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This is the fifth post in my series on Christians and giving from the perspective of Scripture. (See the introduction post here.) I’ve already stated that giving directly to those in need is the most prevalent method of giving by Christians in the New Testament (either by example or instruction). There are also a few examples of Christians giving indirectly to people who are in need. Similarly, there are a f...

This is the fourth post in my series on Christians and giving from the perspective of Scripture. (See the introduction post here.) I’ve already stated that giving directly to those in need is the most prevalent method of giving by Christians in the New Testament (either by example or instruction). There are also a few examples of Christians giving indirectly to people who are in need. Similarly, there are a ...

This is the third post in my series on Christians and giving from the perspective of Scripture. (See the introduction post here.) I’ve already stated that giving directly to those in need is the most prevalent method of giving by Christians in the New Testament (either by example or instruction). However, there are a few examples in Scripture of Christians giving indirectly to others because of need. But the...

This is the second post in my series on Christians and giving from the perspective of Scripture. (See the introduction post here.) There are two primary aspects to this type of giving as found in Scripture: 1) someone is giving directly to someone else, and 2) the item given is needed by the person receiving it. This is the most prevalent type of giving found in the New Testament. (If Scripture is an example of us...

I haven’t written much about giving from the perspective of Christians, the church, or Scripture. This is one of those topics that provokes passionate responses on all sides of the issues. So, I’m going to take a “slow and easy” approach to the topic. To begin, we should admit that giving (or tithing or offering or whatever you want to call it) is a pervasive issue among many in the church....

After his resurrection and just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus told the eleven remaining apostles (and perhaps others, such as the 120?), “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV) Jesus made similar statements at other times and to other people before his...

As we continue to study through the Book of Acts with the church, we’ve come to chapter 17. After Paul, Silas, and Timothy (and perhaps others) left Philippi, they traveled through several other cities in Macedonia until they reached Thessalonica. (Acts 17:1) As was their habit, they spent several weeks proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ among the Jews in Thessalonica. (Acts 17:2-3) When the Jews bega...

Last week, I had the opportunity to teach on the Book of Acts for Dave Black’s New Testament class. Several people have asked me about sharing my lecture notes. In fact, I rarely use lecture notes, per se, and I didn’t use notes this time. I often use an outline that includes quotes from books that I want to share during the class. Plus, this class was intended to be interactive. So, while I guided the...

Len at “NextReformation” has written a very good post called “rhythms of community life.” The post begins with the phrase “Missional Community,” and throughout the post Len describes what it means to be a missional community. In fact, he puts the terms and the people’s identity in the very nature of God: “[I]n God’s very essence he is a loving community on a mi...

Felicity at “Simply Church” has written another good (and short) post called “Motivated for mission.” She begins with what Matthew records as Jesus’ final exhortation to his followers in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus told them to “Go and make disciples…” In response, Felicity makes the following statement: We can follow his instructions out of duty, obedience, or even the ...