On occasion I am fortunate to help conduct the Sunday morning collection, and often during the course of the collection we would read the following scriptures:
1 Cor 16:1-2 "Now concerning the collection
for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store,
as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come."
OR
2 Cor 9:6 "But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
Both these verses really show the main point:
1. We are to give as we prosper on the 1st day(Sunday).
2. We should "sow" (give) bountifully if we expect to be blessed
bountifully.
3.God loves a "cheerful giver."
Having said the above, I think each member (Teens and College students too) should honestly ask themselves if they "give as they prosper, bountifully, and cheerfully?" Having spent time in several congregations, I fear some would be forced to concede they don't..... Does this mean they haven't prospered during the week? Unfortunately, most likely this is not the reason.
As I was considering this matter further, Israel
came to mind:
MALACHI 3:8-9 "Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein
have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with the curse;
for ye rob me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the
store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith,
saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and
pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
MALACHI 1:6-9 "A son honours his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honour due to me? If I am a master, where is the respect due to me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?'You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty."
Consider Israel's example, they offered what they valued the least, the lame and blind animals; even though, God said not to offer such: Deut 15:21 "And if it have any blemish, as if it be lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God".
In contrast to Israel, Christians have no set monetary amount to give. God has said only that we give as we "have prospered" and purposed in our"heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" But the principals given in Malachi still apply today.
Having said the above, I want to leave you with this:
Truly there is no set amount to give, but God knows when we give "bountifully and cheerfully" and He knows when we offer the "lame and blind" of our possessions. Please consider this: Is what you offer to God the "blind and lame" of your possessions?
Ryan Sollars
Have question or interested in further study?
Please contact Phillip Martin @ pwmartin@gospeldefender.com