12 We Give

Ron Crawford

We Are Church • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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Followers of Jesus Christ give generously, cheerfully, willingly out of the abundance God provides.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction

Stewardship says there is a Master Who delegated responsibility to His people and will hold them accountable for how they invest His resources, rewarding the faithful and punishing those who are not.

Generosity is a heart attitude of faith in God’s provision as Master that expresses outwardly in compassion for the needs of others. Contentment with the basic needs being met and lovingly sharing the abundance with others. Holding everything with a loose grip to allow God to place in and take out as needed.

Giving is one aspect of generosity. It deals with money and so much more. Other aspects, hospitality, sharing resources, giving time and talent as well as treasure. Releasing the abundance for Kingdom use.

Points

Clarity on Tithe: Discussion Groups

Luke 18:9–14 NIV

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

pharisee and tax collector

pharisee and tax collector. tithe and fasting only as outward compliance. tax collector displays true transformation

Matthew 23:23–24 NIV

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

tithe miniscule portions but miss bigger rules of justice, mercy, faithfulness.

tithe miniscule portions but miss bigger rules of justice, mercy, faithfulness - higher priorities.

Luke 11:37–42 NIV

37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. 42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

clean outside (righteous acts) but dirty inside (untransformed heart) clean inside by helping the poor. Tithe miniscule portions but miss the bigger rules of justice and love of God.

v.42 Tithe miniscule portions but miss the bigger rules of justice and love of God. v.41 clean outside (righteous acts) but dirty inside (untransformed heart) clean inside by helping the poor.

Problems with teaching tithe: not Scriptural. Like with Pharisees, it becomes a stumbling block, legalistic box checking. If we struggle to give 10% we feel guilty and there is not cheerfulness in giving, and we often don’t give because we can’t meet that goal anyway. Or we stop at 10% believing we’ve done our part and the rest is ours to do with as we want. We separate tithes and offerings and the offerings become a something I will do if I want to.

not commanded in NT or for church. Not off the hook though. Commanded to generosity, helping the poor, common need, and investing in ministry.

Give to Help Needy:

recap. Lifestyle of generosity, compassion, mercy, justice. Not just giving money. Not just giving to/through church.

Jesus didn’t say to help the poor and feed the hungry only if they deserve it or only if they aren’t sinning or if they weren’t in jail or if you can prove they aren’t taking advantage. He said you help them you are helping Me. Why do you make excuses for why you don’t want to help Jesus???

1 John 3:17–18 NIV

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

– have but don’t help when you see someone in need don’t have love of God.

have but don’t help when you see someone in need don’t have love of God.

Luke 12:32–34 NIV

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

do not worry, Father is giving you the Kingdom, sell everything and give to the poor, treasure in heaven. Giving to needy supports this attitude. Storing up treasure includes congregations having more than they need and not sharing. More facility, more money, etc. Growing a congregation larger and larger is also not the purpose of the NT. Growing outwardly to grow Kingdom is.

Give to Common Need

Read and .

and 4. Bringing in to share with body of Christ as all have abundance or need. Everyone had enough. Reflects both the helping needy and giving to common need.

2 Corinthians 8:11–15 ESV

11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Turn to

Everyone had enough. Compares to Israel wandering wilderness gathering manna.

Everyone had enough. Not like socialism that makes the rich poor to make the poor rich. Compares to Israel wandering wilderness gathering manna.

A congregation that chooses to invest in facilities, paid ministers, etc. is responsible to keep these up and all who choose to worship together are responsible to give. Chosen ministry endeavors also need the resourcing of the congregation. That is one aspect of the picture of having all things in common in 21st century.

Give to Support Ministry

Luke 8:3 NIV

3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

women traveling with and supporting Jesus and disciples. Many supporting the work of Paul.

Galatians 6:6–10 NIV

6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

share with those who teach you. (spiritual plant/harvest) so continue to do good especially to fellow followers. (Also laborer deserves wages)

Talk here about the needs for cleaning, maintenance and grounds-keeping. increase giving or volunteer time.

Same could be said about preaching and leading.

and 9. Churches in Macedonia and Corinth supporting the church in Jerusalem. Especially Macedonia in their struggle and poor state giving sacrificially.

Read

Macedonia setting example, although extreme poverty have wealth of generosity. Gave from their means and beyond their means. Big point, gave themselves to the Lord first.

Not a command but encouragement for Corinth church to also give generously as they had first said they would.

Read 2 Corinthians 8:11-15

11-15 out of what you have, readiness from what you have, not what you don’t have, not creating a need to meet a need, but abundance supplies need mutually. Compared to Israel gathering manna in the wilderness.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11a

plant/harvest, here used mostly in the practical generosity context. Give as decided in heart, not hesitant or forced, but cheerfully. (like when a pastor tries to make you feel guilty for not giving 10% - ie God will not bless you unless you give your 10%) Giving is a privilege. Giving back to Jesus who gave everything. Appreciation for His generosity to us.

Read 11b-15

11b-15 Giving to meet needs causes praise and gives glory to God and shows you are obedient to the Gospel.

Conclusion

Read

do not store up treasure on earth - in heaven. Where your treasure is your heart will be also. Giving to needy supports this attitude. Storing up treasure includes congregations having more than they need and not sharing. More facility, more money, etc. Growing a congregation larger and larger is also not the purpose of the NT. Growing outwardly to grow Kingdom is.

Big Idea: Followers of Jesus Christ give generously, cheerfully, willingly out of the abundance God provides.

What About You?

Are you currently giving financially to help with expenses and ministry efforts as a part of Mt. Rock BIC?

if not - it’s time to set a goal and begin to give faithfully to that goal. not to check a box but out of a heart of generosity.

if so - are you giving generously? are you giving when there are extra needs beyond normal operations?

Are you giving your time to serve the practical or spiritual needs of Mt. Rock BIC?

Are you giving your practical abilities and spiritual gifts to the ministry efforts of Mt. Rock BIC?

A way to give to common need beyond normal operations. roof replacement.

Discussion Groups

3 passages – ; ;

What does the Old Testament say about tithing? Too much to cover, but basically, it was temple-centric, giving from income and from harvest, brought to temple to be distributed, to help the poor and widows, to feed the priests, etc. But the OT also commanded generosity, helping the needy, providing hospitality, etc. There were several types of tithe and temple tax, etc.

What does the New Testament say about tithing? Nothing other than what Jesus said.

What does Jesus say about tithing? Who was He talking to?

You (religious leaders) are legalistic about exact 10% but have neglected justice and mercy and love/compassion. These are the priority. Clean the inside by generously helping the poor.

Is there any indication that tithing was required for the followers of Jesus Christ then or today?

Is there any indication that tithing was a command for the followers of Jesus Christ then or today?