Giving Faithfully

Intro: Our first sermon on giving...

I am excited for tonight because many of us have had conversations about giving, and I think this passage helps us to do a heart check as it relates to giving.

Common questions around giving :

Does the Tithe stop with jesus?

Gross or take home?

Can I give some to the church and to other organizations?

What if we are in debt? would it be more responsible to pay off our debt first?

etc.

* All of these questions are good but I think they run a risk of missing the point.... What is the heart behind asking these questions?

- I am convinced that we know when are giving faithfully and when we are not, and this text will illustrate this.

B.I = Give to God faithfully what he calls you to give.

Lets Pray and then dive into the Acts Chapter 4 verse 32.

Give to God

Acts 4:32–35 ESV

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Community was incredible.

One heart and soul

No one said anything belonged to him

Ministry was incredible

a. Great Power

b. Preaching Jesus

C. People added to their number

Generosity at a level that is unheard of.

a. Not a needy person among them

b. If you had land you didn’t need you sold it..

c. A recognition of abundance, and giving faithfully

Transition: What a beautiful picture of community. We all want this, and I believe we all think its possible.

but the reality is that community like this doesn't just happen it begins with the individual. and now we see an example of faithful giving and unfaithful giving.

- I made sure we include this passage tonight because both of these parties mentioned in the following scripture are a part of this comunity…

Faithfully What he Calls you to give.

Acts 4:36–37 ESV

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Faithful giving:

Barnabas = is a man of great faith. will come up later in chapter 11.

Sells a field and gives it.

No specification just literally lays the dollars at the apostles feet.

What can we assume:

This was God honoring.

It was costly but faithful.

This was not done flippantly.

Transition: This is now contrasted by unfaithful giving. Pick up a the beginning of chapter 5.

Unfaithful Giving:

Acts 5:1–11 ESV

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Why is this unfaithful:

To Hold Back to hinder. (nothing done is truly done in secret)

Lied about it.

Luke 12:3 ESV

Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

- Ultimately this is hypocrisy = the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense.

Ultimately They went against how the spirit was leading them to give.

And the Result:

Put to death by a Holy and Just God.

Acts 5:11 ESV

And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Lets answer some hard questions:

1. Are they believers?

Likely they are included in the all.

2. Why? Could God in his sovereignty do this early on so we learn from it?

- absolutely.

3. Is it just?

yes…

4. do we deserve the same punishment?

absolutely.

Back to B. I = Give to God faithfully what he calls you to give.

I believe there is tremendous Joy in this.

As the Pastor of this church I have been so encouraged by the faithfulness through giving of yall.

I cant inspire you to give… nor do I want too.

Infact, I dont think my words can inspire you to give..

but rather I want you to experience the Joy and peace found in living faithfully before God.

Transition: as we close out this message… I want to create space for us to seek the Lord in what this story has for us.

Action Plan:

1. What am I to give?

2. Where?

3. What are next steps? (Plan)

4. How do you feel about it? (it is worshipful, is it joyful)

4. Who needs to know? (accountability)

If you don’t join a group… try to process with someone else there is wisdom in seeking counsel.

Small Group Discussion: (do not share financial details)

In what areas is the holy spirit convicting you as it relates to giving?

In what ways have you ben encouraged through giving to the work of ministry?

2. What needs to happen for you to see your giving as an act of worship?