Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 23. Issue 7 Feb. 15, 2009

Guidelines for Generous Giving

I don’t know how many times I have had someone come up to me and ask, “How much should I be giving when the collection plate comes around?” That’s always a tough question to answer, for it is indeed dependent upon many things.

Under the Old Law, the tithe was the standard giving amount for the faithful child of God. This consisted of ten percent of the gross amount of one’s produce and/or earnings (cf. Lev. 27:30-32; Deut. 24:32). But the Old Law was nailed to the cross, and we are no longer bound by those regulations (Col. 2:14).

Under the New Covenant, Christians are to give, to make their offering to God, in a regular, predetermined, and proportional manner (see 1 Cor. 16:2 as an example of all of these). But that still does not answer the question of how much of one’s income one is supposed to give. Is it 5%, 10%, 25%, etc.? In actuality, everybody’s situation varies so much that God has left it up to each person to determine the amount to give. But we also need to note this: God knows when we do not give the proper amount or with the proper attitude.

Too many times we may look at giving as determining the smallest amount we can get away with, or possibly discovering what spare change or small bills we can find in our pocket, purse, or wallet as the collection plate gets near. Maybe we should look at it as determining how much we can give back to God. Given that thought, here are some guidelines for generous giving:

* Give as much as you want to receive back from the Lord. In Luke 6:38, Jesus told His disciples that they would receive back from God in direct proportion to how much they gave (see also 2 Cor 9:6). So look at giving to God as a “down payment” on the blessings you will receive from Him.

* Give as much as you love the Lord and His people. The Macedonian brethren are set forth as an example of generous giving in 2 Cor. 8:1-5. Even in their poverty, they gave abundantly, because they loved God and knew that their giving was a part of fellowshipping with His people. So look at giving to God as a demonstration of your love and appreciation for Him and what He has done for you.

* Give as much as you want to see the Lord’s church do. In 2 Cor. 9:8-14, the Corinthian Christians are commended for their generous giving which helped the work of the church, specifically in the spreading of the gospel and in benevolence to the needy. So look at giving as a declaration of what you would like to see this congregation of the Lord’s church do in His name.

It is also important to note that we can and should give of our time and talents as well as of our treasure to the Lord. But when it does come to the giving of our means that the Lord has blessed us with, remember that our giving is a down payment on future blessings from God, a demonstration of our passion for Him, and a declaration of how influential we want His church to be. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor.9:7)

--Edd Sterchi

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “Four ‘D’s’ In Hebrews”

(Heb. 10:22-25)

P.M. – Third Sunday Song Service

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Kathleen Ritchey

Loren Eddleman

Rosemary Dillow’s mother & Son–in-law

Jerry & Betty Ward

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Ken and Gilda Snell – Ken is having trouble with his knees.

Lowell Karraker

Mitchell Shock – Grandson of Rosemary’s cousin.

Austin Detering – Baby battling a number of birth defects.

Carlos Wright

Holly Miller (Wetaug congregation) - Her mother is in Lourdes Hospital following a sroke.

Don Miller –Bell’s palsy.

Veda Pryor – In a nursing home in Dexter, MO. Her address and phone number is on the bulletin board.

Virginia McIntyre – Recovering from back surgery.

Shane Jones’ Great-grandmother

Wisdom From Proverbs: “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Prov. 10:22).

Quotable Quote: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sentence Sermon: “Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden; it is forbidden because it is hurtful.”

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Our Spring Gospel Meeting will be March 20-22 with Garland Elkins.

* Gospel Meeting in Jackson Apr. 3-5 with Phil Sanders.

* Mar. 6&7 - "Inspiration 2009" youth rally at Dexter congregation. Kyle Butt speaking. Lodging will be provided on

Friday evening for those wishing to spend the night.

* Ladies’ Class will meet at Renee’s house at 7.

* Phone Calls and Letters are needed for those in hospitals and who are shut-in.

* Also, let’s remember to contact those that we Haven’t see in a few weeks.

* Communion sign-up list is full. Thanks to all who signed up.

* We have invitation letters to our services to mail out. If you’d like to be a part of this, see R.W.

* Feel free to drop any Bible questions in the Question & Answer box in the foyer.

* Food Pantry needs canned fruit.

* 4^th Sunday singing will be at Vienna this month and here in March, coinciding with our meeting.

Hearing assistance for any service is available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: Hezekiah. II Kings 20:5-6

New question: Which king had his hand “dried up?”

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Sheilah Whittington - 2/15

Sandy Schultz - 2/17

Dawn Bradley - 2/20

Rose Wright - 2/21

Larry Yates - 2/21

A Lesson From Amos

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Romans are some of the most cited books in sermons, discussions, and biblical literature. Often, when the prophets are mentioned, one thinks of Jeremiah or Ezekiel. How can a minor prophet like Amos make a difference in our lives today?

Amos was a shepherd and caretaker of fig trees; he lived around 783-753 B.C. in the desert town of Tekoa, south of Jerusalem. The center of his ministry was located at Bethel, and he was a contemporary of Hosea. When examining his contributions to spreading God’s word, Amos spoke against corruption both spiritual and moral and always exhibited a confidence in God.

Thus saith the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for sliver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name.

Amos 2: 6 & 7

In Chapter 1 of Amos, the prophet denounces all of the barbaric actions of Israel’s neighbors. But in Chapter 2, Amos turns his scathing remarks to Israel and Judah. Although the verse holds figurative language, an examination of the text reveals that Israel, the chosen people of God, had become an immoral society. In verses quoted above, Amos directly refers to social issues such as oppression of humble, injustice to the poor, and prostitution. At this time in history, God’s people turned to the ways of the world and left God. Let us notice a key idea. (1) Being in a special relationship with God does not excuse one from sinful ways. 1 John 3:8-9 make it quite clear that sin and God cannot coexist in an individual. Matthew 6:24 records Christ telling the disciples that man can serve God or the world, not both.

As children of God, it is imperative that we monitor our lives and examine our motives to make sure that we are pleasing to God. 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” The children of Israel were repeated warned by God, and today, we are still being warned. We are warned by the word of God, the gospel Romans 1:16, John 17:17. Like the children of Israel, God will let us make our own decisions. Amos warned Israel that punishment would happen because of their transgressions (sins). Even in this time of need, Amos offered God’s call for repentance. Amos 5: 14-15, “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate; it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.” Today, God is still willing for all to come to him, 2 Peter 3:9. For the lost and the erring to find that repentance, a warning must be sounded. Amos faithfully proclaimed God’s word. Are you sounding the warning as faithfully as you should?

- Ryan Thornsberry