Money and the Kingdom
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Overview
A gift that God gives to His children includes the gift of generosity—a compassionate use of resources to benefit others and glorify God. What happens when a believer “fans into flame” this gift of God?
Introduction
America has been known for its compassion—especially toward its defeated enemies. Following World War Two, where nearly 420,000 Americans died, the nation rallied together to rebuild the nations it defeated (Germany and Japan).
This nation grasp the importance of seeing things long term—and realized it would be better for the world that these countries would rise with strong economies and strong democracies.
Tragically, seeing the “big picture” is usually the exception rather than the rule. People tend to look at their own needs, security, and feelings, instead of understanding the needs, security, and feelings of others.
But, in God’s Kingdom (under His authority and dominion) He has established a rule that should govern our actions and attitudes.
In fact, the rule is actually a gift—the gift of generosity.
The early Church, just like today, faced many needs. One of those needs was to financially support the church in Jerusalem—a church facing substantial persecution and hardship. So, the Apostle Paul was asking other church congregations to help. But, more than that, it became a teaching moment on giving.
This teaching moment centered on embracing God’s gift of generosity—making a connection between money and God’s kingdom.
Text: Let’s take a look at this in the New Testament book of 2 Corinthians 9.
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.
Transition
So, let’s plant ourselves in this passage of 2 Corinthians and unpack its principles about money and resources and how God wants us to interface with His kingdom.
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The Rule of Generous Giving
The Rule of Generous Giving
Here, the Apostle Paul, the writer of 2 Corinthians, expands on a well-known proverb: “You reap what you sow” (Gal. 6:7).
In this simple, self-evident agrarian principle—what you get out of something is directly proportionate to what you put into it.
When Angela and I lived in Kansas—we had the privilege of ministering to numerous farmers. They are some of the hardest working people I know. Aaron Sylvester (picture) seems to work from sun up to sun down—not only preparing the soil or tending the crops—but also overseeing a large herd of beef cattle. This kind of life required time, energy, strategic thinking, and a willingness to go the extra mile—to be reckless, to hold back or even play it too safe could cost the farm its very existence. Everything he did—every farm equipment purchase—even how the soil was prepared or the crops watered—was for the purpose of bringing in a larger, healthier crop for harvest.
God wants us to enter His work: the harvest of souls. Holding back or playing it safe is not what God has called us to do.
God wants us to fully engage in Generosity. And to emphasize this point, God says if you do this—if you fully engage in generosity—I will bless you!
In fact, God says that He will give to you so He can give through you.
Look at verse 10 and 11:
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
This is kingdom living—living by faith—living under God’s rulership in your life. This is where you fully engage in God’s redemptive plan.
Transition
Within this broad principle of generosity are four governing principles that guide our approach to giving generously:
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Rule of Thoughtful Giving
The Rule of Thoughtful Giving
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart...”
The term translated “decided” occurs only here in the New Testament and indicates a premeditated, predetermined plan of action that is done from the heart voluntarily, but not impulsively.
Our decision to give generously begins with careful, prayerful thought: “Lord, what do you want me to give?”
This kind of giving is not emotionally driven—or driven by force or pressure--but driven by God’s purpose established in your life.
Last week, I shared with you the importance of planning and budgeting concerning your family finances. Planning for generous giving is also critically important. If your married, you need to talk with one another about what God wants you to do about giving.
An important part of thoughtful giving is to study God’s Word about giving. When we study God’s Word, our faith in what God says and wants us to do will increase—and we will act in obedience accordance to His will.
The Rule of Confident Giving
The Rule of Confident Giving
“Each one must give…not reluctantly...”
There is a tendency by many to think of giving as a sense of loss (“I am losing something when I give”).
But, the generous giving God wants you to embrace is that which brings confidence—confidence in God’s purpose and confidence in God’s blessing.
However, when you give reluctantly—or as another English translation puts it: “grudgingly,” your giving is with grief, sorrow, or sadness—which indicates an attitude of depression, regret, and reluctance that accompanies something done strictly out of a sense of duty and obligation, but not joy.
Confidence in giving speaks of unrestricted willingness to do what God has called you to do. It is giving with a faithful, obedient heart.
The Rule of Guilt-free Giving
The Rule of Guilt-free Giving
“Each one must give…not under compulsion...”
Guilt and pressure are terrible motivators to give. All it brings is grief and remorse.
It is not about “arm-twisting” but from the heart—a heart motivated by compassion and gratitude.
God, who knows and appraises our hearts, values only those gifts that come as a free expression of the deepest part of our souls.
Gifts given under some sense of external compulsion will always be halfhearted at best.
The Rule of Cheerful Giving
The Rule of Cheerful Giving
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
God has a unique, special love for those who are happily committed to generous giving.
The Greek word for “cheerful” is the word from which we get “hilarious,” which suggests that God loves a heart that is enthusiastically thrilled with the pleasure of giving.
It is not difficult to understand why God delights in the cheerful giver.
God loves a cheerful giver because that is precisely what God is, a cheerful giver.
Transition
When a follower of Christ embraces and lives out these principles of generosity, God promises a bountiful blessing!
The Benefits of Giving
The Benefits of Giving
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. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
When the believer in Christ gives according to the rules of generous giving (thoughtful, confident, guilt-free, and cheerful), the giver opens his or her life to the abundant blessings of God.
Just looking at 2 Corinthians 9, we can easily identify seven blessings that will benefit your life:
Your giving and its impact will be multiplied by God (vs. 6 and 10).
The work that you do for God will abound (vs. 8).
Your giving will encourage others to give thanks and honor God (vs. 11-12).
Your giving will help others, both physically and spiritually (vs. 12).
God will be glorified because of your giving (vs. 13).
Generous giving authenticates your testimony of the Gospel of Christ (vs. 13).
Your giving unifies and builds up the community of faith (vs. 8-15)
Conclusion
Worship team on the platform
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.
God is say: “Try me on this one…See what I will do in your life.”
This gift of generosity illustrates a critical point of God’s redemptive plan: He has sovereignly chosen to give through you so your gifts can be used for His kingdom.
This gift should not be buried in the ground—or hidden away somewhere—or used inappropriately.
God has chosen to do His work through you. Are you ready to experience the actions and blessings of a giver?
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Altar Call
Like what was said earlier, God loves a cheerful giving—because God is a giver.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The first step in experiencing God’s blessings, is to experience His greatest blessing—salvation.
To the Christian, let us decide to become a generous giver!
Prayer teams forward (STOP Recording)