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We are in a series entitled “Living Like Jesus’ Disciples.
We have talked about a lot of different aspects of discipleship, but we have not yet talked about this aspect of giving.
In fact, I can’t remember the last time anyone preached a whole sermon on giving at Hopewell (Pastor Anita says she did.)
Giving is one of the concrete ways that we demonstrate that we are followers of Jesus.
If we belong to Jesus, then everything we have belongs to Jesus- including our finances.
We participate materially as the Body of Christ by sharing what we have with others.
We participate financially as a member of the local church.
Giving is not just a practical necessity, it is an act of worship that draws us closer to God.
Paul talked quite a bit about giving and generosity to the Gentile churches.
While he boasted about not taking a salary, he did however take up an offering.
Synagogues throughout the Roman empire would take up a collection for the Temple in Jerusalem
Paul’s offering was for the church, the believers in Jerusalem.
The reasons were twofold:
The Jerusalem church was experiencing poverty, either by famine or persecution or both.
The gentile believers owed a debt of gratitude to church out of which the gospel message had come to them.
Paul would deliver the gift himself at the conclusion of his third missionary journey.
Let me set the stage for this passage:
The regions of Achaia and Macedonia are adjacent Roman provinces.
Corinth is in Achaia
Corinth is a large and wealthy city on a popular trade route.
Macedonia contains relatively newer colonies such as Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea that were less prestigious in the Roman world.
The Corinthians had promised to give a gift for the Jerusalem church.
Paul conveyed that information to the Macedonians who decided to do likewise.
Now he is coming to collect on their promise and he seems to be concerned that they will keep their commitment.
The Attitude of Generosity
The Attitude of Generosity
Give enthusiastically
Giving feels good!
Giving feels good!
Giving can be out of guilt or obligation.
It can be out of pity or compassion.
it can be out of pride or competition.
Not all or our reasons for giving are equally right, but it is still good to give!
It feels good to make
Paul calls giving a “grace” -literally a gift of the Spirit.
It’s a lot like the fruits of goodness and kindness.
If the sinful nature is inherently selfish, then giving defies the sinful nature!
No wonder it feel good.
Giving makes you a little more like God!
Like Old Mr. Scrooge from Dickens's “A Christmas Carol” giving changes your disposition.
And a changed heart will result in generosity!
Give intentionally.
It feels good to make promises, but it sometimes hurts to keep them!
It feels good to make promises, but it sometimes hurts to keep them!
That’s why giving must be intentional.
If you don’t actually plan to give, you might not do it.
Many in our congregation prefer online giving because they can do it while they are paying their bills.
Tithing is an Old Testament principle which many still practice today.
Israel was commanded to set aside a tenth of all of their agricultural increase, this was mostly crops and cattle.
It was to be taken to the temple and given to those who serve in the temple for their sustenance.
It was also shared and consumed by those attending the festivals so that there was a festive atmosphere of plenty.
We don’t know how consistently the tithe was observed.
Many apparently did not tithe.
However, some gave more.
Tobit was a devout Israelite, a contemporary of Daniel and Ezekiel, taken captive to Assyria.
Here he reminisces about his upbringing in Israel:
Some people question whether the tithe is still valid under the New Covenant.
If the New Covenant is truly superior to the Old then it would it really suggest giving less?
Paul’s instruction to set aside a sum of money weekly in accordance with one’s income seems consistent with the practice of tithing.
A tithe (tenth) looks just like the whole number, making it a representative portion.
It represents the whole -giving all that we have to God!
Karie’s dryer story.
Give willingly.
It’s important to give, but it’s also important how you give.
It’s important to give, but it’s also important how you give.
Doing the right thing for the wrong reason might seem to be OK in the end.
After all, you did it.
Doesn’t that count?
But the goal of being a disciple of Jesus is heart transformation.
If it’s not done willingly, then your heart is not really in it, thus the heart is not transformed.
Salvation is a Divine exchange.
It’s all of you for all of Jesus.
Jesus took the first step by leaving heaven for you.
Your appropriate response is to give yourself fully to Jesus.
When you do, all of heaven’s resources become available to you.
Our attitude is not that we give to receive, but that we give freely as Jesus did.
The Increase of Generosity
The principle of increase - You have to sow to reap
Every farmer knows that you have to save some of your harvest to plant seed for the next year.
Every farmer knows that you have to save some of your harvest to plant seed for the next year.
Some people refer to the tithe as “seed money.”
They are giving strategically as they trust God for increase.
A poverty mentality says, “eat your seed because you might not get any more later.”
A wise person sows their seed so that they will have more later.
When you give as “seed.”
You are giving with the expectation of an increased return.
Maybe not right away, but eventually it will come back to you.
The function of increase - Whatever you sow you will reap
Here’s another thing that any farmer knows - whatever you plant, that is what will grow.
Ok, so weeds are the exception.
We don’t plant those, but they don’t just magically appear.
They are dropped by birds or by an enemy as in the parable of the wheat and the tares.
The point is that you cannot expect to receive what you do not give.
If you want friendship, then be friendly.
If you want prosperity, then give of your finances.
Or if you want kindness, mercy or forgiveness, then give kindness, mercy and forgiveness!
Or if you want kindness, mercy or forgiveness, then give kindness, mercy and forgiveness!
This passage talks about our dual nature, we are flesh and spirit.
Whatever you feed will grow!
Sowing to the flesh means pleasing the flesh, doing what feels good or right at the moment.
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