Giving by Guilt, Greed, or Gratitude

Introduction

1. Let’s turn to Galatians 6:6.

2. If you were to ask the average American about Church, you would hear a concern about money.

a. I think there are some valid concerns about that; yet you don’t hear that concern about casinos.

b. Giving is always a hot topic within Christianity; we often use the widow with the two mites.

c. Even the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

d. In our time, Mother Theresa lived a life of self-denial and giving.

·         I have to be honest – a life of poverty is not appealing to me; I had problems with Honduras let alone Calcutta!

3. How can we be motivated to share God’s blessings with others?

4. We are winding down in our study of Galatians, but the end of this letter is not irrelevant.

a. We have routinely outlined the letter in three sections.

·         Historical – chapters 1 and 2 cover the history of the Galatians and Paul’s conversion because of grace

·         Theological – chapters 3 and 4 covering the theology and logic of grace being superior to the Law.

·         Practical – chapters 5 and 6 covering the impact of grace in real life.

b. Grace is more powerful than we can imagine; grace is wonderful.

·         The Law seeks to transform us from the outside compelling us to obey out of duty.

·         Grace transforms us from the inside granting the desire and ability to obey.

5. This morning I want us to see that God can motivates us to share His blessings with others.

I. Paul encourages the Galatians to share recognizing that we are going to reap what we sow

A. Paul warns the Galatians about God’s judgment.

1. Do not be deceived

a. The word deceived in the original means to be caused to wander, led astray, and deceived.

b. Christians are deceived by the 3 things:

·         World – Flesh or ourselves, self-deception –the Devil

2. God cannot be mocked

a. The Greek means to turn your nose up at someone or something; treat with contempt.

b. God will not be ignored or mocked.

c. Christians are deceived when they think that God doesn’t notice their behavior or that he will not hold them accountable.

·         Ezekiel text

3. Whatever you sow, that is what you’re are going to reap

a. Paul uses this concept in relation to giving and doing acts of righteousness.

·         He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow. Proverbs 22:8

·         They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; It shall never produce meal. If it should produce, Aliens would swallow it up. Hosea 8:7

·         Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy, etc Hosea 10:12

b. He uses this principle in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 in relation to our giving.

c. This principle is obvious and Biblical; you receive whatever you invest in.

B. Paul encourages the Galatians to be generous with their leaders and each other.

1. Those who are taught in the word should share with those who teach; yeah baby!

2. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 1 Corinthians 9:11

3. It is Biblical to have pastors that are paid (1 Timothy 5:17).

·         Plymouth Brethren is one congregation without paid leaders.

C. Paul encourages the Galatians to do practice righteousness.

1. Christians can grow tired in serving not realizing that the harvest will come.

2. Christians are called to serve those inside and outside the Church – MercyWorks.

II. How can we be motivated to share God’s blessings with others?

A. Some seek to motivate believers to give out of guilt.

1. We all know that we are not we should be and it is easy to use guilt to motivate.

a. Paul uses terms that call to mind the coming judgment.

b. It is easy to use the fear of judgment to build guilt and then motivate people to do what you want them to.

2. Christ frees us from guilt – whom the Son sets free, is free indeed; therefore, guilt is unnecessary to motivate us.

B. Others seek to motivate believers to give out of greed.

1. I have heard many ministries use the sowing and reaping concept to incite greed.

a. It is called seed faith

b. This concept was developed by Oral Roberts.

c. The basic concept is that God’s hands are tied and he cannot bless you until you plant a seed in his program.

d. His program is normally defined as the program represented by the minister.

2. The seed-faith concept means that you can reap a harvest in this life if you just give money – plant a seed – in their organization.

3. This theology is a big part of TV ministries and the World Faith Movement.

a. When you watch these ministries on TV, they all refer to planting a seed.

b. Senator Charles Grassley has ordered an investigation of several TV ministries that utilize the seed-faith theology.

·         Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer, and Randy and Paula White

·         These ministries have until December 6th to provide financial information.

·         There is a concern that these ministries and leaders are hiding behind Church tax laws to enrich themselves.

·         They are not been convicted of anything; however, Ministrywatch.com has tracked these ministries.

·         They rate them on their financial transparency and rate them on their financial health.

4. Greed is inadequate to motivate us; it is self-serving and self-motivated.

Guilt and greed are inadequate reasons to give; God has something better for us!

C. We can be motivated to give out of gratitude by grace.

1. I believe that we need to remind ourselves about all that we have received.

a. All of our gifts, abilities, families, situations we have because God gave them to us (1 Corinthians 4:7).

b. Christ Jesus gave himself for our sins (Galatians 1:4 and Titus 2:15).

2. You know the Scriptures tell us that we love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

a. I believe this truth relates to giving as well.

b. We give because he first gave to us.

3. We can give out of a heart of gratitude empowered by grace.

a. I am convinced Paul uses the analogy of sowing and reaping because from time to time we are tempted to think that we might be the looser as we give.

b. Don’t worry, God keeps good books

c. I want to encourage you for our Church gives so much of ourselves – Let’s continue!

Conclusion

1. Paul encourages the Galatians to share recognizing that we are going to reap what we sow

2. Let’s be motivated by gratitude empowered by grace for the glory of Christ.