PRESENTED BY
BRO. SUNDAY EYANRIN (EVANGELIST)
C.O.C GREY STREET, WARRI
G.S.M. 08037370296, e-mail.eyanrin@yahoo.com
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INTRODUCTION
Brethren, we must understand the fact that the New Testament Church, the Church of Christ Is a divine Institution that came by the Will of God. Therefore, the Lord has prescribed a divine pattern of Worship stipulated as follows.
PRAYER
SINGING – WITHOUT INSTRUMENT OF MUSIC
TEACHING / ADMONITION
COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS- ALSO KNOWN AS GIVING
THE LORD’S SUPPER – ALSO KNOWN AS COMMUNION.
DEFINITION OF WORD
Brethren, it is absolutely necessary that we define one major word in this important discussion, THE WORD “PATTERN this will enable us understand the topic more appropriately.
WHAT IS A PATTERN?
A Pattern can be simply defined as, a plan or model used as a guide for achieving a determined result.
Brethren, if this form or model of pattern is followed, then you will achieve the determined result.
But if this form or model of pattern is not followed, then you will achieve something less than the determined result.
THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS
At the inception of the New Testament Church, in Acts.11: 27 – 28, Prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one Named Agabus, stood and declared by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which truly came to Pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
RELIEF SENT TO NEEDY BRETHREN
Acts 11:29 – 30
Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
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It was observed that the famine was more sever upon Judea and Jerusalem, that in Rom.15.26-28, for it pleases the Brethren from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. NKJV
This form the basis of the collection for the saints
COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS
Due to prevailing circumstances’, Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave the command in 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: 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 NKJV
GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON CHRISTIAN GIVING
2 COR. 9:6 – 8
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. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
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GOD’S PATTERN OF GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
AS CHRISTIANS, WE MUST FIRST HAVE A DESIRE TO GIVE.
FIRST A WILLING MIND 2 COR.8:1 – 5,
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.
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 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.
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THE CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST NOT BE GRUDGINGLY OR OF NECESSITY, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER. 2 COR.9:7
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
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THE CHRISTIAN GIVING MUST BE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY
MATT: 6; 1 – 4
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?
It is on record that God, Has always made provision for the need of His children in all generations. In the Mosaic dispensation, God ordained Tithe to care for the needs of His children the Levites, as recoded in Num.18: 21 – 24.
Num 18:21-24
“Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. 22 Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. 23 But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity
it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 24 For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the Lord, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.'”
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In like manner God, has Ordained the Collection for the Saints to care for the needs of His children in the New Testament Church as stated below.
TO CARE FOR THE NEEDY SAINTS
TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO SERVE AS MINISTERS
TO TAKE CARE OF OTHER NEEDS OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION. Rom.15:26 – 28, 1Cor.9: 8 – 14
Rom 15:25-27
25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
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1Cor.9:8 – 14
8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?
Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
CONCLUSION
Brethren, you should not let your heart to be clouded with the Illusion that what you have decided to give to God, can be used for other Benevolence works also. This will amount to rubbing God.
MAY GOD BLESS HIS WORD IN JESUS NAME – AMEN
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