Giving
Notes
Transcript
Intro: When we want to grow something we plant a seed and in a sense that seed dies. Once that seed is in the ground and the right conditions are met the seed begins to germinate and then to produce a plant. What we are going to look at for the next four weeks, as we continue through the Gospel Project, are some root issues for the church. Roots are one of the two signs and basic portions of a plant to grow; the other being shoots. Roots grow down and provide nourishment for the plant while the shoots go up and become the part of the plant we generally see. Though this week and the following three weeks we will be looking at roots, it isn’t because they are unseen issues, rather because they are primary and necessary for the church to grow and for us as individuals to grow. Following our look at ‘Roots’ we will look at ‘Shoots,’ ‘Flowering,’ and ‘Fruit’ just to keep in the plant frame of mind.
While the book of Acts is not primarily about definitive how to instructions on how to do church, it’s much more accounts of what did, we can still learn a lot about how the church can and should function. The root that we are going to look at this morning is giving. One of the things that we learn about the early church is that giving played a foundational role in the growth and spreading of the early church. If a church is going to be healthy giving continues to play a foundational role in promoting and maintaining vitality, the way nutrients from the soil a required for a healthy plant. Our scripture this morning is Acts 4:32-35. To see the root for what it is, and answer how we might implement the descriptive nature of the writing of Luke today, we need to understand what is present in this passage.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
I. Proper View of Possessions
I. Proper View of Possessions
A. Not their own
1. We truly run the risk of mistaken ownership
2. A slave owns nothing
3. A steward is called to use what belongs to their employer.
4 A correct view of possessions starts with a right view of ourselves and God
B. Gifts from God
1. James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
2. To be used for God’s Glory
Trans –
II. Method of Giving
II. Method of Giving
A. Sharing
1. James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
2. 1 John 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
3. Wealthy sharing with needy – I Tim 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
B. Giving
1. General Example
2. Positive Example
3. Negative Example
4. Through the church
Trans –
III. Results
III. Results
A. Personal
1. No needy
2. At least not in need of daily necessities
B. Corporate
1. God is glorified
2. The church is blessed
3. The church grows
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