We Value Sacrificial Giving

We Value Sacrificial Giving

Acts 2:44-45; Acts 5:1-11

INTRDOCUTION

Moses goes up Mt Sinai.

Aaron takes up gold (gold they raided from Egyptians).

They were generous.

They give to Moses’ appointed leader.

Yet, they gave in order to create an idol.

Being sacrificial in generosity is not the same thing as funding God’s ministry.

When Moses gets back they raise money for the Tabernacle.

People gave generously.

Difference? It was out of obedience. It was to serve God, not self.

God doesn’t want our money. He wants our heart. If he has our heart he will have our money.

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

A message on giving can come across as self-serving from a pastor.

Jesus spoke more on giving than any other topic.

I know that our ability to minister to our community is impossible without generous givers.

4 Truths Concerning Sacrificial Giving

1. Sacrificial Giving Encourages Unity (Acts 2:44)

Acts 2:44 ESV

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Special time for the church. Nowhere in New Testament is this type of economics prescribed or even encouraged.

People were losing everything to follow Jesus. Many were weeks of travel away from home.

However a heart for those in need is prescribed.

Acts 4:32 ESV

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

equal sacrifice, not equal amount.

widow who gave more than anyone else.

We all are in it together. it takes all of us investing in the ministries of the church for them to be successful.

When we are helping each other it provides intimacy.

Philippians 2:1–8 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

2. Sacrificial Giving Funds Ministry (Acts 2:45)

Acts 2:45 ESV

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

We fund ministry in the church as the Old Covenant was funded.

1 Corinthians 9:11–14 ESV

11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

Ministry (to those who were poor) within the church- unity is necessary if they are to be taken care of.

Meeting the physical needs of believers who were poor because of their obedience to the Gospel.

Lost jobs because of their belief/ lost family/ Kids disowned them- retirement plan.

Many got stuck in Jerusalem after accepting Christ and not able to get back home.

3. Sacrificial Giving Proves Integrity (Acts 5:1-11)

Accountability

Church has the authority to call out sin and call out those hurting the unity of the church.

1 Corinthians 15:33–34 ESV

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Integrity is the result of Obedience

Acts 5:1–2 ESV

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

If we are to fund ministry leaders in same way as temple (1 Corinthians 9) then we have to think verses like Malachi 3 apply to us as well.

Malachi 3:8–10 ESV

8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

A giving problem is an obedience problem.

Giving is not to gain status.

Acts 4:32 ESV

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

This was not required. It was how people were responding to God.

Yes 100% belongs to God. But he does not usually call people to give it all.

The problem here is not the amount, It was the heart.

Giving is essential to integrity.

Acts 5:3–11 ESV

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Ananias and Sapphira had an integrity problem. They loved the gain wealth provided them.

They wanted to use their money to manipulate the church.

They cared more about outward appearances than their hearts.

CONCLUSION

Evaluate your heart.

Who is Lord?

Matthew 6:21 ESV

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A good way to see what you value is to see how you spend your money.

The boy who gave his 5 loafs of bread and 2 fish.

When we give what we have God will use it to accomplish what he wants.

Are you faithful with what God has entrusted with you?