Giving It Away
Giving It Away, Thankful for His Faithfulness
Thanksgiving 2006
Philippians 4:10-11, 14-19.
1. INTRO:
Ø In England, Thanksgiving, or Harvest festival, is held in churches to mark end of harvest. 1st settlers took the tradition to America.
Ø 1st American TG feast took place in 1621, at Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts. In 1620, a group, led by separatists from the Church of England who were heading for Virginia, instead landed at modern-day Plymouth, Massachusetts. In the autumn of 1621, they celebrated a three-day Harvest festival with the native Wampanoag people, without whom they would not have survived the winter of 1620.
Ø We know t/story, but do we own t/values? Is God our provider; or self, or others?
2. Scripture, Philippians 4:10-11; 14-19
3. Trusting God’s Providence Makes Us Thankful & Frees Us to Give
Ø Pilgrims gave thanks for the little they had rather than complain of the hard road ahead. They recognized God as their provider over their own efforts or the assistance of the Indians.
Ø This passage talks of the relationship between giving and providence. Between the giving theme thru vs.18 and the provision theme of vs.19 there’s a conjunction connecting the ideas.
Ø They sacrificed to God in giving, and this same God will meet ALL their needs.
Ø One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Pr 11:24-25
Ø Trusting God’s provision, we’ll feel free to “give it away.” It’s not our working & saving that secures us, but God. Yes, we work & save, but we can hold $$ loosely and share it freely due to our trust in God as our provider. Philippians were an example.
Ø They met some of Paul’s needs when he was in Thessalonica. In fact, for a long time they were the only church helping him financially.
Ø They hadn’t been able to for a while, but now again when he was in jail in Rome they had sent money.
Ø Philippians gave out of their poverty. (2Cor.8-9) They trusted in God’s provision.
Ø Philippians gave 1st, not after all others had joined in.
4. The Giver Gets More than the Receiver
A. It’s About You, Not the Receiver
Ø Talking $$ made people then nervous too. Paul makes clear he’s not being sneaky or manipulative to simply get more cash. He really is ok for now.
Ø He’s looking to encourage them, & let ‘em know that this is a credit to an account with Christ out of which God will meet All their Needs.
Ø He doesn’t want $$, he wants them to participate in the work, to extend its reach and effectiveness, and to share in the joys and blessings.
Ø Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Lk 6:38
Ø I know that talking $$ may drum up giving, and it would be appreciated, but it’s not why we talk about it. We talk about it to see the fruit increase abundantly to your account.
Ø We don’t want $$ from those who are suspicious of our motives or who feel under any obligation.
Ø Giving is more for you than the church. CCC has been supplied. We have not failed.
Ø It is a vital work & a worthwhile investment. We’ll be faithful. We will work to focus on the life-change and God glorifying value of your investments.
B. Giving Makes Us Richer
Ø Vs.19.
Ø What are God’s riches in Christ Jesus? Are they fiscal only? Are we promised one type only in return on our investment in the Kingdom? No, God will repay relative to the surpassing riches in Christ, but as He knows best benefit, with the additional promise that our needs will be met.
Ø Yet the Scripture: Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Pr 3:9-10
Ø What do we invest our lives in? What do our financial choices say about our priorities, our aims, our trust in God’s provision?
C. Giving Builds Intimacy with God
Ø Ellen’s bottle of rose petals, an example of a gift remembered. What else do we want than to please our beloved(s)? Isn’t all else selfish?
Ø Our giving is like a sweet bouquet of expensive roses given to a love. They display passionate devotion and receive a passionate response.
Ø Giving is one way to deepen our intimacy with God as it is a lover’s gift and increases our faith.
D. Giving Build Faith
Ø God could get the money elsewhere, but then how would you learn that He can be trusted?
Ø Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Ti 6:17-19
Ø Our individual joy will increase as we are freed from the fear of being responsible to create security for ourselves when this is not possible.
Ø I would love to be paid up fully. Is it a need? Do I trust God’s provision & timing? Am I content?
Ø Our corporate joy will grow as we see God use us to meet more of our church needs.