Sun. 17/5/2015
Quarter’s Theme: ORDERLINESS IN THE CHURCH
Unit 4: Our Final Victory And Reward (Lessons 10-12)
LESSON 11 17/5/2015
GIVING IN THE CHURCH
Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 69, 75
Devotional Reading: LUKE 6:30-38
Topic For Adults
DON’T LOOK AWAY
Topic For Youths
NOTHING IS TOO SMALL TO GIVE
Topic For Intermediates
YOUR GIVING DEMONSTRATES YOUR LOVE
Scripture Lesson
1 COR. 16:1-12
Memory Verse: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come (1 Cor. 16:2) NKJV
DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING
Sun. 17/5/2015
Give To The Needy Brethren
1 Cor. 16:1-12
We must understand that fingers are not equal. We are differently talented and placed in various jobs in life. As a result there will always be occasions for needy people among the members. Some, as result of no job, some for loss of job, some for being under-employed, but none should be for laziness. Therefore, others should rally round the needy ones and ensure they are not ridiculed by the unbelievers that their God is not able to take care of them. People should take the welfare offering of the church very seriously so that our collective offering will go a long way in meeting the needs of our brethren needing our assistance.
Point of Emphasis: Do all within your power to assist others.
Prayer Point: Lord, help me to join other people in giving to ameliorate suffering in the lives of the affected brethren
BACKGROUND
There are some Christians who are always complaining any time they are to give
money for one thing or the other in the church. This week’s lesson wants to let us know that there is no way we can escape giving in the church. We will continue to give till Christ will come. Also, the mode of giving and the timing is also given to make giving easier for Christians.
NOTES ON THE LESSON
(1) NEED FOR COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS (1 COR. 16:1)
The opening word of verse one “now” shows that Paul had mentioned the issue of collection for the saints to the Corinthians before and that it was a subject which they would readily understand i.e. The need of Christians in Jerusalem and Judea was enormous Christians in these places were experiencing persecutions. The enmity of their countryman to the Gospel of Christ led them to treat those who professed Christ with cruelty and disposes them of their goods, thereby impoverishing them. Many of the Christians in those places were generally poor. Paul, therefore, reminded them of the order he had given to them to make contribution for the relief of those people. Paul, by this, taught that it is the duty of one Christian congregation to help another when in distress.
We should also know that the Bible says there will always be the poor in the land (Deut. 15:11). The same thing goes for the church, there will always be people in need of one thing or the other. It is the collective responsibility of the other members to do the little they can to assist those people in need. Every assembly must take welfare issues very seriously.
(2) THE MODE OF COLLECTION (1 COR. 16:2-4)
Apostle Paul did not stop at reminding the Corinthians of collecting contribution for the relief of the other poor brethren, but also assisted them on the manner of collection to make it easier for them. The first thing he said was that the collection should be consistently made on the first day of the week, during Sunday service. It is not to be collected during the mid-week services, except for emergency case. More people will come and the collection can be made. Second, the collection is not to be once and for all payment, but continuous. This is because when men give once for all, not so much is given. But when each lays something down every Sunday, more is collected than one would have given at once.
Third, it is each member of the congregation that must give. No one is too poor that he or she cannot give something, no matter how little, to assist others in need. The mentality that only the rich people should always contribute should be wiped out of people’s mind. Fourth, each believer is to give according to the proportion of God’s blessing and prosperity in his or her life. Fifth, there must be transparency and accountability in the way and manner of distributing and spending the resources gathered. Faithful people, who will not siphon the money to their own account while those for which they are collected are suffering, are to be appointed. Last, there must be proper supervision or monitoring of the activities of those appointed. Paul said, if the need be, he may have to go to those places with those appointed by the church, just to ensure that the collection gets to the people who need it.
(3) GIVING SUPPORT TO GOD’S MINISTERS (1 COR. 16:5-12)
Paul, having told the people about his itinerary (vv. 5-9), gave further instructions to the Corinthians on how to treat Timothy and Apollos who would come to them. He understood perfectly well that when a minister gets to a new place, he may have problem settling down or being accepted by the people. He, therefore, wrote the Corinthians ahead to accept Timothy and Apollos. He told them to see that Timothy was without fear when he comes to them. He must feel secured by the way they treat him. No one should despise him, whether for his stature or for his little age, for he is a minister of God.
Let us know that giving is not only in terms of money. We can give support and maximum cooperation to our minister so that they may succeed in the ministry. When a new minister is transferred to our assembly, we should welcome him, give a helping hand to ensure he settles down with peace. We must not do anything that will make him regret coming into our midst. When we give him this support, God will be happy with us and we would have contributed our quota to the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth.
CONCLUSION
Giving comes in both cash and kind and all Christians are expected to exercise their giving in both directions. Let us always count it all joy and privilege to be called upon to give instead of murmuring and grumbling. Let us know that there are some rich people who want to give their resources to God, but God is not ready to receive anything from them, for they are unworthy. Therefore, be joyful to give the little you have to God, His work and His people.
QUESTIONS
(1) What purpose should the Corinthians contribute for?
(2) What day and how many times are they to collect contribution?
(3) Mention some of the features that must characterize giving and distribution in the church.
(4) Who are the ministers the Corinthians are to support?
(5) Explain how support for ministers is a form of giving.
French
DIMANCHE 17/05/2015
DONNE AUX FRERES QUI SONT DANS LE BESOIN
1CORINTHIENS 16 :1-12
Nous devons comprendre que les doigts ne sont pas égaux. Nous sommes différemment doués et placés dans divers travaux dans la vie. En conséquence, il y aura des occasions d’avoir des personnes nécessiteuses parmi les membres. D’aucuns à défaut d’emploi, certains pour avoir perdu leur travail, d’autres parce que sous-employés, mais personne ne doit se livrer à la paresse. Cependant, les autres doivent venir en aide à ceux qui sont dans le besoin et s’assurer qu’ils ne soient pas ridiculisés par les incroyants, que leur Dieu n’est pas en mesure de prendre soin d’eux. Les gens doivent prendre au sérieux le fonds d’aide sociale de l’église afin que notre contribution collective contribue grandement à remplir les besoins de nos frères qui ont besoin de notre assistance.
Point essentiel : Fais tout ton possible pour soutenir les autres.
Axe de prière : Seigneur, aide-moi à me joindre aux autres à donner pour alléger la souffrance dans la vie des frères affectés.