Giving

From: TFTW Bible College

Paul travelled around at one time in the past to take up a collection for the church in Jerusalem because they needed assistance. Along those lines, he said, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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.” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) The church still can do good with its collection today, whether that be paying a preacher to help with evangelism, giving aid to those in need, or using funds to help teach and edify its members. Apparently, Paul was telling congregations to take up a collection on the first day of the week. This would seem logical if they were already meeting on the first day of the week to partake of the Lord’s Supper and to hear the teaching.

Today, we also give back to God as an act of worship on the first day of the week. We should do so, not because we have to, but because we want to be a part of God’s work in His kingdom.  “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) If we want to reap bountiful spiritual rewards, we should sow bountifully! God gave us His only Son. No amount we can give can ever pay that debt back. If we remember what God has done for us, we can be a more cheerful giver when giving back to God.