Hear Preaching/Teaching on Giving/Serving Outside of Church?

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presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,163
1,791
113
#1
I saw a post on Facebook today asking how many people had ever heard a sermon on giving outside of the church or serving outside of the church.

I have been to churches where I cannot remember much or any preaching on the importance of giving outside of the context of giving into the offering plate. Sermons on serving and using your spiritual gifts in some churches focus on fulfilling the ministry roles in the church, and do not focus on using your gift by encouraging people at a coffee shop or serving in ministries that aren't in the church programs.

On giving, Jesus talks about those who blow a trumpet before they give alms. He said not to let your left hand know what your right hand doeth. In Acts, a lame man begged an alms of Peter. He did not have any silver or gold, but raised him up and told him to rise and walk in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Giving to a poor beggar was giving alms. How often do churches teach on giving alms outside of a special offering?

Much of the world is going through a tough time. While people who manufacture masks, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper, and who process chicken must be rushing to keep up with dmeand, there are many sectors of the economy where hours have been cut. Restaurants and even doctors' offices have cut their hours. Hourly employees must be going through a tough time. No doubt, many organizations have let people go. Salespeople in certain fields who live off of commission must be having it tough. It is important for us to share and give, even though church services shutting down makes it hard for Christians to keep in contact with each other.

The Bible says to do good to all men, especially them that believe. The Jerusalem church shared goods amongst themselves and fed their own widows. Paul wrote to Timothy about their being 'the list' for widows to be supported who met certain qualifications.

Many Christians know about these things because they read the Bible. Others What has your experience been with this? Have you heard a lot of preaching or teaching on giving outside of the offering plate or serving outside of the church? I've heard a little, but there are some churches I have attended over the years where I cannot remember either topic being addressed.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,889
1,958
113
Germany
#2
I hear it a lot in my church. My church is a sending church. We have many ministries outside of the building (halted for now but usually we have a lot).
But I know what you mean. Many dont really focus on our call to serve in day to day life
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#3
There has been a shift in giving your tithes and offering under President Trump administration. In the physical realm, you see very little from your tax returns if you are married and make between $168,401 – $321,450 (24% tax rate) compared to former President Obama administration.

As Believers (Saints) we must keep our confidence in spite of no physical evidence which has great recompense of reward (Hebrew 10:35). The Just must live by Faith (Faith placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and His Atoning Sacrificial Work at the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won). Faith is not genuine Faith until tested. Therefore, the flesh must be crippled so that the Saint no longer depends on self (the sin of self sufficiency).

The Scriptures says:
16 For which cause we faint not (the stakes are too high); but though our outward man perish (takes a beating from overwork and persecution), yet the inward man is renewed day by day (is renewed by denying self and taking up the Cross daily [Lk. 9:23-24]).


17 For our light affliction (in view of the reward, the worst of afflictions are referred to as “light”), which is but for a moment (compared to Eternity), works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (a greater reward, which will be received at the Resurrection);

18 While we look not at the things which are seen (the trials and tests we presently endure), but at the things which are not seen (not seen by the eyes, but definitely seen by Faith): for the things which are seen are temporal (transient); but the things which are not seen are Eternal (the things of God, and what He has prepared for us [I Cor. 2:9-10]). 2 Cor. 4
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
13,784
113
#4
There has been a shift in giving your tithes and offering under President Trump administration. In the physical realm, you see very little from your tax returns if you are married and make between $168,401 – $321,450 (24% tax rate) compared to former President Obama administration.
This has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with Mr. Trump. OR Obama, for that matter. And anyway, how many people make over USD$168,401? Probably nobody here.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,163
1,791
113
#5
There has been a shift in giving your tithes and offering under President Trump administration. In the physical realm, you see very little from your tax returns if you are married and make between $168,401 – $321,450 (24% tax rate) compared to former President Obama administration.
We know who to PM if we need to borrow some money. :)
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,163
1,791
113
#6
This has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with Mr. Trump. OR Obama, for that matter. And anyway, how many people make over USD$168,401? Probably nobody here.
If you live in parts of California, you might need that if you are going to buy or rent a small house.