Money! Do I have your attention now? Your attention may be focused; however, money might bring up good or bad emotions or a mixture of both! There is no doubt that the topic of money is a hot-button topic in the church as a whole. For centuries, this topic has been abused in the church the same way as it is abused in the world. I believe this is one of the foundational issues that we are able to discuss and approach in relation to money and giving. However, that is why we must begin by taking a biblical look at giving. If we biblically understand the Lord’s guidance and desire for giving, we will come to a healthy and even excited heart for giving.
1. What emotions or thoughts come to mind when you read the words “money” and “giving”?
2. If you have an example and feel comfortable, please share a difficult experience with giving.
3. Now, please share a good experience with giving!
As we continue through Acts chapters 1-2, we come to Acts 2:44-45, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” How simple, radical (to our American culture), and beautiful is this picture of the start of the Church?! They were so united together in Christ that they had this Spirit-led desire of compassion. This compassion culminated across every facet of life for these believers. We see them learning together, sharing meals, taking communion, and in this passage, we see them making sure that financial and physical needs are met. Now, it is very important not to misinterpret this Scripture as a call to redistribute wealth, nor is this a call to allow believers not to work and to simply live off the Church; Paul warns against this in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. However, we do see the Church coming together to simply do life together in every capacity, for the glory of the Lord!
4. Has there been a time when you were struggling financially and the Lord provided? What was that experience like?
5. Why is it important for believers to do life together?
In 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, Paul shares about the church in Macedonia and their experience with giving, “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you - see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
This passage is not used to shame believers into giving. On the contrary, Paul shares this story of the believers’ hearts toward giving as an encouragement to the church in Corinth. We first see that the church gave according to their means; they are not expected or demanded to give outside of their financial ability and stewardship. Then, we see that they not only gave according to their means, but they gave above and beyond of their own desire. Yet, in all this, we see their hearts focus on the Lord. They are experiencing great affliction and poverty; however, we read that they do this out of a desire, in that they are a part of the fellowship of the body of Christ.
Again, this lines up with what the church was doing in Acts 2:42-47. Remember, Paul’s heart in sharing this was not one of shame, but encouragement as he states in verse 7, “But as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you - see that you excel in this act of grace also.” He encourages and admonishes the church in Corinth for their growth in their faith, speech, knowledge, and love. Then, he simply lays out the plan and encourages them to excel in giving financially, as their brothers in Macedonia are doing. It is not that they do it out of guilt or obedience to Paul, but obedience to the Lord and for the mission of the Gospel of Christ.
6. Has there been a time when you felt the Spirit leading you to give above and beyond?
7. Is it easy to continue to give to the Church when money and finances are tight, or is giving one of the first things that we cut?
So, what does this mean for us as a body of believers, saved through our confession and belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? If we are to be holistically obedient to the Word of God and the mission of the Gospel, we should desire to give financially to the Lord. Regardless of what church you attend, we should be giving back to the Lord first with our finances. Secondly, be encouraged by God’s Word and the example given by the churches in Macedonia. While they experienced hardship and financial uncertainty, they remained steadfast in their obedience and desire to give back to the Lord. Finally, as followers of Christ, we must do life together. We are not meant to do this life alone, nor should we! John 1:12-13 reminds us, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Giving and money are never fun topics to discuss. However, it is my prayer and hope that through laying the foundation of God’s Word and looking to obedience in Him, it is a topic we can joyously discuss and take part in!
8. What is one way we can aid the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Church?
9. What is one way you can encourage our brothers and sisters this week?