We will be reading from our church's covenant in worship now. This is a helpful way for us to summarize the biblical teaching on the membership of and function of the church. It is further helpful to be reminded of our commitments to one another and to think upon that which we will recommit ourselves to in the coming weeks. This is not bare theological conjecture, but a living doctrine, which has immediate and incredibly important implications for our lives and the life of the church. This is an important thing, so we should study and pay attention to it. If you would, we'll be reading from article five of the covenant, which can be found in your copy of the bulletin. In this article, I think we will continue to see helpful themes of responsibility and privilege. In Article 3, we had the responsibility and privilege of assembling ourselves together, and then participation in the Sabbath and the benefits of that day and the exercising of our gifts one to another. And in Article 4, we had the responsibility and privilege to church discipline, to be involved in it, and to receive from formative teaching and discipline, but also the responsibility and privilege to participate in and receive from formal discipline. In Article 5, we now see the responsibility and privilege of financial contribution. The article begins with the manner in which we ought to do so. We ought to contribute cheerfully and regularly. This is to be a joyful thing, being parted with our money. Now, that sounds odd. This is usually not the case. Who here is actually happy to be parted with their money? However, we may be more apt and more pleased to part with our money if it is gaining something of value. And in this case, as we proceed in the article, we'll see this is for the attaining of something of eternal value. Further, this is both a command of God to contribute and an act of worship to contribute, both of which are immense causes of joy. This contribution is to be to the church, this church, the church you are a member of, as the context of the new covenant giving indicates. And we can see this in 1 Corinthians 16, 1 through 2, which says, now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you are to do as well. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save as he may prosper so that no collections need to be made when I come." There we see the people giving in the context of their own church and giving regularly. And in 2 Corinthians 9 verse 6, it says, now I say this, the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there we see the aspect of cheerfulness in giving. It is to be done with a generous and cheerful heart. And what exactly is the result of our giving? With our duty to give responsibly filled What common terms of blessing does this privilege afford? For it is a privilege to participate in tithing. So in more common terms, what is the ROI? Well, its return is eternal. You don't often see that. At the base of the matter, the money contributes to the general ministry of the church and expenses, things like providing for the pastor or paying the rent so we have a building to meet in. So you, in the responsible fulfillment of your duties, receive the privileged blessing of hearing the word of God from a man who works hard at preaching and teaching. We can see this in 1 Timothy 5 verse 17, which says, the elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor. especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. And in 1 Corinthians 9, verses 13 and 14, it says, do you not know that those who performed sacred sacrifices eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly at the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. So it is your responsibility to give, but it is also your privilege to give. For by the giving, in part, the word of God is preached, the saints minister to, and so on, and you get to be a part of that. You partake in it by giving. Likewise, this pans out in the remaining scenarios, which are functions of the church in which financial contributions are not only helpful, but needful. The relief of the poor, the cause of reformation and revival, and the spread of the gospel through all the nations. Yes, all this is the return of your investment, the weight of eternal glory and the proclamation of the gospel, the care of the less fortunate, the building up of the church and truth, all for your regular, cheerful contribution. Let's read the article and we'll pray. We'll contribute cheerfully and regularly to this church for its general ministry and expenses, the relief of the poor, the cause of reformation and revival, and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations. Let's pray. Oh Lord, I thank you that you are sovereign and you are good and you bless us richly. Lord, you've blessed us richly in this life, providing and caring for us, and we may take comfort and be at rest, have peace in this, seeing what you have done for the saints throughout all ages, looking to your word, at your promises, and even recollecting your provision for us in our own lives. And in so doing, I pray that you would steal our hearts that we may be more apt to have a heart which is cheerful and generous. We pray that you'd help us to contribute regularly to the needs of the church as you have left the church upon this earth to perform the ministry of reconciliation through the preaching of the gospel, through evangelism, through the preaching and teaching of your word in the church. Although I pray that you'd help us to set our hearts right, being given peace, but also pursuing a love, a love for you and your things above all else. Well, we pray that you'd help us to invest in the kingdom, not our own kingdom, but an eternal kingdom. which is coming, is now, will come. And Lord, we pray that you'd help us to seek this first, to seek your kingdom and your righteousness above all else. We pray that you would help us to love one another, to enjoy the privileges and blessings of this as we participate in our responsibilities and giving. In your name I pray, amen.