RLC - Giving - Week 5 - March 21, 2021
Notes
Transcript
Welcome to Week 5 of the Red Letter Challenge. It is such a joy to see so many in connection groups, discussing the Red Letter’s of Jesus, praying, and encouraging each other to put His words into practice.
We started the challenge with Being with Jesus, next receiving forgiveness from Jesus and being forgiving with others, last week we looked at Serving as Jesus came not to be served but to give His life and we are called to be like Jesus in serving others, and today we’re looking at Giving.
You might be surprised to know that Jesus talked a lot about giving. He talked more about giving than he did love, heaven, or hell. In fact, he talked more about giving than any other topic except the kingdom of God. Why? Why did Jesus talk so much about money and giving as often as he did? Here is the Apostle Paul’s answer:
1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
You can track down much of the evil in the world back to a heart of greed, selfishness – SIN. Paul’s specific concern with money struggles among believers is this: when giving and generosity are replaced by greed and getting, it can lead us away from our faith in Jesus Christ.
Money is the number one idol in our lives. In America we like our things. We like building our kingdoms. And the greatest danger to our faith is when money becomes our security and our hope, rather than the saving work of Christ. Nothing says we trust Jesus more than living a life of generosity to others, when we let our money flow through us. It’s kind of ironic that our currency says, “In God we trust” yet Monday is the number idol in our lives, here in America.
Here is our first Red letter from Jesus today,
Acts 20:35 (NIV) 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (1)
Have you noticed that to be true in your life? That blessings abound when we are living a life of generosity?
Here is our second Red Letter from Jesus,
Luke 6:35 (NIV) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (2)
Lend to our enemies! WOW. It’s hard enough to part with our stuff and our cash with people we love and like, but our enemies? Are you kidding, Jesus? Lend to people we don’t like or people who don’t like us, without expecting anything back. Really? That this kind of generosity originates with our Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:45 (NIV) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (3)
God, our Father, shows kindness to all. Without a doubt, giving His Son was the greatest act of generosity of all times. For Jesus paid the entire debt for all the sins we’ve ever have or ever will commit. And HE paid it all freely, without expecting anything in return. That is true generosity - giving without expecting anything in return. Here is the first challenge: Is there someone you know who is in need, that you could give to or lend without expecting anything in return?
In Mark chapter 6, Jesus and the 12 have jumped into a boat to get away from the crowds to get some rest. Unfortunately,
Mark 6:34-36 (NIV) When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. 36 Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat."
How often have we echoed the disciple’s words, “Send the people away, let someone else will take care of them.”
Why is it, when hear or see someone in need, why is it, that our first response isn’t, “how can I help?” but rather, “someone else can help them.” Sometimes we rationalize, “I don’t have much…” or “someone else is in a better position to help.”
But Jesus commands them and us, Mark 6:37 (NIV) "You give them something to eat." (4)
Here’s the reality. Everyone has something to offer. AND, while God doesn’t need us to participate in His miracles, He invites us to join Him. I can Imagine what the disciples were thinking when Jesus said, you give them something to eat. Are you kidding? How are we going to feed them all? Where are going to find enough food?
For reasons known only to the LORD, He has chosen us to join Him in redeeming and restoring His world through Christ. He has chosen us to be the people who speak and act on his behalf.
We are ambassadors for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
He are “fellow workers” co-workers.
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV) For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
And if the feeding of the 5000 tells us anything, it says, God is willing to use us and our little gifts to do a lot.”
After all, when God called you he’s filled you with his Holy Spirit to give you everything you need to make a difference in the world.
Here is the irony: While money is the number 1 idol in America, poor stewardship is high on the list of our sins. Did you know in 2011 the average American ate nearly a ton of food. Yet, we throw away 40% of the food supply every year. An American family of four, throws away about $2200 of food each year. That’s a scary thought. But here is an inspiring thought. If we could reduce what we throw away by 15%, the hungry in America could all be fed. Red Letter #5, Jesus said,
Matthew 6:3 (NIV) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (5)
Notice that Jesus does NOT say, if you give to the needy, he says when. Giving to the needs of others is an expectation for all who follow Jesus. We who have been given much, are expected to share our abundance with those in need. So, if our cupboards are full and we are not worrying about food and drink for today or tomorrow, then we have what we need to help those in need today.
Red letter #6,
Matthew 25:40 (NIV) 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Whenever we do something for the “least of these,” we are doing it for Jesus. Whenever we see someone in need of our help, it is Jesus we are helping. Red Letter number 7!
Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
By the way, these are not suggestions from Jesus, they are commands. Jesus commands us not to store up earthly treasures. Why Not? Because earthly stuff has a shelf-life. It is susceptible to destruction and loss. So, instead of storing up earthly treasures, maybe we need to purge our dressers and closets of the stuff we are not wearing or that doesn’t fit any more so that the needy may be supplied. What we do with what we have reflects the condition of our heart.
Don’t be surprised if Colleen and social ministry plan a clothing drive soon.
Red Letter number 8. Jesus said,
Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
“Don’t worry,” Jesus says. You are valuable to Your Father in Heaven. He set a high price on every life when He gave the world His greatest gift, His Son, so that His Son could give His life, ransoming the world from sin, satan and death. You can stop worrying, Jesus says, because…
Matthew 6:32-34 your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
We don’t have to worry because we have a Father who knows our needs, and we can trust our Father to supply all our needs by glorious riches in Christ Jesus. When we give to others, as our Father has so freely and lavishly given to us, we have the joy and blessing of living the Red Letter Life in Jesus name.