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NewTestament Giving
The point is this:whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,and whoever sows bountifullywill also reap bountifully.Each onemust give as he has decided in his heart,not reluctantly or undercompulsion, forGod loves a cheerful giver.AndGod is able tomake all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiencyin allthings at all times, you may abound in every good work.As it iswritten, "He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor;Hisrighteousness endures forever.” 
-2 Corinthians 9:6-9
New Testament Giving
I.IntroductionII.ScripturesIII.Supporting Local Pastors, Elders & Church Staff a.Galatians 6:6b.1 Timothy 5:17c.1 Corinthians 9:1-18IV.ConclusionsV.Discussion QuestionsVI.References
 
I. Introduction
 “Howwere financial collections in the early church distributed?” 
Unfortunately most of us don’t
know
the answer to thisquestion.We assume we know the answer based on what pastors, spiritualleaders, or people in a place of spiritual authority have taught us.But how many believers havestudied this idea personally?The answer to this question is vitally important because it revealsGod’s desirefor our giving today. The New Testament books of Acts through Jude provide a written testament ofthe church in itspurest form. To truly understandand appreciate‘the church’ wemust look at the first church and how it functioned.This study exploresNew Testament Scriptures that reveal howfinances were distributed in the early church.
Section II
is acollection of Scriptures that directly reveal how finances weredistributed in the early church. While there are passages in theGospels that mention giving, only Scriptures after theestablishment of the church (Acts 2:1-4) are considered.
SectionIII
takes an in-depth look at three Scriptures that are commonlyused as proof-texts to support financially supporting local pastors,elders & church staff.
Section IV
containsthe author’s finalthoughts. Refrain from reading this section until after you havestudied the passages for yourself and drawn your own conclusions.
Section V
is a listing of discussion questions for personal or groupuse.Keep in mind that the focus of this study is on howcollections weredistributed and not the validity oftithingfor the New TestamentChurch. Determining whether tithing is commanded for the NewTestament Church is beyond thecurrent scope of study.To learnmore about tithing visit TruthForFree.com which has an excellentsection dedicated to the validity of tithing for New Testamentbelievers.Regardless of your belief in tithing, both sides of theargument agree that Christians should be the most generous andcheerful givers on the face of the earth(2 Cor. 9:7; 1 Tim.6:18).
May the Lord bless and protect you as you study New Testamentgiving, and that He will show you mercy and kindness. May theLord be good to you and give you peace. (Based on the HighPriestly Blessing in Leviticus 6:22-27)
II. Scriptures Related toNew TestamentGiving
As you study the following passages, allow Scripture to interpretScripture. Take time to honestly evaluate each Scripture passageand prayerfully draw conclusions concerning howfinancialcontributions should be distributed. Keep the following questionsinthe forefrontof yourmind as you study each passage…
 “Who was the recipientof the financial offeringin thispassage?” 
 “What does this passage reveal about God’s desire forgiving?” 
 “How should this passage affect my patterns of giving?” 
Acts 2:44-45
And all who believed were together andhad all things incommon.Andthey were selling their possessions andbelongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any hadneed.
1
Acts 4:32-37
Now the full number of those who believed were ofoneheart andsoul, and no one said that any of the things thatbelonged to him was his own, butthey had everything incommon.And with greatpower the apostles were givingtheir testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,andgreat grace was upon them all.There was not a needyperson among them, foras many as were owners of landsor houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what wassoldand laid it at the apostles’ feet, andit was distributedto each as any had need.Thus Joseph, who was also calledby the apostles Barnabas (which meansson of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,sold a fieldthat belonged to him and brought the money andlaid it atthe apostles’ feet.
 
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Unless noted, all Scripture quotations are from the
 English Standard Versionof the Holy Bible
 
Acts 11:27-30
Now in these daysprophets came down from Jerusalem toAntioch.And one of them namedAgabus stood up andforetoldby the Spirit that there would be a greatfamineover all the world (this took place in the daysofClaudius).So the disciples determined, everyoneaccording to his ability,to send relief tothe brotherslivingin Judea.And they did so, sending it tothe elders by thehand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 20:33-35
I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.You yourselvesknow thatthese hands ministered to my necessities andtothose who were with me.In all thingsI have shown youthatby working hard in this way we musthelp the weakandremember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said,'It is more blessedto give than to receive.'"
Romans 12:13
Contribute to the needs of the saints andseek to showhospitality.
Romans 15:22-28
This is the reason whyI have so often been hindered fromcoming to you.But now, since I no longer have any roomfor work in these regions, andsince I have longed for manyyears to come to you,I hope to see you in passing as Igoto Spain, andto be helped on my journey there by you,once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present,however,I am going to Jerusalembringing aid to thesaints.ForMacedonia and Achaia have been pleased tomake some contribution for the poor among the saints atJerusalem.For they were pleased to do it, and indeedtheyowe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share intheir spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service tothem in material blessings.When therefore I havecompleted this and have delivered to them what has beencollected,I will leavefor Spain by way of you.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Now concerningthe collection for the saints: as I directedthe churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.Onthe firstday of every week, each of you is to put something asideand store it up,as he may prosper,so that there will be nocollecting when I come.And when I arrive, I will sendthosewhom you accredit by letter to carry your gift toJerusalem.If it seems advisable that I should go also, theywill accompany me.
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers,about the grace of God thathas beengiven among the churches of Macedonia,for in asevere test of affliction, their abundance of joy andtheirextreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosityon their part.For they gave according to their means, as Ican testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,begging us earnestlyfor the favorof taking part inthe relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but theygavethemselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God tous. Accordingly,we urged Titus that as he had started, sohe should complete among youthis act of grace.But asyouexcel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in allearnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel inthis act of grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15
For I do not mean that others should be eased and youburdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundanceat the present time should supplytheir need, so that theirabundance may supply your need, that there may befairness.As it is written,"Whoever gathered much hadnothing left overand whoever gathered little had no lack."
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