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Giving and Zeal for Good Works

Christians should be careful to maintain good works. How should this be demonstrated in our financial gifts to support the work of the local church?

Consider the connection between good works and our giving to support the church.

Christians Should Be Zealous of Good Works

Titus 2:14 – Jesus gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Titus 3:8 – Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.

Ephesians 2:10 – We were created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Colossians 1:10 – We should may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

These and many other passages teach us as Christians to emphasize the importance of doing good works. These good works include our individual responsibilities in our homes and in our relationships to people around us.

(Titus 3:1,14; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Timothy 2:21)

One Way We Do Good Works Is Through the Local Church.

We can participate in the good works that the church does when we are actively involved in the work and when we support the church with our financial gifts.

Local churches should preach the gospel to those who are not God’s children.

1 Timothy 3:15 – The church is the pillar and ground of the truth.

Acts 11:22-26 – Churches sent preachers and arranged for them to teach the lost

Philippians 4:14-18 – Churches supported preachers financially.

(Acts 13:1-3; 14:26,27; 2 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18)

Local churches should instruct and edify Christians.

Hebrews 10:24,25 – We provoke one another to love and good works in our assemblies.

(1 Corinthians 14:19,23-26; Colossians 4:16; Acts 11:26; Ephesians 4:16)

Local churches should provide opportunities to praise God.

This includes:

Studying God’s word (see above).

Prayer (1 Corinthians 14:15; Acts 2:42).

Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Acts 20:7).

Singing (1 Corinthians 14:15; Hebrews 2:12; Ephesians 5:19).

Collection (1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9).

Local churches should care for certain destitute members.

1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 – Collections were taken to aid needy saints.

(Acts 4:32-35; 2:44,45; 11:27-30; 6:1-6).

Conclusion

Christians should be aware of the works being done through the local church where we are members. We should appreciate those works, actively participate in them to the extent of our ability, and support them with our financial gifts each first day of the week.

Giving is not just a routine that we go through. It is worship to God because by our gifts we honor God and participate in the good works that He wants us to maintain in our lives.

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