Have You Got Good Religion? (Part 2)

Introduction- A Generosity of Spirit: The Legacy of Black Philanthropy

There’s an article titled

“A Generosity of Spirit: The Legacy of Black Philanthropy”

written by Maya Diggs

the former Program Assistant of

The National Center for Family Philanthropy,

Philanthropy has long been embedded in the legacy of African Americans.  Yet, Black communities are often forgotten in conversations about donors and giving. There are a variety of factors that play into why this is the case. Black families were subjected to years of slavery, segregation, and discrimination and continue to face systemic racism—including in the financial system. Not only did slavery and Jim Crow put Black families’ ability to accumulate wealth centuries behind that of white families, but discrimination entrenched in public policies shaping housing, education and financial systems have led to a situation where many Black families are just now building their wealth.

Unjust lending practices and pay check loan schemes, red-lining

Redlining can be defined as a discriminatory practice that consists of the systematic denial of services such as mortgages, insurance loans, and other financial services to residents of certain areas, based on their race or ethnicity.

In recent years, the term “redlining” has become shorthand for many types of historic race-based exclusionary tactics in real estate — from racial steering by real estate agents (directing Black home buyers and renters to certain neighborhoods or buildings and away from others) to racial covenants in many suburbs and developments (barring Black residents from buying homes). All of which contributed to the racial segregation that shaped the way America looks today.

The National Center for Family Philanthropy (cont…)

In spite of this, African Americans are still giving at higher rates, often through vehicles outside of the traditional foundation model. Black philanthropy is impactful, and it is important that we elevate this legacy.

It would be a mistake to believe that Black philanthropy has only begun in the last several decades. Historians and scholars will tell you that African American giving is tied to collective ideals rooted in the motherland. Tyrone Freeman is the author of Madam C. J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving: Black Women’s Philanthropy during Jim Crow and the director of undergraduate programs at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He explains,

“African American giving is unique in that its origins are found in pre-colonial West African traditions of giving and sharing. Those traditions and practices traversed the Atlantic Ocean via the slave trade and evolved over time through slavery and Jim Crow on to today where they are foundational to everyday life in Black communities.

In order to survive segregation and the Jim Crow era, Black Americans gave through community churches, social organizations, fraternal organizations, educational institutions, and mutual aid societies. Black philanthropy was integral to the development of Black schools, banks, and businesses. Black people often gave directly to family members and loved ones just to provide basic human necessities. Tyrone also makes the point, “African American philanthropy is unique in that the wide scale social changes it has wrought in America have not only benefited African Americans but also every other marginalized group in the country.”

Look @ the impact of HBCUs

Even though the narrative in the philanthropy sector may say otherwise, current statistics show that Black people are giving to causes even more than other racial groups. According to a Diversity In Giving Study, African American donors say they give an average of 13 percent of their income to their place of worship, compared with 9 percent of donors overall.

Philanthropy- goodwill to fellow members of the human race

especially : active effort to promote human welfare

an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes

Your voice matters. Your legacy matters. Here are some questions you may want to consider as you begin or continue your philanthropic journey:

What are the motivations and values that drive your giving?

What kind of legacy do you want to pass on to your community and family?

How are you working collectively with others to create lasting impact?

Generosity Gone Bad…

Jazz great Count Basie learned a hard lesson about giving and receiving when living in Kansas City near the trumpeter known as “Lips” Page.

The two musicians were about the same size, but Basie did not have his wardrobe with him. The Count remembers, “So one night we were supposed to go out somewhere and I said I couldn’t go because I didn’t have anything to match up, and he said, ‘That’’s okay. Why don’t you borrow one of my suits?’”

“I figured that would be great. Because he had three really sharp, truly great outfits. But didn’t now what I was getting myself into.” Apparently his friend Page had not learned the principle of being openhanded with his giving.

“I couldn’t get rid of him. Everywhere I went he was right there with me saying, ‘Don’t lean on that.’ Or he’d say, “hey man, that chair is kinda dirty.’ Or ‘Basie, watch it sitting down.’ He couldn’t think of anything else all night but that suit of his I was wearing. That was one of the most uncomfortable evenings I’ve ever had in my life. I never was so glad to get back home and take off a suit.”

Even in the church…

1 Corinthians 12:14–20 ESV

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Instead of a Worship Experience

People, Visitors, Get

Fashion Shows

Talent Shows

Pity Parties

Whatever Happened too…

Psalm 34:1–8 ESV

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 34:19 ESV

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 116:1–7 ESV

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!” 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

Transition To Body- Giving Glory To God

Do Your Good Works Give Glory to Your Heavenly Father?

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Does Your Righteousness Exceed That Of Legalists?

Christ Fulfills The Law (Matthew 5:17-20)

Matthew 5:20 ESV

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger- Matthew 5:21-26

Lust- Matthew 5:27-30

Divorce- Matthew 5:31-32

Oaths- Matthew 5:33-37

Retaliation- Matthew 5:38-42

Love Your Enemies- Matthew 5:43-48

Are You Perfect Like Your Heavenly Father?

Matthew 5:48 ESV

48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Are You Properly Putting Your Religion Into Practice?

Matthew 6:1 ESV

1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Righteousness which most of us are familiar

1 John 3:10 ESV

10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 88.13 δικαιοσύνη, ης

the act of doing what God requires—‘righteousness, doing what God requires, doing what is right.’

Practicing righteousness

Practicing

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 42.7 ποιέω; ποίησις, εως

‘to do, to act, to carry out, to accomplish, to perform, doing, performance.’

Righteousness

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 57.111 δικαιοσύνη, ης; ἐλεημοσύνη, ης

to give to those in need as an act of mercy—‘acts of charity, alms, giving to the needy.’

Religion is a range of social-cultural systems, including designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements

The term religion comes from both Old French and Anglo-Norman (1200s CE) and means respect for sense of right, moral obligation, sanctity, what is sacred, reverence for the gods.[15][16] It is ultimately derived from the Latin word religiō. According to Roman philosopher Cicero, religiō comes from relegere: re(meaning "again") + lego (meaning "read"), where lego is in the sense of "go over", "choose", or "consider carefully".

Have you got good religion?

Body- Religion of the hypocrite vs Religion of the faithful

Audience We Seek Recognition

Hypocrites- one who pretends to be other than he really is—‘hypocrite, pretender, one who acts hypocritically.

Audience of our Giving (exterior work)

Which needy person are you helping?

Matthew 6:2 ESV

2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 57.111 δικαιοσύνη, ης; ἐλεημοσύνη, ης

to give to those in need as an act of mercy—‘acts of charity, alms, giving to the needy.’

Audience of our Prayers (interior work)

To whom are you praying?

Matthew 6:5 ESV

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.178 εὔχομαι; προσεύχομαι; εὐχή, ῆς; προσευχή, ῆς

to speak to or to make requests of God—‘to pray, to speak to God, to ask God for, prayer.’

How long should your prayer be?

Matthew 6:7–8 ESV

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV

19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Audience of our Fasting (connecting the interior & exterior together)

For whom are you fasting?

Matthew 6:16 ESV

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 53.65 νηστεύω; νηστεία, ας

to go without food for a set time as a religious duty

Whom do you seek approval (validation)?

Galatians 5:10 ESV

10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

Approval

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.301 πείθω

to convince someone to believe something and to act on the basis of what is recommended—‘to persuade, to convince.

Church Gone Wild

Performance Over Praise

Church’s looking more like night clubs & movie theatres

Preachers acting like charlatans

one making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : FRAUD, FAKER

Illustration: Or James Brown & Bobby Byrd sang in 1972:

they “Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing”

Do you recognize your audience?

Luke 18:10–14 ESV

10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Our Righteousness…

Isaiah 64:6 ESV

6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

By Grace Alone…

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Authenticity Of Our Religion (Righteousness)

Authentic Charity

Matthew 6:3 ESV

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Authentic Prayer (Substance of your prayer)

Matthew 6:9–13 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 6:14–15 ESV

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Authentic Fasting

Matthew 6:17 ESV

17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

Aspiration For Our Reward

Aspiration- a strong desire to achieve something high or great

an object of such desire

Secret- pertaining to not being able to be known by the public but known by some in-group or by those immediately involved—‘in secret, in private, secretly, privately.’

Matthew 6:4 ESV

4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 ESV

6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:18 ESV

18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Reward

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 38.14 μισθός, οῦ

a recompense based upon what a person has earned and thus deserves, the nature of the recompense being either positive or negative—‘reward, recompense.’

Our Reward

Matthew 19:27–30 ESV

27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Transition To Close- Have You Got Good Religion?

Late Rev. Clay Evans of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, IL in 1987 on Malaco Records

And in a day and time like this You don’t know what politicians are gonna do. Ain’t that right? So in ah time like this Where there’s indefinite uncertain[ity] Well, my friends you need to be SURE and VERY SURE that you’ve been born again. You oughta KNOW you got GOOD RELIGION. Something that we are SUBSTAINED in a time of trial, tribulation temptation all around us.

Have You Got Good Religion?

Close- Looks Can Be Deceiving

Matthew 11:16–19 ESV

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Our Heavenly Father Works Behind The Scenes On Our Behalf

Jesus, who is God, fasts

Matthew 4:1–4 ESV

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Jesus, who is God, helps the needy

Matthew 8:16–17 ESV

16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Matthew 15:30–31 ESV

30 And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, 31 so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus, who is God, prays

Matthew 26:39 ESV

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Matthew 26:42 ESV

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Like the old hymnist would say:

Have you got good religion?

Certainly Lord

Do you love ev'rybody, Cert’nly, Lord!

Have you been converted, Cert’nly, Lord!

Have you been to the water, Cert’nly, Lord!

Have you been baptized, Cert’nly, Lord!

Because it was Jesus who was baptized

Matthew 3:15–17 ESV

15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

But Jesus had another baptism on our behalf

Matthew 12:40 ESV

40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Look to Jesus

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Right Hand of the throne of God

Right hand of blessings

Genesis 48:14–15 ESV

14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). 15 And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,

Fighting our enemies

Matthew 22:44 ESV

44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’?

Fighting our battles

Psalm 118:16 ESV

16 the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

Interceding for us

Romans 8:34 ESV

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

So…..

James 1:26–27 ESV

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Isaiah 58:4–7 ESV

Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

2 Chronicles 7:14–15 ESV

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV 1900): 9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

!13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:9–13 ESV

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.