Possessions and Giving

• Giving
• Prov. 3:9-10,27-28; 29:7 The "righteous rich" give generously to God and the needy
• Rom. 12:13; Gal. 6:10 To Christians first
• Luke 10:7; Deut. 25:4; 1 Cor. 9:3-14; Gal. 6:6; Phil. 4:15; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 2 Tim. 2:6; 3 Jn. 8 Financial support for full-time workers
• 1 Cor. 16:1-3 Regular giving
• 2 Cor. 8-9 Collection for poor Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 11:28??)
• Generosity encouraged, but not forced
• To be given cheerfully
• Motivated by Jesus` example
• Giving according to means (cf Deut. 16:10; Lk. 21:4)
• Aim was equality
• Giving glorifies God (9:13)
• Money given outside local church
• Possessions
• Ownership of possessions is assumed throughout the Bible
• Ex. 20:15,17  Do not steal, do not covet
• Mt. 5:42; 6:2-4; Lk. 6:34-35 You need to have possessions to be able to give
• Ps 24:1; Lev. 25:23 Absolute ownership belongs to God
• Use of possessions is limited by the obligation to help the weak
• e.g. jubilee, sabbatical year, gleaning, interest, slavery
• Warnings for Christians
• Riches make it difficult to be a Christian (Lk. 18:24-25; 1Tim. 6:8-10)
• Greed = covetousness = idolatry (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5)
• Rom. 1:28-29 Sins that punish us
• 1 Cor. 5:11; 6:9-10 No place for the greedy in the church or in heaven
• Jam. 4:1-2 Greed is a cause of war
• It is impossible to serve 2 masters (Mt. 6:24)
• Lk. 12:33-34 Colocation of wealth and heart
• 1 Tim. 3:3,8; Tit. 1:7 Leadership qualifications
• Jam. 2:14-17; 1 Jn. 3:17-18 Salvation issue
• Ascetism is misguided (1 Tim. 4:4; Col. 2:20-23)
• Gen. 1 Created things are good (not innately evil) and created to be enjoyed
• Deut. 14:23,26 Feast with the tithe
• Jn. 2:1-11; Mt. 11:19 Jesus and feasts
• Biblical balance (Pr. 30:8-9)
• Prosperity is good, but only when accompanied by justice for the oppressed
• Lk. 6:20 Blessed are the poor (cf Mk. 10:29-30)
• Lk. 12:22-31; 1 Tim. 6:17-18; Heb. 13:5 Living by faith (free from worry)
• Holistic salvation (i.e. meeting spiritual and physical needs) is God's desire
• Practical suggestions for aiming for a simpler lifestyle (from Sider, ch.9)
• Beware of legalism and self-righteousness
• Question your own lifestyle, not your neighbour's
• The lifestyle should be sustainable in the long term
• Distinguish between necessities and luxuries
• Distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate reasons for expenditure
• Distinguish talents and hobbies from fads
• Distinguish between occasional celebrations and regular indulgence
• The amount we earn has nothing to do with our needs
• Eliminate spending on status and fashion
• Enjoy what is free
• Give a "graduated tithe" (see pp 193-196)
• Try living on a poverty line budget for a month
• Don't forget to rest
• Questions (also from Sider, ch.5 and ch.9)
• What are the dangers of possessions?
• What is the biblical connection between righteousness and riches? How is this perverted today?
• What specific steps could help Christians avoid materialism?