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A Reason to Give. A Reason to Give. A Reason to Give. Last Sunday, we studied the Lukewarm church . And I am sure we will all remember this slide. What’s our Temperature?. How is our church attendance? How is our Bible reading? How is our prayer life? How is our giving?
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A Reason to Give • Last Sunday, we studied the Lukewarm church. • And I am sure we will all remember this slide.
What’s our Temperature? • How is our church attendance? • How is our Bible reading? • How is our prayer life? • How is our giving? • How is our love for the lost? Cold Luke warm Hot
This morning we shift our focus • From whether or not we are lukewarm • To what is the reason for our giving, or a reason for our giving.
We looked at a very poor church. • (2 Cor 8:1-3 NKJV) Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: {2} that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. {3} For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
This morning we shift our focus • From whether or not we are lukewarm To what is the reason for our giving, or a reason for our giving? Paul explains more about this gift from the poor church as he writes to the church at Rome.
It was to help out in a Crisis • (Rom 15:25-27 NKJV) But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. {26} For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. {27} It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
Macedonia wanted to help. • (2 Cor 8:4-5 NKJV) {4} imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. {5} And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
This is Benevolence(from Webster’s Dictionary) • BENEV'OLENCE, n. [L. benevolentia, of bene, well and volo, to will or wish. See Will.] • 1. The disposition to do good; good will; kindness; charitableness; the love, of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness. • The benevolence of God is one of his moral attributes; that attribute which delights in the happiness of intelligent beings. "God is love." 1 John 4. -- Webster’s Dictionary
Welfare -- from Wikipedia • Welfare can take a variety of forms, such as monetary payments, subsidies and vouchers, health services, or housing. Welfare can be provided by governments, non-governmental organizations, or a combination of the two. Welfare programs may be funded directly by governments, or in social insurance models, by the members of the welfare scheme.
Benevolence or Welfare Benevolence By churches and individuals Welfare by government usually Done as a program Those benefiting often think the benefit was owed to them. Benefits may have bad side effects, including, but not limited to laziness and lack of self worth. Benefits may extent to providing abortion. • Done voluntarily • Beneficiary knows who did the giving • Benefits will be done in a way expected to help the one receiving the benefit. • Benefits given by those of high moral character.
Christ is our great example of giving • (2 Cor 8:9 NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich,yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
It is a voluntary sharing. • (2 Cor 8:14 NKJV) but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack; that there may be equality.
The Spirit of helping • (2 Cor 8:12-13 NKJV) {12} For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.{13} For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;
Giving is commanded by God • (Deu 15:11 NKJV) "For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.'
Praise needs to be to God • (Psa 74:21 NKJV) Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name.
Deacons were placed in charge. • (Acts 6:1-7 NKJV) Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. {2} Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
Deacons were placed in charge. • (Acts 6:1-7 NKJV) {3} "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; {4} "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." {5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,
Deacons were placed in charge. • (Acts 6:1-7 NKJV) and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, {6} whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. {7} Then the word of God spread,and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
How are we go Give? • The old Testament designated a tenth. • (Mal 3:8-9 NKJV) "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. {9} You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
There is a reason for our giving • (Mal 3:10 NKJV) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
How are we go Give? • The New Testament speaks of a cheerful giver.
Be generous in our giving • (2 Cor 9:5-15 NKJV) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. {6} But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
God will give back to us • (2 Cor 9:5-15 NKJV) {7} So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. {8} And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. {9} As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
Expecting God’s blessings • (2 Cor 9:5-15 NKJV) {10} Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, {11} while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. {12} For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
Be generous in our giving • (2 Cor 9:5-15 NKJV) {13} while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, {14} and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. {15} Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Why do we give? (Acts 20:35 NKJV) "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Why do we give? We give to support many good works
Other Needs • For many years, we have supported all of the works we just listed. • I did not list other needs that we have helped with.
Other Needs • These needs have included: • Help with transportation, even to purchasing part or all of a car. • Help with Utility bills • Help with House payments • Help with food in addition to our pantry.
Other Needs • All of these needs have increased in recent months. • At the same time, our members have been hit with the declining economy and have had to cut back on their contributions.
Where Now? • Our deacons have been working hard to fulfill the scriptures definition of their task: “To serve tables.” • But funds are limited. • Here is a graph of what has happened this year with our finances.
Cash in Bank AccountBeginning Balance each month in $1,000 increments for 2011
What Do We Do? • We can reduce our benevolent work and tell people we just do not have the funds to help them. • Those of us who can, can perhaps dig deeper and give more. • It man be a combination of the two.
So what’s Next? • I hope that all of us will pray about it. • For our personal decisions and commitments. • For what we do as a congregation.
Will close with these thoughts. • (Heb 13:16 NKJV) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
In Conclusion “But they first gave themselves to the Lord.”
The Invitation is yours • Do you need to put on your Lord in baptism? • Do you have a special need for prayer? • Is there something you need to confess and ask for the prayers of others?
