Giving God Our Best

Sailing Example

I love to sail. Oceans and lakes are my happy places if I can get on a sailboat and just take off. But one thing about sailing is you can’t just drive from point A to point B in a straight line. Wind, current, trimming the sails, what you are looking out at and how you steer the tiller all play a part in how you move through the water. When I was younger living in Hawaii, I was gifted the use of sailboats - nothing I earned. Sometimes the owner would go out with me and give me instructions as to where to go. So to be a good captain of the boat I had to develop the skills, focus on the task(s) at hand, and progress toward the goal given. Nothing I did earned the right to sail his boat, but to be a good steward I honed my skills, learned to read the environment (winds, current, waves, other objects), and by the gift given I wanted to take care of the boat and please the owner. Sailing often reminds me of how God’s grace is in my life. By grace He saved me, not because of any works I’ve done. So my response to to try to live a life of obedience by spending time in God’s Word, Fellowship with God’s people, Prayer, share the gospel, and learning to trust God.

Walk in Workmanship

In the book of James we see clearly that by grace we are to strive in works, not for salvation, but because of it!

James 2:14–18 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

So how does this relate to my sailing story? Let me show that in a moment.

As partners, we have all be given the gift of salvation, we see in Ephesians 2:8–10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

For we have been given such a great gift, one we cannot earn nor repay, and as a result we should strive to good works for the church, our neighbors & family, and ourselves. Paul wrote that he was compelled to do good works for God. So what does that look like?

Blessing people in need with words and not deeds?

Using resources given by others and not giving sacrificially yourself?

Believing in the Gospel but not sharing?

Knowing what should be done and not doing it?

You have Faith, showing me your works!

As believers we need to be committed together sharing in the work of sharing the gospel and making disciples. Pooling together our gifts, talents, resources, time, etc. What should that look like? Here are a few examples:

Faithfully being in God’s Word and in Prayer

Sharing your faith and living in obedience to God’s Word (daily)

Caring for those in need and defending the disadvantaged

Being committed to the mission of the local church. What does that mean?

Being available to serve the others by giving your time & talents

Could look like being apart of one of the ministries (Childrens, Youth, Set Up, CG, DG, etc)

Could be reaching out to others to share a meal at your home to share life (1 Thessalonians 2:8 “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” )

Praying without ceasing for the needs of the gospel, others, and yourself

Investing in God’s Kingdom in the mission of your local church

Giving, tithing, offering is always a touchy subject, but why - the Lord spoke on money more than just about anything else. Not that he or we necessarily need it (He doesn’t but we do) - but that we mutually want your heart

Your giving is a reflection as to what you value? Do you value your local church and the mission in Davis County? Does your giving reflect your commitment to King’s Cross Church? Does your giving show you are clinging to your possessions too tightly? Or does your giving show your love for what God has freely given you and you freely give because of Him?

I challenge myself and each other of our partners to filter our giving through the gifts you’ve been freely given and to give sacrificially with a glad joyful heart. 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 “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.”

Conclusion

So back to the sailboat illustration. I was gifted the use of the boat, I wasn’t the owner but a steward. Not to do what I wanted with it, but to guard it, develop and use my talents to bring it home to a safe harbor. The more I studied sailing, practiced sailing, and applied what I learned to real life experiences, was I able to be more effect in my service, even won a few races. But that owner pales in comparison to the owner of my life is the Lord Jesus Christ, and by His grace, gifts, resources given, I am compelled to do good works for Him.