The Expediency of Faith Promise

So far this month we have seen the example of FP as demonstrated by the Macedonian churches, giving of themselves to the Lord and THEN to the needs of those in Jerusalem. We saw last week two exhortations of Paul that FP giving should be done with an attitude of willingness and of worship. Today we are looking at the Expediency of Faith Promise.

2 Corinthians 8:10 KJV 1900

10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Expedient = to be at an advantage; profitable.

Let me paraphrase: “And in the matter of giving to the hurting saints in Jerusalem, let me advise you, encourage you to give because your giving to these saints is profitable to YOU. I strongly advise you to complete the offering that you have promised over a year ago for this reason.”

Something “funny” I have noticed in my ministry is that at times that I have sought to be a blessing to someone else, it never fails that I receive a blessing in return. I go visit someone in the hospital or nursing home to be an encouragement, and I leave feeling encouraged. I call to check on someone to cheer them up, and I end the call cheered up myself. Funny how that works?

Paul says that when you selflessly give, such as the Macedonian had demonstrated, that you will be blessed for it. Now blessing is an interesting word. When someone says “Blessing” or “Blessed” we hear “Money” or “Prosperity”, but that is not necessarily what Paul has in mind her. God has ways of blessing us that are more precious and more valuable than gold. I will elaborate on this later, but for now I want to share with you two ways in which Faith Promise is Expedient:

It is Expedient For the Church

There are several ways FP giving is expedient for the church. First,

Faith Promise provides a way for us to fulfill the Great Commission

First question is “How can FP help us fulfill the Great Commission?”

By providing a means to support missions without touching the general fund.

If we could get a vision for FP Missions giving, we could see an increase in missionary support, we could take on new missionaries, we could give our missionaries a much needed raise

All of this, without affecting our annual budget.

Church it is very difficult to do those things I just mentioned strictly from the general fund

The general fund is necessary for supporting the functions of our church, bills, salaries, youth, senior saints, Sunday school, etc.

Faith Promise Missions is strictly for missions.

If you don’t believe me that it is difficult to take on new missionaries and support them just from the general fund, then ask yourself, “When was the last time we took on a new missionary?”

Second question is “How does FP giving allow us to do all this?”

What kind of Promise giving are we talking about?

FAITH promise.

I hope you’ve been seriously praying this month about how much, if anything, you can give.

If you haven’t then I hope you will begin today!

That amount that you have prayed over, that promise that you have made to give cheerfully, willfully, and joyfully is a promise you have made to God!

Church, I have never known God to let me down, have you?

If He has given you peace with giving a certain amount to FP, then you can trust Him!

God wants us to fulfill the great commission, and God has given His promise that He will honor a church the church that will obey Him! A church that does not support missions to the full of its ability is not a church! Not only does FP provide the means for us to fulfill the GC, but...

Faith Promise promotes and unselfish attitude within the church

I love the example of the Macedonians

How they gave beyond their power 2 Corinthians 8:3 “3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;”

How they gave of themselves 2 Corinthians 8:5 “5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

How they refused to keep their offering just because they had a need 2 Corinthians 8:4 “4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”

Church this is the same type of unselfishness that is needed in our churches today!

Men and women of God putting aside themselves and their desires and focusing on giving whatever they can to ensure the same gospel that saved them is available to the people who need it the most!

Wouldn’t it be great if when missionary letters come in that we had a group of people who would read every word looking for ways to be a blessing to our missionaries?

one more before we move on...

Faith Promise proves Gods’ provision for the church

Our example again is the church in Philippi.

They were Paul’s first stop in Macedonia, I don’t have time to go into details of what it took to plant this church but it involved a demon possessed fortuneteller, her angered masters, a severe beating, a prayer meeting in a prison, and a suicidal jailer!

Paul didn’t stay long, but this church supported him financially as he made his second stop, Thessalonica.

Phillipi also supported him as he ventured fruther int Greece and planted a church in Corinth! That’s right, the same Corinth that Paul was advising to keep on keeping on in our text, their church was founded by the faithful support of poor Philippi!

With that said, listen to what Paul wrote to Philippi in Philippians 4:14-19

Philippians 4:14–19 KJV 1900

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

That last verse! That last verse that is too often ripped from its context is what I want you to see today. God promises to supply all their need BECAUSE of their faithful giving! That promise was not made TO us, but my friends, it was certainly made FOR us!

Faith Promise is expedient for the church, and lastly...

It is Expedient For the Believer

When you give to Faith Promises there are some things you may be sure of:

Faith Promise assures God’s blessing on the giver

I did not say you are to give to be blessed

If you are giving because you are expecting God to give you something great in return, then your motives are wrong, and God is not going to bless that attitude.

What does God want? Us

2 Corinthians 8:5 “5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 “7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

When your attitude toward giving is right, then you’ll notice....

When you give you will be blessed

2 Corinthians 9:6 “6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

Luke 6:38 “38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Faith Promise assures you’ll have treasures in heaven

Matthew 6:19–20 “19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

Someone put it this way, “When you fill out your FP offering envelope you are placing a heavenly deposit slip.”

Have you ever thought that one day you’re going to go to heaven, you’re going to see Jesus, angels, loved ones, you’ll see the apostles, OT saints for sure

But you’re also going to meet people who are in heaven, not because you ever met them or because you shared the gospel with them personally, but because you were faithful in giving to missions at this church, you helped send someone to their home to tell them about Jesus.

You can keep you gold, I want treasures in heaven.

Faith Promise assures that your faith will increase

I mentioned in our last business meeting that I had never participated in a Faith Promise program. Until I started Bible college I had NEVER even heard those words (outside of BBN). I didn’t know what it was, but my first semester I was introduced to it.

I will never forget at the start of class one day the professor asked for prayer requests and a young man said, “I have a praise. Last month we had our FP Conference and I promised to give a certain amount.” He didn’t say how much, but considering he was young and didn’t have a steady job, it probably wasn’t a million dollars. He went on, “My hours at work were just cut back and my check has been short because of it. I paid my tithe and my bills, but I just didn’t have enough to pay my FP. Last night at church, an older lady, out of the blue, came up to me and said, ‘Hon, God told me to give this to you,’ and she placed some money in my hand. I didn’t look, and told her thank you, but when I got out to my car, it was the EXACT amount I had promised to give.”

Closing thought:

Faith Promise is not commanded, but it is expedient. Next week is the moment of truth, when you see your commitment card in the pew, there will be a box at the back, one at the side door here and a chance for you to make YOUR faith promise to God.

Let’s take Paul’s advice: 2 Cor. 8:10

2 Corinthians 8:10 KJV 1900

10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Let’s bow our heads...

Some call FP giving, Grace Giving, and I can understand why. It’s all about grace. God’s grace that saves us. Maybe today you’re not sure that you even know who Jesus is, or maybe you’re not sure about your relationship with Him. Why not take care of that right now? Here’s how...