Tithing & Stewardship - Part 1

Thank you for listening to this message from the ministry of Morse Corner Church in Leverett, Massachusetts. Morse Corner is a non-denominational church that is committed to the preaching and teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our church was founded in 1896 by two students of the famous evangelist D .L. Moody. We seek to encourage and edify the body of Christ through the proclamation of God's word through the ministries of the local church.

If you'd like more information, visit our website morsecornerchurch .com. We hope you enjoy the message. Alright, turn in your Bibles to the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 9. And the title of this morning's message is God Loves a Cheerful Giver.

Free Will Giving and the Example of Christ

So this will be the second and final message on the subject of giving. Last time we saw a few principles the apostle Paul laid down of what we called a free will giving or a free will offering. Paul pointed to Christ who is our example, how the Lord has given more than all.

Christ became poor, he says, so that we through his poverty might become rich. Well, OK, rich, how? Well, God gave us salvation, the forgiveness of sin, eternal life, a connection to God through the Holy Spirit.

So he gave to us and now we are to give to him. This is our reasonable service. So God made us. We belong to God. Everything we have comes from God. God is a giver. He wants his children to be givers also.

So last week, the subject was free will giving. And I was careful to point out, you remember that that is not the same as the tithe. So you can't really preach two messages about giving without addressing the subject of the tithe.

So we'll do that in a few moments. But before we start reading in 2 Corinthians 9, let's begin with the word of prayer. Our father, we are thankful to you and for you, for who you are, for what you have done, for all that you've given, for what you are doing, for what you are going to do.

And your word tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing with these, we shall be content.

But Lord, we know that people, we are not always content with those things. And help us to remember what else you said, that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare. So Lord, we ask your grace that this would be our attitude and mindset.

And while none of us are most likely ever going to be rich, we can rest in that we are rich in faith toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's in his name we pray. Amen. Alright, 2 Corinthians 9, starting in verse 1, Paul writes, Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you.

And I just have to stop there. That is such a great word. Isn't that superfluous? Such a great word. Well, what does it mean? Paul is saying, you know, it's unnecessary for me to write to you. So why do you say unnecessary?

Because superfluous is such a great word. If you can use it, use it. So it's unnecessary, but it also implies that it's excessive. Like Paul doesn't need to say this again. They already know. They've already heard this.

So he says, it's unnecessary for me to write to you. It is superfluous, for I know your willingness about which I boast of you to the Macedonians. That Achaia was ready a year ago in your zeal has stirred up the majority.

Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect. That as I said, you may be ready, lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time and prepare your generous gift beforehand. Which you had previously promised that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

Accountability in Church Giving

So Paul begins chapter nine by bringing up this ministering to the saints. So this is the offering that was being taken for the church at Jerusalem. Remember, we talked about that last week. What we didn't talk about, though, is what that likely led to.

This idea, OK, we're taking up an offering for the church. So donate what you feel is right. What did that lead to? Well, it's not really spelled out in Scripture. There are those things that the Bible doesn't specifically say.

But Bible teachers, theologians, they take a statement here. And while we know this is happening and they kind of put it together like a jigsaw puzzle. Well, this is one of those things that Paul was being slandered by the false teachers.

The false teachers were trying to stir up trouble. And perhaps that would cause a problem in taking up this offering that they're excited about. Let's do it. Then the false teachers said all the things that they were saying.

And people like, well, now maybe they're going to change their mind. So it appears that's the situation. And you can imagine what the false teachers were likely saying about the Apostle Paul. He's untrustworthy.

You can't trust this guy. Remember, he used to persecute the church. He just wants to line his own pockets. You know, Paul is just in it for the money. I heard a story of a young boy who went to a baseball game with his uncle.

And they were walking through the concourse. And there was a man standing over there. And he said, quick, hold on to your wallet. And the man had a collar. And hold on to your wallet. And he's like, uncle, why do I have to hold on to my wallet?

Whenever you see a minister, hold on to your wallet. That was the point. And it had an impact on this young boy's life. He grew up to be a theologian, R .C. Sproul. So it didn't have that much of an impact.

But that's how a lot of people think. Churches, they just want your money. Ministers, they just want your money. And when you see some of the things being taught on television, you can sort of understand why some people think that.

Well, that's probably what they were saying about the Apostle Paul. He just wants money. And you cannot trust him. Now, we know that that wasn't true. We know that Paul was a trustworthy, godly man. In fact, there's plenty of verses we could look at where other people were handling the money.

Paul's co-labor in the ministry, Titus, was involved. So there was accountability. It's not like they were giving it to Paul and he's like, I'll take care of this. Don't you worry. That was not what was going on.

I had mentioned Titus. Go to Titus chapter 1. Because I think we do have to acknowledge that when there is giving, when there is money involved, things can go wrong. And you can't always trust people.

There are dishonest people. Every human being is a sinner. There's temptation. So there has to be safeguards. So whether it's a church or any organization, there has to be a procedure in place for collecting money, for counting money.

And when it comes to a pastor, a minister, the Apostle Paul in this case, it is extremely unwise to have him be the guy who has his hands in things. So let other people handle that and have there be many safeguards in place.

You know, just for a local church, depending on the size of the church, you'd have more people. But you need at least two people counting the money. And then you need somebody kind of overseeing that and checking the books, etc.

Now, someone could say, yeah, but it's a church. You can trust people, right? That's not the issue. That's not the issue. It's about not giving someone an opportunity to make an accusation. The scripture says what?

We should avoid all appearances of evil. But still, even if there was no real reason to accuse the Apostle Paul, that didn't stop his enemies. You know, if somebody hates somebody, if they're just against somebody, it doesn't matter what the truth is.

They're going to bring accusations no matter how absurd they might be. And I think that is what was happening to the Apostle Paul. So there is a legitimate concern. Speaking of the false teachers, false teachers are always in it for the same three things.

Power, prestige, and prosperity. Look at Titus chapter 1 verse 7. It says, for a bishop must be blameless. As a steward of God. Not self-willed. Not quick-tempered. Not given to wine. Not violent. Not greedy for money.

But he should be hospitable. A lover of what is good. Sober-minded. Just. Holy. Self-controlled. Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught. That he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convict.

That is to refute those who contradict. So what a true shepherd does, that's what he does. He has these qualities. What does the false shepherd do? Look at verse 10. For there are many who are insubordinate.

Both idle talkers and deceivers. Especially those of the circumcision. Whose mouths must be stopped. Who subvert whole households. Teaching things which they ought not. For what? For filthy lucre's sake.

If you have the King James Version. Or for the sake of dishonest gain. That's another great term. Filthy lucre. So the false teacher, what's he going to be doing? He's always scheming. Trying to find a way to steal, to skim money.

You remember Judas. Judas was one of the 12 apostles. And what was Judas' job? Every one of the 12 apostles had a job. Something they were known for. What was Judas' job? Yeah, he held the bag, it said.

And the scripture records that he was a thief. The scribes and Pharisees, what did they do? They devoured widows' households. They were always scheming to take advantage. And get more and more and more money.

Just a modern day example of this. Can't not bring it up, it's just so obvious. One of the largest Christian broadcasting networks. And I use the word Christian loosely there. But they used to have a commercial.

Of course they have their prosperity preachers. Who say, you know, oh you're sick. Send money and God will miraculously heal you. And then right afterwards they had a commercial. Where they said, call this number.

And we'll hook you up with a team of lawyers. And we'll make sure that you can leave all of your money to us. Or you can alter your will. Or you can leave us all your money. Now listen, people can do whatever they want.

With their own money. But this network is infamous. For making promises that God simply never made. What is this? Selling salvation. Selling miracles for money. I know one person who actually did that.

They were sick. The doctors couldn't do anything. The man on television offered a miracle. If you send in, you know, you're asking for a big miracle. You've got to send in more money. She emptied her bank account.

No miracle. Until she was impoverished. So there has to be accountability. There has to be oversight. So when a Christian gives, they deserve to know and be able to trust. That their money is being handled in the right way.

And Paul then says at the end of verse 5. That they should give. You know, having this confidence and this trust. That everything is above board. If that's the case, give generously. And not as a grudging obligation.

Cheerful Giving and the Harvest Principle

Our former pastor used to say something. He said this, I'll never forget it. He said, you know, if putting money in the plate hurts. Keep it. We don't need your, God doesn't need your money. Just keep your money and God will lead someone else to give.

And God will bless them and not you. Look at verses 6 and 7. But this I say. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give.

As he purposes in his heart. Not grudgingly or of necessity. For God loves a cheerful giver. Thanks for listening. I'm Pastor Michael Grant from Moores Cornick Church. If you'd like to listen to the complete message.

Or if you'd like more information about the ministry. Visit our website moorescornickchurch .com. And we'd love to have you join us. Some Sunday morning here in Leverett. Until next time. May the grace of God be with you.