Fill this House with Provision

Main Idea: Why give money?

Opening Line: Can Money buy happiness?

Study found from University of Minnesota

Can Money buy happiness?

A 2017 study found that almost 50% of Americans worry about their financial situation, and it impacts their mental health, relationships, diet, even their work performance.  There is no denying that having enough money to cover expenses and put some aside is important for our wellbeing.

While having enough money to meet basic needs and provide a safety net is essential to wellbeing, there are indications that additional income may not significantly increase our wellbeing and may even have a negative effect in some cases. The data to support this is interesting. For example,

Per capita income in the U.S. rose 150% from 1946 to 1990 (which is a huge difference in purchasing power), but the percent of people considering themselves very happy fell.In addition, depression rates in the U.S. rose 10 times in that 50-year period.In Japan between 1958 and 1991, the per capita income rose six-fold, but subjective wellbeing stayed the same.People who won large amounts of money in lotteries in the U.S. or football pools in England were not significantly happier a year later and were more dissatisfied with daily events.

And there is research that suggests additional ways money can have a negative impact on our wellbeing.

Money is an important part of life; but God doesn’t need your money

Three Reasons to give?

1. Giving for In-reach

Giving provides the prescription for Greed

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 NIV

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Giving provides for community to Gather

Acts 4:32–35 NIV

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

2 Corinthians 9:10–15 NIV

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2. Giving for Outreach

Giving provides opportunity to help the Poor

Mark 14:1–9 (NIV)

1 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Giving provides a way to Evangelize

1 Kings 10:1–13 NIV

1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. 6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.” 10 And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 (Hiram’s ships brought gold from Ophir; and from there they brought great cargoes of almugwood and precious stones. 12 The king used the almugwood to make supports for the temple of the Lord and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. So much almugwood has never been imported or seen since that day.) 13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

3. Kingdom-reach

Giving provides a way to carry others burdens from a Distance

Galatians 6:2 NIV

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 NIV

1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

How do we start or grow in giving?

Start with understanding nothing is yours.

Colossians 1:15–18 NIV

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Evaluate what you are giving in these 4 areas and commit to doing something more in each.

Time -

Most valuable resource you have.

How are you spending your time? Does it bring Glory to God?

Talent -

What has God uniquely given you to benefit the world?

Are you spending your special blessings on yourself or for God? How can you grow more in that?

These 2 we will look at more in 2 weeks.

test for service - paper and online

Treasure -

Treasure is money and things.

What do you value or not value in this world? Money and possessions can be treasured in our hearts and God wants you to find ways to give toward in-reach, out-reach and kingdom-reach

Matthew 6:21 NIV

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Think about why you give?

Think about what you have you could give?

Think about where you can give?

All three areas are affected by this church, but all three areas can be affected by other ministries or by you personally giving money or lending you tractor or car to someone in need.

Where are needs and how can you better serve God with what you have?

Start today to trust that giving constantly or a little more will be a powerful statement of your desire to serve God in His Mission.

Next month we will be focusing on Missions and you will have more opportunities to give and learn how money isn’t the only way to give into the mission of Christ locally and around the world.

We will hear from Kristin, and 2/13 DJ and Lindsay DeMarco will be back sharing about what God has led them into and how we can be a part, We will also hear from Rob Henry about what supporting missions with new eyes and understanding of your treasure.

Tent -

The most special recourse you have. Your physical body and life.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NIV

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

You only have 1 body. This verse isn’t just talking about avoiding sin, but also care for God’s house (you)

God can only do miracles and amazing things through you if you are healthy enough to go where He has called you to go or say what He has told you to say.

We need to take care physically and mentally so we are alive and able to be a living sacrifice and provide for Christ’s work.

These 4 areas give you the ability to fill this house with provision. Evaluate the 4 areas and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in growth in all 4 areas.

Luke 21:1–4 NLT

1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Closing Line: Don’t debate whether you should give, or have to give, but recognize the Why and decide to be like the poor widow who gave your all not so the lights stay on, but so we become a powerful force for in-reach, out-reach, and kingdom-reach in this area and around the world.

Be a part of something greater than yourself!