Sharing

How are we supposed to give?

The subject of giving is a weakness within the church.

In fact it’s a sore subject among many when they think of the church.

If you were to take a poll of what people like about the church they’d probably say they like:

Our service.

Our love.

The fellowship.

The community.

Right now, we have a large group of people at Lake Hemet sharing in Family Camp together.

These are things that people like.

If you were to ask what people don’t like about the church, somewhere near the top of that list would be giving; would be money.

Sometimes the church is seen as a place that wants your money.

There are some churches like us, that are treading water.

We aren’t over spending.

But we aren’t necessarily saving a ton either.

We receive just what we need.

This means you aren’t going to see anything extravagant.

We aren’t going to be cutting edge.

And that’s okay, the Lord gives us all we need.

Then there are other times, money is all that people hear from the church.

Their view of the church is what they see on TV, and late night public access television, and televangelists.

Men like Jesse Duplantis and Creflo Dollar have put a bad taste in their mouths.

For example, in May, Jesse Duplantis said that God told him he needed to buy a $54 million dollar jet in order to serve his church better.

That would be his 4th jet if you’re keeping count.

In case your wondering how many jets a pastor needs, I’m not exactly sure.

I’m still driving a Prius.

A few years ago, Creflo Dollar said he needed a $65 million dollar jet.

These men put out pleas to their followers to donate to them.

Many wolves masquerade as sheep, taking advantage of the generosity of Christians, saying if you give you’ll be blessed.

There is that passage of the widow who gave her last two coins.

Most of the time, that passage is used to say that you need to give everything that you have, even down to your last penny.

That might sound noble.

That might sound noteworthy.

But that’s really taking advantage of people.

How many kind widows have been given a nice little sum of money from her husband’s pension, only to be fleeced by those who claim to be Christian?

Saying, be like the widow who gave everything she had.

So the widow gives everything she has from her husbands retirement.

She is left penniless, and unable to get the care she needs.

I’ll tell you what, that makes me angry.

And if that was how the church is saying to give … well I’d also have a bad taste in my mouth.

And just so you know, Jesus didn’t approve of that kind of giving either.

In , just after Jesus watched that widow put her final two copper coins into the offering box.

He looked at the Temple.

It was adorned with gems and treasures and opulence.

And he said, “the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

He said that the day would come when Jerusalem would be conquered, and those in it would be lead astray.

Jesus wasn’t happy with what he was seeing.

And so, if the message of the church is give your final last copper coins, or buy me a jet, and it gets you frustrated; then you’re in good company, because Jesus doesn’t approve of that kind of giving either.

So clearly, there is a wrong way to give.

Just because there’s a wrong way to give -

Just because people are taken advantage of in giving, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done at all.

There is a right way to give.

That makes these final passages in Philippians precious.

As we read about Paul and the Philippians, we get to be like a fly on the wall, and see how a church should give.

We get to observe a proper view of how the church gives.

And we get to observe how a pastor is to view giving.

Let’s go ahead and read .

First, let’s look at The Church’s View of Giving.

We give because we are responsible for one another.

You see that in Paul’s language in verse 14.

“Yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble.”

The word for share is to have:

The same fellowship.

Or the same partnership.

And specifically here, to be partners in the same trouble.

Paul says that the Philippians took on his trouble and it became their trouble.

Remember the song, Lean on Me, by Bill Withers?

Lean on me, when you're not strong And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on

To share in someone’s trouble is to take someone else’s burden and put it on yourself.

This shows the the uniqueness of their relationship.

Paul was someone that was very special to the Philippians.

He’s the one that brought the Gospel to them.

There were individuals that were converted because of his preaching.

Lydia.

The Philippian Jailer

Hopefully, the slave girl who had a demon removed..

Paul went there to Philippi - there was no church.

He leaves Philippi - there’s a church.

He leaves Philippi and goes to Thessalonica.

And the Philippian church continued to support him.

But then we fast forward to now, the 4th chapter of Philippians.

Paul’s in jail in Rome.

But his troubles are their troubles.

Lean on me … I’ll help you carry on.

Then the Philippians send Epaphroditus to Rome.

That’s about 700 miles.

700 miles to deliver supplies to Paul.

Why?

Because his troubles, are their troubles.

Lean on me … I’ll help you carry on.

This idea of taking on other’s troubles, it’s not easy.

It’s messy, it means getting your hands dirty.

Friday and Saturday, Amanda and I were at Family Camp with the rest of our church at Lake Hemet.

We are tent camping.

You’re in the dirt.

There’s dust.

It’s everywhere.

You do everything to keep it out of your tent.

My feet are dirty.

My face is dirty.

Dirt everywhere.

I can do that for a short while.

But I like to know that I can come home, and take a shower.

Get cleaned up.

Camping isn’t permanent.

Many of us adopt that attitude towards fellowship; towards other Christians.

We go to camp.

Get a little dusty.

Then go home.

Get rid of the dust and pretend it was never there.

Some do this with Christian fellowship.

We say hi.

We make an appearance.

Then we are gone.

Pretend it never happened.

Sunday you go to church.

Say hi to a couple of people.

Then you’re gone, till next Sunday.

Throughout the week the brotherhood of the saints is far from your mind.

True fellowship doesn’t work that way.

In true fellowship, we share in trouble.

Your problems are my problems.

says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

This is messy.

In this type of relationship, we get dirty.

Selfishly, I don’t want any extra problems in my life.

Romans says to weep with those who weep.

I’m not looking to weep.

I’d rather not cry.

I’d rather not have your stress in my life.

I like things to be as easy as possible.

And yet, the example that we have from Philippi is that we share in each other’s troubles.

And the only way we can do that is if our love for one another grows.

Earlier in the book, in Paul describes his prayer for the church, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more ...”

And that’s my prayer for you.

This is why being involved in the life of the church is so important.

It’s dirty.

Don’t do to church, what I did to Family Camp.

Don’t just make an appearance once a week, get a little dusty, and then leave.

That works for the world around us.

We show up, get a little dusty, then go home and wash hands.

Think of the average person’s weekly schedule.

Sunday

Go to church

Say hi

Go home and wash our hands of it all.

Monday

Take the kids to karate

Say hi

Go home and wash our hands of it all.

Tuesday

Take the kids to little league practice

Say hi

Go home and wash our hands of it all.

Always controlling what’s in our life and what problems we welcome into it.

Being careful not to truly take on anyone’s problems.

True fellowship is when you dive into the body.

Your problems become my problems.

When something great happens to you, I rejoice with you.

And when something bad happens to you, I cry with you.

I cry.

The only way this will happen is if we are around each other.

This doesn’t work only on Sundays.

Church doesn’t work only on Sundays.

Christian’s University is important

Wednesday Night Bible Study is important.

Hanging out is important.

Because when we are around each other, your troubles become my troubles.

We see that the Philippians adopted Paul’s trouble as their own, and then they gave generously.

The question is often asked how much do I give?

People want some kind of amount; they want a specific percentage

Do I give:

10%

20%

30%

In the Old Testament there was a tithe.

In our Christianese when we give our offerings, sometimes we simply call it our tithe.

The tithe was a 10% sacrifice.

It was really just one of many sacrifices that were given.

But in addition to the tithe, there were other required sacrifices as well.

In the Old Testament, Israel was a kingdom that belonged to God.

They were a theocracy.

Sacrifices supported the priests, the king, the Temple.

When you think of Old Testament giving, we have to think of it as more than just a tithe.

We have to think of Old Testament giving more as a tax.

It went to support the nation as a whole.

In reality, if you combined all the required sacrifices in the Old Testament, a person would give between 30-50% of their income.

So if you want to use the Old Testament as the standard for giving, it’s much more than a tithe, it’s much more than 10%.

So how much are we to give?

We apply the principle that we see in Philippi.

We share in each other’s troubles.

Taking them on as our responsibility.

And we see with the Philippians, they gave generously, so that, Paul was not lacking.

He says, “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, ...”

When we give from the perspective of taking others troubles on our own, we don’t give out of guilt, we give out of love.

commends the Macedonians by saying, “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,”

They gave what they could, then they willingly gave even more.

Why would they give more?

Because they took on their troubles as their own.

This is what happens when we:

Get involved in each others lives.

And take on others troubles as our own.

This is a spirit of generosity, demonstrated with giving what you are able.

Not just do we see how the Church is to view giving, but we also see The Pastor’s View of Giving.

Let’s be honest, and talk about the elephant in the room.

Because of your generosity in giving, that’s how I am paid.

My labor is studying God’s Word, so that I can preach it to you.

You are obedient to I Timothy 5:17 that says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”

But what keeps me from asking for a jet?

What keeps me from turning my work into a normal job?

That’s where this text becomes such a lovely verse, because in Paul we see what is expected of a pastor when it comes to your giving.

We see what the Pastor’s view of giving should be.

This job shouldn’t be a job.

This should not be the means to a paycheck.

This should never be a mindless task

It should not merely be a profession.

A pastor’s fear of God and love of Christ should be all the motivation that is needed to preach the Gospel.

But it’s not why I do this.

I think of professional ball players.

They do what I do for fun.

As a kid my dream job would have been to play baseball.

I’d go outside, in front of my house, and throwing tennis balls against the garage door all day.

I’d pretend I was a pitcher.

I’d throw tennis balls pretending to pitch to all my favorite ball players.

I’d do that for hours.

From sun up to sun down.

And in my young head, I always had this dream that a baseball scout would drive down my street.

Guajome Road, in Moreno Valley, and see me throw a pitch and be impressed.

He’d recruit me to play for a major league team.

That was my dream

Even now, I’d shag fly balls for a pro team.

I’d do it for free.

And it’s that same love for the Gospel, that should drive a pastor.

I don’t seek the gift.

I don’t seek a pay check.

Paul said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

The desire should already be there to serve the Lord by serving His church.

In Paul says, “Not that I seek the gift ...”

I’m not looking for a paycheck.

It’s appreciated.

It helps.

It’s well received.

But it’s not why I do this.

I think of professional ball players.

They do what I do for fun.

As a kid my dream job would have been to play baseball.

I’d go outside, in front of my house, and pretend I was a pitcher.

I’d throw tennis balls against the garage door, pretending to pitch to all my favorite ball players.

I’d pretend I was a pitcher

I’d do that for hours.

I do what I do because I love Christ.

And in my young head, I always had this dream that a baseball scout would drive down my street, see me throw a pitch and be impressed.

He’d recruit me to play for a major league team.

That was my dream

Even now, I’d shag fly balls for a pro team.

And because I love Christ, I love you.

I’d do it for free.

And it’s that same love for the Gospel, that should drive a pastor.

I don’t seek the gift.

Now I do encourage you to give.

For 2 reasons. For 2 benefits.

When you give it demonstrates that you are in Christ.

He says, “I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”

It’s good for you to give.

It says something about the work that God has done within you.

It shows that you really have changed and now belong to God.

And so if I cared about you, I would encourage you to give for your sake.

The second reason to give, or the second benefit is that your giving is a gift to God.

And your giving is actually a gift to God.

Look at Paul’s response to the Philippians gift.

They sent him supplies by a man named Epaphroditus.

And notice how Paul describes their gift in verse 18.

“I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

Though the gifts were given to Paul, they were really gifts given to God.

The language is similar to gifts that were given to priests in the Old Testament.

Though they were given to the priests and part of how God provided for the priests, they were sacrifices that people brought were in reality gifts to God.

Paul sees their gifts as acceptable gifts and pleasing to God.

We learn that this is another way to worship.

We worship God in song.

On Sundays we sing songs to our God.

We worship God through preaching.

Hearing His word preached and then affirming it in our lives.

And we worship Him by giving.

Giving is a pleasing and acceptable way to worship God.

What does this mean for a pastor?

It means that when you give … you are giving to the Lord.

Way back in the Old Testament, there was a prophet named Samuel.

Samuel was mentored under a man named Eli.

Eli had two sons who were both priests over Israel.

Unfortunately, Eli’s sons were wicked.

And because of their sin, and the way they handled themselves, people started to hate giving to God.

I don’t want that to happen to you.

Therefore, I must be aware, that when that offering bag is passed, what goes in it … is holy.

And then, when it is dispersed, and given to me in the form of a paycheck, that paycheck is your gift to God.

Something that Paul says is acceptable and pleasing to God.

I must be careful with how I handle my gifts from you.

Because I want you to give more.

I know that sounds weird.

But I do.

I want you to worship more.

I want you to:

Sing louder.

Quote Scripture.

Have more fellowship.

And in the same way that I want you to do those things more, I want you to be able to worship God by giving more.

And shame on me, or any pastor who causes you to despise that good act.

There is a promise in this passage related to giving as well.

It’s a nice promise too.

Look at verse 19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

I know that giving can be scary.

It’s scary for me, because I don’t feel worthy of your gifts.

I’ve been entrusted with something that was given to God.

It’s scary for you, because it’s not like you’re millionaires.

But look at this promise, God will supply every need of yours according to his riches.

You will never exhaust God of His resources.

And so, when you give to the Lord, I know you don’t have a lot, but according to this verse, I have to trust that He will provide for you.

If I needed a car fixed, I would go to a mechanic.

And when you give to the Lord, trust that He will provide for you.

I do think that there is a blessing here to those who give.

And the great promise is that He gives according to His riches.

God doesn’t operate the way Best Buy does on Black Friday.

On Black Friday, stores have those door busters.

They’ll sell the newest and coolest TVs, gadgets and gizmos at some ridiculously low price.

A new 60 inch TV, that’ll even make you pancakes in the morning.

And it sells for $50.

What’s the catch?

There’s only 2 of them … in all of California.

Supplies are limited.

So even though you get there on Thanksgiving night, there’s no way you are getting it.

Because supplies are limited.

Not so with God.

His treasures have no end.

He who created all things from nothing, isn’t going to run out of supplying your every need.

So I do really think that if you are generous and give to the Lord … He will respond, by providing for your needs.

Why do I think that?

Because this verse says so.

Because God is rich.

Because God is kind.

But those aren’t your only needs.

If you need bread, you go to a baker.

If you need a car fixed, you go to a mechanic.

You also need forgiveness of sins.

The grace of God seems to be one of the biggest things attacked by the devil.

Because

says that Satan is our accuser.

He loves to make Christians doubt that they are in Christ.

He loves to accuse God’s elect before God.

He loves to point out to God the sins of his elect.

“If you really are a Christian how could you sin?”

“Don’t you think God is getting tired of your sin? Jesus only died once, you’re going to exhaust his forgiveness.”

At the same time, there are those who are not converted.

They look at their sin and they think there’s no way they could be saved.

They say:

“I’m too big of a sinner.”

“Christianity is only for the goodie two shoes.”

Satan fools people into thinking that they are too bad for Christianity.

And they are left thinking that Christ is only for those who make themselves good enough.

The grace of God knows no end.

Not by being good enough.

Yet, the grace of God knows no end.

He saves according to his riches.

Not yours. Not your riches.

If it was by your riches, your efforts, you being good enough, you’d be in trouble.

You’d never be good enough.

But, if it’s according to God’s riches that we are saved, that’s different.

Because it was Jesus who died on Cross for sins.

And it was Jesus who rose again from the grave.

God gives according to his riches.

Christ is perfect.

Those riches know no end.

Just as some of you need faith to give, and trust that God will provide.

Some of you need faith to trust that the grace of God is greater than your sin.

Let’s be clear about something, if you have a problem, you go to the person that will solve the problem.

You need something.

If you need bread, you go to a baker.

If you need a car fixed, you go to a mechanic.

And if sin is your problem … then you go to Him who’s grace is bottomless.

May I speak to those of you who live under guilt.

The problem isn’t a low self-esteem.

The problem is you have a low view of Christ.

He’s the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

And His riches are great.

Trust in Him.

And finally, the Redeemed’s View of Giving … is God is praised.

Not only do you need your sins forgiven, but you need to be reunited with God.

Look at our final verse for today, verse 20, “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Many are looking for ways to worship God better.

But it’s related.

We want our faith to be active, real, sometimes even emotional.

When we give to the Lord, our faith is on the line.

We trust that God will provide for us.

We are affirming His work in our life.

I am rejoicing that you are in Christ.

Together we are all recognizing His riches and ability to save from sin.

And what happens?

God becomes the focus in our giving.

He receives all the glory and honor.

When we give in this way, then together we all are worshipping Christ.

I know you are giving to the Lord, something that is good and acceptable.

You are giving to Him.

This is the very practical side of giving.

Today, as we conclude, I’d like to do something a little backwards.

As we close, we will sing a song of praise.

But instead of going into communion, we will give.

Let’s give with faith.

Trusting He will supply our needs.

May we give in joy.

Knowing that it is acceptable and pleasing.

May we give rejoicing.

Knowing that it is to the glory of Christ our king.