E.  This persecution brought great hardship upon the believers in the early church as confession of Jesus Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9) was both a rejection of Judaism, which caused persecution at the hands of the Jews, and the Emperor worship of Rome.  Therefore, they were hated not only by Rome, who feared that their expectance of a King would bring about rebellion, but also by the Jews because acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord condemned the Jews who had accepted Phariseeism, a system of works, as their salvation.

 

F.  In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul had given order for a collection, a mission offering, to be made for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

 

Romans 15:26  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem, which incurred the wrath of the most powerful nation on earth!

 

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.

 

G. I want to look at this collection for the saints for a few minutes tonight and see if we can glean some valuable truths from it.  This collection was not the Tithe.  The Tithe is a bill owed to God.  It belongs to Him and to withhold the Tithe is to rob God.  Not me!!!  Prayerfully, not you!

 

1.  The Collection Was Ordered!  Vs. 1  “”as I have given order”

 

a.  The Collection Was Ordered Above The Tithe!  Vs. 1  (Many preachers teach tithing from this chapter, but it deals with giving, not tithing.)

 

1)  Is 10% all that God requires?  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.

 

2)  God can require all because all is His!

 

b.  The Collection Was Ordered In Equality!  Vs. 1  “to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye”  2 Corinthians 8:13-14  For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

 

2.  The Collection Was Purposed!  Vs. 1 “for the saints”

 

3.  The Collection Was Planned!  Vs. 2

 

a.  The Time – the firs day of the week

 

b.  The Place “in store”  Malachi 3:10 called the house of God the “storehouse”

 

c.  The People  “every one of you”

 

d.  The Amount  “as God hath prospered him”

 

e.  The Warning  “no gatherings when I come”

 

H.  Every service, we receive God’s Tithes and Offerings.  Our offerings are in the form of Missions and are put in above our tithe on both Sundays and Wednesdays.  I count it all joy that Barbara and I have the privilege of giving offerings!

 

1.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Grace - 2 Corinthians 8:7  Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

 

2.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Obedience – Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. when the Lord speaks to your heart, do not be afraid to give!  (God knows what you need and wants to bless you.)

 

3.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Faith - Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (This bothers some people, but the Lord said to expect God’s blessing in return!)

 

Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  (There is nothing wrong with expecting God to do what He said that He would do!  We do not give for this reason, but I fully expect the Lord to bless me bountifully!)

 

Philippians 4:18-19  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

4.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Love.

 

a.  Love For The Saviour - 2 Corinthians 8:8  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

 

b.  Love For Your Brother - 1 John 3:17  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 

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.

 

5.  Giving An Offering Should Be An Act Of Joy,

 

2 Corinthians 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

6.  Giving An Offering Is Rewarded. 

 

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

 

Acts 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

Philippians 4:15-19  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (16)  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  (18)  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  (19)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

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:

Stewardship In Finances

 Temple Baptist Church - 11-5-2023

Genesis 14:17-24; Malachi 3:8-12

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  In Genesis, chapter 14, we find the first war recorded.  It was a major war of 4 kings against 5 kings with possibly at least 8 battles fought over a short period of time. 

 

1.  I will not go into the details of the war but, during that war, the 5 kings of the south (the 5 nations that God would destroy in chapter 19) broke their bondage to the 4 kings of the north and were defeated. 

 

2.  Lot, with all his possessions and people, became captives.  Abraham was told and made war against the kings of the north, defeated them, and brought back Lot will all his possessions and family.

 

B. Abraham was met by two men, the King of Sodom, and the King of Salem.

 

1.  The King of Sodom offered Abraham bounty in exchange for Lot’s family.  The devil will give you the world but it will cost you your family.

 

2.  Melchizedek, the King of Salem and the priest of the most high God, brought forth bread, wine, and a blessing.

 

3.  The First Mention of a “priest” found in your Bible.  And this first priest was a priest of God.

 

C.  Prior to this time, there were only two offerings mention: 

 

1.  Atonement - Genesis 4:4  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

 

2.  Thanksgiving - Genesis 8:20  And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

 

D.  Abraham gave tithes of all that he had in verse 20.  Here is my point: I find no place previous to this where the tithe is mentioned, and Melchizedek did not ask for them.  But Abraham knew about the tithe and what it was!

 

1.  Tithes not solicited.  Melchizedek did not ask for Abraham’s tithes.  He came to give and to bless, a beautiful type of our High Priest who is after the Order of Melchizedek.

 

2.  Tithes not commanded.  God did not command the tithe here.  Though the first fruits of men were required from the beginning of time.

 

3.  Tithes not wasted.  Evidently Abraham had previously known to tithe or give the first fruits, he had kept them for the proper time and place.

 

4. Found in the word “tithe” is a tenth.  Now the precedent was set for the rest of the Bible concerning the tithe: what it is, where it goes, and to who it goes.

 

5.  Here we find a two-fold blessing:  a)  Abraham was blessed in verse 19  b)  Abraham blessed God in verse 20.

 

E.  In Malachi, chapter 3, we find the Lord chiding Israel concerning their “robbing God” by not brings tithes and offerings.

 

Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

 

1.  The Place of the Tithe.  “storehouse … mine house”  The local church.  Why? 

 

a.  Because God said it.  This in itself should be enough for God’s children to be obedient in the tithe.  This is compelling love. 

 

b. Because God sacrificed His Son for the local church. Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

c.  Because it is our local church.  Not my church alone, not everyone else’s church, but your church.

 

d.  The fourth reason:  With your local church, there is fiscal accountability.  Our church operates with checks and balances as well as provides financial reports to every member.

 

2.  The Purpose of the Tithe.  “that there may be meat in mine house” 

 

a. It takes a lot of money to properly run a church  Tithing pays the bills and furnishes the local church with everything that it needs to run efficiently.

 

b.  It takes a lot of money to properly keep a church in pristine condition.

 

c.  The tithe pays your pastor’s salary and benefits. 

 

d.  The tithe and offerings pay missionaries a living so as to carry the gospel to places we cannot go.

 

3.  The Proving of the Tithe.  “prove me herewith” 

 

a.  This is something that experiential!  I can tell you a thousand times how God blesses the tither but you will never know these blessings until you try it. 

 

b.  There is an old saying, “The proof is in the pudding.”  Taste and see! 

 

4.  The Pleasure of the Tithe.  “a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive.”  It thrills my heart to place both tithes and offerings in the collection plate on the first day of the week along with every service that I attend.

 

Conclusion:  Our Lord called money “the least” and “the unrighteous mammon.”  If He cannot trust us with these, He cannot “commit to your trust the true riches.”  That is a quote!

The Blessings Of Giving

Temple Baptist Church - 9-13-2009

Malachi 3:8-12

Introduction:

A. This morning, I am going to preach on stewardship. Not just its command, but its blessings. This matter of tithing and giving is one that strikes fear and anger into the hearts of some professing “Christians.” I have heard people say, “All you Baptist preach on is money!” This will be the first time in several years that I have even touched the subject.

B. The reason that I do not preach on this subject much is this: our church has been one of the most giving churches that I have ever been in. I believe that most here have a good grip on this thing of tithing. But, here is my fear: Giving In A Wrong Spirit!

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (Even among some of God’s people, stewardship has become a thing of “necessity” which brings about “grudgingly” in our giving.)

C. Here is the problem: preachers have been guilty of only preaching the Command of giving and not the Blessings of giving.

1. Tithers do so because they “have to tithe” instead of realizing the blessings and “want to tithe.”

2. If tithing becomes a thing of necessity, they giving above the tithe becomes a thing of grudgingly!

D. Why do people hate the subject?

1. Because many religious charlatans have abused God’s people through their begging tactics. I want to reiterate this morning that God is not broke! I do not have to nor will I beg for God! I will present a need and allow the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of His people to meet the needs of the church!

2. Because tithing and giving are matters that reflect the hearts of individuals! Tithing and giving is a heart matter and shows both obedience to and love for our Saviour.

3. Because tithing has been preached the same way as separation, as a command instead of a blessing from God!

E. Tithing is beneficial to both the tither and a lost world. If we had testimonies this morning from tithing families, they would praise and glorify God for both the ability and blessings of tithing. I have no regrets concerning God’s precious tithe and offerings that my family gives. We tithe and give in the financially hard times as well as the good times because God is faithful.

F. Lets look at these verse for a few minutes and see both the command and the blessings of stewardship.

1. Understanding The Tithe. (Don’t get nervous on me now!J) Vs. 8 Some years ago, as I was passing Mt. Zion Baptist Church here in Laurens, I saw the pastor’s Sunday Morning sermon title on the church sign: “There’s Going To Be A Hold Up Sunday Morning!” I got a kick out of the title. I love to hear a black preacher preach when he is a fundamental Bible believer. They have a rare talent at doing so.

a. Tithing and Giving are place on an equal plane! God requires both.

1) The Tithe - Stewardship is much more than simply “paying a bill” that amounts to 10% of your GROSS INCOME. First fruits mean just that. It comes before your taxes, bills, or entertainment. It comes off of the top.

2) The Gift - My family’s giving above the tithe is more than the tithe. A man once asked me, “Just how much am I to give?” My answer was this: “Whatever God requires of you!” Ten percent, twenty percent, or 100 percent. It is all His and he will not let you starve through your obedience to His leading.

b. Failure To Tithe And Gives Brings A Curse! Because you actually “rob God!” There is a sign in the window of the bank that I use which reads: “What can you get for robbing a South Carolina Bank? Twenty five years!” If robbery of a bank brings about such a severe penalty, how much worse is it to rob God?

Haggai 1:6-11 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. 10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. 11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

c. Rob God and you will never prosper if you are saved!

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

2. Understanding The Blessing. Vs. 10-12 God did not command stewardship to hinder your finances or hurt your stand of living! Tithing and giving is beneficial to the giver. It is a blessing, not a burden! It should thrill our souls to be able to give back to God a portion of that which He so graciously has given to us. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God. He feeds us, clothes us, and shelters us! It is God who supplies our every need and so graciously allows us to have a part in winning souls both here and on the foreign mission fields. Let’s go back to that verse on “necessity” and “grudgingly” for a minute but add the context to it.

2 Corinthians 9:7-11 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: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

NOW BACK TO MALACHI 3

a. The Blessing Of Plenty. God will POUR you out a blessing from the windows of heaven! POUR, not trickle! POUR, not drop! God will bless you with so many spiritual blessings that you will not have room to receive it! I don’t know about you this morning, but God has blessed my family. No, we are not rich but we have enough! God’s blessings are so much more than just money. Having “ALL SUFFICIENCY IN ALL THINGS!” “BREAD FOR YOUR FOOD!”

b. The Blessing Of God Rebuking The Devourer. (Things that devour our living such as a “bags with holes.”)

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (You take care of God’s business and let Him take care of yours! “MULTIPLY YOUR SEED SOWN AND INCREASE THE FRUITS!”)

c. The Blessing Of Being Blessed. (All nations will call you blessed!)

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (The song says, “Thank you for giving to the Lord! I am a life that is changed. Only heaven and eternity will reveal what God has laid up for those who love Him!)

d. The Blessing of Pleasing God – True stewardship is because we love God, not because we must give! Faith in finances pleases God! We are trusting God with our lives and our living. “FOR GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER!” If you want to shout, shout while the offering plate is being passed. Shout because God has so blessed your life. Shout because you have a chance to prove you love for and faith in God.

Conclusion: What a privilege to be able to give! What a blessing to be able to give! Tithing and giving are truly faith and heart matters.