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New Covenant Generosity
Copyright © 2018—Jonathan Welton

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon request.

Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc.™ www.xulonpress.com. Emphasis within Scripture quotations is the author’s own.

Welton Academy
P.O. Box 92126
Rochester, NY 14692
www.weltonacademy.com

ISBN 978-1-5439427-4-3

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

Introduction—Why I Wrote this Book

Part 1—Tithing and Giving in the New Covenant

Part 2—Old Testament Offerings

1.Sarah’s Grave, Genesis 23

2.Jacob’s Dream at Bethel, Genesis 28:20–22

3.Offerings for the Tabernacle, Exodus 35:30–32; 36:3–7

4.Remember His Faithfulness, Deuteronomy 8:10–18

5.Abundant Blessing, Deuteronomy 28:8–13

6.David Builds an Altar, 2 Samuel 24:18–25

7.The Widow’s Olive Oil, 2 Kings 4:1–7

8.Kingdom Priority, 2 Chronicles 1:7–12

Part 3—New Testament Offerings

9.Reconciliation, Matthew 5:23–24

10.Giving to the Needy, Matthew 6:1–4

11.Treasures in Heaven, Matthew 6:19–21

12.No One Can Serve Two Masters, Matthew 6:24

13.Treasure Hidden in a Field, Matthew 13:44

14.A Hundred Times as Much, Matthew 19:29

15.The Rich and the Kingdom of God, Mark 10:17–22

16.Giving so We Feel It, Mark 12:41–44

17.The Birth of Jesus, Luke 2:12–14

18.Giving Our Boat to Jesus, Luke 5:1–7

19.The Measure We Use, Luke 6:38

20.Five Loaves and Two Fish, Luke 9:12–17

21.Responsible for What We Have, Luke 12:48

22.Water into Wine, John 2:1–10

23.Jesus Teaches Nicodemus, John 3:16

24.We Will Always Have the Poor, John 12:1–8

25.Sharing from Abundance, Acts 2:44–47

26.Trusting Our Leaders, Acts 4:33–35

27.Making a Mark in Heaven, Acts 10:1–5

28.Doing Our Part, Acts 11:27–30

29.Love in Action, Romans 12:6–8

30.Caring for Our Leaders, Romans 15:24–25

31.The Rights of an Apostle, 1 Corinthians 9:3–6

32.Provision for Soldiers, 1 Corinthians 9:3–7a

33.The Farmer’s Reward, 1 Corinthians 9:3–7b

34.The Shepherd’s Share, 1 Corinthians 9:3–7c

35.Sharing in the Harvest, 1 Corinthians 9:8–12

36.Living on the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:13–14

37.Saving Up a Collection, 1 Corinthians 16:1–2

38.Overflowing Joy, 2 Corinthians 8:1–5

39.Sincerity of Love, 2 Corinthians 8:6–8

40.Christ Became Poor, 2 Corinthians 8:9–12

41.Giving Equally, 2 Corinthians 8:13–15

42.Good Stewards, 2 Corinthians 8:19–21

43.Generous or Grudging?, 2 Corinthians 9:4–5

44.God Loves a Cheerful Giver, 2 Corinthians 9:6–8

45.The Harvest of Righteousness, 2 Corinthians 9:10–11

46.Praise and Thanksgiving, 2 Corinthians 9:12–15

47.Instructions for Christian Living, Ephesians 4:28

48.Gifts Please God, Philippians 4:15–18

49.The Worker Deserves Wages, 1 Timothy 5:17–18

50.Learning to Be Content, 1 Timothy 6:8–10

51.Rich in Good Deeds, 1 Timothy 6:17–19

52.God’s Love Helps Those in Need, 1 John 3:17

introduction

WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK

The days of sweaty-browed, hell-fire preachers passing the collection plate with promises of blessings to the faithful and curses to the stingy are fading away. Today, popular blogs railing against tithing and manipulative church money practices are spread around by the frustrated and disenfranchised. Because of these dynamics, modern church leaders are often left wondering, How can I take an offering to support the work of ministry without feeling guilty and without resorting to the manipulation of yesteryear?

That is why I have written this book. It contains fifty-two short chapters, each of which gives a simple Scripture-based offering message from a new covenant perspective. This book is designed so that one could literally read it on the front row each Sunday morning before going up to the front to receive the offering. It is that simple and painless. It will empower leaders to lay a biblical foundation for new covenant generosity and prepare people’s hearts to support the Kingdom work.