Joyful Giving
Stewardship #7
November 30, 2008
Pastor Ben Fleming
Turn with me to the last book in the Old Testament – the book of Malachi. For the past 7 weeks we have been studying Joyful Giving or stewardship. Next week we begin our study of the book of James . I have passed out a challenge card called the Ten Percent Challenge. I did not ask you to turn in your response to it but I also passed out a sheet called My Estimate for 2009. It is in your program again today. This Estimate Card is to help your deacons prepare a budget for 2009 – only _____ have been turned in. .
Pastor John MacArthur has said that you and I spend 50 percent of our time thinking about money – how to get it, how to spend it, how to save it, and how much we need to pay for different things. If we spend that much time thinking about money, money is very important to us… You would think with all the time and thought that we put into acquiring money, we would be good at managing our finances – but the truth is – we are terrible at it… Because we spend so much of our time and energy thinking about money – earning it – spending it – fighting over it and because we handle our money so poorly God talks a lot about money in the bible. I could speak to you every Sunday on stewardship but today is our 7th and final message this year. God wants us to be joyful and victorious with the money and possessions that He gives to us. He does not wants us burdened down with debt --- He does not want us to be slaves to lenders. He does not want us to be thieves.
God wants our character to reflect Jesus Christ and His principles. The message in our text today that God gives to us can be summed up in one verse – Malachi chap 3:7. On your outline write in the words.
Key Principle: When you return to God with obedient giving. He will return to you with financial blessing. Write in the two words.
Everyone wants the promise of God – financial blessing --- but most find it easy to overlook and rationalize disobedience to God and His commands. We must remember that this key principle is only true when you put into practice the Six financial wisdom principles we found in God’s Word last week in the book of Proverbs. Please stand as we read God’s Word.
Malachi 3:6 - 12 6“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
We just read a portion of the last book in the OT. It was written by the prophet Malachi only 400 years before Jesus Christ. The people of God were not giving God their best. God demanded then their best and He demands from His children their best today. In this passage that we read – the Holy Spirit took the hand of this prophet and wrote down these words. They are words that confront us as a believer and they are words that challenge us. Bringing these messages to you has been a challenge to me – I have not wanted to come across as a preacher telling people they just ought to give money and when they do not they are bad….
It grieves me when a child of God is a poor manger of the money God gives to them -- and I personally hurt for them when they rob themselves of the joy and blessings that God brings when His children are obedient to His Word. I cannot image the weight of guilt and condemnation that many live under. I hope you have seen that attitude in me from these messages. There are two challenges in our text today that God gives to us.
Challenge One. We are robbing God when we are disobedient in our giving. (vs.8 - 9) “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you ask, How do we rob You? In tithes and offerings.” God begins this section by reminding His people who He is. He does not change. His laws do not change. His principles do not change. His holiness does not change. This first challenge contains five truths that we must pay attention to.
1. Robbing God is a terrible act. Vs.8a “Will a man rob God”? The prophet writes this kind of like a shocking statement or question.” It is almost like he is saying – you got to be kidding me – you are going to rob God? You are content to be a thief and the one you are stealing from is God? What planet are you from?????? A mere man – who owes his entire existence and every good gift from God thinks that he is able to get away with robbing God. If you are or have been robbing God then you are committing a terrible sin. Truth #2
2. Many of God’s people are regularly robbing God. Vs. 8b. “Yet you are robbing Me” This is what God spoke through the prophet --- the prophet was not writing about himself – he was writing about God. The Jewish nation was regularly not bringing to God their best. Turn back to Malachi chap 1: 13 -14 ………the prophet wrote in the beginning of his writing what was happening “When you bring injured, crippled and diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands says the Lord? Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord.” God’s people were not bringing to God their best. They did not do this on just one occasion but they were regularly doing it time and time again. Christian Magazine World reports that in 2006 American believers gave less per capita than believers in churches during the Great Depression. The truth that was happening during Malachi’s time was nothing new --- what is sad is how much believers were not only robbing God but themselves of the blessings of God. We cannot expect the promises of God when we care little about the conditions that go with the promises of God. Truth #3
3. It is possible to rob God without being aware of it. Vs.8c “How have we robbed you” When Malachi told the people what they were doing they ignorantly and perhaps rebelliously sneered at him…… I am thankful that no one has sneered at me this month – at least not to my face……. The spiritual insensitivity and rebellion of the people caused them to deliberately forget God’s commands. You may be robbing God and you are not even aware of it – but God still holds His children responsible to the commands in His Word. However – when a believer hears instruction and teaching about giving and yet they continue to disobey --- the guilt upon that person is greater. The Word of God always has an affect on your life one way or another. During this series I gave you the Ten Percent Challenge card and I challenged you to give for 90 days and if you can not meet your financial needs during that time we promised to give the money that you gave back to you. I have not had one person tell me that they have accepted that challenge but if you look at our giving this month it has not been this high in the past 6 months. You all can be givers and obey Him. Comment about 90 days and faithfulness--- When you begin to sow – do not stop --- often you do not see the return on your sowing until some time has passed where you have shown your self faithful. I keep a prayer journal and I regularly record God’s blessings in my life --- spiritual ones ---- physical ones and financial ones. Truth #4
4. Believers rob God when they disobey His commands. Vs.8d “In tithes and offerings”. God patiently explained through Malachi to the people something they already knew - God expected His people to give regularly a tithe or 10% and offerings when they are needed. We are not under the Old Testament law today we are under the grace of Jesus in the New Testament ,so therefore – it is spiritually healthy for a believer to learn to give to the point where they are giving over 10% of their income. I know of a family who has increased their giving by 1 % a year for the past 15 years. If you want to grow in your hunger for the bible – then learn to give. If you want to grow in your prayer life and see God answer you prayers – learn to give. If husbands and wives want to grow in their love for each other - then learn to give. If you want to get out of debt and break the grip of materialism on your life --- learn to give.
The apostle James writes “every good gift and perfect gift is from above.” God’s good gifts are perfect. God is the source of good gifts and He is the source of giving impulse. The ability to give is one aspect of God’s image in us. So, if you are a real believer you are able to examine yourself and see God in you as you grow in your giving. You cannot grow in trusting God and not become a giver – you cannot grow in your faith and not grow in the discipline of giving.
5. There is always a result in the life of the believer when they rob God. Vs.9 “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you.” God says that He is cursing the nation of Israel because they are thieves. God not only disciplines His children individually He disciplines a nation corporately. Could we be seeing this happening nationally today in our country? Could our countries current economic crises be as a result of God’s hand upon us? The IRS says that in 2006 – 3% of the people who itemized on their taxes claimed that they gave 10% or more to their churches and that included the Mormans. I have never met or known anyone who did not give to God who was spiritually healthy. It is impossible to be spiritually healthy and not be a growing giver. I have never encountered a believer in 35 years who loved to pray --- who loved to read the Word of God, who did not obey God when it came to giving. I have heard story after story of believer who began to obey God when it comes to giving and it affects the rest of their lives and it especially affects their financial health. They become believers who learn to budget. They learn to do without --- they do not go deep deep in debt. Givers care about others in the family of God --- they become other centered people. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Many believers are financially and spiritually poor because they continue to rob God.” Think about it:
If you found that your bank manager stole your money after you made a deposit in his bank and he refused to give it back – would you continue to make deposits in his bank? Well, God would not either. That is Challenge #1, now for #2
Challenge Two We can trust God to bless us financially when we are obedient in our giving.
Malachi 3:”10 – 12 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.” Notice with me three facets of this second challenge.
1. Followers of God are commanded to be completely obedient to the law.
(vs. 10a) Malachi is commanding the followers of God to bring all their tithe to the place of worship. He says – bring it all the time and every time – give God your best every month – be fully obedient to His command. This does not mean that a believer cannot support other spiritual missions and activities. Many of you give to other mission works – some of you support Compassion International – some of you support KNIS radio – but that support is an offering, it is not your tithe according to Malachi. 2nd facet
2. Followers of God are commanded by God to test Him and see if He will not keep His promise. (vs. 10b). This is the only place in the bible where God challenges His people to put Him to the test in anything. I believe that He does this because God knows that giving is the hardest area in which to trust Him. Christian financial teacher Larry Burkett said, “if I had not learned to trust God with giving, I know I would not have trusted Him with my cancer.”
Think about it: If takes faith to believe that you’ll be better off financially by giving your money away than by keeping it. I think about that every year when I do our taxes and I look at our personal giving report from the previous year – I see if we have been faithful and I am able to see how much we did give --------- I confess to you that I have wondered what we could have done with all that money, but I find myself having a healthy fear of what our lives would have been like if were not givers. God says, Put Me to the test, try me, accept my challenge and see if I will break My promise. Some of you have done that and you know that God keeps His Word. You have grown to trust God in this area and you would not think of stopping to trust Him. Look at number three – the promise of God’s blessing.
3. God promises His children blessing. (vs.10c -12) God says that He will pour out so much blessing on His children until it overflowed. He would give them more crops than they could eat and then look at verse 11 – He promises to remove His financial discipline that He has put upon them. They were suffering from locusts and poor grape harvests because they were not giving as they should have. This could be why getting out and staying out of debt and giving go together. And then in verse 12 God says that He would bless them to such a degree that all heathen nations would see their prosperity. These promises were given to the Jewish nation as a whole but as followers of the Jesus Christ they apply to you and me today. People will see our prosperity. People know who givers are. People are attracked to those who give --- not because they think they can get something from them but givers are people persons who care about others. God says put Me to the test. If you test God – then you can believe God for three promises:
Promise #1 God will meet all your financial needs.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added to you.” Are you seeking the first the Kingdom of God in your life? What do you think about the most? What is the top priority with your time?
2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.”
Slide: Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Remember that verse and address.
Promise #2 God promises to provide you with more money than you need. 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say; he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully.” There is nothing wrong with a believer enjoying the things of life. Someone recently told me they felt guilty eating all the food at a buffet when there are so many people in need. I told them to eat with joy but make sure to stop at the store and bring some food for our food pantry. There is nothing sinful when a giving believer enjoys extra things in life. God says He will cause you to reap more than you need.
2 Corinthians 9:11 “You will be enriched in everything for all liberality.”
Promise #3 He will provide you with an abundance to give to His work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 -10 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything , you may have an abundance for every good deed…. Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” I personally believe that our response to this third promise is the key to the first two. When God gives us excess – what do we do with it?
Do we first spend it on ourselves or do we look for opportunities to give and invest in God’s kingdom.
Key Principle: When you return to God with obedient giving, He will return to you with financial blessing.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father – we thank you for being a God who gives. You want us to become more and more like you. Teach us to give. Teach us to manage what you give us in a way that brings you glory and honor. We thank you – In Jesus name amen
Friday, November 28, 2008
Giving #6
Joyous Giving
Stewardship #6
November 23rd
Pastor Ben Fleming
The first week of December your deacons must begin to work on the budget for this church family for 2009. To help them do so – there is a pledge sheet in your program. It was given out last week. If this is your church family would you let them know how you plan to give in 2009. You do not have to give them your name –just the top portion…two turned in. SHOW
Some of us are wise with our money and some of us are foolish but all of us want to be good stewards with our money – I know you do. If you are a believer --- deep down you want to please God. Some of us are able to stretch a dollar and hold on to a dollar and some of us – it just goes right through our hands and when we get a chance to borrow and put something on credit we go right ahead and get into debt. It is so easy to go in debt. (slide) Best Buy will give you 18 months to pay for anything over $400 – can you believe it --- (slide) I can get that Dell Laptop and pay for it over 18 months or (slide) shoot do you know how long I have been waiting to get a spa outback – they are interest free for 18 months as well. Last year they only gave you 12 months free interest – man times are getting better…. Getting into debt is so easy but getting out is hard. Being debt free is not a New Year’s Resolution – you must make it a new life resolution and commit to living debt free as your most important goal. To do so – will require that you change your lifestyle. I do not know your situation but God does. God cares and He cares about you and He wants you to be a manager of your money in a way that brings Him pleasure.
When it comes to teaching on money in the Christian world, there are two extremes. The first is the prosperity theology which teaches that it is God’s will that you be rich. One TV preacher said that Jesus was rich – he wore designer clothes and lived in a big house another said, “go buy a Lexus and trust God for the payments.” The second extreme in the church is ignoring money and teaching about money all together in the church.
Turn with me to 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17. ……. When it comes to money – most of need rebuking. Rebuke is the word the bible used for bringing truth to where change is needed ---- and we are not talking about the political change that we have been hearing about. Political change is not going to change our stewardship of money. Political change is not going cause the believer to bring glory to God by the way he or she handles money. Believers must repent. Believers must begin to obey God’s Word and begin to put into practice what God’s Word teaches. Please stand with me as we read God’s Word: “All Scripture is God breathed – and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Be seated………. PRAYER
A pastor should preach to his people all the scriptures about money. He should never be afraid of being accused of being a prosperity preacher – if God talks about money a pastor must talk about what God talks about. Paul said in Acts 20:20 “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable.” If you study the scriptures – “I believe that you will find in the scriptures the truth that it is God’s will that a believer be financially prosperous” -………………. but what does that mean when we use the word prosperous?? Have anything you want – buy what you want when you want it? Have everything everybody else has? Travel anywhere you want when you want to? That is not what the bible teaches. I believe the bible teaches us 3 things about financial prosperity.
Financial Prosperity
A. You never worry about money.
Matthew 6:31- 32 “So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father know that you need them.”……. If you know you are prosperous you do not lie awake at night thinking about money – you do not constantly fight with your spouse about money – you are not fearful of the credit collectors -- money worries do not distract you------ but prosperity does not mean that you are able to spend spend spend. It is possible to spend spend spend and not be biblically prosperous. Prosperity means that you are not consumed in your thoughts and focus in life about money. Money is not your master. You are master of your money. Never think that people who have money do not worry about money. #2 financial prosperity
B. You always have all the money you need.
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” The bible never says that God will meet all your wants. Most of what we think we need as Americans is a want. Paul said to Timothy – if we have food and clothing we will be content with that. God knows that you need food – clothing and housing. God says that you are financially prosperous when you pay your bills on time and all your needs are met. Some of you do not believe that --- you can think of bills right now that you cannot pay – another view of prosperity means #3
C. You always have extra money to give to His work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” You know you are prosperous when you have extra money to give to God’s work. ---- comment--- if you are experiencing biblical financial prosperity you see opportunities to give and you do so.
Many of us perhaps do not think of ourselves or see ourselves as prosperous – we think “how come these promises are not happening my life? What am I doing wrong?” There are two conditions that go with the promises of God.
Conditions for Prosperity
1. Total surrender. You and I must totally surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. God does not bless and reward a rebellious believer with financial prosperity. Surrender means that you surrender your time – your talents and your troubles. It means that you place yourself under a spiritual authority,….. it that means you reach out for help when you find yourself unable to make it --- you lay out on the table all your affairs – it means you hold yourself accountable and few are wiling to do that……………. But I a have a joy this month because three families have asked for help in being accountable with their finances.
2. Manage your money as a wise steward. Christian Financial teachers Ron Blue and Bruce Cook report that at age 65 ….. 45% of Americans are dependant on relatives, 30% are dependant on charity and 23% are still working and only 2% are financially independent.
80% of all Americans owe more than they own and 25% of all income goes to repay debt. Not only does America not manage its money – the American believer does not……. God gives us much wisdom in His Word when it comes to money. This morning I want you to walk with me through the book of Proverbs – the wisdom book that God used Solomon to write – I want to give you Six principles of wise money management. These are very simple but direct.
Wisdom Principle #1 Use a budget. Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” The verse does not tell you to use a budget but it does imply diligent planning. If you aim at nothing you hit it every time. A budget is a simple way of planning your financial life. Christian financial founder Larry Burket wrote, “a budget is nothing more than a short range plan for how you will spend your money during the year. It should not restrict your freedom to enjoy life – it should expand it. How – you say – can living on a budget expand your freedom? By helping you live within your means and not go into debt. If you are in debt a budget will help you get out of it” ---- This is the purpose of the insert in your program for us as a church family --- we are asking you to tell us what you intend to do in 2009 to support this church family ---- what you tell us will help us make a budget. If it is wisdom for God’s people then the church must do the same thing.
Wisdom Principle #2 Have a savings plan. Proverbs 21:20 “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” A foolish man spends all he has. A wise man saves and puts away. When he puts away …when the starter motor breaks – he can get it repaired without going into debt. When the stove goes on the blink – he can repair it….. A wise prosperous believer saves for emergencies. Biblical wisdom tells you to save something in short term savings out of every paycheck. Some of you put money into a savings account – some of you put money in a money market account – some of you stuff it under a mattress but most of us do not save……
Story: I will always remember Linda Sugg who had three kids – her husband at the time was a truck driver and she would take his paycheck – cash it and put the money in envelopes for different needs and one was savings and she was diligent to do that over the months and years and as we were helping her load up her family to move her daughter hit her front tooth and broke it – Linda looked into the savings envelope and counted the money and there was enough to have that tooth fixed. My sister in law does the same thing and she has taken her family on a vacation to Europe that she saved every month for by putting the money in her sock drawer. Prosperous believers save.
Wisdom Principle #3 Do not cosign for someone else’s loan. Proverbs 17:18 “A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.” Solomon seemed to write this one five times – I think he wanted to drive the point home. Do not every cosign a loan for a neighbor --- Christian or non Christian. The bible is clear on this.
Proverbs 22:26-27, 6:1-5, 11:15, 20:16. If you cosign a loan the bible says that you lack good judgment. Striking hands with someone signifies that you are pledging yourself as collateral in a business arrangement. It is similar to our handshake. God says that you are foolish to cosign for someone else’s loan. Proverbs 22:26-27 “ Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” You could be ruined for cosigning on a loan. It can ruin and hinder a relationship. Now I realize that in this church family there are those of you who have done such. You have cosigned and you have asked others to cosign for you. What do you do? Proverbs 6 says “Go and humble yourself and press your plea and allow no slumber to your eyes.” --- in other words you get out of it as fast as possible.
Story: I know what it feels like to get into debt…… I know what it feels like to think that a debt is going to be paid for by someone else or a family member. In 2000 my father told me to go down and lease a car and he would pay for the lease. I guess I wanted to please my father and not offend him – so I did it. Every month we had to wait for the check to pay that lease which was in our name. After a year –my father got sick and he said he could not pay for the lease. We were stuck – it was not cosigning on a loan but for us it was the same thing --- and then #3 and #4 go together.
Wisdom # 4 Stay out of debt. Seems impossible but the bible teaches this. Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Larry Burkett and ever godly Christian financial teacher says that the only debt a believer should ever consider is a home but in the past 2 years that has been false. Believers and non believers are loosing their homes because they went into too much debt. When you are in debt you loose a degree of freedom because you must pay the lender a certain amount of money on a regular basis. I still remember the believer who told me – “Pastor Ben, I pay as much as I can on my credit card bill first and then I give what’s left to God” – “you would not want me to not pay my bills would you”? …………… Consumer debt robs a believer of being a prosperous Christian.
(slide) Do you know what those are? These are the worst slave that our culture has been sucked into. People who use credit cards spend 33% more than if they did not own them. College kids easily get credit cards and I think our kids got applications in the mail as early as 16 years old. Most do not think they can get by without a credit card and even many young people say I got a credit card so that I could build my credit and they are 5k in debt by the time they are 24 years old. Pastor Ben I have to have a credit card so I can buy things off the internet – a debt card works fine. Really the only solution for credit cards is this (SLIDE)
How do you know you know if credit cards are robbing you of prosperity? You frequently worry about money. Your family has arguments over money. You have no short term savings for emergencies. You borrow to pay non routine bills such as taxes and insurance. You use credit to pay for groceries and clothing. You pay the minimum due and you take cash advances to pay off bills on another one. You are near the borrowing limits on the card. You get letters from creditors and you do not know how much you owe. How do you get out of debt? Never spend more money than you make. Learn to live within your means. $10 an hour does not allow you to have an ipod or a cell phone. Those are luxuries that will kill you of prosperity. I have never met a believer who was in debt and they got out of debt without becoming a giver. Giving breaks the grip of the demon of debt in the life of a believer. The key to living within your means is what we spent our entire message on last week – contentment. Contentment is the key to financial prosperity. Contentment is the key to being debt free and staying debt free. Look on your outline and the overhead: SLIDE
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said; “I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.”
Wisdom #5 Avoid Get-Rich –Quick Schemes. Proverbs 28:19 -20 “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” Vs. 19 says that a person who works at his job will have all his needs, while the one who chases after empty and worthless goals will have plenty of poverty. Our state is the founder of that in gambling. Getting rich from no effort and no labor is what drives gambling. Any scheme that you hear of or that anyone tries to convince you to get involved in that does not require hard work is foolishness. Vs. 20 says that a faithful person will have lots of blessings while the person who hurries to get rich will not avoid being punished by God. Stay away from any scheme there is that promises you quick money – it is demonic and believer after believer has readily fallen for it. Over the years --- I can think of several that have come to the doorstep of the church offering a quick way for the church to tap into money without any effort.
Wisdom #6 Do not buy on impulse Proverbs 21:5b “Everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” Hasty and quick spending decisions will lead you to poverty. When you buy – do so with caution and a diligent study of the consequences. It is common for Christians today to foolishly mismanage their money ---- make spending decisions and spiritualize them and then blame God for not blessing them financially. We must not fall to the trap of the devil and blame God when we do not obey the biblical financial principles God gives us. Ask yourself these
SPENDING QUESTIONS
Spending Questions
1. Do I have any doubt about purchasing the item? Romans 14:23 “But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
2. Have I given God an opportunity to supply it? That means have you waited? Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”.
3. Will it aid or hinder my spiritual growth? 1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial” You might be able to afford something but what is that item going to do when it comes to your spiritual growth? How much time is going to take and is it going to consume your focus and thinking?
4. Does it put me into debt? Proverbs 22:7 “ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a servant to the lender.” Any purchase that puts you into debt making payments is not God’s will? It is against the principles of God.
5. Is it meaningful for my family? 1 Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than a non believer”. Ask yourself, “Is what you are going to buy taking you away from your family?” Is what you plan to buy taking money that should be used to support and provide for your family?
6. Why do you really want it and do you really need it? 1 Timothy 6:9 “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.” Are you making your purchase foolishly and because of selfish desires?
God wants to bless you but He has laid out His principles and His conditions. God does not bend His principles because of the decisions that we make. God does not cease to be good and giving because we do obey Him. When you follow His principles – you can confidently trust Him to bless you with biblical prosperity.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father – I pray for Your people. I pray that in all respects they may prosper and be in good health, just as their soul prospers. Teach them to be content. Teach them to be wise in the management of the possessions that you give to them. Help them to please You in how they handle their money. Lord I pray that their character would be free from the love of money and be content with what they have. Lord may we be a church family that lives our lives debt free and in slavery to no one. Help us to obey and to follow the financial principles that You have given to us in Your Word. IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Stewardship #6
November 23rd
Pastor Ben Fleming
The first week of December your deacons must begin to work on the budget for this church family for 2009. To help them do so – there is a pledge sheet in your program. It was given out last week. If this is your church family would you let them know how you plan to give in 2009. You do not have to give them your name –just the top portion…two turned in. SHOW
Some of us are wise with our money and some of us are foolish but all of us want to be good stewards with our money – I know you do. If you are a believer --- deep down you want to please God. Some of us are able to stretch a dollar and hold on to a dollar and some of us – it just goes right through our hands and when we get a chance to borrow and put something on credit we go right ahead and get into debt. It is so easy to go in debt. (slide) Best Buy will give you 18 months to pay for anything over $400 – can you believe it --- (slide) I can get that Dell Laptop and pay for it over 18 months or (slide) shoot do you know how long I have been waiting to get a spa outback – they are interest free for 18 months as well. Last year they only gave you 12 months free interest – man times are getting better…. Getting into debt is so easy but getting out is hard. Being debt free is not a New Year’s Resolution – you must make it a new life resolution and commit to living debt free as your most important goal. To do so – will require that you change your lifestyle. I do not know your situation but God does. God cares and He cares about you and He wants you to be a manager of your money in a way that brings Him pleasure.
When it comes to teaching on money in the Christian world, there are two extremes. The first is the prosperity theology which teaches that it is God’s will that you be rich. One TV preacher said that Jesus was rich – he wore designer clothes and lived in a big house another said, “go buy a Lexus and trust God for the payments.” The second extreme in the church is ignoring money and teaching about money all together in the church.
Turn with me to 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17. ……. When it comes to money – most of need rebuking. Rebuke is the word the bible used for bringing truth to where change is needed ---- and we are not talking about the political change that we have been hearing about. Political change is not going to change our stewardship of money. Political change is not going cause the believer to bring glory to God by the way he or she handles money. Believers must repent. Believers must begin to obey God’s Word and begin to put into practice what God’s Word teaches. Please stand with me as we read God’s Word: “All Scripture is God breathed – and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Be seated………. PRAYER
A pastor should preach to his people all the scriptures about money. He should never be afraid of being accused of being a prosperity preacher – if God talks about money a pastor must talk about what God talks about. Paul said in Acts 20:20 “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable.” If you study the scriptures – “I believe that you will find in the scriptures the truth that it is God’s will that a believer be financially prosperous” -………………. but what does that mean when we use the word prosperous?? Have anything you want – buy what you want when you want it? Have everything everybody else has? Travel anywhere you want when you want to? That is not what the bible teaches. I believe the bible teaches us 3 things about financial prosperity.
Financial Prosperity
A. You never worry about money.
Matthew 6:31- 32 “So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father know that you need them.”……. If you know you are prosperous you do not lie awake at night thinking about money – you do not constantly fight with your spouse about money – you are not fearful of the credit collectors -- money worries do not distract you------ but prosperity does not mean that you are able to spend spend spend. It is possible to spend spend spend and not be biblically prosperous. Prosperity means that you are not consumed in your thoughts and focus in life about money. Money is not your master. You are master of your money. Never think that people who have money do not worry about money. #2 financial prosperity
B. You always have all the money you need.
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” The bible never says that God will meet all your wants. Most of what we think we need as Americans is a want. Paul said to Timothy – if we have food and clothing we will be content with that. God knows that you need food – clothing and housing. God says that you are financially prosperous when you pay your bills on time and all your needs are met. Some of you do not believe that --- you can think of bills right now that you cannot pay – another view of prosperity means #3
C. You always have extra money to give to His work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” You know you are prosperous when you have extra money to give to God’s work. ---- comment--- if you are experiencing biblical financial prosperity you see opportunities to give and you do so.
Many of us perhaps do not think of ourselves or see ourselves as prosperous – we think “how come these promises are not happening my life? What am I doing wrong?” There are two conditions that go with the promises of God.
Conditions for Prosperity
1. Total surrender. You and I must totally surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. God does not bless and reward a rebellious believer with financial prosperity. Surrender means that you surrender your time – your talents and your troubles. It means that you place yourself under a spiritual authority,….. it that means you reach out for help when you find yourself unable to make it --- you lay out on the table all your affairs – it means you hold yourself accountable and few are wiling to do that……………. But I a have a joy this month because three families have asked for help in being accountable with their finances.
2. Manage your money as a wise steward. Christian Financial teachers Ron Blue and Bruce Cook report that at age 65 ….. 45% of Americans are dependant on relatives, 30% are dependant on charity and 23% are still working and only 2% are financially independent.
80% of all Americans owe more than they own and 25% of all income goes to repay debt. Not only does America not manage its money – the American believer does not……. God gives us much wisdom in His Word when it comes to money. This morning I want you to walk with me through the book of Proverbs – the wisdom book that God used Solomon to write – I want to give you Six principles of wise money management. These are very simple but direct.
Wisdom Principle #1 Use a budget. Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” The verse does not tell you to use a budget but it does imply diligent planning. If you aim at nothing you hit it every time. A budget is a simple way of planning your financial life. Christian financial founder Larry Burket wrote, “a budget is nothing more than a short range plan for how you will spend your money during the year. It should not restrict your freedom to enjoy life – it should expand it. How – you say – can living on a budget expand your freedom? By helping you live within your means and not go into debt. If you are in debt a budget will help you get out of it” ---- This is the purpose of the insert in your program for us as a church family --- we are asking you to tell us what you intend to do in 2009 to support this church family ---- what you tell us will help us make a budget. If it is wisdom for God’s people then the church must do the same thing.
Wisdom Principle #2 Have a savings plan. Proverbs 21:20 “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” A foolish man spends all he has. A wise man saves and puts away. When he puts away …when the starter motor breaks – he can get it repaired without going into debt. When the stove goes on the blink – he can repair it….. A wise prosperous believer saves for emergencies. Biblical wisdom tells you to save something in short term savings out of every paycheck. Some of you put money into a savings account – some of you put money in a money market account – some of you stuff it under a mattress but most of us do not save……
Story: I will always remember Linda Sugg who had three kids – her husband at the time was a truck driver and she would take his paycheck – cash it and put the money in envelopes for different needs and one was savings and she was diligent to do that over the months and years and as we were helping her load up her family to move her daughter hit her front tooth and broke it – Linda looked into the savings envelope and counted the money and there was enough to have that tooth fixed. My sister in law does the same thing and she has taken her family on a vacation to Europe that she saved every month for by putting the money in her sock drawer. Prosperous believers save.
Wisdom Principle #3 Do not cosign for someone else’s loan. Proverbs 17:18 “A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.” Solomon seemed to write this one five times – I think he wanted to drive the point home. Do not every cosign a loan for a neighbor --- Christian or non Christian. The bible is clear on this.
Proverbs 22:26-27, 6:1-5, 11:15, 20:16. If you cosign a loan the bible says that you lack good judgment. Striking hands with someone signifies that you are pledging yourself as collateral in a business arrangement. It is similar to our handshake. God says that you are foolish to cosign for someone else’s loan. Proverbs 22:26-27 “ Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” You could be ruined for cosigning on a loan. It can ruin and hinder a relationship. Now I realize that in this church family there are those of you who have done such. You have cosigned and you have asked others to cosign for you. What do you do? Proverbs 6 says “Go and humble yourself and press your plea and allow no slumber to your eyes.” --- in other words you get out of it as fast as possible.
Story: I know what it feels like to get into debt…… I know what it feels like to think that a debt is going to be paid for by someone else or a family member. In 2000 my father told me to go down and lease a car and he would pay for the lease. I guess I wanted to please my father and not offend him – so I did it. Every month we had to wait for the check to pay that lease which was in our name. After a year –my father got sick and he said he could not pay for the lease. We were stuck – it was not cosigning on a loan but for us it was the same thing --- and then #3 and #4 go together.
Wisdom # 4 Stay out of debt. Seems impossible but the bible teaches this. Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Larry Burkett and ever godly Christian financial teacher says that the only debt a believer should ever consider is a home but in the past 2 years that has been false. Believers and non believers are loosing their homes because they went into too much debt. When you are in debt you loose a degree of freedom because you must pay the lender a certain amount of money on a regular basis. I still remember the believer who told me – “Pastor Ben, I pay as much as I can on my credit card bill first and then I give what’s left to God” – “you would not want me to not pay my bills would you”? …………… Consumer debt robs a believer of being a prosperous Christian.
(slide) Do you know what those are? These are the worst slave that our culture has been sucked into. People who use credit cards spend 33% more than if they did not own them. College kids easily get credit cards and I think our kids got applications in the mail as early as 16 years old. Most do not think they can get by without a credit card and even many young people say I got a credit card so that I could build my credit and they are 5k in debt by the time they are 24 years old. Pastor Ben I have to have a credit card so I can buy things off the internet – a debt card works fine. Really the only solution for credit cards is this (SLIDE)
How do you know you know if credit cards are robbing you of prosperity? You frequently worry about money. Your family has arguments over money. You have no short term savings for emergencies. You borrow to pay non routine bills such as taxes and insurance. You use credit to pay for groceries and clothing. You pay the minimum due and you take cash advances to pay off bills on another one. You are near the borrowing limits on the card. You get letters from creditors and you do not know how much you owe. How do you get out of debt? Never spend more money than you make. Learn to live within your means. $10 an hour does not allow you to have an ipod or a cell phone. Those are luxuries that will kill you of prosperity. I have never met a believer who was in debt and they got out of debt without becoming a giver. Giving breaks the grip of the demon of debt in the life of a believer. The key to living within your means is what we spent our entire message on last week – contentment. Contentment is the key to financial prosperity. Contentment is the key to being debt free and staying debt free. Look on your outline and the overhead: SLIDE
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said; “I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.”
Wisdom #5 Avoid Get-Rich –Quick Schemes. Proverbs 28:19 -20 “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” Vs. 19 says that a person who works at his job will have all his needs, while the one who chases after empty and worthless goals will have plenty of poverty. Our state is the founder of that in gambling. Getting rich from no effort and no labor is what drives gambling. Any scheme that you hear of or that anyone tries to convince you to get involved in that does not require hard work is foolishness. Vs. 20 says that a faithful person will have lots of blessings while the person who hurries to get rich will not avoid being punished by God. Stay away from any scheme there is that promises you quick money – it is demonic and believer after believer has readily fallen for it. Over the years --- I can think of several that have come to the doorstep of the church offering a quick way for the church to tap into money without any effort.
Wisdom #6 Do not buy on impulse Proverbs 21:5b “Everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” Hasty and quick spending decisions will lead you to poverty. When you buy – do so with caution and a diligent study of the consequences. It is common for Christians today to foolishly mismanage their money ---- make spending decisions and spiritualize them and then blame God for not blessing them financially. We must not fall to the trap of the devil and blame God when we do not obey the biblical financial principles God gives us. Ask yourself these
SPENDING QUESTIONS
Spending Questions
1. Do I have any doubt about purchasing the item? Romans 14:23 “But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
2. Have I given God an opportunity to supply it? That means have you waited? Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”.
3. Will it aid or hinder my spiritual growth? 1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial” You might be able to afford something but what is that item going to do when it comes to your spiritual growth? How much time is going to take and is it going to consume your focus and thinking?
4. Does it put me into debt? Proverbs 22:7 “ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a servant to the lender.” Any purchase that puts you into debt making payments is not God’s will? It is against the principles of God.
5. Is it meaningful for my family? 1 Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than a non believer”. Ask yourself, “Is what you are going to buy taking you away from your family?” Is what you plan to buy taking money that should be used to support and provide for your family?
6. Why do you really want it and do you really need it? 1 Timothy 6:9 “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.” Are you making your purchase foolishly and because of selfish desires?
God wants to bless you but He has laid out His principles and His conditions. God does not bend His principles because of the decisions that we make. God does not cease to be good and giving because we do obey Him. When you follow His principles – you can confidently trust Him to bless you with biblical prosperity.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father – I pray for Your people. I pray that in all respects they may prosper and be in good health, just as their soul prospers. Teach them to be content. Teach them to be wise in the management of the possessions that you give to them. Help them to please You in how they handle their money. Lord I pray that their character would be free from the love of money and be content with what they have. Lord may we be a church family that lives our lives debt free and in slavery to no one. Help us to obey and to follow the financial principles that You have given to us in Your Word. IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Friday, November 14, 2008
Giving #5
Joyous Giving
Stewardship #5
November 16th
Pastor Ben Fleming
Turn in your bible to the book of Philippians chapter 4. A mother and her son lived in a forest. One day when they were out walking a tornado surprised them. The mother clung to a tree and tried to hold her son but the winds tore him out of her hands and into the sky. He was gone. The woman began to weep and pray: Please, O Lord, bring back my boy – He is all I have. I’d do anything not to lose him. If you’ll bring him back, I’ll serve you all my days. Suddenly the boy toppled form the sky right in front of her feet – a bit mussed up, but safe and sound. Mom happily brushed him off and then she stopped and looked into the sky and said – “he had a hat, Lord”………….. Does this story not illustrate our attitudes that we battle with towards God – even when God blesses us greatly – we still want more -------------especially when it comes to money and possessions. We want more stuff and better stuff and we want to do anything and everything there is – regardless of how much it costs.
When it comes to finances – most of God’s people are in a constant state of dissatisfaction with what they have. We are sinners and by nature materialists --- we tell ourselves that we have to have more or get the newer version that everybody else has. Materialism is a constant temptation to God’s people. On your outline look at Webster’s Definition:
Materialism = the theory or doctrine that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life…. If you are a Christian, you would deny that you believe in materialism but many believers who are not materialists in theory are materialists in practice…..In his book Worldliness, C.J. Maheny says “coveting is desiring stuff too much or desiring too much stuff.” Stuff is not evil but how is your stuff used for God. In the 18th century – the countess of Huntington - who was one of the richest women in the British Empire at that time – used her wealth and properties for the evangelical revival of that day. Her stuff - was constantly at the disposal of the ministry of evangelist George Whitefield. Recently --- Texas oilman Bunker Hunt used his millions to pay for the making and distribution of the Jesus Film which has reached millions with the Good News of Jesus. Write in another definition on your outline:
Covetousness = is a glutton for stuff. We are a nation of gluttons – look at the storage shed business – yard sales – thrift stores and pawn shops. The attraction of stuff is a distraction to our hearts. Stuff takes on a meaning in our lives far beyond what God intends. You know you have been trapped and are a practicing materialists when you think there is a certain amount of money you must have or there is something that you must buy before you can be happy. When you get that new car, when you get a faster computer, when you get that newer house or those new clothes, when you get the 80 gig ipod or the Mac Laptop – then you will be satisfied….. Financial discontentment will ruin you. It is one of the reasons (but not the only) why you are in debt. It is one of the reasons why you pay overdraft charges which are going up more and more. Discontentment robs you of joy and it causes the work of God to go without adequate financial support around the world…….. Contentment is what we need. When you learn to be content – you will find that you have more money. When you learn to be content you will find your marriage stronger. Jerry Bridges in Respectable Sins says that discontentment is a sin we tolerate. So – how can we find contentment? How can you stop being deceived and taken in by materialism? Please stand as we read our text this morning in Phillippians and we are going to find in Paul’s words principles for financial contentment. Philippians 4:10 -14
Principles of Financial Contentment
1. Financial contentment comes when you are satisfied in plenty or poverty. The Philippians believers had sent a financial gift with Epahproditus to Paul when he was in prison. Paul says that he knew that they had always been concerned for him but they lacked the opportunity to express their concern for Paul practically. The phrase “Lacking the opportunity” – perhaps meant that they lacked any money whatsoever to send to Paul or they lacked a messenger to take the money to Paul but now Epaphroditus was bringing the gift to Paul and he was very pleased. In verse 11 and 12 Paul says that he had learned to be content in plenty or in poverty. He knew what it meant to have plenty and he knew what it meant to be without. On your outline write it in:
Content = autarkes, self – sufficient and emotionally independent of changing financial circumstances. The Greek philosophers used this word to describe a person who had an inner strength to face whatever happened to him, good or bad, with neither joy nor sorrow…. The Greeks considered this achievement the ultimate goal in life……. When Paul said that he was content, he meant that he was not dependent on money for satisfaction in life. He did not need new furniture, he was thankful for his yard sale furniture – the camel that he used to get around was slow, but it got him there…. How do you battle for contentment in your life and how to battle against materialism??? Two answers: Begin to be a giver and give to the point where you notice how much you gave……. and as you give….. be a saver. Refuse to live from paycheck to paycheck --- every person in here should be able to afford to put aside $5 a week in savings and leave it alone. Force yourself to live on a margin and if you cannot…. then ask someone to help you and hold you accountable. Your money is going to continue to control you or you are going to learn to control it. Every two weeks I write two checks – the first one is our giving check and the second one is to savings ---- 2nd principle
2. Financial contentment is possible in your life. Look at verse 11 and 12. Paul says he does not speak from want: He was not expressing his appreciation for the gift because he was dissatisfied with his circumstances. He had learned to be content. He had learned to be content with plenty and with poverty. Think about it: If the apostle Paul had to learn to be content - what makes you and me think that we do not have to learn the same?????? What did it take for Paul to learn contentment? What is it going to take for you? We still have not caught it as a nation ---- we believe we to have a new rescue plan --- we believe we need the government to send us another stimulus check to spend so that things will be better. I realize there a many people unemployed, but : when God is writing these words to us through the apostle Paul --- Paul is in prison in Rome and he is chained to a guard. He was unemployed and did not receive an unemployed check. God had Paul confined in prison for 4 years – he had no privacy day or night. When he went to the bathroom the guard was with him. Paul claims that he was satisfied – content and joyful…. and listen to me --- he had the same Holy Spirit that you and I have today. You can learn to be content today: You can be content with thrift store clothes. You can be content with a small house. You can be content shopping at Grocery Outlet. You can be content without internet and cable TV. You can be content with no vacation – stay put for Thanksgiving and Christmas – do not spend money you do not have on gas. Stop eating out ----I know to some that is tough but did you know that you can buy a Healthy Choice dinner at Grocery Outlet for $1.29 and microwaves are everywhere. Let’s examine this learning contentment more. 3d principle…
3. Financial contentment is a secret to be learned. Look what Paul writes: vs 11. “I have learned to be content” and in verse 12, “I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry.” Paul uses in this sentence two different Greek words when he wrote this letter.
Verse 11. “Learned” meaning: Learn through experience.
Verse 12. “Learned” meaning: Learn a secret not known to everybody. This second word that Paul used means that he had learned a secret not known to everyone. He had been initiated into a secret which he had permanently mastered……. God must have taken Paul through many difficult circumstances, we do not know if he had filed for bankruptcy or if his wages were garnished. We do not know if he visited a food closet or he had to pay off medical bills. We do know that he went hungry at times and we know that he made money as a tentmaker – God took him through so many circumstances that he had learned to permanently be financially satisfied in any circumstance. Contentment is not natural. When cell phones came out I remember how many people were so excited when they came out with a camera in them and could not wait till they got one. God will take you through financial discontentment to teach you many lessons: ---3 lessons
* Money will never satisfy you.
Eccles 5:10 “ He who loves money never had money enough, whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
A wise man once wrote: “Money will buy a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; food but not appetite; finery but not beauty; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusements but not happiness, religion but not salvation – a passport to everywhere but heaven.” --- #2 lesson
* The love of money will produce misery. Many many Americans are finding that out this year. Some of you know that misery. You know what it feels like. You know the trouble and worry that it is causing you.
1 Timothy 6: 6 -10 “ But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into may 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 grief’s.” America’s oil founder J. Paul Getty said, “I find all this money a considerable burden” and Henry Ford said, “I was happier when I was doing a mechanics job”. I put this one on your outline:
“if we believe that heaven is our country, it is better for us to transmit our wealth, than to retain it here, where we may lose it by sudden removal” - John Calvin LESSON #3
* Money provides a false sense of security.
1 Timothy 6:17 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” C.S. Lewis has written that “He who has God and everything has no more than he who has God alone.” 4TH PRINCIPLE OF FINANCIAL CONTENTMENT
4. Financial contentment comes with a grateful spirit. Look what Paul wrote in verse 10 “I rejoiced greatly…” and then in verse 14 “You have done well… meaning you did a great thing by sending me a gift.” Paul did not assume that these believers knew he was thankful – he made sure that they knew it and that they knew how appreciative he was…. Paul was financially content and that contentment made him deeply grateful for anything he received.
A discontented person is usually an ungrateful person. Discontented believers are filled with self pity because they do not have more or what they did get the have an entitlement attitude ---- they believe they deserve to have more. You find this killing our culture today and even in the church where someone does not even think to send a thank you card for a gift that was given to them. If you have a grateful spirit because of contentment that will provoke a believer today to go out of their way to communicate in any way possible thanks giving for a gift from someone – especially a believer.
It has been said that “the things we take for granted are a dream to many people.” You and I are richer than 95% of the world’s population.
Let me ask you? Are you a grateful person? Do you freely express thanks when someone gives you a gift . Do you expect people to assume you are thankful? Or do you act and think as if you had it coming??????
5. Financial contentment is required by God. In verses 11 -12 there is a sense that Paul is giving believers a command to be content. He had learned to be content in poverty and with plenty. Hebrews 13:5 “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have.” He is relating contentment with ones possessions and money to ones character. It is the will of God that you and I learn to be content with Jesus Christ whether we are rich or poor. The Greeks were stoics. Stoicism taught that you could reach contentment by denying your emotions and desires. They said that you could only get contentment by killing all your longings and feelings.
To them – contentment could only be attained by never looking at a commercial --- stop looking at the best buy ads. Danny – a stoic would never speak to an advertising man for fear that you might infect them.
God commands the believer to have a joyful satisfaction than is independent of his or her financial circumstances. Joyful satisfaction is humanly impossible. True satisfaction can only come when you find Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord. You might have gotten yourself in the situation you are in through many foolish decisions. You bought this and you bought that. You took that loan thinking you could easily pay it back. Perhaps your health has got you in debt with medical bills? How can you get to the point where you are independent of money for happiness?
6. Financial contentment is achieved by the power of Christ in your life. (vs.13) “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Believer – Jesus Christ can give you the power to get out of debt and stay out. He will give you the power to begin to be a joyful giver.You do not wait until you arrive at contentment to give --- giving is the fire to find contentment and it is only in knowing Jesus that you will have find true lasting contentment. Comment and expound
Phil’s Testimony
Let us pray: Would you pray that prayer to God if it communicates your heart? Lord Jesus Christ I confess that I have sinned against You by my discontentment with money and possessions You have given to me. I now surrender to your will for me, whether it means financial plenty or poverty. By faith I ask you to empower me so that I can be satisfied with my financial condition. In Your name Jesus I ask You. Amen
Stewardship #5
November 16th
Pastor Ben Fleming
Turn in your bible to the book of Philippians chapter 4. A mother and her son lived in a forest. One day when they were out walking a tornado surprised them. The mother clung to a tree and tried to hold her son but the winds tore him out of her hands and into the sky. He was gone. The woman began to weep and pray: Please, O Lord, bring back my boy – He is all I have. I’d do anything not to lose him. If you’ll bring him back, I’ll serve you all my days. Suddenly the boy toppled form the sky right in front of her feet – a bit mussed up, but safe and sound. Mom happily brushed him off and then she stopped and looked into the sky and said – “he had a hat, Lord”………….. Does this story not illustrate our attitudes that we battle with towards God – even when God blesses us greatly – we still want more -------------especially when it comes to money and possessions. We want more stuff and better stuff and we want to do anything and everything there is – regardless of how much it costs.
When it comes to finances – most of God’s people are in a constant state of dissatisfaction with what they have. We are sinners and by nature materialists --- we tell ourselves that we have to have more or get the newer version that everybody else has. Materialism is a constant temptation to God’s people. On your outline look at Webster’s Definition:
Materialism = the theory or doctrine that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life…. If you are a Christian, you would deny that you believe in materialism but many believers who are not materialists in theory are materialists in practice…..In his book Worldliness, C.J. Maheny says “coveting is desiring stuff too much or desiring too much stuff.” Stuff is not evil but how is your stuff used for God. In the 18th century – the countess of Huntington - who was one of the richest women in the British Empire at that time – used her wealth and properties for the evangelical revival of that day. Her stuff - was constantly at the disposal of the ministry of evangelist George Whitefield. Recently --- Texas oilman Bunker Hunt used his millions to pay for the making and distribution of the Jesus Film which has reached millions with the Good News of Jesus. Write in another definition on your outline:
Covetousness = is a glutton for stuff. We are a nation of gluttons – look at the storage shed business – yard sales – thrift stores and pawn shops. The attraction of stuff is a distraction to our hearts. Stuff takes on a meaning in our lives far beyond what God intends. You know you have been trapped and are a practicing materialists when you think there is a certain amount of money you must have or there is something that you must buy before you can be happy. When you get that new car, when you get a faster computer, when you get that newer house or those new clothes, when you get the 80 gig ipod or the Mac Laptop – then you will be satisfied….. Financial discontentment will ruin you. It is one of the reasons (but not the only) why you are in debt. It is one of the reasons why you pay overdraft charges which are going up more and more. Discontentment robs you of joy and it causes the work of God to go without adequate financial support around the world…….. Contentment is what we need. When you learn to be content – you will find that you have more money. When you learn to be content you will find your marriage stronger. Jerry Bridges in Respectable Sins says that discontentment is a sin we tolerate. So – how can we find contentment? How can you stop being deceived and taken in by materialism? Please stand as we read our text this morning in Phillippians and we are going to find in Paul’s words principles for financial contentment. Philippians 4:10 -14
Principles of Financial Contentment
1. Financial contentment comes when you are satisfied in plenty or poverty. The Philippians believers had sent a financial gift with Epahproditus to Paul when he was in prison. Paul says that he knew that they had always been concerned for him but they lacked the opportunity to express their concern for Paul practically. The phrase “Lacking the opportunity” – perhaps meant that they lacked any money whatsoever to send to Paul or they lacked a messenger to take the money to Paul but now Epaphroditus was bringing the gift to Paul and he was very pleased. In verse 11 and 12 Paul says that he had learned to be content in plenty or in poverty. He knew what it meant to have plenty and he knew what it meant to be without. On your outline write it in:
Content = autarkes, self – sufficient and emotionally independent of changing financial circumstances. The Greek philosophers used this word to describe a person who had an inner strength to face whatever happened to him, good or bad, with neither joy nor sorrow…. The Greeks considered this achievement the ultimate goal in life……. When Paul said that he was content, he meant that he was not dependent on money for satisfaction in life. He did not need new furniture, he was thankful for his yard sale furniture – the camel that he used to get around was slow, but it got him there…. How do you battle for contentment in your life and how to battle against materialism??? Two answers: Begin to be a giver and give to the point where you notice how much you gave……. and as you give….. be a saver. Refuse to live from paycheck to paycheck --- every person in here should be able to afford to put aside $5 a week in savings and leave it alone. Force yourself to live on a margin and if you cannot…. then ask someone to help you and hold you accountable. Your money is going to continue to control you or you are going to learn to control it. Every two weeks I write two checks – the first one is our giving check and the second one is to savings ---- 2nd principle
2. Financial contentment is possible in your life. Look at verse 11 and 12. Paul says he does not speak from want: He was not expressing his appreciation for the gift because he was dissatisfied with his circumstances. He had learned to be content. He had learned to be content with plenty and with poverty. Think about it: If the apostle Paul had to learn to be content - what makes you and me think that we do not have to learn the same?????? What did it take for Paul to learn contentment? What is it going to take for you? We still have not caught it as a nation ---- we believe we to have a new rescue plan --- we believe we need the government to send us another stimulus check to spend so that things will be better. I realize there a many people unemployed, but : when God is writing these words to us through the apostle Paul --- Paul is in prison in Rome and he is chained to a guard. He was unemployed and did not receive an unemployed check. God had Paul confined in prison for 4 years – he had no privacy day or night. When he went to the bathroom the guard was with him. Paul claims that he was satisfied – content and joyful…. and listen to me --- he had the same Holy Spirit that you and I have today. You can learn to be content today: You can be content with thrift store clothes. You can be content with a small house. You can be content shopping at Grocery Outlet. You can be content without internet and cable TV. You can be content with no vacation – stay put for Thanksgiving and Christmas – do not spend money you do not have on gas. Stop eating out ----I know to some that is tough but did you know that you can buy a Healthy Choice dinner at Grocery Outlet for $1.29 and microwaves are everywhere. Let’s examine this learning contentment more. 3d principle…
3. Financial contentment is a secret to be learned. Look what Paul writes: vs 11. “I have learned to be content” and in verse 12, “I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry.” Paul uses in this sentence two different Greek words when he wrote this letter.
Verse 11. “Learned” meaning: Learn through experience.
Verse 12. “Learned” meaning: Learn a secret not known to everybody. This second word that Paul used means that he had learned a secret not known to everyone. He had been initiated into a secret which he had permanently mastered……. God must have taken Paul through many difficult circumstances, we do not know if he had filed for bankruptcy or if his wages were garnished. We do not know if he visited a food closet or he had to pay off medical bills. We do know that he went hungry at times and we know that he made money as a tentmaker – God took him through so many circumstances that he had learned to permanently be financially satisfied in any circumstance. Contentment is not natural. When cell phones came out I remember how many people were so excited when they came out with a camera in them and could not wait till they got one. God will take you through financial discontentment to teach you many lessons: ---3 lessons
* Money will never satisfy you.
Eccles 5:10 “ He who loves money never had money enough, whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
A wise man once wrote: “Money will buy a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; food but not appetite; finery but not beauty; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusements but not happiness, religion but not salvation – a passport to everywhere but heaven.” --- #2 lesson
* The love of money will produce misery. Many many Americans are finding that out this year. Some of you know that misery. You know what it feels like. You know the trouble and worry that it is causing you.
1 Timothy 6: 6 -10 “ But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into may 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 grief’s.” America’s oil founder J. Paul Getty said, “I find all this money a considerable burden” and Henry Ford said, “I was happier when I was doing a mechanics job”. I put this one on your outline:
“if we believe that heaven is our country, it is better for us to transmit our wealth, than to retain it here, where we may lose it by sudden removal” - John Calvin LESSON #3
* Money provides a false sense of security.
1 Timothy 6:17 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” C.S. Lewis has written that “He who has God and everything has no more than he who has God alone.” 4TH PRINCIPLE OF FINANCIAL CONTENTMENT
4. Financial contentment comes with a grateful spirit. Look what Paul wrote in verse 10 “I rejoiced greatly…” and then in verse 14 “You have done well… meaning you did a great thing by sending me a gift.” Paul did not assume that these believers knew he was thankful – he made sure that they knew it and that they knew how appreciative he was…. Paul was financially content and that contentment made him deeply grateful for anything he received.
A discontented person is usually an ungrateful person. Discontented believers are filled with self pity because they do not have more or what they did get the have an entitlement attitude ---- they believe they deserve to have more. You find this killing our culture today and even in the church where someone does not even think to send a thank you card for a gift that was given to them. If you have a grateful spirit because of contentment that will provoke a believer today to go out of their way to communicate in any way possible thanks giving for a gift from someone – especially a believer.
It has been said that “the things we take for granted are a dream to many people.” You and I are richer than 95% of the world’s population.
Let me ask you? Are you a grateful person? Do you freely express thanks when someone gives you a gift . Do you expect people to assume you are thankful? Or do you act and think as if you had it coming??????
5. Financial contentment is required by God. In verses 11 -12 there is a sense that Paul is giving believers a command to be content. He had learned to be content in poverty and with plenty. Hebrews 13:5 “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have.” He is relating contentment with ones possessions and money to ones character. It is the will of God that you and I learn to be content with Jesus Christ whether we are rich or poor. The Greeks were stoics. Stoicism taught that you could reach contentment by denying your emotions and desires. They said that you could only get contentment by killing all your longings and feelings.
To them – contentment could only be attained by never looking at a commercial --- stop looking at the best buy ads. Danny – a stoic would never speak to an advertising man for fear that you might infect them.
God commands the believer to have a joyful satisfaction than is independent of his or her financial circumstances. Joyful satisfaction is humanly impossible. True satisfaction can only come when you find Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord. You might have gotten yourself in the situation you are in through many foolish decisions. You bought this and you bought that. You took that loan thinking you could easily pay it back. Perhaps your health has got you in debt with medical bills? How can you get to the point where you are independent of money for happiness?
6. Financial contentment is achieved by the power of Christ in your life. (vs.13) “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Believer – Jesus Christ can give you the power to get out of debt and stay out. He will give you the power to begin to be a joyful giver.You do not wait until you arrive at contentment to give --- giving is the fire to find contentment and it is only in knowing Jesus that you will have find true lasting contentment. Comment and expound
Phil’s Testimony
Let us pray: Would you pray that prayer to God if it communicates your heart? Lord Jesus Christ I confess that I have sinned against You by my discontentment with money and possessions You have given to me. I now surrender to your will for me, whether it means financial plenty or poverty. By faith I ask you to empower me so that I can be satisfied with my financial condition. In Your name Jesus I ask You. Amen
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Giving #4
Joyous Giving
Stewardship #4
November 9th
Pastor Ben Fleming
Turn in your bibles to the book of Numbers and the book of Deuteronomy. Genesis – Exodus – Leviticus – Numbers and Deuteronmy. The 4th and 5th books in the Pentatuch. What does it mean to you to be faithful? Does it mean that you take a break at times or you forget or you decide that it is okay to no longer to be faithful – you deserve to be happy and this situation that you find yourself in is just to tough? It depends what we are talking about when we say faithful. My wife wants and expects me to be faithful to her. And I have been. My children want my wife and I to be faithful to each other. When Cheryl was hired by her boss – he expected her to be faithful at work. The schools take great pains at making sure students are faithful – their funds depend upon it. I am glad that the farmers are faithful to plant corn and wheat seed every year --- did anyone have some toast or cereal this morning? The bible expects a believer to be faithful to a church family and the bible expects a pastor to faithfully prepare and study to preach God’s Word.
Faithfulness describes God. He is never unfaithful. Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is faithful God, keeping His covenant to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” Faithfulness has everything to do with keeping your word. Is your yes yes and your no no? Deut 32:4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, and upright is He.” Faithfulness has to do with that which is right or righteous. Psalm 12:1 “Help, Lord, for the godly are no more, the faithful have vanished from among men.” Faithfulness in men is what God is looking for. Faithfulness and godliness go together. Psalm 31:23 “Love the Lord all His saints. The Lord preserves the faithful but the proud He pays back in full.” Those who are proud are not faithful and God opposes them. In the New Testament Jesus tells us a parable about 3 servants who were entrusted with His masters money – the first two servants were faithful with the money and the master replies “well done, good and faithful servant” You have been faithful with a few things: I will put you in charge of many things” Jesus was referring to money – to possessions – ……….there is a connection between being faithful with what God gives us and the blessings of God in our lives. God’s children who are trustworthy with what God gives them --------------- He gives them more.
We are talking about money – but more specifically about stewardship of what God gives to us. If you are here for the first time --- please do not get up and walk out this is our 4th message on stewardship. For many in the church – when they think of giving they think of tithing. I hear that word from many of you. Most people in churches do not know what tithing means and most in the church do not tithe. Today – I want to briefly cover with you tithing and then focus on the rewards of God for the faithful giver. Please stand as we read our text this morning. Deut 14:22-23 and Deut 14:27-29 and Numbers 18:21 ---- PHIL
In the Old Testament the Jewish people were commanded to tithe under the Mosaic Law. They were commanded to give three tithes that averaged 20 -23 percent per year. Write it in on your outline:
1. Levitical Tithe. 10 percent of everything the Jewish people grew or raised was to be brought to the Temple. It was used to support the Levites who were the priests, musicians and servants who served in the tabernacle. Levites were not just the priests, they cleaned the tabernacle toilets and made the coffee. The temple had store rooms where tithes were brought and kept. Levites did not grow crops or raise animals. They depended upon the tithes of the people. Numbers 18:21 “And to the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel, for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent meeting.” …… It was God’s plan that the priests who came from the tribe of Levi would focus their full time on worship and teaching of the law……. In the New Testament – Paul says in the Christian church the one who devotes himself to preaching and teaching is to be supported by those who hear it. You read such things as “the workman is worthy of his wages”. The first tithe in the Old Testament was to support the Levite ministers.
2. Festival Tithe. The second annual tithe the Jewish people were required to give was a festival tithe from the remaining 9 tenths of their income to be set apart for the national religious programs of the Jewish nation. We read this in Deut 14. It was used by the Levites to run the temple. You might say it paid for the heat and electricity. Everyone participated in providing for what kept the temple running – everyone participated in paying the heating bill – the electric bill – everyone helped pay for the TP and cups at the water fountain.
3. Welfare Tithe. The third tithe that the Mosaic law required was a welfare tithe in which every third year, the festival tithe was not to be taken to the temple in Jerusalem but it was to be kept at home and each family was to use it to feed the poor that came to or by their homes. God’s people were to take care of the poor. Every home had a room in it where this tithe was kept and when someone came by or when a family member knew of someone who was in need each family could help them. Since it was every 3 years it was thought by scholars to be a 1/3 per cent per year. So if you think in terms of tithing as a believer – then you must give 23 percent of your income. There is no church today that would refuse that……….. So – here is what I would propose to you and I realize some would disagree with me:
It is significant that no where in the New Testament is a believer commanded to tithe. In fact, you will not find any commands to give a mere 10 percent. If you believe the OT – the command was just over 23 percent. Tithing or 10 percent is a guideline to help a believer become a generous giver…………The New Testament commands a believer to give. Tithing is a tool that God has given us to help a believer become a faithful giver. So – may I ask you to stop thinking and speaking about becoming a tithing believer ------------ an American Christian is so prosperous that they cannot think and see themselves as being a New Testament giver unless they start at 10%. You have to start somewhere. ACCEPTING THE TEN PERCENT CHALLENGE . Now let’s switch gears. What are the rewards of faithful giving?
Rewards for Faithful Giving -- You will find that the bible promises four kinds of rewards to the faithful giver.
1. The Bible promises an emotional reward. A faithful giver will be happier. Everybody in here wants to be happy. Faithful giving increases your happiness. Acts 20:35 “In every thing I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Even in Malachi chapter 3 God promises that He will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.” Blessing includes emotional happiness. The word blessed means fortunate or happy. When we think of being blessed most of the time we think of money or stuff. When someone wins the lottery we think they are fortunate --- they will be happy. When Jesus said – “it is more blessed to give than to receive” He was saying that the person who gives another person $1000 is happier and is more fortunate than the person who got the $1000. We do not think that way. We think the person who got the $1000 should be the happiest. Jesus knew that when the Holy Spirit was inside of a person when they give to God and others with a cheerful heart ---- God causes them to experience great happiness. Some of you have tasted that. There is an emotional affection that takes over. There is a joy that you know that God sees what you are doing and that God is pleased. There is a joy in expanding the work of God’s kingdom. When Denny Bock asked our church to give a laptop to Mohammad I could not wait to do it --- I did not even get permission ---- I did it and I looked forward to telling you all what we did and when the photo came of him I was tickeled to show it to you.
John D Rockefeller said – “I have made millions, but it has brought me no happiness.”
When Howard Hughes was asked how much is enough – he said, “just one dollar more.”
Randy Alcorn – the founder of eternal perspective ministries has wrote, “ In my own experience, there is nothing more exhilarating than to participate in God’s kingdom program by meeting the spiritual and physical needs of others. Nothing is so stimulating and rewarding as joining with brothers and sisters in Christ in the highest cause in the universe --- bringing glory to God by extending His grace to others. Every since I came to Christ as a high school student, financial giving has been a vital part of my walk with God. For me, growing and giving have been almost inseparable. I do not consider myself a perfect model of giving. Yet some of the greatest joys of my life, and some of the closest times of intimacy with my Lord have come in the giving of myself and my resources.” Stingy Christians are not joyful. You cannot have joy in God and not become a giver. That seems like a selfish reason to become a giver --- I want more joy and I want to pursue joy. There is a godly pleasure in that but never fall into the trap of thinking pursuing joy in God is sin. There is no sin in pursuing pleasure in God.
2. The bible promises a spiritual reward. A faithful giver will experience a greater sense of a closeness to God. John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love Him and show myself to Him.” Pastor Rod Rogers says in his book Pastor Driven Stewardship – “in my church I want God’s people to experience a greater sense of God’s love and presence in their life” – when someone tells me that is lacking I simply challenge them to give 10 times the amount they are currently giving and every person who did what I told them to do has come back with a testimony telling me of how much closer to God they are and how much more of the love of God they feel.”……… We can say that giving brings you closer to God because the bible says that God loves a cheerful giver so that tells us that there is a special affection in the heart of God for a giver and the words of Jesus in John 14 tells us that obeying the commands of God is essential to feeling the love of God. I do not change the love of God or make God love me any more by giving……. but I taste – know and feel the love of God because I obey God. Obeying God is drawing near to God and the bible says – draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Since God loves to give --- it makes sense that if you and I do not share His commitment to giving - you will never develop a deep intimate and satisfying relationship with Him. 2x 3rd reward.
3. The Bible promises an eternal reward. A faithful giver will be given treasure in heaven. Matthew 6:19 – 21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Heaven is a long way off for many of us and we do not think about or really believe what Jesus said. Some of us think – who cares about treasures in heaven – I am just glad I am not going to hell. But the bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So if your heart is focused on money, your debts and your stuff and getting more stuff and better stuff then your heart is focused on the things of this earth but the believer who is focused on laying up treasure in heaven is bringing a bit of heaven to this earth to their heart. You are walking this earth with the focus of your heart on the eternal rewards that God promises……. When you get to heaven are you going to be surprised when someone walks up to you and says to you “thank you because of your investments I am here.” ?? I wonder how many believers are going to get to heaven and be surprised that what they sent on ahead did not earn them much eternal treasure. Many Christians who are rich in this life will find they are poor in the next --- this is perhaps what Jesus meant when He said – “But many who are first will be last and the last, first.” ---- eternal – spiritual and emotional rewards……….. and then #4
4. The Bible promises a financial reward. A faithful believer will always have more money than they need. I almost hesitate to put this one down but I cannot get around it since you find it in God’s Word – but what God has meant for good – man takes and turns it into greed. We are tempted to think: “I will give so that I can get. This promise says nothing about man and man’s need and any obligation that God has to man but it says everything about God……God always gives and He gives abundantly even when man does not. God does not need man’s giving --- giving is one of the ways that God fashions His children to become like Him. Look with me at three guarantees in the Word of God about money.
* Your level of giving determines your level of blessing. Luke 6:38 “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” You give to God a token every so often and you can expect God to give to you a token back. 2 Corinthians 9:6 “he who sows sparingly reaps sparingly” --- throw a few handfuls of seed on the ground once or twice a year and that is what you can expect to reap back from God. I challenge you to be a faithful giver. I challenge you to increase every year the size of your giving – but start first by being faithful by giving the standard He set – a tithe.
* God rewards your generous giving by meeting all your financial needs. 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything.” Proverbs 3:9 -10, Proverbs 11:24 - 25, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:18 -19. The bible never says that God will provide your wants ---- the more prosperous we as Americans have become the more we think something is a need. How many of you had cell phones and internet and HDT 15 years ago???? It is by God’s grace that He meets your needs. In September of 1977 I left my parents home for language school and the mission field. I was a baby giver at age 22 --- I have never never had a situation where God did not meet my needs. To be honest with you --- I feel abundantly blessed. I have never won the lottery or been given an inheritance but I have been to places and done what most people would never think of doing. I have had a blast the past 31 years. Now --- I do not want you think that I do not struggle with worrying about making ends meet – I do. I have confessed many many times my lack of trust in God even though I have seen His track record – I can say to you we have always had sufficiency in everything and we give beyond 10%. 3rd guarantee
* God rewards your generous giving with an abundance of money to give to His work. Professor Hodge said about verse 8 of Corinthians. “From verse 8 -11 the apostle Paul assures the believer that the liberal and cheerful giver will always have something to give.” God gives the believer more money and He gives them more money not to spend on themselves but to invest more in His Kingdom……2x God wants to give His children the priviledge and choice of where they are going to invest money. Let me draw this out and say something you might disagree with……….. “In a sense” --- God wants to trust His children that they know better than He does where to spend the money so that it will bring more return for the Kingdom of God.” God rewards your generous giving with an abundance of money to give to His work. God rewards you by meeting all your financial needs and your level of giving determines your level of blessing.
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank You that You are God who gives. Teach us to give. Help us to give. Father we want to be stewards of what you have given to us and that we will hear You say “well done good and faithful servant.” Lord – thank You for the emotional rewards that come from giving. Thank you for the spiritual rewards and the eternal rewards that come from giving. Thank you for the financial rewards and that You guarantee us that You will meet all our needs.
Father – bless those who give. Help them to be faithful. Encourage them. Keep them healthy. Give them more so that they can give and give. Keep their cars running. Provide jobs for those who are jobless. Help us to look to You and find our pleasure in You and you alone. Amen
Stewardship #4
November 9th
Pastor Ben Fleming
Turn in your bibles to the book of Numbers and the book of Deuteronomy. Genesis – Exodus – Leviticus – Numbers and Deuteronmy. The 4th and 5th books in the Pentatuch. What does it mean to you to be faithful? Does it mean that you take a break at times or you forget or you decide that it is okay to no longer to be faithful – you deserve to be happy and this situation that you find yourself in is just to tough? It depends what we are talking about when we say faithful. My wife wants and expects me to be faithful to her. And I have been. My children want my wife and I to be faithful to each other. When Cheryl was hired by her boss – he expected her to be faithful at work. The schools take great pains at making sure students are faithful – their funds depend upon it. I am glad that the farmers are faithful to plant corn and wheat seed every year --- did anyone have some toast or cereal this morning? The bible expects a believer to be faithful to a church family and the bible expects a pastor to faithfully prepare and study to preach God’s Word.
Faithfulness describes God. He is never unfaithful. Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is faithful God, keeping His covenant to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” Faithfulness has everything to do with keeping your word. Is your yes yes and your no no? Deut 32:4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, and upright is He.” Faithfulness has to do with that which is right or righteous. Psalm 12:1 “Help, Lord, for the godly are no more, the faithful have vanished from among men.” Faithfulness in men is what God is looking for. Faithfulness and godliness go together. Psalm 31:23 “Love the Lord all His saints. The Lord preserves the faithful but the proud He pays back in full.” Those who are proud are not faithful and God opposes them. In the New Testament Jesus tells us a parable about 3 servants who were entrusted with His masters money – the first two servants were faithful with the money and the master replies “well done, good and faithful servant” You have been faithful with a few things: I will put you in charge of many things” Jesus was referring to money – to possessions – ……….there is a connection between being faithful with what God gives us and the blessings of God in our lives. God’s children who are trustworthy with what God gives them --------------- He gives them more.
We are talking about money – but more specifically about stewardship of what God gives to us. If you are here for the first time --- please do not get up and walk out this is our 4th message on stewardship. For many in the church – when they think of giving they think of tithing. I hear that word from many of you. Most people in churches do not know what tithing means and most in the church do not tithe. Today – I want to briefly cover with you tithing and then focus on the rewards of God for the faithful giver. Please stand as we read our text this morning. Deut 14:22-23 and Deut 14:27-29 and Numbers 18:21 ---- PHIL
In the Old Testament the Jewish people were commanded to tithe under the Mosaic Law. They were commanded to give three tithes that averaged 20 -23 percent per year. Write it in on your outline:
1. Levitical Tithe. 10 percent of everything the Jewish people grew or raised was to be brought to the Temple. It was used to support the Levites who were the priests, musicians and servants who served in the tabernacle. Levites were not just the priests, they cleaned the tabernacle toilets and made the coffee. The temple had store rooms where tithes were brought and kept. Levites did not grow crops or raise animals. They depended upon the tithes of the people. Numbers 18:21 “And to the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel, for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent meeting.” …… It was God’s plan that the priests who came from the tribe of Levi would focus their full time on worship and teaching of the law……. In the New Testament – Paul says in the Christian church the one who devotes himself to preaching and teaching is to be supported by those who hear it. You read such things as “the workman is worthy of his wages”. The first tithe in the Old Testament was to support the Levite ministers.
2. Festival Tithe. The second annual tithe the Jewish people were required to give was a festival tithe from the remaining 9 tenths of their income to be set apart for the national religious programs of the Jewish nation. We read this in Deut 14. It was used by the Levites to run the temple. You might say it paid for the heat and electricity. Everyone participated in providing for what kept the temple running – everyone participated in paying the heating bill – the electric bill – everyone helped pay for the TP and cups at the water fountain.
3. Welfare Tithe. The third tithe that the Mosaic law required was a welfare tithe in which every third year, the festival tithe was not to be taken to the temple in Jerusalem but it was to be kept at home and each family was to use it to feed the poor that came to or by their homes. God’s people were to take care of the poor. Every home had a room in it where this tithe was kept and when someone came by or when a family member knew of someone who was in need each family could help them. Since it was every 3 years it was thought by scholars to be a 1/3 per cent per year. So if you think in terms of tithing as a believer – then you must give 23 percent of your income. There is no church today that would refuse that……….. So – here is what I would propose to you and I realize some would disagree with me:
It is significant that no where in the New Testament is a believer commanded to tithe. In fact, you will not find any commands to give a mere 10 percent. If you believe the OT – the command was just over 23 percent. Tithing or 10 percent is a guideline to help a believer become a generous giver…………The New Testament commands a believer to give. Tithing is a tool that God has given us to help a believer become a faithful giver. So – may I ask you to stop thinking and speaking about becoming a tithing believer ------------ an American Christian is so prosperous that they cannot think and see themselves as being a New Testament giver unless they start at 10%. You have to start somewhere. ACCEPTING THE TEN PERCENT CHALLENGE . Now let’s switch gears. What are the rewards of faithful giving?
Rewards for Faithful Giving -- You will find that the bible promises four kinds of rewards to the faithful giver.
1. The Bible promises an emotional reward. A faithful giver will be happier. Everybody in here wants to be happy. Faithful giving increases your happiness. Acts 20:35 “In every thing I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Even in Malachi chapter 3 God promises that He will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.” Blessing includes emotional happiness. The word blessed means fortunate or happy. When we think of being blessed most of the time we think of money or stuff. When someone wins the lottery we think they are fortunate --- they will be happy. When Jesus said – “it is more blessed to give than to receive” He was saying that the person who gives another person $1000 is happier and is more fortunate than the person who got the $1000. We do not think that way. We think the person who got the $1000 should be the happiest. Jesus knew that when the Holy Spirit was inside of a person when they give to God and others with a cheerful heart ---- God causes them to experience great happiness. Some of you have tasted that. There is an emotional affection that takes over. There is a joy that you know that God sees what you are doing and that God is pleased. There is a joy in expanding the work of God’s kingdom. When Denny Bock asked our church to give a laptop to Mohammad I could not wait to do it --- I did not even get permission ---- I did it and I looked forward to telling you all what we did and when the photo came of him I was tickeled to show it to you.
John D Rockefeller said – “I have made millions, but it has brought me no happiness.”
When Howard Hughes was asked how much is enough – he said, “just one dollar more.”
Randy Alcorn – the founder of eternal perspective ministries has wrote, “ In my own experience, there is nothing more exhilarating than to participate in God’s kingdom program by meeting the spiritual and physical needs of others. Nothing is so stimulating and rewarding as joining with brothers and sisters in Christ in the highest cause in the universe --- bringing glory to God by extending His grace to others. Every since I came to Christ as a high school student, financial giving has been a vital part of my walk with God. For me, growing and giving have been almost inseparable. I do not consider myself a perfect model of giving. Yet some of the greatest joys of my life, and some of the closest times of intimacy with my Lord have come in the giving of myself and my resources.” Stingy Christians are not joyful. You cannot have joy in God and not become a giver. That seems like a selfish reason to become a giver --- I want more joy and I want to pursue joy. There is a godly pleasure in that but never fall into the trap of thinking pursuing joy in God is sin. There is no sin in pursuing pleasure in God.
2. The bible promises a spiritual reward. A faithful giver will experience a greater sense of a closeness to God. John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love Him and show myself to Him.” Pastor Rod Rogers says in his book Pastor Driven Stewardship – “in my church I want God’s people to experience a greater sense of God’s love and presence in their life” – when someone tells me that is lacking I simply challenge them to give 10 times the amount they are currently giving and every person who did what I told them to do has come back with a testimony telling me of how much closer to God they are and how much more of the love of God they feel.”……… We can say that giving brings you closer to God because the bible says that God loves a cheerful giver so that tells us that there is a special affection in the heart of God for a giver and the words of Jesus in John 14 tells us that obeying the commands of God is essential to feeling the love of God. I do not change the love of God or make God love me any more by giving……. but I taste – know and feel the love of God because I obey God. Obeying God is drawing near to God and the bible says – draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Since God loves to give --- it makes sense that if you and I do not share His commitment to giving - you will never develop a deep intimate and satisfying relationship with Him. 2x 3rd reward.
3. The Bible promises an eternal reward. A faithful giver will be given treasure in heaven. Matthew 6:19 – 21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Heaven is a long way off for many of us and we do not think about or really believe what Jesus said. Some of us think – who cares about treasures in heaven – I am just glad I am not going to hell. But the bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So if your heart is focused on money, your debts and your stuff and getting more stuff and better stuff then your heart is focused on the things of this earth but the believer who is focused on laying up treasure in heaven is bringing a bit of heaven to this earth to their heart. You are walking this earth with the focus of your heart on the eternal rewards that God promises……. When you get to heaven are you going to be surprised when someone walks up to you and says to you “thank you because of your investments I am here.” ?? I wonder how many believers are going to get to heaven and be surprised that what they sent on ahead did not earn them much eternal treasure. Many Christians who are rich in this life will find they are poor in the next --- this is perhaps what Jesus meant when He said – “But many who are first will be last and the last, first.” ---- eternal – spiritual and emotional rewards……….. and then #4
4. The Bible promises a financial reward. A faithful believer will always have more money than they need. I almost hesitate to put this one down but I cannot get around it since you find it in God’s Word – but what God has meant for good – man takes and turns it into greed. We are tempted to think: “I will give so that I can get. This promise says nothing about man and man’s need and any obligation that God has to man but it says everything about God……God always gives and He gives abundantly even when man does not. God does not need man’s giving --- giving is one of the ways that God fashions His children to become like Him. Look with me at three guarantees in the Word of God about money.
* Your level of giving determines your level of blessing. Luke 6:38 “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” You give to God a token every so often and you can expect God to give to you a token back. 2 Corinthians 9:6 “he who sows sparingly reaps sparingly” --- throw a few handfuls of seed on the ground once or twice a year and that is what you can expect to reap back from God. I challenge you to be a faithful giver. I challenge you to increase every year the size of your giving – but start first by being faithful by giving the standard He set – a tithe.
* God rewards your generous giving by meeting all your financial needs. 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything.” Proverbs 3:9 -10, Proverbs 11:24 - 25, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:18 -19. The bible never says that God will provide your wants ---- the more prosperous we as Americans have become the more we think something is a need. How many of you had cell phones and internet and HDT 15 years ago???? It is by God’s grace that He meets your needs. In September of 1977 I left my parents home for language school and the mission field. I was a baby giver at age 22 --- I have never never had a situation where God did not meet my needs. To be honest with you --- I feel abundantly blessed. I have never won the lottery or been given an inheritance but I have been to places and done what most people would never think of doing. I have had a blast the past 31 years. Now --- I do not want you think that I do not struggle with worrying about making ends meet – I do. I have confessed many many times my lack of trust in God even though I have seen His track record – I can say to you we have always had sufficiency in everything and we give beyond 10%. 3rd guarantee
* God rewards your generous giving with an abundance of money to give to His work. Professor Hodge said about verse 8 of Corinthians. “From verse 8 -11 the apostle Paul assures the believer that the liberal and cheerful giver will always have something to give.” God gives the believer more money and He gives them more money not to spend on themselves but to invest more in His Kingdom……2x God wants to give His children the priviledge and choice of where they are going to invest money. Let me draw this out and say something you might disagree with……….. “In a sense” --- God wants to trust His children that they know better than He does where to spend the money so that it will bring more return for the Kingdom of God.” God rewards your generous giving with an abundance of money to give to His work. God rewards you by meeting all your financial needs and your level of giving determines your level of blessing.
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank You that You are God who gives. Teach us to give. Help us to give. Father we want to be stewards of what you have given to us and that we will hear You say “well done good and faithful servant.” Lord – thank You for the emotional rewards that come from giving. Thank you for the spiritual rewards and the eternal rewards that come from giving. Thank you for the financial rewards and that You guarantee us that You will meet all our needs.
Father – bless those who give. Help them to be faithful. Encourage them. Keep them healthy. Give them more so that they can give and give. Keep their cars running. Provide jobs for those who are jobless. Help us to look to You and find our pleasure in You and you alone. Amen
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