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.
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.
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