Designated Offerings

Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Storehouse Tithing
(Many churches today preach strongly that members should give a tenth of their income to the church, so that the church can use the funds for its objectives. The “church” (governing board) decides what to do with the funds. The IRS recognizes this and makes rules governing tax deductions for donations, that the money must be given with no strings attached, meaning the giver cannot control the funds after giving them, or it won’t allow them to be claimed as tax deductible. This is to prevent fraud. The question to us: is storehouse tithing the Biblical system of giving in the New Testament?)

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, 
Numbers 18:23 Levites shall do the service …a statute for ever … that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, I have given to the Levites to inherit:

Jews tithing to their nation in the New Testament
It should be noted that tithing was practiced by Jews in NT times, even after becoming believers in Jesus, but this was given to the Levitical priesthood. This was not money given to any church.

Matthew 23:23 … for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, …: these ought ye to have done, 
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law
Acts 24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

The treasury
This is an example of how collections of offerings were done in the OT. There is no specific NT command as to how, but this is what we base our method on.

Nehemiah 13:10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: 
11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, …: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
2 Kings 12:9 But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 24:8 And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 22:4 Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:
Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

The hireling
Many churches hire men (often from elsewhere – not members of their own congregation) to perform the function of pastor. The governing body of the church advertises the opening, offers contractual agreements, including salary and benefits, interviews candidates, and chooses among those that apply. The question is: is this the Biblical system of obtaining pastors?

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
1 Samuel 8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Isaiah 56:10 His watchmen are blind: sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, … they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Jeremiah 8:10 for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness,
Micah 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money:
1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: 
Jude 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward,

Making merchandise
Obvious danger of making the church a business.

2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: 
John 2:13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 11:15 and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Luke 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Hating covetousness
Ministers should be careful to give no appearance of covetousness.

Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;… not given to filthy lucre;
1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you …not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Weapons of our warfare
We should be careful not to confuse our ministry with administration.

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Acts 6:1 And in those days, … there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected
2 Then the twelve … said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, …whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Bible Principles in operating the financial system of a local church

1. Giving with simplicity
The church should keep things simple. Giving should not be a big production. Also, simplicity provides clarity and avoids accusations of dishonesty.

Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: 
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee...
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; 
2 Corinthians 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

2. Giving willingly
No pressure, no fundraisers, no passing a plate, no faith promise agreement (e.g. vows to give so much over the next year),

2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
2 Corinthians 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. 

3. Giving with purpose
Every member determines his or her own purpose, being led by the Lord to give to this or that objective. The objective and the amount are not prescribed. No indiscriminate giving is found in the New Testament churches. The objectives are presented, and the members give as they agree with it.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: 
Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Romans 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

4. Giving directly (or designating the offering)
Members determine the objective and the amount of their gifts, and prepare it, and send it by messengers chosen by the churches.

1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.   (notice that individual members saved up for a certain objective, and gave it to the appropriate messenger directly at the time appointed)
Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Acts 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria,
(Acts 28:10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.)
Romans 15:24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
2 Corinthians 1:16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

(Messengers of the churches)
Men were chosen specifically to carry offerings. This may have been a function of Deacons, or perhaps a special messenger appointment, but before banks and wire transfers, money had to be carried to its destination personally. These were special people trusted with a great responsibility.

2 Corinthians 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, 
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
2Corinthians 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, … but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you,

5. Giving according to the spiritual principle
The principle is that gifts should be offered as a carnal ministry to those who minister to us spiritually.

Romans 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
2Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
2Corinthians 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

6. Giving with discernment
Members are exhorted to consider where their gifts go, and how much to give. Specific instructions indicate that the most faithful in spiritual things should receive more.

Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.