All about giving (4 things)

• 1^st – The gift for the church in Jerusalem…
• The church in Jerusalem was not doing well financially…
  • Acts 4:34 – the first church in Jerusalem tried a form of socialism…
    • Those who had land/possessions sold them and contributed to a communal fund…
    • The idea was to have no rich or poor in the church – share the wealth…
  • The problem was the money did not last…
    • It did not take long before the money raised – was all spent…
    • Those who had possessions had already sold them – so now everyone was poor…
    • Before long the church in Jerusalem was in a desperate position and needed help!
    • Communism/Socialism is a doomed system of government…
    • It sounds good – share the wealth evenly – take from the rich and give to the poor…
    • But the system fails because of the greed and selfish nature of men…
    • Any government based on socialism is doomed to go financially bankrupt!
  • Paying back a debt of gratitude…
    • The gentile churches in Greece – Corinth / Philippi – wanted to help…
    • The Gospel had blessed them – and they wanted to bless back…
    • * Romans 15:26-27 – “The believers in Greece have eagerly taken up an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem, who are going through such hard times. They were very glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the wonderful spiritual blessings of the Good News from the Jewish Christians, they feel the least they can do in return is help them financially.”
    • They volunteered to put together a special offering for the saints in Jerusalem…
      
• 2^nd – The example of the VERY poor churches in Macedonia… vs. 1-5(4 things)
  • 1^st – The churches in northern Greece were much poorer then the church in Corinth…
    • The assumption was they would not be able to give much to Jerusalem…
    • Often we think because we are a poor church – there is not much we can do…
    • But it is often the poorest churches – who do the greatest good…
    • The poor church of Philippi – was only church to support Paul – he called it his crown!
    • While one of the richest churches – Laodicea – was spiritually bankrupt!
    • Revelation 3:17 – “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…”
    • Being used by the Lord has nothing to do with how much money we have…
    • It is all about a heart that is humble – and being willing to follow the Lord!
  • 2^nd – The church had their own needs – they were not in a position to help others…
    • Often people think they cannot afford to give to the Lord…
      • We look at all we do not have – money / food  – and think we can not help!
      • But in reality if I give to the Lord – I will end up with more than I stared with!
      • We cannot out give God – He will always bless far beyond what I give to Him…
      • But if I try and keep all my money/time for myself – I always seem to be lacking!
      • * Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”.
      • It is not a matter of asking if we can afford to give to God – can we afford not to!
    • Giving is not just about money…
      • Perhaps we do have a desire to give to the Lord – be involved in God’s work…
      • The problem is we don’t think we have anything to give to the Lord – no money!
      • Money is only ‘one way’ that we give to the Lord – be involved in His work…
      • God has given each one of us abilities – we can give God our time and effort!
  • 3^rd – The Macedonian churches gave – even far beyond their means…
    • Apparently Paul was hesitant to ask them to help because of their poverty…
    • But they had asked again and again for the privilege of helping the church…
    • Not because they had to – they gave of their own free will…
    • We are not required to give anything to God – we give because we want to…

• Like a little child who wants to help out his dad – it is not needed…
• God does not need our money – He is the creator of all heaven and earth!
• But He does love to get His kids involved in His work!
• 4^th – The Macedonian churches amazed Paul…
  • They held nothing back – they wholly dedicated themselves to the Lord…
  • They were open to whatever direction God gave to them…
  • Too often people give at the direction/urging of a pastor – wrong motive…
  • If you give – it is in obedience to the leading of the Lord – not to please men…
  • Matthew 6:1-4 – “Don’t let your left hand know what you right hand is doing…”
  • Do not give to receive praises from men – but to receive praises from God!
    
• 3^rd – Excel in the gift of giving… vs. 6-15 (3 things)

• 1^st – The church already excelled in other spiritual gifts… vs. 6-8
  • They had great faith / they had great teachers / great knowledge of the Word…
    • Now Paul wanted to see them become great in the gift of giving…
    • One of the Gifts of the Spirit is giving – Romans 12:6-8…
    • The ability to give to bless others – comes from being full of the Holy Spirit!
  • Not that you have to give…
    • Paul was not demanding the church give – and Paul was not asking for himself…
    • A pastor should NEVER demand/even ask – for money – I Corinthians 9:15…
    • Pastors who demand money – fall under the judgment of God – Ezekiel 34:2
    • Men become ‘pastors’ because they think of it as a job – a way to make money…
    • They are not there to love and provide from the people – give their lives…
    • When problems arise – they run away – because they only care about themselves…
    • John 10:13 – “The hired hand runs away… has no real concern for the sheep.”
  • Give because it is an opportunity to show your love…
    • One way to practically show the Love of Jesus is to care for others in need…
    • It is hard to say Jesus Loves you when someone is cold and hungry – James 2:16
    • Through showing the Love of God – we have the opportunity to share God’s Love!
• 2^nd – The example of Jesus… vs. 9-11
  • Jesus became poor – so that we might become rich…
    • Jesus saw that all men were doomed – so He came down to save us…
    • God could have come to earth in any way He wanted – as a rich wealthy king…
    • But instead He choose to come as a baby – wrapped in rags – in a barn…
    • Jesus gave up everything He had – so that He could give it to us!
    • We have become heirs to all that God has – joint heirs with Jesus Christ!
    • That means God desires to give us EVERYTHING – His KINGDOM – Luke 12:32
  • Finish what you started…
    • It would seem the church in Corinth was the first to suggest helping Jerusalem…
    • But they had ‘lost interest’ and the whole idea was kind of put to the side…
    • With the overwhelming response of Macedonia – Paul wanted to finish the work…
    • He wanted the Church in Corinth to show their great love for other saints!
    • He wanted them to be like Jesus – give so that others might be blessed!
    • None of us want to see people suffering – going without food – basic needs…
    • It is easy to see a problem – but the question remains what are we going to do…
    • It is not enough to see the need – we need to be willing to step out and help!
    • Be like Jesus – when you see people hurting / in need – bless them!
• 3^rd – Give what you can afford… vs. 12-13
  • It does not matter how much you give – it is the thought that counts…

• Mark 12:42-44 – The poor widow who only put in 2 mites – about 50 centavos…
• Jesus called the disciples and told them – she gave more than all the rich put together!
• The rich gave out of their abundance – she out of her poverty – she gave all she had!
• It is not about the quantity – giving a lot means nothing if it costs us nothing…
• It is about sacrifice – giving from the heart – showing our Love for God!

• If someone is in need – and you give a little – even if it is not enough…
• It is a HUGE blessing to them – because they know you care about them!

• God does not want you to go hungry – so others can eat…
  • In other words be wise with how you give – do not give beyond your means…
  • If giving someone your dinner – means your family does not eat – do not give…
  • If giving someone 20p who has nothing – means you miss a snack – maybe give
• Balance the wealth in the church…
  • As it is written – he who gathered much had nothing left – Exodus 16:18…
  • When the children of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years…
  • They had to collect manna every day to eat – none extra / none lacking…
  • In other words level the field – those with much give to those with little…
  • If you have money – use it to bless others – one day they will bless you back!
  • Not lending money – that is not a blessing – that is a ‘loan’…
  • Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
  • Better to simple give it if you have it – use the money we have for others…
  • Then when we have no money – those we helped will be there to bless us back…
    
• 4^th – Accountability… vs. 16-24
• Paul sent Titus along with another brother to Corinth to collect the gift…
  • The ‘other brother’ may have been Luke – the writer of the Gospel and Acts…
    • A man who was well known in all the churches as a preacher of the Gospel…
    • A man who was a traveling companion of Paul and Titus…
    • He was elected by the church because of his good reputation…
    • But we do not know for certain who it was – the identity is not given in the Bible…
  • They would collect the money and take it to the saints in Jerusalem…
    • They reason for sending two men – was to be accountable with the money…
    • Paul did not want there to be any accusations – questions about integrity…
    • For that purpose Paul even sent another proven brother to accompany them…
    • So in all – the funds/support would be escorted by three men of good reputation…
    • If anyone asked about these men – Paul called them all ‘Apostles’!
  • When it comes to money – accountability is critical…
    • Any ministry or pastor needs to be completely above question about money…
    • People need to have confidence that whatever is given – is used for the Lord…
    • What a pastor/leader does with the gifts of the people – reflects on Jesus…
    • If a pastor uses gifts to finance a lavish lifestyle – people will resent it…
    • If they give out of their necessity – only to have a pastor sit in luxury – not good…
    • The people will turn their resentment towards God – whom the pastor represents…
    • That is why a pastor cannot be greedy for money – I Timothy 3:3
    • That is why he must be trustworthy – have a good reputation – I Timothy 3:7

 Giving to the people as an example – it is better to give than to take!

The true heart of a Godly pastor is to seek to give to God’s people…

* Acts 20:34-35 – “I have been a constant example of how you can help the poor by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”