Proverbs 1-2, 1 Corinthians 16 • Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 16:1—3

A cartoon featured the sign in front of a church. It boldly announced “Stewardship Sunday” and then meekly suggested, “Try us again next week.” That may reflect our culture’s thinking about giving, but it should not reflect ours.

Our giving is to be systematic, individual and consistent. On the first day of the week, each of us is to bring our offering. This is to be the pattern of our lives.

What we give is to be proportionate. God does not set a price but a standard. He does not even stipulate a percentage. Rather, we are to give as He has prospered us and as we have purposed in our heart.

When we consider what is an appropriate percentage, we find that tithing (ten percent) is neither annulled nor endorsed in the New Testament, but it was the minimum for giving in the Old Testament. Setting aside ten percent is a good starting point, one that can be increased as God prospers us.

The money you put in the offering is a private matter between you and God. Paul did not want to pressure people to give, so he instructed that the collection be taken before he arrived. It should motivate you to consider that when you give, God is your witness!

Finally, our giving has a place. The Corinthians brought their offerings to the local church. That is to be the first priority of our giving. Begin there.

_Stewardship is not a subject to avoid but a command to obey. Consider your giving. Do you meet the standards Paul outlined?_

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in