Members prophet1 Posted August 27, 2014 Members Share Posted August 27, 2014 Maybe a look at all of the examples of giving, beginning in Acts 2, and going through all of the Epistles, will help illuminate our mode, method, message of giving in the churches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 27, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 27, 2014 Act 2:45 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 1st instance of NT giving... All monies collected were distributed to the physical needs of Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Standing Firm In Christ Posted August 27, 2014 Members Share Posted August 27, 2014 Act 2:45 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 1st instance of NT giving... All monies collected were distributed to tge physical needs of Saints. No white envelopes mentioned? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John81 Posted August 27, 2014 Members Share Posted August 27, 2014 Good idea for a thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 27, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 27, 2014 Act 4:34-3534 Neither was there any among them that lacked:for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles 'feet:and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.Instance #2Saints' needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 28, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2014 Act 11:29-3029 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.#3... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members paid4 Posted August 28, 2014 Members Share Posted August 28, 2014 Act 4:34-35 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked:for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles 'feet:and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Instance #2 Saints' needs.  I'll just about bet that no one does that today. We argue and complain over the tenth (tithe) imagine if your pastor preached on giving it all to the church.  We would label him a cult leader and a communist.  Sad how far things have moved in the past 2,000 years or so. I'm looking at this from a faith and trust prospective.  Do you think we could even find anyone trustworthy to handle ALL the money in the church. I mean if you sold everything you have and took the moeny to the church would you have faith to leave it with your pastor. Would you have a giving nature and attitude of service to work and supply for the needs of those who don't work.  I sadly admit to you all that I don't think I could do that.  Thank God daily for mercy and grace. Lord increase my faith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 28, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2014 Act 20:33-3533 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 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.Here Paul is establishing the first precedent. Prior to that, you had Jews selling their inherited possessions and lands.This was symbolic of the doing away with the Law, as well.They sold all of their possesssions, that were going to be taken from them soon by the government if they had not.Now , Paul comes along, and works, to provide for his and others needs, and commands us to do the same.Eph 4:2828 Let him that stole steal no more:but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 28, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2014 Act 6:1-41 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.Here, the purpose for deacons is established.They are to oversee the distribution of the collected giving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 29, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 29, 2014 Act 10:44 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.An aside.Here is a Gentile, commended for alms giving, not paying tithes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 29, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 29, 2014 Act 11:28-3028 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world:which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.Next instance of NT giving:Surprise, surprise...to the needs of Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EKSmith Posted August 30, 2014 Members Share Posted August 30, 2014 Thanks ' A Great Thread  God bless Brother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 30, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 30, 2014 Rom 12:1313 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prophet1 Posted August 30, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 30, 2014 Rom 15:25-2825 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members No Nicolaitans Posted August 30, 2014 Members Share Posted August 30, 2014 I hope everyone is reading this thread. I don't mean to side-track it, but I was thinking about something last night that I'd like to share.  As prophet1 is pointing out, the only examples of giving for New Testament believers are to provide for other Christians in need. As SFIC has pointed out, we aren't bound by the law of tithing.  There is a correlation though.  What was the tithe for? Though the Old Testament tithe wasn't money, the tithe was food products and was used to take care of the needs of others...to feed the Levites, widows, orphans, and strangers in the land of Israel. It was isolated in (and applied to) the geographic location of Israel only.  As Christians, we aren't isolated to one geographic location. We can help meet the needs of other Christians in our church, in our town, in our county, in our state, in our country, in our hemisphere, and even around the world.  I think people have wrongly applied the meaning of the tithe as giving 10% of your income to the church. If anything, the tithe should teach us...not to give 10% of our income, but it should teach us the principle of taking care of the needs of other believers...and that is the message we get from the New Testament. We are free to give what we purpose, not a set amount or percentage. And what we give should first and foremost be used to take care of others. That is the message we get from the New Testament.  prophet1, if you want me to remove this, just let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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