Giving: A Vision For 2020

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.

2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV

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.

2 Corinthians 8:8–9 ESV

I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 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.

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Bad Motivations

Guilt (shame / penance / payment / owing God)

Status (in the church / earning God’s favor / feeling good about yourself)

Duty (this one’s more complicated / don’t do it because Pastor Adam said to / do give out of obedience to God)

Praise of man

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.

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Bad Motivations

Guilt (shame / penance / payment / owing God)

Status (in the church / earning God’s favor / feeling good about yourself)

Duty (this one’s more complicated / don’t do it because Pastor Adam said to / do give out of obedience to God)

Praise of man

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The core motivation for generosity is the overflow of generosity we receive from God

Matthew 6:21 ESV

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

Generosity Measures Your Heart Condition

You want to know how your heart is doing?

Look at your budget.

Look at your calendar.

Look at your goals.

Generosity Tunes Your Hear Condition

You want to tune your heart to be closer to God this year?

Change your budget.

Change your calendar.

Change your goals.

Perspective

Being eternally minded

Everyone wants to be part of something bigger than themselves, something that matters...

LT investments

Luke 12:15 ESV

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.”

Luke 12:16–21 ESV

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 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. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

What will actually last eternally?

World of Warcraft / Minecraft Example

You feel amazing while you play, you have a rich and deep sense of accomplishment

But when you turn off the game, you spiral into depression because you haven’t really earned anything in reality, so you dive back into the game.

Mark 8:36 ESV

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Paul wrote:

Romans 8:18 ESV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ESV

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Timing

Should I give now or later? NOW

Luke 21:1–4 ESV

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

The actual amount of dollars given is less important than the sacrifice and generosity of the giver.

You will never be rich enough to be generous.

Study after study shows that as a general rule, the richer a person becomes, the less generous they become

Btw, you are already rich

You live in the richest country in the richest time the world has ever known.

That’s in terms of:

Real dollars

Standard of living

Economic freedom and economic mobility

Freedom of thought and religion

Safety from war and disease

1 Timothy 6:17–19 ESV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Luke 12:15 ESV

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.”

So what is one’s life according to Jesus? Read the gospel of John. I’ll give you the short version.

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 11:25 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 12:25 ESV

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 17:3 ESV

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

FAQ:

How much should I give?

Wrong question. Should be, “How much can I give?”

Levin, be nice to your sister. How nice should I be?

The new testament picture is not one of give 10% and be done.

The new testament picture is one of,

“I was dead in my sin. I was purchased by Christ and given eternal life;

I’ve been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places;

I’ve giving my whole life to furthering the kingdom of God.”

Is recurring online giving less spiritual?

No.

Recurring online giving is wise.

We put important payments on auto payment.

It doesn’t make the payment any less “real” or “sacrificial”

It helps keeps us accountable to follow through we something we believe in even when our faith is weak.

It helps the church plan and budget and thus be more effective in her mission.

It helps you set a benchmark for your generosity, so that you can grow.

Should I give to organizations or individuals other than my church?

Yes. Absolutely!

However, I think wisdom would dictate that you should be generous with your church first...

You are part of a family.

You are part of a missions organization.

You are part of a concerted effort to reach a certain group of people.

You should be prioritizing giving to your church before you give other places.

I don’t really give anything. Where do I start?

Start with motivation. Start with the gospel. Give what you can and strive to grow in your generosity every year.

Questions:

Text: (509) 440-2259

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