Concerning the Collection for the Saints – Marti Wiegman

Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.  Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?  Who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.  They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.  Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, God of Jacob.  Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is he, this King of glory?  The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.

Any discussion of giving has to begin with God’s giving.  His giving in creation – that everything in this world is His.  His giving in redemption – that everything in the next world that is ours is all because of Him.

1 Corinthians 16 starts by saying, “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.  On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper.”

It is inconceivable that we could ever out give God.  Alistair Begg said, “When we have given to God all that we are and all that we have, we have simply given him what is his own.”