Generosity

Because of Jesus  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  54:19
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Good morning, Gateway Chapel!
Scripture
Prayer
Find places to give caveats and empathy.
It’s been said that the two hardest things to talk about in church are sex and money. And sex is way easier.
So today we’re talking about money!
Why is that? Why is it so hard to talk about money?
Money is powerful.
Here at Gateway we say we want to make disciples who hear, love, and obey Jesus. Money is also a powerful disciple maker. It’s not hard to become someone who hears, loves, and obeys money.
I learned about that in my previous life in the sales world.
My old boss was really successful in sales. If you don’t know I used to sell TV ads for the Mariners, and my boss started working in TV for the Mariners waaaaaay back when they were good, and he was on the front end of a lot of success which made him a lot of money.
And one day he told me, “You know what’s crazy, is now matter how much I’ve made, I’ve found a way to spend it. It’s crazy how that works. I did well my first year, then I had another good year, so we bought a house. Then I had another good year, and bought a nicer house in a nicer neighborhood. Then we made friends with those people and they went on nice vacations. So then we went on nice vacations and spent more and then we had kids who came on nice vacations.
Why do I tell that story?
Money can shape who we become.
Maybe you experienced this kind of journey as your income grew as you got older. You started a paper route and now you have a pension. Maybe you’ve seen the opposite and now you’re retired and wondering if you’ll have enough money to live to be 105 because you’re healthy and going to be here a while! Maybe you’re like, “I only wish I had the problem of spending money from my lucrative sales job!”
Regardless of how much money you pull in, money pulls us all, doesn’t it? And I’m not living under a rock, things are expensive right now.
The pull of money is sneaky, too. Guys, I don’t consider myself a greedy person, and yet if I just had a little more, I’d be happier.
I don’t want to win the lottery, but if I could just win enough to pay off our house, I wouldn’t say no! Or what if I found $1,500 on the ground next to my car, no one claims it, then I could buy new golf clubs without dipping into savings and I’d take 2 strokes off my game and be a happier pastor.
As Christians, what do we do with our money?
Because of Jesus, be generous.
Because of Jesus, be generous. I think that is exactly what Paul is saying in 2 Cor 8:1-9 where we’ll be today. We’re wrapping up our “Because of Jesus” sermon series this morning, and in 2 Cor 8:1-9 Paul is inviting us to be generous because of Jesus.
Prayer
2 Corinthians 8:1–5 ESV
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 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. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Why is Paul telling a story about the Macedonian churches?
Is he trying to shame the Corinthians into giving more because look at what the church up the street did!!
Some back story here…as you know Paul is a traveling church planter. As Gene preached last week, Paul is listening to Jesus and making disciples in Jerusalem, Judea, and to the ends of the earth. Macedonia is at the ends of of the earth in those days!
Paul, a Jew, is gathering a financial gift on behalf of churches around the ANE to bring to Christians in Jerusalem. He’s gone to the Macedonian churches - which includes the Philippians and Thessalonians - whom we have letters to in our Bibles, and Paul says these guys have given abundantly.
I think Paul is redefining financial success.
What does it mean to be financial successful?
You’ve seen the ads before. Ads for financial services companies…there’s an older couple who appear to be retired models, sitting down with a middle aged model around well-lit modern kitchen. Perfectly situated single origin coffee cups nearby. And the couple is asked, “What are your financial goals?” Or something like that. And then it cuts to them going on vacations, playing golf, spending time with their equally gorgeous friends and family. You’ve seen these ads right?
And don’t get me wrong, it’s good to plan. But the point of the commercial is to say, this couple with a ton of money, money to plan for retirement, they’re both really attractive, newly remodeled kitchen, THAT is financial success.
Why does Paul tell us this story about the Macedonian churches? I think he is bragging on these guys because THEY are the true definition of financial success.
Where does that generosity come from? Is it because they’re just better people up there in the north? No, verse 1 says it was grace given from God. The Macedonian churches were generous BECAUSE OF JESUS.
Imagine you’re the Macedonian’s financial advisor…what would you say?
“You gave how much? To a church? Isn’t that the tiny group of religious extremists who’s leader was a criminal? Where was the church? Jerusalem…isn’t that on the moon?”
And they weren’t generous because they got a big windfall of cash, it was in the extremes of poverty. That word extreme is the same word as ‘depth’ like when Paul says I hope you know the heighth and breadth and Depth or EXTREMES of God’s love. In DEEP, EXTREME poverty, they were generous. Why? Because of the grace of God given to them. They were generous because of Jesus.
These women of the Macedonian churches, these men of the Macedonian churches, they’re our financial heroes, not Elon Musk.
Jesus told a story about redefining financial success...
Luke 12:13–19 ESV
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’
Analyze a little bit...
Luke 12:20–21 ESV
20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
The goal of life is not more money, it’s more of Jesus, and that means because of Jesus, being generous.
Randy Alcorn, a famous pastor and author came and spoke at our church in college, and he said, “If you’re not being generous today, you won’t start when you make more money tomorrow.”
The beauty of the gospel is financial success is not retirement, it’s being generous because of Jesus, and that doesn’t have to wait until you’re 65. Or 67.
Paul redefines financial success by telling the story of the Macedonian church.
So what does that mean for the Corinthian church?
2 Corinthians 8:6–9 ESV
6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 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.

Paul is inviting the Corinthians into the grace of God.

Titus has been sent by Paul to retrieve this promised gift from the Corinthians to Christians in Jerusalem. Paul is saying this grace given to the Macedonian church was given to you, also! So because you guys excel in everything - faith, speech, knowledge, zeal, love - excel in generosity, too.
I had an old coworker who would praise others often, “John you are a handsome and powerful man.” He’d say on the phone. And then he’d ask people for money. So you’re like, “Dennis, do you really like me or do you just want something?”
Is that what’s going on here?
Well, I’m struck by verse 8…look how it reads in the NIV.
2 Corinthians 8:8 NIV
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
Comparing it with others? That can’t be right. We don’t want to compare with others.But look what Paul says later in chapter 9.
2 Corinthians 9:1–3 ESV
1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
The Corinthians have promised, “We’re ready to give! We’re going to give!” And Paul is saying, “Okay, you said it, so I’m coming to collect on that generosity.”
I think this is a biblical way of saying, “Okay folks, time to put your money where your mouth is!”
If someone got a peak at your monthly budget, would they say, “Whoa, that person is all about Jesus.”
Note what Paul doesn’t say, “I command you to pay up!”
“This is the command of the Lord…give 10%!”
It’s not a transaction, it’s an invitation.
2 Corinthians 9:6–8 ESV
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
And Paul says, guys, you know this. I’m just reminding you. Reminding you of what?
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV
9 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.
Sweet, so if I trust Jesus I’ll double my income? No. It’s much better than that.
2 Corinthians 6:10 ESV
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Matthew 20:28 ESV
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus is our example. He was generous to the extreme. He was rich beyond anything Forbes can measure, and he lowered himself to a humble country preacher, largely funded by the donations of generous women in the area. Jesus recognized that our greatest problem was not wealth inequality, but death itself. And he gave up his greatest treasure, life with God, when he died on the cross, in order that he could give us the greatest gift imaginable - life and peace with God.
And so generosity, giving our money, is a sign that points to Jesus. Because of Jesus, be generous.

Application

Give 10% as a biblical starting point

Is Tithing, or giving 10% commanded in the Bible? Yes and no.
Yes, in the OT. Abraham gives a tenth in Genesis, the people of Israel are commanded to give 10% to priests as an offering to God.
But it is not commanded in the NT. Frankly, I think much more is expected in the NT. Jesus tells the story of the widow giving all she had to live on in Mark 12. But Paul doesn’t use numbers. It’s about more than an amount, it’s about a heart posture. And yet, we’re left saying, but yeah…how much? I think 10% is a biblical starting point.
Personally, I was raised in the church and started tithing with my weekly allowance. And I’m grateful for that. But sometimes I view 10% as the goal, rather than an invitation to give myself more to God. Functionally, I view giving to Gateway, missionaries, and organizations like keeping God at bay so he doesn’t come along and take more of my stuff.
Guys I know times are tough right now. The Seattle Times said more people lost their jobs in tech in the last couple months than the dot come bust twenty years ago. The financial future is not bright at the moment. And so money is a tricky conversation. What a great opportunity to grow to become more like Jesus in hard times.
What if we viewed financial success instead of keeping more and more and more but giving more and more and more, starting now?

Give yourself fully to God

The Macedonian churches gave themselves first to God. Biblical generosity comes when we respond to the grace of God. Like Zacchaeus who receives the friendship and love of Jesus and then says, “I’m going to give money like crazy!”
Guys, let’s be frank. Does that church want your money? Of course. Everybody wants your money. Fred Meyer wants your money, Water Hole wants your money, Dixies wants your money, the person next to you wants your money, they’re just too decent to ask.
The church wants your money for a different reason. We want you to hear, love and obey Jesus, and not money. It’s a discipleship issue. Giving money may be a significant step in giving yourself to God.
What if you could make significant strides in your faith in 2023 by simply changing some spending habits? Partner with God in hearing, loving, and obeying Jesus as you become more generous, because of Jesus.
Communion

Gateway Budget Meeting Slide

Purpose -
Shifting gears, we are going to walk through a church budget meeting. If you are not a part of Gateway Chapel, do not feel like you need to stick around! Which, aside from dentist’s appointments is definitely a top 5 activity for everyone.
Why are we doing this? We are a family, a family of disciples. And we love each other. And families who love each other talk about money openly.
Process -
So the process is we’re going to look at about 10 slides (Thanks Theda!), it will take about 10 minutes. We’ll look at budget figures from this year as well as what has been approved by the elders for next year. If you have questions, or want this document emailed to you, please email Chris@gatewaychapelpnw.com. Or just grab me afterwards.
Payoff -
My prayer is that you’d be encouraged by the story of God’s faithfulness at Gateway Chapel, have a better understanding of where we’re at now as a church family, and prayerfully consider how you’d be a part going forward.
Gateway History...
How did we get to where we are today with our budget? Well, as most of you know, Gateway Chapel did not start in this building, we began as a church plant in 2011 meeting in Mike and Annmarie Mathews’ home, then in Daffodil Elementary as you see here, then AlPac Elementary, then Auburn Riverside.
And because of COVID, we were homeless. Our planting pastor, David Odell, followed God’s call to move he and his family to Oregon. And for the better part of 2020, we had no pastor and no building, and you guys kept giving. Gateway did not fold.
Can we just acknowledge again how crazy that is? This is Gateway’s Exodus story. Guys I think we need to hold onto the crazy reality that we survived COVID. If we can make it through that as a church, we can make it through anything.
And in that transition, you all called me to be the pastor, and with our savings, we moved into our first ever 7 day a week space and have made it our own.
At the end of the day, we want to be a long-term disciple making presence.

2022 Expenses

2022 was our first full year in the building. And you can see our budgeted expenses thru September of this year were $164,106, and we are so far under budget nearly $10,000 spending $155,496. Great job everybody.

Breakdown of Expenses

Where does that $155,496 go towards? Well, we give about 10% of our budget away, some of which is still to come at the end of this year, part of that money goes to personnel (Myself and the Rays for children’s ministry) for ministries (like childcare, hospitality, software, events like the Compassion Clinic, the campout, etc.) and for the building which includes rent, utilities, internet, etc.
A good question to ask would be how do we know Gateway is using that money as intended? How are we being accountable?
Every month, Gateway Chapel has a finance team meeting which is myself, Anne Poppino our church treasurer and Sam Michel who works in Finance for Alaska Airlines. And we look at the financials of the church to make sure everything is square.
This is a sustainable system to promote accountability in finances in our church.

2022 Giving

So far in 2022, our projected giving is under budget approximately 10%. Because of our move to Sumner and COVID, we lost a few families who were regular givers for years and this is reflected.
This is an abnormal occurrence for a church that has been growing in giving for years, but completely makes sense given our move further south and changes that COVID brought.

2022 Giving

So here you see our actual expenses vs our actual giving, and we’re down $20,000 thru September of this year.
Now you may be asking, wait, did we budget our expenses to be more than our projected giving?
Yes, we knew moving into this building was a stretch. We’ve talked about that since the start, the lost giving at the same time when we needed it to increase.

2023 Expenses

Okay so that’s where we’re at this year, and here is where we’re going next year. Gateway works on a calendar year financial schedule so this is January ‘23 to December ‘23.
So the 2023 budget is increasing in ‘23…at a pretty moderate rate of about 5%.

Projected Expenses

Where are those expenses going? Again, the vast majority to personnel and facilities. We have a 3% increase to our rent which is a part of our lease agreement. But really this pie chart looks very similar to the ‘22 breakdown.

2023 Giving

And here is our budget expenses for 2023 vs our projected giving.
Now, again, you might say “Why are we budgeting above our giving?” This is projected giving, not what’s actually been given. We’re prayerfully hopeful that this gap will not be so wide.
What does this mean for the building?
Our lease runs up in April of 2024. We signed the three year lease thinking we had a good five years to be here, but it looks like we’ll have three. With the decline of giving and the costs of getting this up and running, we’ll need a change to be able to resign the lease.

Final Thoughts

Pray

Ask Jesus what being generous looks like for you. So many of you are doing that, thank you. Ask that our church would not just give more, but would be more like Jesus, and the giving would follow. Again, a building isn’t everything, but it really helps. Ask that we would remain to be a faithful presence and witness of Jesus, and that we could do it here.

Remember the story

It’s crazy that we’re even here. Throughout the Biblical story, God’s people look back on his faithfulness for hope for the future, and Gateway we have that.
Gateway Chapel has been a disciple making presence for 12 years. Let’s go another 12 years. I’d love to be your pastor for those 12 years. We’ve got a building. It’s not everything, but it really helps us to be a long-term disciple making presence in a community like Sumner that so many of you call home.
Prayer
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