Why Do They
SUPPORT THE MINISTRY?
Lesson Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-14.
Devotional Reading-Subject: Worthy of Reward, 1 Timothy 5:17-19.
AIM: That the pupil support the ministry of his church.
HOME READING
Macedonian Example, 2 Cor. 8:1-6.
The Lord’s Example, 2 Cor. 8:7-9.
Tithing Commended, Matt. 23:23.
Paul’s Advice, 2 Cor. 8:10-15.
Tithers Challenge, Mal. 3:8-11.
Give, Luke 6:37, 38.
1. Because There Is a Need for Attending.Common sense dictates each member needs to support the total ministry of the church of his membership. Also, anyone should be able to see the conditions of the times require a greater devotion than ever before.
One area in which member with reasonably good health can support a church is by attending all services. This is the very least support a member should give. And it is one area which many take lightly, as witnessed by the drop in attendance in most churches from Sunday morning to Sunday Evening Wednesday evening.
The Bible issues a command for God’s people to assemble for worship. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of the some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). First, God commands His people not to forsake the assembly for worship. Second, He commands His people to exhort one another to be faithful in attendance. Third, He commands a more concerted matter of fact, the doctrine of the second coming should challenge all to be more faithful.
Furthermore, the Lord Himself promised to be in the midst of each true church as the members gather together to worship and serve Him. “For where two or three are gather in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). The book of Revelation presents Christ walking in the midst of His churches (Rev. 1:13, 20; 2:1). With Christ present as a church assembles for worship, every member should see he has both a privilege and a duty to be in attendance.
Flimsy excuses cannot override God’s clear command and the Lord’s precious promise. Providential hindrance is one thing, but hindering providence is altogether different. Ever member should support the church of his membership by faithfully attending all the services.
2. Because There Is a Need for Giving.
The total ministry of a church requires financial support. As the economy of the times grows more severe, the need for devotion in this area is greater.
A church needs to pay the pastor. He is a man, whom God has called into the ministry. Consequently, a church should take his support seriously. He should be considered worthy of double honor. A church should avoid hindering him by paying him to reward him for his labors. Read carefully 1 Timothy 5:17,18.
A church needs to pay the missionaries. Since there will be a lesson about missionaries later in this quarterly, there only needs to be a mention now of the need to support them.
Some churches have additional paid employees. They need to be paid; moreover there is a need for funds with which to pay them. Further, church buildings are more and more expensive to build and to maintain. Utilities continue to increase in rate, and they require regular payment. Some churches have vehicles to operate and maintain. All of this is expensive. Members must give to provide the funds.
These and a dozen and one other predictable and unpredictable expenses confront a church week after week. It poses a genuine need for financially supporting the total ministry of a church. “For every man shall bear his own burden” (Gal. 6:5).
However, the greatest reason for supporting the Lord’s church should be one’s love for the Lord and His church. “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21).
3. Because There Is a Need for Praying.
Another vital are supporting the total ministry of a church is a prayer. No member has any excuse for not supporting the church by his prayers.
All true Baptist are suppose to be people of prayer. The Lord taught His followers to pray. “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptations; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:24). There is a constant need for strength, guidance, and courage in view of the trials, hardships, and temptations of life; therefore there is a constant need of prayer. In view of this, the Lord encourages His disciples to pray constantly and persistently. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).
The fourth paragraph of the church covenant contains the promise “to remember each other in prayer.” That promise is certainly scriptural, because the Bible commands it of God’s people (James 5:16).
Repeatedly, Paul prayed for the churches to whom he wrote. For example, read 1 Thessalonians 1:2. Repeatedly, Paul asked for the prayers of God’s people (1 Thess. 5:25). His example and teachings challenge those within a church membership to pray for one another.
Prayer supports a church. It causes the members to have a better fellowship with one another and a greater influence for God.
4. Because There Is a Need for Upholding.
Each member needs to support the total ministry of the church of his membership by upholding it. The need of this area is so evident it isn’t funny. Many outsiders are not happy without slurring the Lord’s churches, but that is to be expected of outsiders. One may make allowances for them. However, there are members who are not happy without gripping and groaning about everything the church does. The sad thing is they often carry their complaints outside the membership to the world. This does great harm to the Lord’s church (1 Cor. 6).Church members need to uphold the church. They should never speak in a degrading manner of the church, nor should they allow others to do with their approval. Only a mean person would slander God’s institution purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).
Some members attack the church, because the majority of the members refuse to bow to their whims. They want to control the church, which violates the principle of membership equality (Matt. 20:25-28). Baptist do not believe in having a pope, but some Baptist want to be a pope.
Some people get their feelings hurt and refuse to support the church with their attendance, money, or prayers. Others have been known to become vindictive toward a particular member. Such cold, hard, indifferent attitudes cannot stand in the light of the Scriptures. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good into all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). All members should uphold and defend the church of their membership out of love for one another (John 13:34, 35).
