Sermon Tone Analysis

Prayer

Intro

Please turn with me in your Bibles to Luke's Gospel.

We're going to start at the end of chapter 20, with verse 45, and read through to 21:4.

As you're turning there, we will continue our series, Firm Foundation.

Today, we are studying the discipline of devoted giving.

We often talk about tithing as giving our offerings to the church.

According to the Lexham Bible Dictionary, a "tithe" means "One-tenth of a person's goods, whether agricultural or monetary, dedicated to God.

The practice of tithing has changed since the Old Testament period, but the concept of setting aside one-tenth of one's income or goods for religious use has remained the same."

In the Old Testament, tithing was a necessary aspect of one's life as a member of God's Covenant people, with numerous references in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy and the books of the Chronicles, Nehemiah, and Malachi.

A question that people frequently ask is, "Is tithing 10% a command for today?"

In other words, knowing that Christ fulfilled the Old Testament Law, is the particular command to give a specific percentage still applicable?

We will see today that the concept of giving to the church is not so much a matter of economics or calculations but of the heart.

As followers of Christ, we are called to practice devoted giving, not out of compulsion, manipulation, or arm-twisting, but with a cheerful heart, ultimately seeking to bring glory to God with our gifts.

Let's read our text for today as we see an example Christ used to teach His disciples that the devotion of the heart matters more than the number behind the dollar sign.

**CHANGE SLIDE**- Scriptures

Rather than a command to give, which will come later, this passage displays the kind of devoted giving that pleases God.

Before we unpack the text, let's discuss the context of where the story fits briefly.

Before the passage we just read, Jesus had been tested twice by the religious leaders.

First, the chief priests devised a hypothetical question in which they tried to catch Jesus in a trap by asking about paying taxes.

Then, the Sadducees came up with a clever hypothetical situation regarding marriage after the resurrection.

Of course, Jesus answers both questions easily, essentially silencing his critics.

Jesus then asked and discussed a question about David, showing he fully expected to be exalted at the right hand of God, therefore being more than a political presence.

He did not deny that He is a descendent of David but demonstrated that He is far greater than King David by clearly staking a claim that He is the Messiah.

Having answered their questions, after which He stumped them with one of his own, Jesus had the attention of those around him.

At that moment, He began to teach, bringing us to the passage we had read just a few moments ago.

To summarize, Jesus warned against the hypocrisy of the scribes, then highlighted the devoted giving of a poor widow as a valuable lesson to teach his disciples.

I do want to dig into the devoted giving of the widow, but first, let's address the warning concerning the scribes.

**CHANGE SLIDE**- hypocrisy of the scribes

Jesus said to watch out for the Scribes who do what they do to be seen by many and to receive the best places, seats, and positions.

They enjoyed being noticed and strived to be seen as highly spiritual.

Yet, in verse 47, Jesus accuses them of devouring widows' houses.

In other words, he accuses them of exploiting some of the most defenseless people in society.

At that time, and in that culture, the predicament of the typical widow was one of desperation, economically and legally.

They were at the mercy of the government and, for the most part, had little or no income and, therefore, no power in the courts.

The scribes, which should have been able to be trusted, would come alongside the widows, and instead of genuinely helping them, they took advantage of the laws and seized what little property and possessions the most vulnerable had.

It makes perfect sense that the Bible points out widows as a particular object of concern and compassion for the Christian disciple.

The Apostle James instructed that the heart of true religion is caring for widows and orphans in their distress.

Orphans and widows are not to be neglected but are to be honored, respected, and helped whenever help is needed.

Jesus showed their hypocrisy in that while they were to be humble servants and teachers of the law, they desired clothing that would get them noticed, seats and positions that would get them honored, prayers that would get them heard, and weak members of society that would make them rich.

Instead of seeing humility and compassion, Jesus painted them in their true light: vain individuals concerned with only their self-centered interests.

After giving an indictment against the scribes, in which He did not attempt to conceal His conversation, Jesus turned his attention to a poor widow who displayed a heart of devoted giving.

**CHANGE SLIDE** - The Widow's Gift

Luke chapter 21, verses one through four, gives us a beautiful view into the heart God desires of his disciples.

Mark's gospel gives us the same story, almost verbatim, in chapter 12 of his work.

While the rich were coming and putting their gifts into the offering box, which was a small box in the treasury, it is understood that they were giving extravagantly large gifts.

Then, a poor widow came and offered the smallest amount possible.

The coins she used were so small and invaluable that there was a temple rule in which just a single coin was not permitted to be given, as by itself, the coin wasn't worth the trouble it took to count it.

If that denomination of coin was to be offered, it must be as a gift of at least two coins.

Mark tells us that two of the coins together made up a penny.

Upon seeing the gifts the rich gave compared with the widow's offering, Jesus said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them."

His rationale was that the rich contributed out of their own abundance, but this widow had given everything she had.

Devoted giving is sacrificial giving.

Sometimes, we can get so hung up on dollar amounts and percentages that we forget it's the heart at which Jesus is always looking.

Not many of us can give large gifts to the church that have no real financial bearing on our lives.

I read yesterday that the winning numbers were picked for the Powerball lottery, which was around $1.3 billion.

For perspective, if you had $1.3 billion, you could meet our annual budget for just 0.03% of that $1.3 billion.

Such an extensive offering is nothing but a drop in the bucket for someone so monetarily blessed.

Yet, God is not impressed with the number of zeros included in you're offering total.

Now, speaking of the lottery, Rachel and I were visiting a church in North Carolina the Sunday before the state voted to legalize the lottery.

Growing up, I heard many pastors say, "Our church will refuse money being offered as the result of any gambling winnings!"

At the North Carolina church, I remember hearing the pastor exclaim, "Gambling is a sin, so make sure you tithe all that you win!"

While it's not exactly the same as the infamous catholic indulgence rhyme, "For every coin that in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory rings," he might have been on to something there.

Back to the point, though.

Again, God is not necessarily pleased with a gift based on its size; instead, he looks at the heart's motivation behind it.

The widow gave an offering so small that it was almost not even worth counting.

Yet, Jesus said she had given more than all of the rich tithers that day.

We are told that the rich were giving out of their abundance, while she had given everything she had to live on.

Let me be clear; I am not arguing against those who can give large gifts to the church.

I'm not saying that God despises a large offering, but that he is pleased with any disciple who is devoted in their giving, doing so sacrificially, yet cheerfully, for the good of the Kingdom.

Let's turn to another passage to see how this is to happen in the life of a believer.

Look with me, on the screen, at the words of 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

**CHANGE SLIDE**- Scriptures

In the second recorded letter to the Corinthians church, Paul referenced a collection that had begun for impoverished believers living in Jerusalem.

As you read this part of the ninth chapter and the verses which follow in the same section, Paul shares that the Corinthians' gift will extend their joy, help fellow disciples, and bring honor and praise to God.

Paul's point is that, first, if we are going to be devoted in our giving, we must be faithful to give and not stingy.

Now, stingy giving, in this context, is not necessarily small amounts; instead, it is withholding one's offering when it is available to give.

If a farmer has seeds to plant but withholds them, they certainly won't be growing anything.

The idea is that one must be generous and they're giving, and each person should count the cost if they are to give sacrificially and generously wisely.

Second, if we are going to be devoted in our giving, then each one must give as he has decided in his heart.

This means that our giving is not impulsive but planned and well thought out.

Sacrificial giving does not mean we give ourselves into debt or create significant hardship for ourselves or our families.

Parents, the offering time should be a special time of discipleship for your children.

When doing family devotions, take some time to discuss why, how, and when you should give.

Then, as you have determined how much you will give, help your children do the same.

One of the great benefits of "giving as you have decided in your heart" is that you will not be manipulated or arm-twisted into giving as easily.

Many have fallen prey to a carefully crafted sob story or manipulated into feeling guilty.

It is good practice to consider your position and what you can realistically, although still sacrificially, give should different situations and causes present themselves.

Being devoted in giving, means you have planned to give.

Having a plan, and following it wisely, allows one to ensure that they are still giving with the right motivation.

We should not give to make ourselves feel better or give unwisely.

In other words, having a wise plan of giving allows us to give with a cheerful heart, seeking to bring glory to God with our gifts.

**CHANGE SLIDE**-Title Slide

Although you may grow tired of hearing this here at Mililani Baptist church, we do not give simply to keep the light bill paid.

I firmly believe every gift given through our ties and offerings is to further the Ministry and mission of our church.

Starting today, every person who gave an offering of any amount last year will receive their giving statements.

One way to remain devoted in your giving is to maintain records, not just for tax purposes, but to look back and see how God has blessed you with opportunities and funds to give faithfully over time.

By God's grace, if we are all giving faithfully, with cheerful hearts, as God has provided, then meeting our budget needs first of all will be possible and, second, won't be done begrudgingly.

Most importantly, being devoted in our giving will help us to build a firm foundation through which God is pleased and needs are met for His glory and honor alone.

Let's pray together.