1 1 Cor. 16:2 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. [By Ron Halbrook]

2 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK Introduction: 1.Sacrificial, unselfish, cheerful giving 2.Bring in hand what is in heart! 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7 3.Fellowship of giving part of worship Acts 2:41-45 Continued in fellowship: give, receive Acts 4:32-37 Apostles kept common treasury— used for work of church Acts 5:1-11 Lied to God & brethren Acts 6:1-7 Deacons administer help to widows

3 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK I. How New Testament Church Gave A. “Upon the first day of the week:” Periodic, Regular As Ex. 20:8; Acts 20:7 Every time day came “On the first day of every week” (Marshall’s Interlinear Greek-English New Testament) “Every Sunday” (New English Bible) Lk. 16:19; Acts 17:11 KATA (Upon) + Day Rev. 22:2 KATA (Upon) + Month Lk. 2:41 KATA (Upon) + Year Acts 18:4 KATA (Upon) + Sabbath 1 Cor. 16:2 KATA (Upon) + 1 st Day of Week

4 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK I. How New Testament Church Gave B. “Each one of you:” Personal, Individual Salvation & worship personal Acts 5:1-2, 9 Man & wife agree, give together Teach children to give

5 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK I. How New Testament Church Gave C. “Lay by him in store:” Provident, Providing for Needs of Church “In store:” general fund, common treasury Neh. 13:12 Tithe: “treasuries,” “storehouses” Matt. 27:6; Mk. 12:41 Gifts: temple “treasury” Jn. 13:29 Disciples: common “bag” Acts 4:35; 5:2 Believers: “the apostles’ feet” “That there be no gatherings when I come:” collection, gathering, liberality (1 Cor.16:1-3)— NOT private funds at home

6 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK I. How New Testament Church Gave E. Depend on Love, Sacrifice, NOT Carnality: Entertain: concert, play, dance, movie, carnival, alcohol Solicit from sinners Auction, yard sale Gambling: raffle, bingo, casino night Sell meals, candy, trinkets, etc. Business investments

7 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK II. What Was the Money Used For? A. Mission of Local Church Ordained by God: Evangelism to the lost world 2 Cor. 11:8 Support Paul preaching at Corinth Phil. 4:15-19 Support preaching: fruit, accepted 1 Thess. 1:7-8 Sound out the word! Worship & edification by saints Acts 2:42 Continued stedfastly 1 Cor. 14:26 Come together…unto edifying Benevolence to needy saints Acts 6:1-7 Provide food for needy widows

8 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK II. What Was the Money Used For? B. “Let Not the Church Be Charged” (1 Tim.5:16) Social functions, social welfare services: showers, parties, psychology, day-care, job training, legal service, adoption agency, social meal after funeral sermon, etc. Secular education: K-12, college, G.E.D. Recreation: picnic, ball team, youth center, gym, puppet show, movies, camp, sight-see trips, “fellowship hall” Medical services Economic, social, political reform

9 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK III. How Should We Give? A. Measured by Spirit of Love for God 2 Cor. 8:1-5 “First gave their own selves to the Lord”—exceeded normal expectation 2 Cor. 9:6-10 Bring in heart, then in hand Lk. 21:1-4 Widow gave heart, sacrificed “more than they all” B. What Standard or Percentage Required? 1 Cor. 16:2 Personal decision: “as God hath prospered” 2 Cor. 9:7 “As he purposeth in his heart”

10 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK III. How Should We Give? C. How Law of Moses Taught Spirit of Giving âLev. 27: % fruit & flocks  IF WE USED THIS STANDARD: Based on $1,000 Annual Income $2 per Week Based on $10,000 Annual Income $20 per Wk Based on $20,000 Annual Income $40 per Wk Based on $50,000 Annual Income $100 per Wk ãEx. 13:1-2; 23:19 First fruits, first male ÐLev. Sacrifices, offerings: animal, food, drink— daily, annual, freewill ÑLev. 27; 1 Sam. 1:11 Gifts to sanctuary

11 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK III. How Should We Give? C. How Law of Moses Taught Spirit of Giving æDeut. 15:1-2 7 th year release debts çLev. 25: th year release debts, slaves, land è1 Kgs. 17:8-9; 2 Kgs. 4:8-10 Support prophets éDeut. 15:7-11 Care for destitute êEx. 25:1-7; 30:11-16; 2 Chron. 24:4-10 Gifts, tax to build & maintain tabernacle, temple ëEstimated Total: 25-30% of Income D. With a Better Covenant & Better Promises (Heb. 8:6), What Is Our Spirit of Giving???

12 Do We Give 10 Percent? Based on 50 wks per yr, 10% is $2 per $1,000 If your annual income is: $ 1,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ 2.00 $ 5,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 10,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 15,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 20,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 30,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 50,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $ 75,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $ $100,000 – a weekly offering of 10% is… $200.00

13 What We Bring In Our Hands Annual Income Weekly Income 20% to God 15% to God 10% to God 5% to God 3% to God 30,000 27,500 25,000 22,500 20,000 17,500 15,000 12,500 10,000 7,500 5,

14 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK III. How Should We Give? E. Whatever We Give, Let Us Determine to Grow! Jn. 3:16 God’s perfect love: Provided plan, sacrifice, & revelation of salvation! 1 Thess. 1:8 What the church can do to spread the gospel to a lost world: Limited or expanded by our giving! 2 Cor. 8:7 Set individual & church goals: “grow in this grace also”! F. Our Giving: Rob God (Mal. 3:8) OR Lay Up Treasures in Heaven (Matt.6:19-21)?

15 GIVING UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK Invitation: 1.Sacrificial, unselfish, cheerful giving: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). Rich: Sins forgiven, fellowship with God, heaven! 2.To receive his riches: Acts 2:38 Alien sinner, obey the gospel Acts 8:22 Erring saint, repent & pray