Teaching about what it means to Give:

Introduction:

Good morning everyone, it is good to be here this wonderful morning to be able to worship God. Last week we talk about Mt 5:43-48, which talk about love, and enemies. Last week points were, What was Love, Who was our enemy, and How did Christ Challenge his believers, listeners, and Followers. So, for this week we are now getting into Chapter 6 of Matthew. So, we are going to be looking at Jesus teaching about giving. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Mt 6:1-4

Matthew 6:1–4 NKJV

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

So, Our points for today are going to be, The wrongful way of giving, The rightful way of giving, and finally how should we as Christians be giving.

The wrongful way of Giving:

So, for our first point for today is to explain that there are two ways of giving. So, first we are going to be looking at today is the wrong way to give. Let’s look at the first part of our main passage here in Mt 6:1-2

Matthew 6:1–2 NKJV

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

From this verse we can see that Jesus is warning his listeners, his believers, and followers about being seen. in some sense many people will try to say that Jesus is contradicting himself here, because if we go back to Mt 5:14-16

Matthew 5:14–16 NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

From passage here in Mt we see that Jesus talking about being light in the world, not withholding anything back, meaning to be light to those who are living a sinful life, to guide them on how to live a life that is pleasing to God. because if we look back in the Old Testament about Giving, we see that giving was consider to sacred duty for the Israelite people. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Deut 15:7-11.

Deuteronomy 15:7–11 NKJV

7 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. 9 Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the Lord against you, and it become sin among you. 10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. 11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’

From this passage here in Deut, we see that this was Moses, who was laying out how People need to take care of themselves and how to take care of God’s people all at the same time. we also come to understand that the Jewish leaders made a production of their giving, Lets go back to Mt 6:1-2

Matthew 6:1–2 NKJV

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

From our main passage we should notice that Jewish leaders were only doing this to be see by their fellow men, we also understand that this was not about heart either, it was for glory for oneself, and not for the need to help the poor. From this we also see that most of them were more concern about how others thought about them. Which leads to the question and our next point.

What is the rightful way to Give:

So, for our next point for today is What is the rightful way to give? if we are only giving to be seen by others than our hearts are not in the right place. We were commanded to give by God. if we look back at Deut 15:7, God commands us to not harden our hearts to the things of the world. we are to take care of the poor, from giving to caring for them. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Mt 7:11-12.

Matthew 7:11–12 NKJV

11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

From these two verse here we come to see that Jesus makes clear that anyone can give a good gift. really depends on if that gift comes from the heart or if there is another motive behind it. because we should know these two verse, one of them is known as the golden rule, which is about how to treat other people. from this we come to understand that in order to share in the grace, mercy and love that God has to offer, we to must give how our father in heaven has given us. if we are going to give we should want make sure it comes from the heart, not out expecting something in return, because it is the right thing to do. We as people struggle with everyday of our daily life. Let’s look at the rich young rule for moment. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Mt 19:16-22

Matthew 19:16–22 NKJV

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

From this we understand that God will bless certain people with wealth in order to help those in need, it all depends on how person handle the wealth that came from God. are they willing to share with the poor or, use it to glorify themselves. in this story about the rich young rule, we struggle like him, we do not want to give up our own possessions. we all fall short in sin, remember Rom 3:23.

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Now that we come to understand that Giving comes from the heart, and it is a commend from

God. This really leads to our last point for today.

Why Should we be giving as Christians:

It really comes down to this question, Why should we be giving as Christian today? we need to be giving like God the father, who gave us the his son, God gave us our possessions, and gave us our life out of love. Let’s turn in our Bibles John 3:16-17

John 3:16–17 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Most of us know this passage, we see that God love the world so much that he gave up his only Son for all who sin to have a relationship with him. We also understand as Christians not only wealth, it could be anything that is ask of us. remember from last we Christ challenge his followers, his believers, and his listeners to go far beyond normal expectation, Let’s turn in our Bibles to Mt 5:41-42

Matthew 5:41–42 NKJV

41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

At the end of the day we must come to realize that when it comes to giving it is a action out of love for people. As Christians not only are we to give in order to help out those in need like the orphans, widows, The poor, or the elderly. we need to be giving back what is best to God. The best example of this would be of Cain who did not offer what was best, but gave what was okay. which we could compare Cain to Abraham who was willing to give his son out of obedience for God. at the end of the day we should not be seeking out our own desires, but willing to share with those who are struggling in life. God gave us our life, and our possessions, the question we need to be asking ourselves is our using our life and our things to glorify God? or are we using our wealth, possessions, and life to glorify ourselves in front of men in order to be seen like we are doing good? Because when we give in the correct way, we are glorify God. Let’s turn in our Bibles to 2nd Cor 9:12-14

2 Corinthians 9:12–14 NKJV

12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

Not only we are glorify God, but we are helping those in need. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Eph 4:27-29

Ephesians 4:27–29 NKJV

27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

From this we must understand that why we should give is important for the Church because help those to spread the gospel of Christ Mark 16:15

Mark 16:15 NKJV

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

If you read the book of Acts even Paul goes on missionary journey setting up Churches through area, and these churches help provide services to Paul and the missionaries who come in to help. Let’s turn in our Bibles to 1st Cor 16:1-2

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 NKJV

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

and finally our last reason is to why we should give as Christians is because it help encourages our fellow brothers and sisters in their time of need. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Heb 10:23-25

Hebrews 10:23–25 NKJV

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

From this passage we come to understand that the author of Hebrews was encouraging the early Church, about being supportive to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. in some sense we are to give as much as possible, when means to come to being supportive we must recognize that not about the money, its about helping out those who are doing the work, or those who are struggling in this life. we come to recognize when we give it is more than just money, its time, its food, it clothes, and maybe sometimes housing someone out in the field or from the streets.

Conclusion:

At the end of the day, when we give, we should not be showboating ourselves about how much we give, or how give. the best way to give is that we understand yes it is a commanded but it needs to come from our hearts, and that we need to give what is best to God. Because we come to realize how much God has given us. I may not know what you all struggle with in your daily life but i do know a being who does and care for all. if you have questions, if you wish to study, if you are in need of help, if you are need of prayers, or if wish to become a child of God through baptism please come forward as we stand and sing.