Kingdom Economy-Week 2

2 Corinthians 9:6–11 NIV

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Qualities of God’s Economy

‘You Reap How You Sow’

2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

When you hold back, when you worry - you’re not sowing money. You’re sowing fear.

I know the bible says ‘You reap what you sow’. But i’m turning this phrase on it’s head to prove a point.

HOW are we sowing? Whatever we sow and however much we sow, are we sowing out of

fear that if we do this, the bottom will drop out

obligation that this is just what you have to do

Do you withhold to prove a point or show your displeasure at something

OR

Are you generous and sacrifical at every opportunity to demonstrate Gladness and a deep desire to bless God and obey Him

Because Paul says, God WILL respond, but not just with WHAT you sow - but HOW you sow.

This is where my take on tithing comes in.

There’s so many debates. And they all boil down to this. ‘Do I have to?’

We belive it’s not a requirement for salvation. Not by a long shot.

BUT - is this the right question? When we’re faced with a real and practical way to contribute financially to the kingdom, does God want us to turn around and say YA BUT DO I REALLY HAVE TO?

You mean there’s a place I go to that I can contribute to the kingdom, and God will use that and honor that? And i’m already right there? (and i don’t even need cash they do e-transfers and everything)

This is something on my heart as a leader. I’ve seen lots of church struggle financially. Lots of churches lacking for finances. But many of those churches aren’t lacking for people.

It’s that age old debate. We ask ourselves, ‘why does God allow poverty to exist?’. Maybe he’s not - maybe just his overflow of blessing is getting jammed in the pipes, as he blesses us and then we turn around and try and save it for ourselves.

This isn’t a blame thing, there’s way too much grace from God to ever point fingers here.

If you have had money or food at some point, God has elected to do something through you to solve the problems in the world around you.

STORY - visiting a homeless shelter as a teen, and the homeless people were trying to get me to eat some of the food put out for them because I was hungry.

And this extends to tithing. If we’ve ever been given anything, and we’re part of a church - I believe that’s God’s way of trying to take care of that church.

But it’s a question of will. Will we decide to be the path or the end of the road?

And I know the first question on a lot of people’s minds. HOW?

I don’t have enough. I’m barely getting by.

I understand, I do. I’ve been dirt poor.

But I have learned in life -

If you have the will, God can find the way

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

God wants our hearts aligned for generosity. But there’s always that question of how.

I want you to picture a big foam hammer. And picture that you’re getting whacked on the head with it every time I talk about the idea of A LOT (read the verse).

ABUNDANTLY / ALL THINGS / ALL TIMES / ABOUND IN EVERY

Paul is trying to drill it into our heads here. We serve the God of the ALL.

You need finances? God owns every molecule in every form of currency that’s ever existed in human history

BUT There’s an important thing here, and it’s a big word. It’s the word NEED.

The bible promises us that God knows what we need, and can provide what we need.

This doesn’t mean that process will be comfortable the whole time.

When we give, we need to understand a basic principle of generosity and giving:

The End Game is God’s Glory-Not Our Profit

2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

We don’t give to God so that we get riches back. We dont give so that our bank accounts expand, our so our church will provide the specific kind of service that we want.

We give to God so that God gets more praise. And I don’t care what he decides to do to use that giving to further his kingdom. I don’t care if it personally profits me, or even if it afffects me.

STORY - Lori Gibbons was questioned at a church. We feel like we’re giving all the money, and all the young people are getting all the benefits. Well, congratulations - welcome to being parents.

We’re not in this for us. We’re in this for God and His glory. And I will promise you this: God rewards and powers generosity. As we give, as we’re generous, he’ll give us more and more chances to give and be generous.

But we’ll also see more and more of his glory. Let me tell you, our sevices are great.

But nothing compares to seeing God move through you to change another person’s life for His glory.

STORY - Christmas Dinner To Go. We had people with tears in their eyes.

So what are we going to be? God Loves a Cheerful Giver. Do we want to scrape by with whatever we have in this life - or do we want to challenge ourselves to see God move in amazing ways through our generosity?