Show Me the Money

Olvera Street, Los Angeles

We had this field trip we did when we were kids every few years. The very oldest part of Los Angeles. A street called “Olvera street”. Sometimes called the birthplace of Los Angeles it was preserved with all these beautiful old buildings and generally celebrating Los Angeles’ Mexican heritage.

And lining the whole street were Mexican American vendors selling traditional foods and hand-crafted goods. It was intended as a cultural and historical celebration.

But for a group of 4th graders… the historical cultural stuff was lost on us. Our parents had given us cash… and we were on a mission.

To SPEND THAT CASH!

The money was burning a hole in our pockets.

You had to strategize: if you bought the wrong item too early you might go home with change in your pocket. And that change went back to Mom and Dad.

But if you spent it all, you got to enjoy the sweet sweet loot. I got a bull whip (which I definitely never used on my little brother), cheapest lunch I could find, and I forget what else.

But I do remember buying one of those woven “Chinese finger traps.” (You know, traditional Mexican hand crafted goods), so that I could spend absolutely every penny.

Church for Profit

Let’s talk about money!

As you know, we are a “non-profit organization”. (Spelling is important).

I heard this criticism about church and “religion” lately: it’s one gigantic Ponzi scheme. Making money now, hand over fist, for promised returns at some future date.

And let’s be clear: there is some gross truth in that! Many many many many many people have done this, used the church, used religion, used the name of Jesus, used the Bible to make money and accumulate power.

It’s part of what makes me uneasy visiting cathedrals in Europe and the like. Gorgeous beautiful expressions of worship: yes. But, in many cases, also representing Millions of dollars extracted from a subsistence serf population.

This is an area ripe for abuse.

That’s why Jesus had a WHOLE lot to say about money.

Worst Ponzi Scheme Ever

The early church was not a get rich scheme. If it was intended that way, it failed utterly. The “founder of the faith” died a criminal, was raised from the dead… then flew off into heaven - presumably with no cash. No pockets.

The founding apostles were variously murdered, mostly young, generally broke. John lived a long life, but exiled to an island, an island he did not own. Not rich.

The early church really had some terrible financial strategy. Remember this?

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Beautiful and selfless… not a winning long term strategy. It’s a turn out all our pockets to feed and care for the THOUSANDS of new Christians who are here right now. The very few locals who possibly had assets in Jerusalem caring for all these out-of-towners.

This is how their hearts responded to the gospel. They understood that the call to follow Jesus included everything that they had and are and “own.”

Humans being humans, this beautiful response of the gospel is opposed by our sinful natures. Selfishness and greed and “why should I take care of them…?”

And that quickly shows up in the churches. Corinth is not a selfish church… at least not yet. But Paul begins to prod them, to teach them to be disciplined and intentional about their giving, about their money.

What was natural and automatic at first must become purposeful and systematic.

We are used to those words being bad things, perhaps. But listen to this reminder he gives the church in Corinth.

Paul is on the home stretch now. At the end of his letters he starts to wrap things up. Some final thoughts, some final greetings, some future plans.

Faithful with our money

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 ESV

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

The “collection for the saints” is almost certainly one for the “saints” in Jerusalem. There has been ongoing and recurring famine there. And recall that the “saints” who lived there are the same ones who sold so much of their own property and assets to support the Church of Pentecost.

Hear: this is still a “giving” church. There is no question that they will be giving to the collection. There is counsel on how to organize it. How to make it purposeful and systematic. Ready to go so that when Paul arrives there is no scramble to pull it together.

There is another note here, this is one of those verses sometimes twisted to mean something else.

First Day

This is Sunday, to be clear.

There used to be an argument that the New Testament “changed” Sabbath from Saturday (the 7th day) to Sunday (the 1st day). They would take this verse and one or two others as their proof texts.

You don’t see modern scholars doing this… because there simply is no basis.

This makes no reference to them even gathering on the first day, simply setting aside money. Possibly setting aside at home or, quite possibly, like in the earliest church in Acts, they could be meeting every day of the week.

We should always remember: attending church 1, 2, or 10 times a week is a separate thing from “remembering and keeping the Sabbath holy.”

It is even entirely possible that the reason they are collecting on the first day is a preference for not doing “money stuff” on the Sabbath.

We can guess at the motivations, but the practicalities

Giving should be regular, purposeful and sacrificial.

I like “regular”. I like “purposeful”. I don’t like “sacrificial.

Sacrificial sounds like something that will hurt. Let me tell you a word I like better. A very familiar word:

Tithe

Tithe means “10%”.

Moses said “set aside 10% of your grain harvest, of your wine…” that’s where we get “tithe”. If you add all the firstborn cows and other mandated sacrifices you get closer to something like a 30% giving...

But also keep in mind that is supporting the national government and services as well as the temple and priest and Levites and all. It’s a package deal.

But this word “tithe” comes down in the church as “give 10% of your income to the church.” It’s nice and clear and tidy.

So we will now be requiring your tax returns so we can verify your giving for the year! (Just kidding, please don’t give me those).

Do we see “tithe” in our passage today? No. In fact, you won’t find the word “tithe” in the New Testament.

What you will find is radical generosity. Liberal giving. Or my favorite word, “sacrificial” giving.

And here’s the hard part: for most of us, that’s way harder than tithing.

Years later the Corinthian church is struggling with this concept a bit. Paul writes to encourage them… and to clarify about this whole sacrificial giving piece.

According to Means

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (ESV)

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

They gave “according to their means” and at times “beyond their means”

They gave themselves first to the Lord… then by the will of God… to us.

Hear that ordering.

First they said “yes” to Jesus… and that meant everything they are, everything they have now belongs to Jesus. Anything they own is not only ever held in stewardship to Jesus.

Turns out that’s not a new thing, the universe was always His, made for Him, through Him, by Him. Ownership is an illusion. Capitalism is a useful and valuable tool… but it isn’t the actual state of affairs of the Universe. This is all private property, this is an absolute monarchy, the King of Kings owns it all!

But what did that King do?

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

And out of that love, in response to that, they give.

2 Corinthians 8:12–15 (ESV)

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness

your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.

As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

This echoes the “according to their means” language…

That your abundance should supply their need… giving out of the plenty that God has given us...

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The money God has given us should burn a hole in our pocket.

God has given it to us to be used for His Kingdom, for His glory, and for His people.

That doesn’t mean investment is immoral: that can be good stewardship, strategic and smart play to serve and do ministry for the long haul.

That doesn’t mean saving is immoral… but God knows our heart. And God knows the state of our checking account. He has the password to our 401k.

The money God has given us should burn a hole in our pocket.

Or to put it another way: we are called to be faithful with what He has given us.

You remember the parable of the talents? God isn’t looking for safe return on what he has entrusted to us. He is a venture capitalist: He wants twice his investment back. Not measured in dollar bills, but in souls. In hearts changed, minds changed, lives saved.

We are to be purposefully and systematically faithful with the abundance God has given us.

That isn’t just money, is it?

Faithful with “our” time

1 Corinthians 16:5–9 ESV

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

It sounds like just an update… but listen to those last words. I will skip seeing you this time, just now. Why? I want to spend quality time with you, but righ tnow...

“a wide door has opened to me… for effective work in Ephesus.”

As faithful with his time as he is with his money.

Faithful with “our” relationships

We could extend that on in what he says about his friends. First with Timothy:

1 Corinthians 16:10–11 ESV

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Then with Apollos, who Paul supports in having the same wisdom:

1 Corinthians 16:12 ESV

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

I don’t think he’s throwing Apollos under the bus here. Apollos is being wise with his time. Paul is supporting him in that.

We are to be faithful and wise with everything God has given to us. As He gives it to us. The incredible and humbling abundance He has entrusted to us.

Faithful and wise with our moneys.

Faithful and wise with our time.

Faithful and wise with our relationships.

It isn’t real until it’s calendar real. Until it’s budget real.

Budget Real

How do you do this?

What does “according to your means” mean for you?

Look, if you don’t know where your next bag of groceries is coming from… “according to your means” may mean this is a season for you to receive. The church in Jerusalem gave radically when they had it… then in the next decade other churches are giving to them. Seasons to give, seasons to receive.

Like the poor woman who gave a penny out of her poverty, there can still be opportunity to be radically faithful with your treasure, with your time, with your talent, with your relationships. God knows your heart.

Some of us have plenty and beyond plenty… and 10% giving would be an excuse to wallow in the 90%. This is a generous church, so I know I’m preaching to the choir. EVERYTHING we have is the Lord’s… and when God has given me plenty that “extra” should burn a whole in my pocket. Not to buy the next toy, but to look for the next way to give.

That doesn’t mean God doesn’t give us blessings to enjoy, good gifts from above. Jesus enjoyed good food and good wine with good friends. In the same way: God knows your heart.

How do we do this?

We do this together as a church in our budget… and it is budget season.

First of all, our budget is wide open. You can see how much we spend on just about anything. You can propose that we change that at our coming October business meeting. This isn’t a plea that you give more because our church needs more money.

That isn’t why we do any of this.

You give sacrificially as God directs you. As a fellowship of believers, we generally pool our giving together in order to accomplish things together that none of us could accomplish on our own. We call that a “church budget”… but all it is is our money together to serve the Kingdom.

I was so encouraged by our budget meeting, our little team we tasked with putting together a budget proposal for our October business meeting.

What has God given us? How can we be radically faithful with it?

We aren’t here to save it. We aren’t here to bury it. We are to use it radically, liberally, eagerly for the Kingdom of God.

God isn’t looking for small interest gains over a long haul… he wants double his initial investment. Not measured in $ bills but in souls, hearts and minds. Measured in love.

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 The Message

Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.