Dennis' Sermon Prep Workflow | Romans 15:22–29

Romans 15:22–29 ESV

This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Paul's love for the church. In the terms of today, Paul was For the Church. He loved the churches in Macedonia, Achaia, Pythnia, and all around the Gentile world that he had started. He also had great love for those who had not heard and longed to visit Rome and from there Spain, the outmost part of the Roman Empire. But he never forgot his roots. He had great desire for the western churches to bless the saints from which they received the gospel. This is a common theme.

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 ESV

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

The Church at Jerusalem was in a precarious place. First, Judaea was one of the poorest provinces of the Roman Empire. Corruption, occupation by foreign nations and infighting kept the provinces so poor that it was common for Jews of the Diaspora, the exile from Israel, who where spread throughout the empire to send back offerings to Jerusalem to be given to their fellow Jews. Second, because of their acceptance of Christ, the Christians who lived in this poor area were ineligible for the assistance given out to the Jews and they were also severely persecuted by the Jewish officials. Finally, the Christians, possibly expecting an eminent return of Christ sold much of their land and distributed it to other poor Christians, leaving even the wealthy Christians in Jerusalem destitute.

So Paul, because of his great love for his people, encouraged the church abroad to give.

We to are surrounded by much need. Whether it be churches and missionary work in Asia, South America and Subsaharan Africa, or church planting efforts domestically. Or even our own food pantry and outreaches, there is great need all around us. Like the early church, we are called to give for a number of reasons:

Generosity Reflects God's GRACE (Romans 15:22-24; 2 Cor 8:7-15)

Romans 15:22–24 ESV

This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.

2 Corinthians 8:7–15 ESV

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Notice what we see in these two texts: Paul ties our own generosity with the giving of himself that Christ accomplished on the cross. On the cross, says Paul, Christ became poor “so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Our Giving and Generosity is a reflection of God’s own Grace to us.

Giving reflects the grace of God in that every good and perfect gift we have is from God (James 1:17) and in fact David notes that everything we have comes from God (1 Chronicles 29:14).

And so, giving is a response to and a reflection of the graciousness of God. God gives freely to us, and we are called to freely give to him.

2 Corinthians 9:7–8 ESV

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

That's why the spiritual discipline of giving is so important. Biblically understood and practiced, tithing is humanity's response to divine grace. We give to God because He has already given to us. He is no poorer if we fail to tithe, but we are impoverished. He is no richer if we do tithe, but we are enriched.

Tithe literally means 1/10th. It was a tenth part of the harvest that the Israelites would give to God. Why did God institute the tithe in the first place? In order to support the Levites, who had no tribal allocation of land. The Levites were set apart to take care of the spiritual and educational responsibilities of the nation, and their work and physical necessities were paid for by the tithe (Num. 18).

Under the new covenant, the tithe continues to support the work of building up people in the truth of God and reaching sinners with the gospel. Christ works through churches, seminaries, parachurch organizations, missionaries, and many others to build and grow His kingdom. As Christians, we are no longer under the law, but under grace, but we are not free from the command to give.

We GIVE Because He is GRACIOUS

Generosity Is an act of LOVE (Romans 15:25-26; 2 Cor 8:8)

1 John 4:19 ESV

We love because he first loved us.

This is a well known and beloved verse that reminds us that our love flows from the very love of Christ. In other words, our love is an extension of Christ’s own love as it flows through us and to others.

In the same way, as believers we are called to give

Ephesians 5:2 ESV

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Notice what Paul says: “Love as Christ loved.” And how did Christ love? “He gave himself…”

Romans 15:25–26 ESV

At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:8 ESV

I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

"It was important for the Jewish Christians to understand that the contribution provided by the Gentile believers demonstrated their love and affection for their brethren in Christ. God's love binds together all believers regardless of ethnic origin. The contribution made by the Gentile church expressed in tangible form the bond of Christian unity that surpasses the artificial barrier of race." -Robert Mounce

Giving is a way to show our love for God. Matthew 6:21 reminds us that where our treasure is, there our heart is likewise. Think about what you spend your money on, especially the little disposable income you have. Where you spend your money says a lot about what you value.

A young adult who spends all his extra income on a beautiful young lady he's dating shows he's interested in her.

A Man who spends $30,000 on a new bass boat shows you immediately the level of his love of fishing.

A woman who spends tens of thousands on botox or plastic surgery shows you a great deal about her values.

Each of these expenditures let you know a lot about that person. And in the same way, your giving of time, talents and treasures shows a lot about your love for, or lack of love for God.

As Christians we love and give because he loved and gave. It’s an expression of our love not only for one another but also for Christ.

We GIVE because HE is GIVING

Generosity Is an OBLIGATION of Thanksgiving (Romans 15:27)

Romans 15:27 ESV

For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Paul’s third argument for giving is one of obligation. Notice his argument: Because Christ came through the Jews, and through them we received the spiritual relationship of friendship with God through Christ, we owe our tithe.

Now some will point to out 2 Cor. 9:6-8

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Pastor Dennis, the scripture says, “Give not reluctantly or under compulsion”, and that is true. But not all obligations are done under compulsion.

I have an obligation to go to work and provide for my family, but as we see from the fatherlessness problem in America today no one is sticking a gun to my head and making me stay. I stay out of love and obligation, and I work cheerfully and with my whole heart because I love my wife and kids.

It’s an obligation, but an obligation born out of the love we see in the previous point. It's an obligation, but we are to give freely and not under compulsion. We give, not because God will punish us if we don't in the New Covenant, but because of our love for God and the blessings promised.

Proverbs 11:24–26 ESV

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

R. C. Sproul notes, "One commentator has noted that God’s economy does not always work as we might expect it to operate. To become rich and successful according to the world’s standards, one is generally encouraged to invest every penny in himself. The Bible, on the other hand, tells us the one who “gives freely” actually “grows more blessed” (Prov. 11:24). Paradoxically, the more a person gives away to needy people and the work of the kingdom, the more blessings they will receive (though not necessarily financial)"

So giving is an obligation not of compulsion, "you will be punished if you don't do 'X'" but of thanksgiving. "You will grow more blessed" if you give freely. But not just of our finances. Giving of our Time and our Talents is just as important. How many churches are filled with talented men and women who could equally give of their finances to bless the kingdom, but more importantly of the time to Disciple others, or to lead a small group.

In the Old Testament, the prophets of Israel were cursed not because they withheld their finances, but because they did not give accurately God's Word.

Jeremiah 23:30 ESV

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another.

And thus God blesses us when we give whatever we have. He blessed the lives of service given by the Disciples, and the mite given by the widow.

We GIVE because HE is DESERVING

Generosity Is an ACT OF WORSHIP (2 Cor. 9:11-12)

2 Corinthians 9:11–12 ESV

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

Giving is finally an act of worship. Paul notes in 2 Cor 9 that the giving enriched them in such a way that it produced thanksgiving to God.

The word for Thanksgiving is eucharistian which is where the Catholic church gets it’s word for the elements of Communion the Eucharist. Eucharistian is thanks due to the creator for his blessings. It’s an act of praise to God for his provision. It’s worship.

Paul notes that the Corinthians, and by proxy the Romans, were blessed “in every way to be generous in every way” so that their generosity would produce thanksgiving to God.

I can from personal experience relate how times in our marriage, especially early on, a small gift of money from a church member or a blessing from a deacon at the right time kept us from being able to pay our bills or buy groceries. Those small blessings produced worship in Kristy and I.

When we give, we participate in the worship of those who are blessed by that gift.

A gift to missions that leads a young man to Christ, a gift to the church that keeps the lights on, the gift of a pack of diapers to a young mother in our church or who visits our food pantry is an opportunity for us to participate in the worship, and possible salvation of one impacted by that gift.

When the Jerusalem Christians received their gifts from Paul, it led to worship, and in the same way when we give cheerfully, and freely to the body others are blessed by it. Giving thus leads to the worship of others in the church, but it’s also an act of Joyful worship for us.

Let’s go back to 2 Cor. 9:6-7

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

God loves a cheerful, worshipful, thankful giver.

We GIVE Because He is GRACIOUS

We GIVE Because He is DESERVING

We GIVE Because He is GIVING

We GIVE because HE is WORTHY