The Heart Attitudes: Part 7Sample

Heart Attitude #6 – Support the Work Financially

“Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart – not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

“Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:13-14

In both of Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth he addresses the matter of giving to the Lord. He reminds the people that even the pagans understand that those who serve in the temple are taken care of by the offerings of those who come to worship there. This was also true of the Israelites as we saw yesterday. Jesus set this precedent when he sent out his disciples in Matthew chapter 10 and told them to live off what the people provided for them. 

So you and I have the responsibility to give to the church to take care of the needs of the ministers the church calls to serve in our location. Who the church calls and how many staff members are needed are another matter outside the scope of what we are talking about here. Our focus is on the fact that the New Testament continues the pattern of giving to support the work of ministry.

If you read the New Testament you will discover times when churches gave to support other churches, individuals gave to support the work in major ways, and the systematic approach to giving by setting aside a sum each week to contribute. There are many ways to give that illustrate that all of us share the responsibility to support the work of the ministry financially.