1 Corinthians 11: and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.“ 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 1Co 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;

Failure t0 Properly

 God commanded us to give.  He also instructed us regarding the manner in which we should give.  But even though many Christians know all of these passages very well, many do not have in their conscience the responsibility to give, as God has commanded us.

 God commanded us to give.  He also instructed us regarding the manner in which we should give.

What are some of the results of failing to give as God instructs?

Failure t0 Properly DEPRIVES THE GIVER THE JOY OF GIVING.

There is joy in giving. (Acts 20:35) “ 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

There is joy in giving. Brothers and sisters, many people (when I say people, I refer to Christians), are making the contribution a choice. But, who told you that the contribution is a choice? It is a commandment that we MUST, not SHOULD, IF, or MIGHT do. It is a MUST, to be fulfilled on the first day of the week. It is a commandment that we MUST obey every Sunday. Not only when we feel or believe that “now” is the time to do so.

There is joy in giving. (2 Cor. 8:1-2, 4) “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”

True joy is only found in Christ and giving ourselves to Him. (Phi. 4:4) “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” When we give ourselves to Christ, we will give from our pocketbooks as well. (2 Cor. 8:5) “ 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”

True joy is only found in Christ and giving ourselves to Him. Therefore, Paul refers to giving as grace. (2 Cor. 8:7) “ 7 But as you abound in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us see that you abound in this grace also.” Grace is something God gives to man for man’s good and benefit.

Failure t0 Properly DEPRIVES GOD’S CAUSE

God only authorized one way for the Lord’s church to obtain money. (1 Cor. 16:1-2) “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” The freewill offering collected upon the first day of each week.

There is no other way, with God’s approval, that the church can get money. Bingo parties. Car washes. Cake sales. Garage sales. Selling Cookies

The Lord’s work takes money. It takes Money to help the needy saints, it takes money to pay for the utilities, it take money to buy the juice and the bread, it takes money to pay for the yearly insurance that we have to protect us in case of any building damage, it takes money to buy all of the cleaning supplies, it takes money to bring gospel preachers, it takes money to pay for the new lot that we just bought to build the new building, And it takes money to start the new building that we have on the go!

The Lord’s work takes money.  Thus, when you fail to give as God has prospered you, then the work of the church will suffer.  Preachers cannot go into the field because they are in need of money; others suffer hardship while others must return home.  Those who are in need (without food, shelter, and clothing) remain in need for lack of money.  When you don’t give as God has prospered you every week, then you really show the love of God in your life and how grateful you are for Jesus, and for all that he has done for you, in your life.

The Lord’s work takes money. Many people fail to leave the contribution behind when they “go on holidays”, thinking that church needs cease when they are not here. Many go away for 2 to 3 weeks and there is no contribution for that entire time. Where do you put your contribution? Giving to another church is fine and commendable, only when you cover all of the bases, and are responsible with the church that you are a member of.

The Lord’s work takes money. Please answer the following Questions:  Where did you place membership?  Then, you are to work with that church.  By placing membership with X congregation you are taking all of the responsibilities that the congregation has… Bills to pay, work to do, saints to help, discipline to apply.  Otherwise, what is the point of placing membership in a place if I will not attend, and not give according to what I have prospered?  Are you happy with just coming, and doing the BARE MINUMUM?

The Lord’s work takes money.  Imagine if all of the members had the sense of responsibility that you have? Where would the church be…?  Imagine if all of the members gave to the Lord according to what they have prospered, the same way you give?  Imagine if all of the members were like you, when you go on holidays in regards to the contribution every Sunday.  Imagine what we could accomplish as a congregation, if all of the members were exactly like you!!!!  What do you think?

Failure t0 Properly DEPRIVES A PERSON FROM HAVING TREASURES IN HEAVEN

We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. This earth is not our home. (1 Pet. 2:11) “ 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,” (Heb. 11:13) “ 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

(Phi. 3:20) “ 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Phi. 1:27) “ 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,”

(Mat. 19:21) “ 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.

(Mat. 6:21) “ 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:15) “ 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

(Eph. 5:3) “ 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints” (Col. 3:5) “ 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

 Have you given as God instructs? To do so, you must first give yourself to God.  Can we improve in our giving? To do so, you must first give yourself to God.  Do we want to see the church move ahead in this community? To do so, you must first give yourself to God.  To not give accordingly is a sin, that will keep many away from eternal life. Jesus says: You must become a Christian and live the Christian life, in order to give yourself to God.