SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1) #1: Does anyone on this earth really “own” anything?
2) People often speak about “their house,” “their possessions,” “their money,” and “their” retirement account.
a) Ps. 50:10-12.
b) In the 12th verse of this psalm God said, “the world is mine.”
3) Lk. 12:42; Lk. 12:45-46 – READ
4) America has some of the richest people the world has ever seen.
a) Our “middle class” is more blessed than the ancient rulers of Rome who were considered to be gods.
b) One day we will account for the wealth we had during our lifetimes.
5) If we were to stand before God at the end of time and God would bring out our financial records, would we be embarrassed?
6) Some might be like the widow with two mites (Mk. 12:42); others will be like Zacchaeus.
7) Others give out of their “abundance” (Mk. 12:44).
8) Next question: Should no-Christians be asked to give when we take up a collection?
9) A Bible answer to these questions is found in 3 Jn. 7; John said, “taking nothing from the Gentiles.”
10) Acts 2:45.
a) A Christian even sold a field (Acts 4:37).
b) A husband and wife (Acts 5).
11) Who would consider selling on of “their” (a word we already discussed) hi def tv sets to help a Christian?
12) QUESTION: Does God pay attention what we give?
13) Mk. 12:41 says the Lord “beheld” what people were giving.
14) Deut. 8:17-18 – READ
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16) Deut. 16:16 – do not come before God “empty handed.”
17) 1 Tim. 6:17 strongly warns people to not trust in their wealth.
18) In Mk. 4:19 Jesus said wealth is deceitful.
19) Jesus once said it is easier for camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich person to be saved.
20) Money + God?
21) Mt. 6:24 says we “cannot serve God and mammon.”
a) God says “give,” and the world teaches us to “hoard.”
b) God says “give generously—as we have been prospered,” the world says, “keep plenty for yourself.”
c) God teaches everyone to give (1 Cor. 16:2); the world says, “let the super wealthy give.”
CHURCHES AND FINANCES.
1) 1 Cor. 16:1 speaks about a weekly collection “for the saints.”
2) Funds are also needed to spread the gospel.
3) People who serve as missionaries and preachers are to be paid; Paul made this clear in 1 Cor. 9:14.
4) Paul said an elder can receive “double honor” (be paid for his work), 1 Tim. 5:17.
5) Evangelism and benevolence are two key works of the church and they require on-going funding.
6) A third work of the church is “edification.”
7) Passages like 1 Cor. 14:5 specifically refer to “edifying” the church.
8) Edification is another authorized activity and thus it is right to also use funds for this.
