Oct. 28, 2001
"Giving: Part 2"
Sermon:
How do I decide where to give my gifts? What should a Christian be giving to? If I give according to God’s Word, what should I expect to see happen in my life?
This morning we are continuing to look at giving. There are some other questions about giving by Christians that we didn't cover last week, so let's continue.
“Isn’t all this tithing stuff just church jargon for fundraising?” It would be exactly that except for one thing. Tithing is a biblical command. It is a standard set by God. Tithing is something we do in obedience to God, and we do it on God's terms.
Fundraising is optional. Fundraising is something we do when we want to, and we go about it in any way we think will accomplish our purpose. That is why we don't do fundraising at St. George's. We don't want to approach this whole subject of giving from a human-driven point of view. Rather, we want to approach giving from God's Word. That will allow us to benefit the most from it. When we act in obedience to God's Word, we receive a blessing from it. When we act in obedience to God, we are exercising responsibility:
"The most important thought I
ever had was that of my individual responsibility to God"
-Daniel
Webster
"Is tithing really a Christian doctrine, or just a leftover from the Old Testament?" Well, let's start by looking at the key passage in the Old Testsament.
Malachi 3:10
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
Tithing is commended because it enables the house of God to provide relief for the poor, and because it releases God's blessing on those who act in good faith.
And what about the New Testament?
2 Corinthians 8:7-8
But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command
those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their
hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly
provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be
generous and willing to share. In this
way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the
coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Money and
possessions are a very effective test that God uses in our lives.
Two responses in a time of major financial change:
1. Immature
Believer: "God, why are you doing this to me?"
2. Mature Believer: "God, what do you want me to learn?"
Money and
possessions are a very effective testimony that God uses in our lives.
Stewardship reveals whether you are living for the present, or living for eternity.
"We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving." John Maxwell
"Changed
Lives" by Ben Haden
I want to tell you something from observation.
First, I have never met anyone who tithed who did not tend to be happy about the fact that he did- not just happy about tithing, but about a lot of other things.
Second, I have never met anyone who tithed very long who gave it up.
And third, I have never met anyone who tithed who did not say at sometime it has been extremely difficult.
Biblical Reasons for the Tithe:
1. Obedience:
1 Corinthians 16:2
On the
first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in
keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will
have to be made.
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
2. Honesty:
"God
owns everything. My tithe is a return,
not a gift. " John Maxwell
Malachi 3:8-10
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
“In tithes and offerings.
You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing
me. Bring the whole tithe into the
storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD
Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour
out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Do you believe that a nation can be under a "curse" because of this? Well, watch out America. The average giving of American Christians is somewhere between 2% and 3%. That makes us functional Moslems. That's right. The Moslem is required to give 2.5% of his income to the poor. In most Moslem countries today this has actually become a tax imposed by the state. It seems that American Christians, in terms of their stewardship, would be happier being Moslems than Christians. It's time for us to be honest with God. We know what the Bible says. We know what God asks for. What we don't seem to know is why we aren't doing anything about it!
Stewarship is God's call to get honest with ourselves.
3. Love:
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will obey what I command."
This isn't just about how much you love things, or money, it's about how much you love Jesus. Why do you think we sang those songs today?
"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or
gold. I'd rather have Jesus than riches
untold. I'd rather have Jesus than
houses or land. I'd rather be led by
His nail-pierced hand."
Stewardship is:
-A measure of our love for God, and
-A measure of our confidence in His love for us.
4. Gratitude:
The Bible tells us that the early church experienced a miracle of generosity. Not only were there miracles of tongues and prophecy and healings, but there were miracles of generosity. It says that people sold off extra property they had been holding onto and gave the money to the church so that those among them who were poor would be taken care of.
Why did
they do this? Because they were
overcome with gratitude for all that God was doing in their lives. A thankful heart toward God is also a
generous heart toward others, especially those in need.
5. Faith:
Proverbs 3
1 My son, do not
forget my teaching,
but keep
my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring
you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them
around your neck,
write
them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the
sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean
not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he
will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the
LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and
nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD
with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your
crops;
10 then your barns
will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with
new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
and do
not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a
father the son he delights in.
27 Do not withhold
good from those who need it,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to
your neighbor,
“Come back later; I’ll give it
tomorrow”—
when you now have it with you.
In your bulletin there is a handout on orange paper. On one side is the information about the Wednesday night prayer vigil. On the other side there is some important information about the various theologies of material wealth. Please review this, and consider where your own view of material wealth fits into this picture. Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we
possess: Grant us grace that we may honor You with our
substance, and, remembering the account which we must
one
day give, may be faithful stewards of Your bounty, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.