A. Many people fail to realize the importance of money. Some see it as a tool others see it as life itself. The Hebrew writer says in Heb 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”’ Paul says to Timothy, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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.” (1 Tim. 6:9-10)
B. The Bible offers about 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 on faith, but more than 2,300 verses on money and possessions. Almost half of all the parables Jesus said had something to do with either money or possessions. Some would say that our checkbooks tell more about our priorities than anything else. Jeff Walling taught on Wednesday about where your treasure is there your heart will be also. This morning I want to talk about money, God’s money that is in your pocket. I want to talk about things God wants us to be doing with His money and what it means to view money as a tool
C. Allen and Jean decided to end their marriage of 24 years. In anticipation of the divorce settlement, Allen began to review the family’s financial records. As he sorted through the files, he came across an old faded check made out to the hotel where he and Jean had stayed on their honeymoon. Another check had paid for an installment on their first car. He picked up still another check and remembered writing it out to the hospital when their daughter was born. Then there were the check for the mortgage on their first home. After several hours of sorting and realizing the investment that had been made in their marriage, he called Jean and asked if she would work with him to rebuild their marriage. (Your Money Counts, p. 7, Howard Dayton)
D. Let me say that some feel the ending of 15 is the end of the book and this belongs in some other letter to the Corinthians. For our study, will use our text as Paul raises the issue of money.
I. The Source of Our Giving
A. I read to you two verse at the beginning of this sermon. The point of those verses from Hebrews and 1 Timothy is to remind us that everything we have comes from God and belongs to God.
B. Years ago a man was building a house in rural New England. Needing water he commissioned and expert to dig him a well. The man was seasoned in the art of his trade and found an underground river and put in a pump. Before he left, he told the homeowner that he needed to pump the well every day, that it was very important for him to follow that one instruction. For weeks the man did and he had a wonderful supply of water. As time when on, he decided to go on a trip, but he forgot to have someone pump water for him each day. When he returned he found stagnant water and it was almost gone. He tried pumping, but nothing came out. He found the man told him the well had dried up. The old man asked if pumped water from the well every day, the younger man confessed he did not. The well digger said, “The water in the well comes from an underground river that feeds the small tributaries of water which are connected to your well. Water must continue to flow through these small tributaries so that well can receive water, if not the supply will dry up.” The old man concluded by saying, “Remember, the source of the water is the river, not the well.”
C. Recognizing the source can be difficult. Our bank accounts, our abilities, and our intellects are not the source; they are simply the tributaries, God is the source, He is the river. Giving generously taps into God’s unseen river blessing.
II. The Purpose of Our Giving
A. Look again at the first few verses of our text. “Now concerning the collection for God’s people.” There was a purpose for the collections that were taken here and in Galatia, and in Macedonia. There were fellow Christians that these people had never met that were enduring a very difficult time. The need was great, this was not someone who didn’t have cable in their home and wanted to watch TV. This was concerning Christians in Judea that some say were dying because of starvation. Paul says there is a responsibility that we have to help other Christians who have a need. We sometimes call this benevolent work. Paul calls it a ministry.
B. Let me challenge you to think about giving as something with a purpose. We as a congregation put together a budget, a purpose. If we decide that the things within that budge are of value to the body here, then we should financially support it. Do you like electricity? Heat? A clean building? A full-time preacher? Partial support for youth activities? Toilet paper? The list could go on. We put together a budget, present it to the congregation and then decided if it is appropriate. If it is, then we seek to fund those committees and activities as the budget dictates. If a person would choose to say, “I don’t think the budget is of value” then I would guess that person would not give as generously as they might if they agreed with the spending. What you value you heart follows – where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
C. God is the source, we are tributaries and the collection becomes the pump from which it flows and brings forth blessings.
II. How To Give
A. Paul not only deals with the reason to give, but he also gives some teaching on how to give. Paul’s directive here is seen in the principle that giving smaller amounts regularly is easier than giving one large amount. Families can see this principle. If I put away $10/week into a savings account I have a little over $500/year or $5000 in a decade. You may say that is not a lot of money, but most of us here would not turn down a check for $5000.
B. Paul encourages the Christians to put a way a sum of money in keeping with their income, and to do this weekly. Weekly giving is not the command in this passage, the teaching here is the helping of others in need. The way to get it done is often easier in small amounts. How much is a sum? Some would say 10%, or a tithe. Others say, no, that was the old law. Let me remind you that both Abraham and Jacob tithed and they preceded Moses and the Law. The sum here is left ambiguous because God is looking at our heart not at the amount. People fail to see that God sees money as a test for his children. How we spend it, what we do with it, where we give it is all seen by God as a refection of our heart.
III. What Is A Good Purpose?
A. So what is a good purpose that we as Christians should give towards? I mentioned that we do some of that in our congregational budget. But Paul gives us more to think about than just feeding hungry Christians.
B. In this chapter, he talks about how these people can “help send him on his journey.” Financially helping a person be able to share the gospel message is one purpose. He uses a similar phrase in verse 11 concerning Timothy.
C. Paul tells Timothy that an elder who preaches and teaches is worthy of his wage. Sometimes elders are supported because of their work within the congregation.
D. But there is more to giving that just the collection here each week. Jesus taught us all to help the poor, feed the hungry, and meet needs of people as we are a light to the world. That’s personal, not collective. There are more ways to give than just money. Some, due to financial hardships or poor stewardship are not able to give financially, but that shouldn’t stop them from giving their time and talents for the benefit of others in the name of God. You can help an older person change a light bulb, don’t charge them! You can pick up a few leaves for someone that is not able, then rake them. You can help fix a car, an appliance, a computer, or roof, then help. Giving is an act of service. We don’t give money to get out of giving our time and energy.
Conclusion:
A. God is the source of all we have. If I really believe that it is God’s money in my pocket, then I have to ask myself, “What does God want done with His money?” If I really believe that my time and my talents are God’s, and I am just a steward of them, then I must ask, “What does God want done with His time and talents through me?” Brethren until we realize that everything comes from God and belongs to God, people will hate hearing sermons about giving, because they don’t believe the premise.
B. How is your heart? What is your treasure? What is God doing through you? If you need to make changes, then make them. If we can pray with you to help you, then come as we stand and sing.
