"The Administration of Money"

The Administration of Money

(2 Cor. 8:16-24)

Introduction:

A.  On this board is a budget number.  A financial amount that is the total of what the committee leaders of this congregation have desired to do the work they believe God seeks from their ministries.  Near the end of each year the congregation is asked to attend a very open report time as these chairmen share with you what was done during the past year and what their goals are for the next year.  It is a time for us as individual Christian to ponder what we believe we should commit to giving to this congregation.

B.  I would guess that most everyone here gives some type of monetary gift to this congregation.  I ask you to answer two questions: where does the money go that I give? And why do I give money to this congregation in the first place?

C.  The questions are similar, but tackle this topic in a little different way.  When we look at the first half of chapter 8, we saw there was a need for benevolent help from the Greek congregations to Jewish churches in Palestine.  But even thought that was Paul’s desire, to help out the Jews, what he saw in from some Gentiles was their gift was first to God and then to others.  That was impressive.  It was more than just a pity party for hurting Christians.  It was more than an emotional guilt response from an eloquent speaker.  These people understood what God had done for them and therefore felt compelled to do for others, especially those of the household of faith.

C.  But as Paul develops this teaching of stewardship, he turns to the practical side of the administration of that offering; and it is there that we begin today.

I.  The Administration of YOUR Gifts

A.  I am privileged to be able to serve this congregation without having to gain a financial living from an outside source.  Paul understood that privilege.  Some times, when Paul was alone, he would apply his trade as a tentmaker, but often times we see Christians coming along side of him and meeting his financial needs so he can devote himself to the full-time work of sharing the gospel.  Part of where the money you give goes is to pay me a salary.

B.  While my salary may take the single largest portion of the contribution it is not the only thing that take money.  We as a church are privileged to worship in building that is conducive to our needs.  We have heat in the winter and cool air in the summer.  We have running water and classrooms equipped with teacher’s needs to help our children grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It costs a lot of money simply to keep this building maintained and the temperature at level that is comfortable to most of us.

C.  As each committee understands themselves to be ministers, they have tackled things that seek to bring glory to God.  The missions committee keeps up with several very good works.  But how many of us take the time to look at the back bulletin board and see what it is that we send a financial gift to?  The outreach committee works to set up programs that help to reach the unbeliever or the non-churched to encourage them to find God among us.  Yet, each of us should be willing to welcome guests into worship, give up our pew to someone new, send a note of thanks to people who have attended here or participate in evangelistic activities?  Thanks to the activities committee this congregation as a few fellowship times each year where we can get to know one another more socially and in deeper relationship than just a few minutes after worship.

D.  Why is it important for you to understand the administration of your financial gift to this congregation?  Because when first give ourselves to God and then to all these good works we will desire to know and understand what is happening within the body.  As that desire grows we will get excited about seeing God at work, just as the Macedonians did and just as the Corinthians did.  That is why understanding the administration is important.  If I don’t know what we are doing here at Whitehall, my financial offering will become more of a duty and less of a desire.

II.  The Administrators

A.  Paul not only wanted them to understand the purpose of this gift, but he wanted them to know the people who would be administering the gift or at least collecting it from the Corinthians.  The first person Paul tells them about is Titus.  Look at verse 16.  God put this ministry and the concern of the Corinthians on the heart of Titus.  Here was a man who just had to participate.

B.  I enjoy being involved in different good works, but the people who are passionate about those works, get me excited.  Just being in their presence you can tell these people love doing what they do.  It is real to them. It is not something they do out of guilt or pressure, but out desire, and it is God who places that on their heart.  We have some great members within this congregation who work very hard on committees or in other ministries like teaching that you can tell by just listening to them that they love to serve God.

C.  That is the type of people you want to put in charge of the administration of different good works, especially those that involved money.  But it wasn’t just Titus, there were two other brothers that were unnamed that would join him.  Brothers who were known because they were servants of the gospel and were proven faithful and zealous for the work of God.  I take seriously the election of the trustees of this congregation.  It is not about popularity to me.  I ask myself, who in this congregation cares about this congregation enough to give of his time and effort to help make sure we legally and morally behave as we are supposed to?  But jut having a good reputation was not enough for Paul.

III.  Open Books

A.  Paul says verse 21 that “we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.”  Paul want everything to be open and allowed everyone to see and know exactly what was being done with God’s money so that no one would accuse anyone within this ministry of wrongdoing.

B.  This congregation follows that lead and makes available every dollar that spent in a report that you are able to possess.  There is nothing hidden or done behind closed doors with no accountability.  In this congregation we understand that the collection is God’s money and we are simply stewards of that money.  We want you to support the budget, but not simply because we want to spend money, but because ministry leaders within this congregation believe they are led by God to do a particular work.  God has called us at this congregation to be servants and workers in his vineyard.  We are not content to sit around and build bigger barns to store our wealth.  We are passionate about giving to God and sharing the good news with all those who contribute.

Conclusion:

A.  That is why this lesson is important.  I want you to have the same level of desire and zeal that others have to get involved, administer God’s gifts to those in need and be open about what is being done.  Then, collectively we will stand united as a church and give beyond what we are able because we first give ourselves to God and then to others in keeping with God’s will.

B.  We want to excel in everything:  in faith, speech, knowledge, love and also in this grace of giving.  I share this message with you to test you and the sincerity of your love by telling you about what God has done in the churches of the first century and in this congregation today.

C.  This message is for the family of God at Whitehall, if you are visiting with us today, I hope you heard great things that God is doing.  If you are a part of this family, then I hope you feel the calling of God to get involved and share yourself with the ministries that reach out and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

D.  Let us stand together in praise God as we sing and offer the opportunity for you to come forward and express any spiritual need you may have.