January 2 | Daily Devotion | The Right Way To Give | Zac Poonen

Zac PoonenJanuary 1, 202512mWatch on YouTube

CFC Daily Devotions - Zac Poonen Excerpt from the message: The Final Examination of the Christian - Zac Poonen To listen to the complete message click here : https://www.cfcindia.com/sermon/the-final-examination-of-the-christian Visit our website for more information: https://www.cfcindia.com

Summary

The speaker argues that many Christian groups are overly focused on money, citing historical and contemporary examples of financial exploitation within the church. He contrasts this with God's desire, referencing Hebrews 10, which states God desires a body, not offerings. To combat the love of money, the speaker's church adopted policies of no salary for elders and never collecting offerings, instead encouraging giving through a visible offering box, mirroring the widow's gift.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Jesus and God's WillJesus never did his own will during his life, showing that sin is yielding to our own will when it clashes with God's word.

God Wants a Body, Not SacrificesJesus coming into the world fulfilled the scripture that God does not want mere sacrifices and offerings, but a body.Hebrews 10:5

A Common Denominator of GreedObservations across many Christian denominations revealed a shared love of money, mirroring an atheist's 18th-century critique of churches.

Financial Gimmicks in ChurchesSeeing churches pressure people for money through repeated collections made the speaker determined to run a church free from the pursuit of money.

God Owns EverythingGod is the owner of all silver and gold in the universe, so it is a shame for His servants to beg people for money.

Policy One: No Salaries for EldersNo preacher or elder in the church receives a salary, a practice maintained across numerous churches for over forty years.

Policy Two: No Offering CollectionsThe church never passes around bags or plates because giving should be cheerful rather than pressured by the presence of others.

The Offering Box ExampleFollowing the example of Jesus watching the widow give her two mites, the church uses an anonymous offering box instead of passing plates.

Condition One: Be Born AgainOnly those who are born again as children of God may support the work, as God does not want money from unbelievers.

Condition Two: Clear Outstanding DebtsPeople should not give money to God if they owe money to others, prioritizing debts and taxes first.Romans 13:8

Condition Three: Provide for Your FamilyBelievers must first take care of their family's urgent needs, such as food and education, before giving to the church.

Condition Four: Be Reconciled with OthersIf someone has hurt another person, they must go and seek forgiveness before offering anything to God.

Condition Five: Give Cheerfully Without Business MotivesBelievers must give cheerfully out of gratitude rather than trying to do business with God or expecting a financial return.

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CFC Daily Devotions

January 2 | Daily Devotion | The Right Way To Give | Zac Poonen

Zac Poonen · January 1, 2025 · 12m

Money The church