“Do I need organized religion?”

1. “Do I needorganized religion?” What is the local church, and why should I be a member?

2. The need for organized worship • Do the scriptures require “organized religion”? • Group worship, attendance • Common “creed” • Accountability • Treasury • If I am part of a local church, am I required to give them my money?

3. The Christian and material goods • What should my attitude be toward money? • Importance of spiritual over material • Matt 6:20-21 –“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” • Matt 10:37-38 –“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” • 2 Cor 8:9 –“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

4. The Christian and material goods • What should my attitude be toward money? • If our concern for material things dictates our relationship with God, we cannot be a Christian! • 1 Tim 6:6-10 - But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” • Mark 10:25 –“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

5. The Christian and material goods • What should my attitude be toward money? • Willingness to share that which we have • 1 Tim 6:18-19 –“Instruct them (who are rich) to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” • Gal 6:10 –“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” • I should be looking for reasons to give, not reasons NOT to give!

6. Must I give to the church? • Why did the first century church give collectively? • In support of the gospel • 2 Cor 11:8-9 –“I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need.” • In support the needs of the local saints • “If any is not willing to work…”, II Thes. 3:10 – the opposite must also be true! • Specific examples of ongoing care, I Tim. 5:16 –“…the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.”

7. Must I give to the church? • Why did the first century church give? • In support of the needs of saints in other locations • Rom 15:25-27 –“But now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.”

8. Must I give to the church? • Do I HAVE to give? How MUCH do I have to give? • No commandments requiring churches to give collectively • Acts 5:4 – Ananias and Sapphira • “For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution…” • 2 Cor 8:3-4 –“For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints…” • 2 Cor 8:8-11 – His encouragement to the Corinthians • All commandments on giving refer to an individual Christian doing benevolent acts – no specifics

9. Must I give to the church? • Does that mean I don’t have to give? • Motivation is important to giving • 2 Cor 9:6-7 –“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” • Giving is not just for the receiver • Phil 4:16-18 –“for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. … a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” • God shouldn’t have to compel us to give!

10. Must I give to the church? • Does the church have a right to save funds in a treasury? • Giving not always for an “immediate” need • I Cor. 1:1-3 – storing up until the amount was sufficient to the task • This passage is our authority to collect funds on the first day of the week • Acts 4:32-35 – implied need for a treasury • In ALL instances, there was an identified need • Luke 12:16-21 – lesson to be learned by churches as well!

11. Must I give to the church? • Why is it important to distinguish individual funds from church funds? • Once we give, it is the Lord’s money, to be spent under His direction, to His glory, according to His purpose! • Acts 5:3-4 - But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control?”

12. Must I give to the church? • The worldly view of the giving to the church • Using religion as a means of hoarding money, power, influence by a church • The scriptural view: • To meet the needs of the saints • To fulfill the work God has given the church • To support those who preach the gospel in other areas • To provide opportunities to “store up treasures in heaven”, not in the church account

13. How can I truly serve God apart from the local church? • Teaching, upholding the word of truth • Uplifting, exhorting the brotherhood • Receiving encouragement, strength to endure temptation • Surrounding myself with those of a like precious faith