2/22/26 Weekly Bible Lesson: Values, Money, and Experience

Acts 1:6-8, 2 Corinthians 8:3-9 NKJV 

Background of Text — We have a deep concern for living the most self-fulfilling life possible. How can we live this life in a happy and gratifying way? Acts and 1 Corinthians describe principles for stewardship and mission that prioritize heaven’s gains over earthly gains. 

Understanding

Acts 1:6. During His earthly ministry, Jesus often spoke about the kingdom of God with His disciples. They knew Old Testament Scriptures like Isaiah 9:6-7. Like many, their mindset was that the Messiah would set up an earthly kingdom, restoring “the kingdom to Israel.” Now they wonder, is it time? 

Throughout Jesus’ ministry on earth, He tried to restore the Jews to their preferred status, but they were not willing (Matthew 23:37). Jesus knew the time would come when the Gentiles would seek Him as spoken of by Isaiah (Isaiah 11:10). 

Acts 1:7. Jesus knew they were not ready and did not understand “the kingdom.” What they were ready for was to do things the way they thought it should be done, and we know by experience that doesn’t always work. “He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4).  

Acts 1:8. When they received the power in Acts 2:1-4, they realized what Jesus told Pilate in John 18:36, namely, that “My kingdom is not of this world, if My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight.” Their witness not only endured through Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, but every time their word is read and obeyed, that witness continues to restore the kingdom and the church to Jesus, not Israel. The keys of Matthew 16:19 were used by Peter in Acts 2:38 to open the church. The preaching of the same gospel message Peter preached still opens the door to the church, for the gospel is God’s power to salvation for all who would believe. 

Peter answered Jesus’ question of Mathew 16:16 by stating, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then answered and said to him, “Blessed are you Simon bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” It was not an earthly answer but a heavenly answer. In the same vein, it is not an earthly kingdom but a heavenly kingdom, which today we are part of as we remain obedient to His Word. 

2 Corinthians 8:3-9. With verse one, Paul begins a discourse on stewardship that continues through the rest of 2 Corinthians. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, he will challenge them to, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” He reminds us repeatedly that it is our choice to share willingly for God’s work in needed places. 

It seems Paul is a little wary of just coming out and asking for money. He is teaching them to be good stewards and expects them to know how and what to give. He lets them know plainly in 2 Corinthians 9:6, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully.” His lesson comes down to us today, in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 

Paul was not asking for himself (2 Corinthians 11:7) but for the church in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-3), which was experiencing many problems, including famine. The churches of Macedonia, though they had their own problems, went beyond their ability and were freely “willing to give” (2 Corinthians 8:3). “They first gave themselves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5) and did their part in helping the church. 

Now Paul is looking for the Corinthian church to do the same thing, and this message of stewardship echoes down to us today. Paul’s words in verse 7 still challenge us, “But as you abound in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you abound in this grace also.” We are not to be just listeners abounding in this list of Paul’s, but we are to be givers and doers of the Word. James said it best in James 1:22, “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 

In verse 8, Paul applies a little pressure, although he expects them to give of their own freewill, watching and comparing them to the “diligence of others.” May we use their values and experiences to rightly handle the finances of the Kingdom. 

It seems that a tithe bothers some individuals today. Paul doesn’t talk specifically about the tithe, but it would seem that if, at one time, it was considered robbery, as in Malachi 3:8-10, it might be a good starting place for the church of today. I am sure that today, “God loves a cheerful giver.” 

Thank you for the joy of allowing us to study together! Let’s close in prayer. “Father in heaven, thank You that we have had this time together. Thank You for the joy of giving and the blessing that flows from being a cheerful giver. Thank You also for the Christian Restoration Association, and for the many lives you have blessed and are blessing through them. May You continue to use us all for Your glory and to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!