HOW MUCH SHOULD A CHRISTIAN GIVE EACH WEEK?

I CORINTHIANS 16:1-2 tells us, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

As a whole, this congregation is to be commended for your liberality in giving so that the work of the church can be carried on.  The average contribution so far this year has exceeded our weekly budget.  This attests to your love of God and the work that is being done by this congregation.  When needs arise, the elders have always been able to depend on the good brethren here to meet those needs.  If you as an individual are not giving as you should, you can not depend on the liberality of others to fulfill what the Lord requires of you in giving any more than you can depend on another to meet any of the other requirements for salvation. The problem many of us have today is that we do not really recognize the prosperity that the Lord blesses us with on a regular basis. It is fine to provide our families with some luxuries, but if we find ourselves regularly spending more on luxuries such as hobbies and vacations than we contribute to the Lord’s  work, we really should take a look at our priorities, examining what is really a “want” instead of a “need”.

LUKE 16:19-25 says, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, Which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”

Since Jesus is the “mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6), shouldn’t we give better that what was required under the old testament law, or at least as good?  One wonders, if a member of the church lives in a beautiful house, drives a beautiful car, draws a decent salary, and gives 2% or less to the Lord, is he giving as he has been prospered?  God allows us to choose how much to give rather than give one tenth of everything we have each year as He required of Israel under the old testament law; however, the verses from Luke 16 should be a warning to each of us that when we receive much, much is expected.  Think on these things and respond in a way that will be pleasing to God.