A Generous Church

2 Corinthians 8

Pastor Colin invites us to open our scriptures to 2 Corinthians chapter 8, engaging us in the second part of the Advent series titled “A Generous Life”. He prompts us to consider why discussing generosity is so pertinent during this season, linking it biblically to the essence of Christmas and to our current societal concerns with financial security. Pastor Colin walks us through the profound connection between Jesus’ self-giving and our call to exhibit this generous spirit in our financial stewardship. By directing our attention away from the controlling power of money, we are taught to embrace a way of giving characterized by freedom and joy, thus moulding us more into the likeness of Christ.

In the heart of his message, Pastor Colin tackles the practical aspect of what it means to give in accordance with biblical teachings. Emphasizing that our giving should not be out of a sense of obligation under the law, but rather should stem from a response to the grace we have received through Christ. He brings clarity to the concept of grace-based giving by contrasting it against the compulsory nature of law-bound giving, showcasing that true generosity cannot exist under compulsion, but only through grace. Pastor Colin concludes by underscoring integrity in the handling of money within the church as a crucial reflection of God’s trustworthy nature, setting forth examples from scripture and the life of the early church. This sermon serves as a powerful reminder that as followers of Christ, our finances are yet another area through which we can live out the Gospel and exhibit the transformative power of generosity and reliability.

1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,080 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Colin Smith of Open the Bible. 2 00:00:07,080 –> 00:00:14,740 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN365 or visit our website openthebible.org. 3 00:00:14,740 –> 00:00:17,639 Let’s get to the message. 4 00:00:17,639 –> 00:00:19,360 Here is Pastor Colin. 5 00:00:19,360 –> 00:00:25,360 Well I hope you have your Bible open please at Second Corinthians in Chapter 8 as we come 6 00:00:25,360 –> 00:00:28,940 to the second message in our Advent series. 7 00:00:29,040 –> 00:00:30,559 A generous life. 8 00:00:30,559 –> 00:00:35,139 I have been asked, it may not surprise you, why are we doing this now? 9 00:00:35,599 –> 00:00:37,439 Three reasons. 10 00:00:37,439 –> 00:00:42,560 Number one, it’s in the Bible and God has been speaking to me on this subject throughout 11 00:00:42,560 –> 00:00:44,900 the last year. 12 00:00:44,900 –> 00:00:50,540 Number two, it’s directly connected in scripture to Christmas. 13 00:00:50,540 –> 00:00:55,980 The coming and the self-giving of the Lord Jesus Christ is laid before us in these chapters 14 00:00:56,220 –> 00:01:03,580 as the reason for our giving and for us becoming generous people. 15 00:01:04,099 –> 00:01:10,279 And third, wherever you go right now, everybody is talking about money. 16 00:01:10,279 –> 00:01:11,500 Everybody’s talking about money. 17 00:01:11,500 –> 00:01:15,339 Has there ever been a time in your memory where people have been more concerned about 18 00:01:15,339 –> 00:01:16,339 money? 19 00:01:16,339 –> 00:01:22,900 Someone write to me in September and say, what does the Church have to say about money? 20 00:01:22,900 –> 00:01:27,760 And so it seems to be very appropriate that these Scriptures should be open before us 21 00:01:27,760 –> 00:01:30,760 at this time and at this season. 22 00:01:30,760 –> 00:01:36,620 Now I want to begin today just with a quick review of what we learned last time. 23 00:01:36,620 –> 00:01:43,660 Because we saw together last weekend that the New Testament really is one massive project 24 00:01:43,660 –> 00:01:48,379 in applying the gospel of Jesus Christ to every area of life. 25 00:01:48,879 –> 00:01:53,160 In other words, when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world at Christmas, 26 00:01:53,160 –> 00:02:00,900 died on the cross and rose again becomes your saviour and Lord, he lays claim to every sphere 27 00:02:00,900 –> 00:02:01,900 of your life. 28 00:02:01,900 –> 00:02:07,139 Nothing is beyond the reach of his saviourhood and his lordship. 29 00:02:07,139 –> 00:02:10,139 Think of what that means in relation to money. 30 00:02:10,139 –> 00:02:18,039 He comes as your saviour to set you free from the controlling power of money, that is either 31 00:02:18,059 –> 00:02:22,380 the controlling power of what you have or the controlling power of worry about what 32 00:02:22,380 –> 00:02:26,660 you do not have or even what you used to have. 33 00:02:26,660 –> 00:02:33,360 His saviourhood touches that and then he comes to you as lord, if he is the saviour and lord 34 00:02:33,360 –> 00:02:39,839 of your life to direct the use of the money that he as Lord and God has trusted into your 35 00:02:39,839 –> 00:02:46,259 hand so that it’s saved from the tyranny of it’s power, so you do not live under it, oppressed 36 00:02:46,259 –> 00:02:53,339 by it, you are able to be master over it and to use it in a way that reflects his character. 37 00:02:53,339 –> 00:02:59,199 We saw that there are three distinct ways in which a person can give money or three 38 00:02:59,199 –> 00:03:03,660 distinct ways in which an organization or church could raise money. 39 00:03:03,660 –> 00:03:06,279 One is out of guilt and we don’t want to go there. 40 00:03:06,279 –> 00:03:09,179 The other is out of pride, we don’t want to go there. 41 00:03:09,179 –> 00:03:15,440 Where we do want to go is giving and receiving of money that arises out of the gospel of 42 00:03:15,539 –> 00:03:17,199 Jesus Christ. 43 00:03:17,199 –> 00:03:22,580 And we saw that gospel giving, that is distinctively Christian giving, is marked in two ways. 44 00:03:22,580 –> 00:03:27,800 It is distinguished first by freedom and second by joy. 45 00:03:27,800 –> 00:03:33,419 And the reason that distinctively Christian giving is always marked by freedom and joy 46 00:03:33,419 –> 00:03:39,119 is that Jesus Christ came into the world freely and that Jesus Christ came into the world 47 00:03:39,119 –> 00:03:40,279 joyfully. 48 00:03:40,399 –> 00:03:46,440 And Christian giving is a reflection of the character of God being worked out in the lives 49 00:03:46,440 –> 00:03:47,460 of his own people. 50 00:03:47,460 –> 00:03:52,860 And that’s why 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and verse 9 is so central to the subject. 51 00:03:52,880 –> 00:03:56,460 You know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul says that, 52 00:04:07,860 –> 00:04:13,880 Now, if His Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, who though He was rich, became poor 53 00:04:13,880 –> 00:04:16,339 so that we through His poverty might become rich. 54 00:04:16,339 –> 00:04:24,980 If His Spirit lives in you and in me, then our giving to him will reflect His giving 55 00:04:24,980 –> 00:04:25,980 to us. 56 00:04:25,980 –> 00:04:29,459 And that means, of course, that it will be marked by freedom and by joy. 57 00:04:29,459 –> 00:04:36,739 Now, when I say that gospel giving, Christian giving is free, it is a matter of freedom, 58 00:04:36,739 –> 00:04:40,100 I don’t mean by that that it is optional. 59 00:04:40,100 –> 00:04:45,239 Our Lord Jesus Christ made it very clear that His people, all His people would give. 60 00:04:45,640 –> 00:04:50,600 He said when you give, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 2, not if you give. 61 00:04:50,600 –> 00:04:56,760 No, Christian giving is free, not because it’s optional but rather because our Lord 62 00:04:56,760 –> 00:05:04,320 wants us to decide freely what it is that we will give and that we will do that freely 63 00:05:04,320 –> 00:05:11,000 and joyfully in light of our appreciation of all that He has done for us in Jesus Christ. 64 00:05:11,279 –> 00:05:15,859 But in other words, and this is a very important principle to grasp and many Christians never 65 00:05:15,859 –> 00:05:16,859 get it. 66 00:05:16,859 –> 00:05:21,040 Some of us have been brought up under a very different tradition. 67 00:05:21,040 –> 00:05:27,640 We give in response to grace, not in response to law. 68 00:05:27,640 –> 00:05:32,260 If you were brought up in a system of rules about Christian giving, I want to try and 69 00:05:32,260 –> 00:05:38,959 move your thinking away from that because freedom and joy are of the essence of giving 70 00:05:39,100 –> 00:05:42,019 that reflects the character of Jesus. 71 00:05:42,019 –> 00:05:45,839 No one forced him to come into the world. 72 00:05:45,839 –> 00:05:49,260 No one ever leans on the Son of God. 73 00:05:49,260 –> 00:05:52,059 Now here’s another reason why this issue is so critical. 74 00:05:52,059 –> 00:05:54,540 If you think about it. 75 00:05:54,540 –> 00:06:04,440 If giving were a matter of law, generosity would be impossible. 76 00:06:04,440 –> 00:06:06,040 Think about it. 77 00:06:06,040 –> 00:06:08,540 Think about your taxes. 78 00:06:08,540 –> 00:06:12,100 You pay them, you have to pay them. 79 00:06:12,100 –> 00:06:14,079 It’s the law. 80 00:06:14,079 –> 00:06:21,440 Now you can pay your taxes dutifully, punctually, honestly. 81 00:06:21,440 –> 00:06:27,540 But you cannot pay your taxes generously, right? 82 00:06:27,540 –> 00:06:33,839 Generosity is only possible under grace. 83 00:06:34,119 –> 00:06:41,940 People who have understood that we live under grace and not under law may give more, the 84 00:06:41,940 –> 00:06:47,980 same, or even less than people who are ruled by law. 85 00:06:47,980 –> 00:06:54,519 The critical issue here is not so much the amount, because candidly, as you grow in generosity, 86 00:06:54,519 –> 00:06:59,299 the amount that you give over your lifetime will change as you grow in your understanding 87 00:06:59,299 –> 00:07:01,980 of what it is to be generous. 88 00:07:02,059 –> 00:07:07,279 What’s really important here, and the first thing for us to grasp, is not so much related 89 00:07:07,279 –> 00:07:11,040 to amounts as related to character. 90 00:07:11,079 –> 00:07:20,700 The character that is being formed and generosity can only be formed under grace. 91 00:07:20,700 –> 00:07:26,160 Now, I know for some of us this is moving us into a new world, we’ve just not thought 92 00:07:26,160 –> 00:07:29,920 about giving in that kind of a way before. 93 00:07:30,019 –> 00:07:34,559 I was fascinated to read in Tim Keller’s new book, it’s called The Prodigal God. 94 00:07:34,559 –> 00:07:38,720 Get ahold of a copy it’s a wonderful little book that gets to the heart of the Gospel. 95 00:07:38,720 –> 00:07:43,880 And he tells a story there about a woman in his congregation who he said had been brought 96 00:07:43,880 –> 00:07:48,679 up in another church that was very legalistic, very moralistic, and so when she had come 97 00:07:48,679 –> 00:07:55,480 to Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York as a young adult, she had in her head this 98 00:07:55,760 –> 00:08:01,019 framework that was quite convinced that God accepts us because we live a moral and an 99 00:08:01,019 –> 00:08:02,019 ethical life. 100 00:08:02,019 –> 00:08:06,940 That God accepts us because we do certain things that he has told us to do. 101 00:08:06,940 –> 00:08:10,760 And she came to Redeemer and she began to learn about God’s grace in which through 102 00:08:10,760 –> 00:08:15,179 his death and resurrection, he receives us and accepts us freely, not on the basis of 103 00:08:15,179 –> 00:08:20,380 anything we do at conversion or subsequent to conversion but only through the work of 104 00:08:20,380 –> 00:08:21,380 the Lord Jesus Christ. 105 00:08:21,380 –> 00:08:28,619 And at one point, this lady came and sat down with Pastor Tim Keller and this is what she 106 00:08:28,619 –> 00:08:30,779 said. 107 00:08:30,779 –> 00:08:38,900 She said this grace thing, that’s a scary idea. 108 00:08:38,900 –> 00:08:45,440 She said, it is good scary, but it is really scary. 109 00:08:45,440 –> 00:08:50,280 Now let me quote to you what Pastor Tim Keller said to her. 110 00:08:51,020 –> 00:09:00,659 I was intrigued, he says, and I asked her what was so scary about unmerited free grace. 111 00:09:00,659 –> 00:09:07,479 And she replied something like this, if I was saved by my good works, there would be 112 00:09:07,479 –> 00:09:10,739 a limit to what God could ask of me. 113 00:09:10,739 –> 00:09:14,919 I would be like a taxpayer with rights. 114 00:09:15,000 –> 00:09:22,200 But if it really is true that I am a sinner saved by sheer grace at God’s infinite cost, 115 00:09:22,200 –> 00:09:28,159 there is nothing he can’t ask of me. 116 00:09:28,159 –> 00:09:29,159 She said, that’s scary. 117 00:09:29,159 –> 00:09:34,179 It’s good, scary, but it’s scary, scary. 118 00:09:34,179 –> 00:09:39,159 See, that’s why some of us are much more comfortable under law. 119 00:09:39,159 –> 00:09:40,460 That’s why Christians live under law. 120 00:09:40,460 –> 00:09:42,880 Just tell me what to do! 121 00:09:43,280 –> 00:09:52,880 I don’t want to live in the boundlessness of free grace by which 122 00:09:52,900 –> 00:09:58,380 I am redeemed through Christ alone, by faith alone through his death and his resurrection 123 00:09:58,380 –> 00:09:59,380 alone. 124 00:09:59,380 –> 00:10:08,960 Now, I want to help you get this whole matter of giving out of the world of law and into 125 00:10:09,020 –> 00:10:15,000 the world of grace as far as your life and your giving is concerned. 126 00:10:15,000 –> 00:10:21,119 And when this happens, and it may take a while, but when this happens in your 127 00:10:21,119 –> 00:10:25,919 life you will no longer be asking, what do I have to give? 128 00:10:25,919 –> 00:10:33,260 You will begin to discover what this little series is all about, the joy of a truly generous 129 00:10:33,260 –> 00:10:34,500 life. 130 00:10:34,500 –> 00:10:38,780 Now, that’s really where we laid the foundation last week. 131 00:10:38,780 –> 00:10:43,960 We looked as best we can in the scriptures at the generosity of God. 132 00:10:43,960 –> 00:10:50,400 Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor so that you through his poverty 133 00:10:50,400 –> 00:10:52,320 might become rich. 134 00:10:52,320 –> 00:10:56,219 That’s our God, and we want to become increasingly like him. 135 00:10:56,219 –> 00:10:59,640 He gives freely and joyfully. 136 00:10:59,640 –> 00:11:01,200 Now we’re going to take the next step today. 137 00:11:01,200 –> 00:11:02,960 We’re going to ask this question. 138 00:11:03,739 –> 00:11:12,359 What then would that look like if it was reflected in a local church? 139 00:11:12,359 –> 00:11:16,599 What would a truly generous church look like? 140 00:11:16,599 –> 00:11:20,320 And I want us to see from the passage, and I do hope you have the Bible open and that 141 00:11:20,320 –> 00:11:25,000 you will learn more of it is to be learning from the Word of God week by week. 142 00:11:25,000 –> 00:11:26,859 I want us to see two things today. 143 00:11:26,859 –> 00:11:32,260 A church that reflects the character of God will be generous in giving money, and it will 144 00:11:32,260 –> 00:11:36,520 be marked by integrity in handling money. 145 00:11:36,520 –> 00:11:39,159 These two things absolutely critically important. 146 00:11:39,159 –> 00:11:43,400 Remember, we’re saying 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, everything you ever needed to know about 147 00:11:43,400 –> 00:11:48,080 giving or about fundraising or about the handling of money. 148 00:11:48,080 –> 00:11:49,479 So these two things today. 149 00:11:49,479 –> 00:11:55,020 First, generosity in giving money, and we’re looking at the first part of 2 Corinthians 150 00:11:55,020 –> 00:11:57,059 chapter 8, verse 1. 151 00:11:57,140 –> 00:12:03,619 Now brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given to the Macedonian 152 00:12:03,619 –> 00:12:04,619 churches. 153 00:12:04,619 –> 00:12:10,479 So we’re going to learn now about what the grace of God can do in the life of Christian 154 00:12:10,479 –> 00:12:18,119 believers, and Paul has a particular example of these Macedonian Christians, and he tells 155 00:12:18,119 –> 00:12:20,380 us what God’s grace did in their lives. 156 00:12:20,380 –> 00:12:21,380 Verse 2. 157 00:12:21,380 –> 00:12:40,020 So, I want to try and build the pieces in this verse so that we understand them clearly. 158 00:12:40,020 –> 00:12:44,500 Let’s start at the end, rich generosity, the end of verse 2. 159 00:12:44,500 –> 00:12:49,580 How does God form rich generosity in a believer’s life? 160 00:12:49,580 –> 00:12:50,580 Where does it come from? 161 00:12:50,580 –> 00:12:55,739 How could you grow in becoming a more generous person? 162 00:12:55,739 –> 00:13:01,119 What kind of things would God use to make that happen in your life? 163 00:13:01,119 –> 00:13:10,099 Well, this verse gives us a fascinating insight into the way God shaped generosity and formed 164 00:13:10,099 –> 00:13:12,340 generosity in the lives of these believers. 165 00:13:12,340 –> 00:13:14,340 Look at what God used. 166 00:13:14,340 –> 00:13:17,059 Number 1, severe trial. 167 00:13:17,919 –> 00:13:25,500 Out of the most severe trial, nobody wants to go through severe trial. 168 00:13:25,500 –> 00:13:32,559 But God often uses the severe trials of our lives to soften our hearts and to make us 169 00:13:32,559 –> 00:13:37,059 more sensitive to the needs of other people. 170 00:13:37,059 –> 00:13:42,780 And when you meet generous folks look for this and you will find it’s a pattern. 171 00:13:42,840 –> 00:13:49,080 I’ve had great joy just in thinking about this in relation to folks who I know to be 172 00:13:49,080 –> 00:13:50,900 generous. 173 00:13:50,919 –> 00:13:58,099 And here’s one thing that I see, there has been some severe trial in their lives and 174 00:13:58,099 –> 00:14:06,320 God has used it to soften their hearts and make them sensitive to the needs of others. 175 00:14:06,340 –> 00:14:15,159 Severe trial has a way in God’s gracious hand of cutting the root of selfishness in our lives. 176 00:14:15,159 –> 00:14:21,960 But then notice that Paul identifies a second factor out of which this rich generosity came. 177 00:14:21,960 –> 00:14:24,419 He says, it’s overflowing joy. 178 00:14:24,419 –> 00:14:30,640 See, severe trials just on their own can make a person bitter and self-absorbed, but when 179 00:14:30,799 –> 00:14:37,820 person begins to discover the grace of God, verse 1, then you begin to find a new joy 180 00:14:37,820 –> 00:14:41,919 in Jesus Christ, all that He is for you and all that is yours in Him. 181 00:14:41,919 –> 00:14:47,039 And so generous folks are shaped in this way, often there is a severe trial that breaks 182 00:14:47,039 –> 00:14:52,840 the root of self-centeredness and softens our hearts towards others, and always there 183 00:14:52,840 –> 00:14:59,080 is a joy that is being discovered in all that is ours in Jesus Christ. 184 00:14:59,080 –> 00:15:04,500 Put these two together and you have a beginning of a generous life. 185 00:15:04,500 –> 00:15:07,679 But then Paul adds one more factor. 186 00:15:07,679 –> 00:15:17,280 Notice he says it’s out of extreme poverty that their generosity welled up. 187 00:15:17,280 –> 00:15:22,780 Now if you look at verse 3 you’ll see that evidently the financial position of these 188 00:15:23,000 –> 00:15:31,099 believers in Macedonia was so difficult, they were so poor, that Paul decided he wouldn’t 189 00:15:31,099 –> 00:15:36,239 ask them to contribute to the poor saints in Jerusalem. 190 00:15:36,239 –> 00:15:39,059 These folks have so little, I couldn’t possibly ask them. 191 00:15:39,059 –> 00:15:44,059 So what happened, verse 3, was that these believers in Macedonia, entirely on their 192 00:15:44,059 –> 00:15:49,460 own, urgently pleaded, Paul says, with us, for the privilege of sharing in this service 193 00:15:49,460 –> 00:15:50,460 to the poor. 194 00:15:50,460 –> 00:15:52,559 They said no, we want to be part of it. 195 00:15:52,760 –> 00:15:57,880 We don’t have much, but we want to be part of this. 196 00:15:57,880 –> 00:16:02,080 And Paul is not saying here that you have to be poor in order to be generous. 197 00:16:02,080 –> 00:16:05,799 Obviously there are generous people at every level of income just as there are mean and 198 00:16:05,799 –> 00:16:09,200 tight fisted people at every level of income. 199 00:16:09,200 –> 00:16:15,539 But Paul is saying that the extreme poverty of these folks made their generosity all the 200 00:16:15,539 –> 00:16:17,219 more remarkable. 201 00:16:17,219 –> 00:16:19,960 So I’m trying to put this in the way of a formula. 202 00:16:19,960 –> 00:16:22,580 What does rich generosity come out of? 203 00:16:22,580 –> 00:16:25,260 How does it well up? 204 00:16:25,260 –> 00:16:29,599 Literally what Paul is saying here is it explodes. 205 00:16:29,599 –> 00:16:34,840 It exploded for these folks out of a convergence of three factors, their severe trial, their 206 00:16:34,840 –> 00:16:39,539 overwhelming joy in Jesus Christ, and their extreme poverty which just had the effect 207 00:16:39,539 –> 00:16:45,159 of multiplying how generous they really were when you consider how little they had. 208 00:16:45,159 –> 00:16:48,479 Now that leads me to make this important observation. 209 00:16:49,479 –> 00:16:54,440 And it’s a very obvious one, but it’s worth considering. 210 00:16:54,440 –> 00:17:06,680 A person who makes $25,000 and gives 10 percent of their income is far more generous than 211 00:17:06,680 –> 00:17:13,599 a person who make $250,000 and gives 10 percent of their income. 212 00:17:13,619 –> 00:17:15,920 Because it is far harder, really. 213 00:17:15,920 –> 00:17:25,280 It’s a challenge to try and make it in this wonderful place where we live on ninety percent 214 00:17:25,280 –> 00:17:28,800 of $25,000. 215 00:17:28,800 –> 00:17:36,760 Much harder to do that than to live on 90 percent of $250,000. 216 00:17:36,760 –> 00:17:46,359 So giving 10 percent of $25,000 is much more generous than giving 10 percent of $250,000. 217 00:17:46,359 –> 00:17:56,280 So I’m thinking about someone very very wealthy who gives, multi-millionaire who gives 90 218 00:17:56,280 –> 00:17:58,239 percent of all of their income. 219 00:17:58,239 –> 00:18:05,119 Now that really is generous and he simply said, I have what I need to live and I am 220 00:18:05,180 –> 00:18:09,680 therefore gonna regard what else is given to me as a means that I can give, and much 221 00:18:09,680 –> 00:18:14,760 of it goes overseas for the relief of the most abject poverty in different parts of 222 00:18:14,760 –> 00:18:16,839 the world. 223 00:18:16,839 –> 00:18:21,839 So you see why you can’t set a rule for generosity. 224 00:18:21,839 –> 00:18:28,680 When you have less, the generosity of your giving is more. 225 00:18:28,780 –> 00:18:31,839 Now think about this application. 226 00:18:31,839 –> 00:18:39,719 That means this is a wonderful season for growing in generosity, isn’t it? 227 00:18:39,719 –> 00:18:40,880 Seriously. 228 00:18:40,880 –> 00:18:47,339 If folks who have lost 30 or 40% of their savings give what they did last year, that 229 00:18:47,339 –> 00:18:53,439 is more generous than it was last year because it came out of less. 230 00:18:53,439 –> 00:18:55,760 That means it is more costly. 231 00:18:55,760 –> 00:18:58,339 That means it is more sacrificial. 232 00:18:58,339 –> 00:19:05,459 That means it is more generous and that means it reflects more clearly the character of 233 00:19:05,459 –> 00:19:07,599 our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 234 00:19:07,599 –> 00:19:10,540 Now you see what Paul is saying. 235 00:19:10,540 –> 00:19:15,660 The Macedonian churches were a model of generosity because of three factors. 236 00:19:15,660 –> 00:19:20,020 There was a severe trial which evidently had given them very soft hearts. 237 00:19:20,020 –> 00:19:25,020 There was an overwhelming joy which indicated the life of Christ in their souls. 238 00:19:25,540 –> 00:19:31,780 They were existing in extreme poverty which just magnified the degree to which generosity 239 00:19:31,819 –> 00:19:38,219 was formed as character in their hearts. 240 00:19:38,219 –> 00:19:44,319 And the Corinthians who were much better off, weren’t there. 241 00:19:45,619 –> 00:19:47,739 Isn’t this convicting? 242 00:19:47,739 –> 00:19:53,540 The Macedonian churches in their extreme poverty and they’re so generous. 243 00:19:53,579 –> 00:20:02,520 And the Corinthians who are in this metropolis, this thriving city, and they’re reluctant 244 00:20:02,520 –> 00:20:04,239 with regards to their giving. 245 00:20:04,239 –> 00:20:08,239 Now, that then sets the frame for the real issue that is before us here. 246 00:20:08,239 –> 00:20:13,359 How is Paul going to help these reluctant givers in Corinth to become more like the 247 00:20:13,359 –> 00:20:17,140 generous givers in Macedonia. 248 00:20:17,140 –> 00:20:21,180 How is he going to help people who really live in a world of saying how much do I have 249 00:20:21,260 –> 00:20:22,760 to give? 250 00:20:22,760 –> 00:20:26,359 How much can I afford to give? 251 00:20:26,359 –> 00:20:34,640 If that’s where you are how could you move in the direction of a more generous life? 252 00:20:34,640 –> 00:20:43,839 Well, notice, will you, just as we move through this verse 5, it all begins with what happened 253 00:20:43,839 –> 00:20:45,239 with these Macedonians. 254 00:20:45,800 –> 00:20:50,199 Paul says they gave themselves first to the Lord. 255 00:20:50,199 –> 00:20:55,760 See, this whole matter of giving don’t try and treat it in a vacuum. 256 00:20:55,760 –> 00:21:04,239 It is an expression of your self-giving, your giving of yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ. 257 00:21:04,239 –> 00:21:09,640 I want to encourage us as we come to this Christmas and we think about Jesus Christ 258 00:21:09,640 –> 00:21:18,000 self-giving for us, is this not a season supremely to re-evaluate our self-giving to him? 259 00:21:18,000 –> 00:21:23,619 Lord Jesus Christ, you are my Lord and my master? 260 00:21:23,619 –> 00:21:25,300 Begin there! 261 00:21:25,300 –> 00:21:32,560 Then, what does that mean in relation to your money? 262 00:21:32,560 –> 00:21:34,800 Give proportionately. 263 00:21:34,800 –> 00:21:40,079 If we’re to reflect and move in the direction of the Macedonians, notice what Paul says 264 00:21:40,079 –> 00:21:43,119 now to the Corinthians in verses 10 to 12. 265 00:21:43,119 –> 00:21:46,880 He says, finish the work so that your willingness to do it 266 00:21:46,880 –> 00:21:53,040 may be matched by your completion of it according to your means, 267 00:21:53,040 –> 00:21:56,800 for if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, 268 00:21:56,800 –> 00:21:59,979 not according to what one does not have. 269 00:21:59,979 –> 00:22:01,880 Now here’s the principle. 270 00:22:01,880 –> 00:22:04,819 You give out of what you have. 271 00:22:04,819 –> 00:22:09,719 You give, in other words, in proportion to what the Lord has trusted into your hands, 272 00:22:09,719 –> 00:22:12,920 what He has given you, not what He has not given you 273 00:22:12,920 –> 00:22:17,880 and not what you hope one day He might give to you. 274 00:22:17,880 –> 00:22:19,400 According to what you have. 275 00:22:19,400 –> 00:22:23,599 If you hear an evangelist who says, 276 00:22:23,660 –> 00:22:24,660 Okay. 277 00:22:24,660 –> 00:22:26,359 You can give a thousand dollars. 278 00:22:26,359 –> 00:22:28,400 And even if you don’t have it, you know. 279 00:22:28,400 –> 00:22:31,099 Ten times it will be returned to you, you know, within a year. 280 00:22:31,099 –> 00:22:35,160 Switch off the television program and don’t ever watch it again. 281 00:22:35,160 –> 00:22:39,880 Because that breaks the fundamental principle of great integrity 282 00:22:39,880 –> 00:22:41,560 that the apostle lays out here. 283 00:22:41,560 –> 00:22:45,959 That our giving is to be a proportion of what we have, 284 00:22:45,959 –> 00:22:47,739 not a proportion of what we do not have 285 00:22:47,739 –> 00:22:52,680 and not a proportion of what we hope to have. 286 00:22:52,739 –> 00:22:55,800 That means that those who have more will give more. 287 00:22:55,800 –> 00:22:58,280 Those who have less will give less. 288 00:22:58,280 –> 00:23:02,660 The principle that our Lord Jesus spelled our in Luke 12. 289 00:23:02,660 –> 00:23:08,359 From the One to whom much is given, much will be expected. 290 00:23:08,359 –> 00:23:12,800 The more you have, the greater the challenge it really is 291 00:23:12,800 –> 00:23:17,140 in many ways, to be truly generous. 292 00:23:17,140 –> 00:23:18,140 Give proportionately. 293 00:23:18,920 –> 00:23:21,819 So here’s what that means. 294 00:23:21,819 –> 00:23:24,319 In this season of giving, decide on the amount 295 00:23:24,319 –> 00:23:26,180 that you will give. 296 00:23:26,180 –> 00:23:28,660 Let it be a proportion of your income 297 00:23:28,660 –> 00:23:30,719 that you think appropriately reflects 298 00:23:30,719 –> 00:23:34,699 the response of your life to our Lord and our Savior Jesus 299 00:23:34,699 –> 00:23:37,040 Christ and all that he continues to do for you 300 00:23:37,040 –> 00:23:38,260 and to give to you. 301 00:23:38,260 –> 00:23:41,780 Build that into your weekly or your monthly budget 302 00:23:41,780 –> 00:23:44,400 and give it this year. 303 00:23:44,400 –> 00:23:49,400 And then see if you can increase it next year. 304 00:23:51,060 –> 00:23:51,880 Give proportionately. 305 00:23:51,880 –> 00:23:53,520 Here’s something else very important. 306 00:23:53,520 –> 00:23:55,339 This is very practical. 307 00:23:55,339 –> 00:23:57,020 Give purposefully. 308 00:23:58,060 –> 00:24:01,939 There is so much abuse of money 309 00:24:03,000 –> 00:24:07,660 that does such desperate harm to the cause of the gospel. 310 00:24:07,660 –> 00:24:10,180 It’s important to speak about this clearly. 311 00:24:11,040 –> 00:24:13,439 Look at what Paul says in verse 13, 312 00:24:13,439 –> 00:24:16,079 our desire is not that others might be relieved 313 00:24:16,079 –> 00:24:17,739 while you are hardpressed, 314 00:24:17,739 –> 00:24:19,800 but that there might be equality. 315 00:24:21,680 –> 00:24:23,880 Now, you see, what Paul’s saying here, 316 00:24:23,880 –> 00:24:25,800 he’s saying that what’s giving for? 317 00:24:27,380 –> 00:24:30,000 Christian giving is not so that some 318 00:24:30,000 –> 00:24:33,979 who do the giving will end up hardpressed, 319 00:24:33,979 –> 00:24:37,079 while others who benefit from the giving 320 00:24:37,079 –> 00:24:39,500 end up living in the lap of luxury. 321 00:24:40,739 –> 00:24:42,099 And what I’m saying here is, 322 00:24:42,099 –> 00:24:43,800 if you see a Christian ministry 323 00:24:44,920 –> 00:24:49,920 that has ended up promoting the head of that ministry 324 00:24:51,339 –> 00:24:56,339 into a luxurious and inordinate lifestyle, 325 00:24:56,560 –> 00:24:59,119 don’t give to that ministry. 326 00:24:59,119 –> 00:24:59,939 Don’t do it. 327 00:25:01,199 –> 00:25:03,900 Because the purpose of Christian ministry 328 00:25:05,239 –> 00:25:08,739 is not to make multimillionaires out of Christian leaders. 329 00:25:09,719 –> 00:25:11,500 That’s what he’s saying right here. 330 00:25:12,900 –> 00:25:16,280 And if that has offended you I just want to say 331 00:25:16,280 –> 00:25:17,979 that would offend the apostle Paul 332 00:25:17,979 –> 00:25:19,780 and the lord Jesus Christ, 333 00:25:19,780 –> 00:25:24,760 and it will be part of what he deals with on the last day. 334 00:25:24,760 –> 00:25:28,439 What is the purpose of Christian giving? 335 00:25:28,439 –> 00:25:30,099 Not that some should give 336 00:25:30,099 –> 00:25:34,040 so that others should be living in the lap of luxury. 337 00:25:34,040 –> 00:25:36,619 What is the purpose of Christian giving? 338 00:25:36,719 –> 00:25:39,479 There are three primary purposes 339 00:25:39,479 –> 00:25:41,280 in the New Testament for Christian giving. 340 00:25:41,280 –> 00:25:43,020 Let’s have them clear in our mind. 341 00:25:43,020 –> 00:25:46,079 And I tell you, I thank God that they’re clearly reflected 342 00:25:46,079 –> 00:25:48,199 in our church use of the money 343 00:25:48,199 –> 00:25:49,839 that is trusted to this church. 344 00:25:49,839 –> 00:25:52,260 Number one, Christian giving 345 00:25:52,260 –> 00:25:56,119 should be to relieve the needs of the poor. 346 00:25:56,119 –> 00:25:58,560 That is why Paul was giving money 347 00:25:58,560 –> 00:26:01,079 and rather raising money here. 348 00:26:01,079 –> 00:26:05,239 The Christians in Jerusalem were facing grinding poverty 349 00:26:05,239 –> 00:26:08,599 and so other churches believers from other churches 350 00:26:08,599 –> 00:26:12,119 contributed to the relief of the needs of the poor. 351 00:26:12,119 –> 00:26:14,459 You find this all over the New Testament. 352 00:26:14,459 –> 00:26:16,800 Galatians chapter two and verse 10, 353 00:26:16,800 –> 00:26:18,680 you find the Apostles saying to Paul, 354 00:26:18,680 –> 00:26:20,660 you go on this mission to the Gentiles 355 00:26:20,660 –> 00:26:22,839 but don’t forget the needs of the poor. 356 00:26:22,839 –> 00:26:26,160 And Paul says, that’s exactly what I was eager to do. 357 00:26:26,160 –> 00:26:28,079 Galatians 6 in verse 10, 358 00:26:28,079 –> 00:26:31,359 whenever we have opportunity to do good to all people, 359 00:26:31,359 –> 00:26:32,680 let’s grasp at Paul says, 360 00:26:32,819 –> 00:26:36,160 especially towards those who are in the family of believers 361 00:26:36,160 –> 00:26:37,939 so there’s a priority. 362 00:26:37,939 –> 00:26:39,439 If there are brothers and sisters 363 00:26:39,439 –> 00:26:41,939 in particular physical financial need, 364 00:26:41,939 –> 00:26:44,280 we have a responsibility in that regard 365 00:26:44,280 –> 00:26:46,760 and Christians are to give towards the needs of the poor. 366 00:26:46,760 –> 00:26:50,359 Second, Christians are to give to support 367 00:26:50,359 –> 00:26:55,359 the ministries of those we send. 368 00:26:55,520 –> 00:26:58,199 See we are trusted with the gospel 369 00:26:58,199 –> 00:27:00,959 and as the Church of Jesus Christ, 370 00:27:01,020 –> 00:27:02,719 we’re one church among many 371 00:27:02,719 –> 00:27:04,640 but the churches of Jesus Christ 372 00:27:04,640 –> 00:27:07,319 are commanded to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. 373 00:27:07,319 –> 00:27:08,979 That means we must send missionaries 374 00:27:08,979 –> 00:27:12,079 and if we send missionaries around the world, 375 00:27:12,079 –> 00:27:14,819 we must support those who we send. 376 00:27:14,819 –> 00:27:16,339 First Corinthians chapter nine, 377 00:27:16,339 –> 00:27:18,959 the Apostle Paul talks about missionaries 378 00:27:18,959 –> 00:27:20,479 who are advancing the gospel 379 00:27:20,479 –> 00:27:24,640 and he says who serves as a soldier at his own expense. 380 00:27:24,640 –> 00:27:27,260 Send out a soldier it’s not at his own expense. 381 00:27:27,260 –> 00:27:29,520 Verse 14 of one Corinthians nine, 382 00:27:29,719 –> 00:27:31,439 the Lord has commanded that those 383 00:27:31,439 –> 00:27:34,260 who preach the gospel should receive 384 00:27:34,260 –> 00:27:36,040 their living from the gospel, 385 00:27:36,040 –> 00:27:38,140 he’s talking in this situation 386 00:27:38,140 –> 00:27:40,060 about missionaries who are sent 387 00:27:40,060 –> 00:27:43,599 and commissioned by the church. 388 00:27:43,599 –> 00:27:46,959 So we are to give money and we are to use money 389 00:27:46,959 –> 00:27:49,079 for the relief of the needs of the poor, 390 00:27:49,079 –> 00:27:51,800 for the support of ministries of those we send 391 00:27:51,800 –> 00:27:56,160 and thirdly, for the ministries of those we call. 392 00:27:56,160 –> 00:27:58,439 The church clearly has a responsibility there 393 00:27:58,439 –> 00:28:01,699 and you would find that in I Timothy chapter five, 394 00:28:01,699 –> 00:28:03,599 where Paul speaks about the elders 395 00:28:03,599 –> 00:28:07,239 or the pastors who serve the local church 396 00:28:07,239 –> 00:28:08,079 and he says this, 397 00:28:08,079 –> 00:28:11,699 the elders who direct the affairs of the church well 398 00:28:11,699 –> 00:28:13,959 are worthy of double honor, 399 00:28:13,959 –> 00:28:17,640 especially those whose work is preaching and teaching 400 00:28:17,640 –> 00:28:19,640 for the scripture says, 401 00:28:19,640 –> 00:28:24,560 do not muzzle the ox while it is treading the grain 402 00:28:24,579 –> 00:28:27,859 and the worker deserves his wages. 403 00:28:28,939 –> 00:28:30,260 Said my wife, 404 00:28:30,260 –> 00:28:34,020 I’m not really sure how I would feel about being described 405 00:28:34,020 –> 00:28:38,199 as the ox who treads, the grain not being muzzled, 406 00:28:38,199 –> 00:28:42,020 but the principle that Paul is laying out here 407 00:28:42,020 –> 00:28:45,739 is that alongside relief of the needs of the poor 408 00:28:45,739 –> 00:28:47,339 and the support of the ministries, 409 00:28:47,339 –> 00:28:50,180 those we send Christian giving is to be used 410 00:28:50,180 –> 00:28:54,180 for the support of the ministries of those we call. 411 00:28:54,300 –> 00:28:56,459 So, these are the three things. 412 00:28:56,459 –> 00:28:59,060 John Piper says very, very helpfully 413 00:28:59,060 –> 00:29:03,260 that our priorities in giving reflect what we love, 414 00:29:04,459 –> 00:29:08,359 and here’s the reality in this church. 415 00:29:08,359 –> 00:29:09,760 We love the poor, 416 00:29:11,079 –> 00:29:12,500 we love the lost, 417 00:29:13,939 –> 00:29:15,780 and we love the church, 418 00:29:17,479 –> 00:29:20,380 and we want to see the poor helped, 419 00:29:20,380 –> 00:29:23,160 we want to see the lost saved, 420 00:29:23,280 –> 00:29:26,560 we want to see the church built up, 421 00:29:26,560 –> 00:29:28,119 and our giving therefore is directed 422 00:29:28,119 –> 00:29:29,760 towards these purposes. 423 00:29:29,760 –> 00:29:31,260 If you look at our church budget, 424 00:29:31,260 –> 00:29:34,939 you will find that these are predominant 425 00:29:34,939 –> 00:29:37,599 and reflect Biblical priorities. 426 00:29:38,680 –> 00:29:40,260 Now, that’s most of our time on this 427 00:29:40,260 –> 00:29:42,540 first and very important theme. 428 00:29:42,540 –> 00:29:44,699 We’re talking about what a church looks like 429 00:29:44,699 –> 00:29:49,180 if it reflects the character of our Lord Jesus Christ, 430 00:29:49,180 –> 00:29:52,380 and the first distinguishing mark here 431 00:29:52,579 –> 00:29:55,680 is generosity in the giving of money. 432 00:29:56,880 –> 00:29:57,859 In these last few minutes, 433 00:29:57,859 –> 00:29:59,859 I want to draw your attention to a second thing 434 00:29:59,859 –> 00:30:01,599 that is also very important, 435 00:30:01,599 –> 00:30:04,839 and that is this whole matter of integrity 436 00:30:04,839 –> 00:30:08,300 in relation to the handling of money, 437 00:30:08,300 –> 00:30:09,819 and you know from time to time, 438 00:30:09,819 –> 00:30:11,540 it comes across our television screens 439 00:30:11,540 –> 00:30:14,020 that there is some investigation going on 440 00:30:14,020 –> 00:30:16,079 into some Christian ministry, 441 00:30:16,079 –> 00:30:17,060 or ministries, 442 00:30:17,060 –> 00:30:20,979 that are alleged to have engaged in impropriety 443 00:30:21,859 –> 00:30:24,680 in the way that money is handled. 444 00:30:24,680 –> 00:30:28,339 That does such damage to the cause of Christ. 445 00:30:30,180 –> 00:30:34,020 And so this whole matter of integrity 446 00:30:34,020 –> 00:30:37,380 in the way that money is handled 447 00:30:37,380 –> 00:30:41,119 is critical to the advance of the Gospel. 448 00:30:41,119 –> 00:30:43,780 Let me show you what the apostle Paul says here. 449 00:30:43,780 –> 00:30:45,239 Verse 20. 450 00:30:45,239 –> 00:30:47,739 We want to avoid any criticism 451 00:30:47,739 –> 00:30:52,719 of the way that we administer this liberal gift. 452 00:30:52,719 –> 00:30:53,880 He’s raising money. 453 00:30:53,880 –> 00:30:55,219 He says, 454 00:30:55,219 –> 00:30:56,660 we gotta be really careful how we handle the money. 455 00:30:57,839 –> 00:30:59,660 For we are taking pains, he says, 456 00:30:59,660 –> 00:31:01,300 verse 21, 457 00:31:01,300 –> 00:31:02,560 to do what is right, 458 00:31:02,560 –> 00:31:04,660 not only in the eyes of God, 459 00:31:04,660 –> 00:31:06,560 but also in the eyes of men. 460 00:31:06,560 –> 00:31:07,400 Very important. 461 00:31:07,400 –> 00:31:09,060 Not just enough that Paul’s conscience 462 00:31:09,060 –> 00:31:10,420 is clear before the Lord, 463 00:31:10,420 –> 00:31:11,979 that he’s done right. 464 00:31:11,979 –> 00:31:16,560 It needs to be obvious to all who are observing 465 00:31:17,560 –> 00:31:20,060 that the way that the money is handled 466 00:31:20,060 –> 00:31:22,939 is marked by integrity 467 00:31:22,939 –> 00:31:27,939 and is utterly free of any impropriety. 468 00:31:28,920 –> 00:31:31,579 And a church that reflects the character of God 469 00:31:31,579 –> 00:31:35,060 will be marked not only by generosity in giving money, 470 00:31:35,060 –> 00:31:38,199 but integrity in handling money. 471 00:31:39,819 –> 00:31:41,260 The money that is given 472 00:31:42,660 –> 00:31:44,979 to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ 473 00:31:44,979 –> 00:31:46,260 is sacred. 474 00:31:47,719 –> 00:31:49,979 It has been given by God’s people 475 00:31:51,280 –> 00:31:53,579 and it is to be used for God’s work. 476 00:31:54,680 –> 00:31:56,859 It must be administered 477 00:31:56,859 –> 00:31:59,680 with the highest care and integrity. 478 00:31:59,680 –> 00:32:02,579 It must be used very carefully 479 00:32:02,579 –> 00:32:04,660 with wisdom and with restraint 480 00:32:04,660 –> 00:32:08,160 and always for the purpose for which it was given. 481 00:32:09,400 –> 00:32:11,900 I found writing 400 years ago. 482 00:32:11,900 –> 00:32:12,739 Now think about this. 483 00:32:12,739 –> 00:32:14,180 400 years ago 484 00:32:14,180 –> 00:32:15,439 over 400, 485 00:32:15,439 –> 00:32:17,859 John Calvin said, and I quote, 486 00:32:17,859 –> 00:32:21,099 there is nothing which is more apt 487 00:32:21,099 –> 00:32:25,000 to lay one open to sinister imputations 488 00:32:25,000 –> 00:32:28,260 than the handling of public money. 489 00:32:28,260 –> 00:32:30,739 Now Calvin said over 400 years ago, 490 00:32:30,739 –> 00:32:32,739 it’s a real sensitive issue, 491 00:32:32,739 –> 00:32:33,819 and guess what? 492 00:32:33,819 –> 00:32:35,640 It’s a real sensitive issue today 493 00:32:35,640 –> 00:32:36,859 because it is always 494 00:32:36,859 –> 00:32:40,500 and in every culture a really sensitive 495 00:32:40,500 –> 00:32:41,900 issue, 496 00:32:41,920 –> 00:32:44,339 so financial accountability 497 00:32:44,339 –> 00:32:46,739 is essential to the health 498 00:32:46,739 –> 00:32:49,540 and the testimony of the church 499 00:32:49,540 –> 00:32:51,199 of the Lord, Jesus Christ, 500 00:32:51,199 –> 00:32:52,880 I want you to notice Paul’s example 501 00:32:52,880 –> 00:32:53,979 of accountability. 502 00:32:53,979 –> 00:32:55,020 Very practical. 503 00:32:55,020 –> 00:32:58,219 Here’s accountability that honors 504 00:32:58,219 –> 00:33:00,880 Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 505 00:33:00,880 –> 00:33:01,959 Notice verse 19. 506 00:33:01,959 –> 00:33:04,079 He says that he wants this offering 507 00:33:04,079 –> 00:33:06,680 which we administer to be handled 508 00:33:06,680 –> 00:33:07,939 in a way that brings honor 509 00:33:07,939 –> 00:33:09,339 to the Lord, Jesus Christ. 510 00:33:09,380 –> 00:33:13,180 That’s big for a local church. 511 00:33:13,180 –> 00:33:14,119 How did he do it? 512 00:33:14,119 –> 00:33:16,880 Number one, Paul did not handle 513 00:33:16,880 –> 00:33:17,959 the money himself, 514 00:33:19,060 –> 00:33:21,260 since he received money from the churches 515 00:33:21,260 –> 00:33:22,819 that supported his ministry, 516 00:33:22,819 –> 00:33:25,020 it was very important that he himself 517 00:33:25,020 –> 00:33:27,839 did not handle the money 518 00:33:27,839 –> 00:33:29,819 that was trusted to others. 519 00:33:29,819 –> 00:33:31,339 I think of Dr. Billy Graham 520 00:33:31,339 –> 00:33:33,660 and what a marvelous model he is 521 00:33:33,660 –> 00:33:36,660 and oh that his marvelous model 522 00:33:36,760 –> 00:33:38,500 who’d been consistently followed 523 00:33:39,439 –> 00:33:41,979 and he began with his crusades 524 00:33:41,979 –> 00:33:45,979 refusing to take independent love offerings, 525 00:33:45,979 –> 00:33:48,660 placing himself on a salary, 526 00:33:48,660 –> 00:33:52,300 refusing directly to handle the finances 527 00:33:52,300 –> 00:33:54,300 of his own organization 528 00:33:54,300 –> 00:33:56,619 and publishing audited accounts 529 00:33:56,619 –> 00:33:58,380 after every crusade 530 00:33:58,380 –> 00:34:01,060 that the Billy Graham organization conducted. 531 00:34:01,060 –> 00:34:02,900 That is a model of integrity 532 00:34:03,859 –> 00:34:08,000 which reflects Christlike character. 533 00:34:08,000 –> 00:34:09,620 Paul did not handle the money himself. 534 00:34:09,620 –> 00:34:14,620 Second, the church elected a person to oversee the money. 535 00:34:15,020 –> 00:34:16,840 Do you notice that in verse 19? 536 00:34:16,840 –> 00:34:20,060 There was a brother chosen by the churches 537 00:34:20,060 –> 00:34:23,100 who accompanied the gift in being physically carried 538 00:34:23,100 –> 00:34:26,439 from Corinth all the way to Jerusalem 539 00:34:26,439 –> 00:34:30,800 and we can thank God for a similar arrangement 540 00:34:30,800 –> 00:34:33,120 in which the treasurer of this church 541 00:34:33,120 –> 00:34:35,780 is elected by the congregation 542 00:34:35,780 –> 00:34:40,780 so that openly and on a continuing basis 543 00:34:40,800 –> 00:34:42,080 there might be engagement 544 00:34:42,080 –> 00:34:44,120 and that there might be the building of trust. 545 00:34:44,120 –> 00:34:47,760 Number three, the money was administered 546 00:34:47,760 –> 00:34:51,600 not by any one individual but by a team. 547 00:34:51,600 –> 00:34:55,459 Notice verse 17, Paul tells them that Titus was coming 548 00:34:55,459 –> 00:34:58,580 and that Titus was someone who was already known 549 00:34:58,580 –> 00:35:00,120 by the church, because he had been there 550 00:35:00,320 –> 00:35:02,459 in Corinth before. 551 00:35:02,459 –> 00:35:05,479 Verse 18, along with Corinth, 552 00:35:05,479 –> 00:35:07,979 we are sending the brother who is praised 553 00:35:07,979 –> 00:35:09,540 in all the churches, verse 18, 554 00:35:09,540 –> 00:35:11,219 for his service to the gospel. 555 00:35:11,219 –> 00:35:14,219 So there’s two, and verse 22, in addition, 556 00:35:14,219 –> 00:35:16,280 we are sending with them the brother 557 00:35:16,280 –> 00:35:18,280 who has often proved to us in many ways 558 00:35:18,280 –> 00:35:19,179 that he is zealous. 559 00:35:19,179 –> 00:35:20,020 So there’s a team. 560 00:35:20,020 –> 00:35:21,419 There’s plurality. 561 00:35:21,419 –> 00:35:23,860 There’s a number of eyes on this 562 00:35:23,860 –> 00:35:26,199 so that not only is it right before God 563 00:35:26,199 –> 00:35:28,919 but it is quite evident and beyond reproach 564 00:35:28,919 –> 00:35:32,919 in the eyes of the people, by the way, 565 00:35:34,159 –> 00:35:39,159 this principle of plurality applies in the home 566 00:35:40,199 –> 00:35:41,959 as much as in the church. 567 00:35:43,800 –> 00:35:46,840 And I speak from some years of experience 568 00:35:46,840 –> 00:35:50,139 as a pastor having observed a number of situations. 569 00:35:50,139 –> 00:35:51,919 I would say this to you, 570 00:35:53,899 –> 00:35:57,939 that when a husband has use of money 571 00:35:57,979 –> 00:35:59,979 that is secret from the wife, 572 00:36:01,840 –> 00:36:04,520 or when a wife has use of money 573 00:36:04,520 –> 00:36:06,439 that is hidden from the husband, 574 00:36:07,860 –> 00:36:12,860 that couple is on a path that is headed nowhere good. 575 00:36:15,820 –> 00:36:19,739 And couples handle money in different ways. 576 00:36:20,939 –> 00:36:23,219 But that which is secret and that which is hidden 577 00:36:23,219 –> 00:36:25,419 and that which is only known to one person 578 00:36:26,300 –> 00:36:30,419 smells of trouble, smells of trouble. 579 00:36:32,939 –> 00:36:34,780 The money was handled by a team, 580 00:36:34,780 –> 00:36:37,459 applies in the family, applies in the church. 581 00:36:37,459 –> 00:36:39,820 Fourthly, the team were people 582 00:36:39,820 –> 00:36:42,479 of known character and integrity. 583 00:36:42,479 –> 00:36:44,020 Notice this constant emphasis. 584 00:36:44,020 –> 00:36:47,580 Verse 18, the brother who’s praised in all the churches. 585 00:36:47,580 –> 00:36:49,419 He’s respected, he’s known. 586 00:36:49,419 –> 00:36:51,000 Then this other brother, verse 19, 587 00:36:51,000 –> 00:36:52,560 who was chosen by the churches, 588 00:36:52,560 –> 00:36:54,659 so obviously they had confidence in him. 589 00:36:54,739 –> 00:36:56,560 Verse 22, the brother who has proved 590 00:36:56,560 –> 00:36:58,459 in many ways that he is zealous. 591 00:36:58,459 –> 00:37:01,000 So the handling of money is trusted 592 00:37:01,000 –> 00:37:03,360 to people who are known and have demonstrated 593 00:37:03,360 –> 00:37:07,020 over a period of time in the local church 594 00:37:07,020 –> 00:37:12,020 integrity and trustworthiness that is evident to all. 595 00:37:12,080 –> 00:37:15,719 Now I tell you, as I’ve pondered this theme 596 00:37:15,719 –> 00:37:17,959 over these last days, 597 00:37:19,939 –> 00:37:22,040 these scriptures have caused me 598 00:37:22,120 –> 00:37:25,159 and I hope they cause you also this weekend 599 00:37:26,280 –> 00:37:29,280 to thank God in a fresh way 600 00:37:29,280 –> 00:37:33,040 for the ministry of all those who serve the church, 601 00:37:33,040 –> 00:37:35,320 serve us, and serve the Lord 602 00:37:36,320 –> 00:37:38,479 by making sure that the offerings 603 00:37:38,479 –> 00:37:41,340 that are given in this place are administered 604 00:37:41,340 –> 00:37:44,860 in a way that honors Jesus Christ. 605 00:37:46,080 –> 00:37:49,020 I’m thinking of the teams, always a team, 606 00:37:49,659 –> 00:37:51,780 the teams who count money, 607 00:37:53,179 –> 00:37:55,820 those who oversee our accounts, 608 00:37:56,739 –> 00:37:59,320 those who serve on our finance committee, 609 00:38:00,300 –> 00:38:03,340 our business administrator, our financial secretary, 610 00:38:03,340 –> 00:38:05,419 our treasurer, the church board, 611 00:38:05,419 –> 00:38:08,459 our independent and external auditors 612 00:38:08,459 –> 00:38:09,879 who do a marvelous job, 613 00:38:11,699 –> 00:38:15,060 all together serving us, the congregation, 614 00:38:15,060 –> 00:38:18,919 so that the offering of God’s people 615 00:38:18,959 –> 00:38:22,679 in this place might be administered, 616 00:38:22,679 –> 00:38:27,679 that’s Paul’s word, in a way that honors the Lord. 617 00:38:28,360 –> 00:38:30,959 If you see someone involved in one of these ministries 618 00:38:30,959 –> 00:38:33,260 that are very, very rarely even spoken about, 619 00:38:34,459 –> 00:38:35,679 you thank them. 620 00:38:35,679 –> 00:38:37,860 Thank them for their ministry 621 00:38:37,860 –> 00:38:41,139 and for the trust that it brings. 622 00:38:41,139 –> 00:38:43,479 Now here’s the very last thing. 623 00:38:43,479 –> 00:38:46,520 A church that reflects the character of God 624 00:38:46,639 –> 00:38:50,919 will be marked by generosity in giving money 625 00:38:50,919 –> 00:38:53,800 and integrity in handling money. 626 00:38:54,840 –> 00:38:57,139 Generosity matters 627 00:38:57,139 –> 00:39:00,679 because it reflects the wonderful truth that God is kind, 628 00:39:01,780 –> 00:39:03,280 and integrity matters 629 00:39:03,280 –> 00:39:05,719 because it reflects the wonderful truth 630 00:39:05,719 –> 00:39:07,300 that God can be trusted. 631 00:39:08,199 –> 00:39:11,500 So a church that is marked by generosity and integrity 632 00:39:11,500 –> 00:39:13,719 truly reflects the character of God 633 00:39:13,719 –> 00:39:16,199 in ways that are critical to our witness 634 00:39:16,659 –> 00:39:18,739 into His grace in this world. 635 00:39:18,739 –> 00:39:21,080 And think about how important this is 636 00:39:21,080 –> 00:39:23,000 because we live at a time 637 00:39:23,939 –> 00:39:25,879 where there are many people 638 00:39:25,879 –> 00:39:29,860 who are utterly wrapped up in self-interest 639 00:39:29,860 –> 00:39:32,239 and there are many, many people 640 00:39:32,239 –> 00:39:35,040 who have betrayed trust. 641 00:39:35,040 –> 00:39:38,860 The sense of betrayed trust in our culture right now 642 00:39:38,860 –> 00:39:41,120 in relation to money is everywhere. 643 00:39:42,060 –> 00:39:45,800 The sense of consuming self-interest 644 00:39:45,919 –> 00:39:46,840 has been everywhere. 645 00:39:46,840 –> 00:39:51,840 It has exasperated the citizens of this country! 646 00:39:52,360 –> 00:39:55,080 And where are we to look for hope 647 00:39:55,080 –> 00:39:57,520 when the people feel oppressed 648 00:39:57,520 –> 00:40:00,219 by a culture of self-interest 649 00:40:00,219 –> 00:40:03,879 and the abuse of public trust. 650 00:40:03,879 –> 00:40:05,459 And maybe more privately, 651 00:40:05,459 –> 00:40:07,959 right here there are probably a dozen people 652 00:40:09,080 –> 00:40:11,040 who know deeply this experience. 653 00:40:11,040 –> 00:40:14,639 You thought someone cared about you 654 00:40:14,639 –> 00:40:17,120 and then you found out to your horror and your pain 655 00:40:17,120 –> 00:40:20,100 they were really only interested in themselves? 656 00:40:21,360 –> 00:40:22,959 You trusted someone 657 00:40:23,939 –> 00:40:26,000 and then you found out to your shock and your horror 658 00:40:26,000 –> 00:40:30,520 that, that trust that was so great, was smashed 659 00:40:30,520 –> 00:40:31,879 and you began to feel you could 660 00:40:31,879 –> 00:40:35,239 never, never, never trust anybody again. 661 00:40:35,239 –> 00:40:37,919 Living in a world of self-interest and betrayed 662 00:40:37,919 –> 00:40:42,919 trust makes thousands cynical, jaded, tired. 663 00:40:45,639 –> 00:40:49,020 And if that’s your story today 664 00:40:50,659 –> 00:40:54,939 I want to point you in this last moment to Jesus Christ. 665 00:40:57,139 –> 00:41:01,679 There is in this culture of self-interest, 666 00:41:01,679 –> 00:41:03,580 in this world of self-interest 667 00:41:04,500 –> 00:41:09,500 one who really, truly, wholly, 668 00:41:10,580 –> 00:41:13,159 and completely loves you. 669 00:41:14,979 –> 00:41:19,739 He who was rich for your sake became poor 670 00:41:20,959 –> 00:41:25,699 so that through his poverty you might become rich. 671 00:41:27,520 –> 00:41:29,719 And in a world of betrayed trust 672 00:41:29,719 –> 00:41:34,600 there is one who will never, never, never let you down. 673 00:41:34,600 –> 00:41:38,159 You can trust this Jesus Christ with your life, 674 00:41:38,159 –> 00:41:39,879 your death, your eternity. 675 00:41:39,879 –> 00:41:43,399 Paul says those who trust in Him 676 00:41:44,360 –> 00:41:46,540 will never be put to shame. 677 00:41:47,939 –> 00:41:49,520 If this climate in which we live 678 00:41:49,520 –> 00:41:52,300 is making you say, where can I put my trust, 679 00:41:52,300 –> 00:41:54,560 let me point you to Jesus Christ tonight. 680 00:41:57,040 –> 00:41:58,760 You know, at the end of his life, 681 00:41:58,760 –> 00:42:02,800 the apostle Paul who had embraced Christ 682 00:42:02,800 –> 00:42:05,679 as Savior and Lord of every sphere of his life 683 00:42:05,679 –> 00:42:06,679 he said this, 684 00:42:07,919 –> 00:42:10,080 I know whom I have believed 685 00:42:11,020 –> 00:42:14,219 and I’m persuaded that he is able to keep 686 00:42:14,219 –> 00:42:19,219 what I’ve entrusted to him against that day. 687 00:42:21,520 –> 00:42:25,219 When you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 688 00:42:25,219 –> 00:42:29,919 when he becomes truly the Lord and Savior of your life, 689 00:42:29,919 –> 00:42:32,979 when he begins to take control of your life 690 00:42:32,979 –> 00:42:34,860 and to give it new direction, 691 00:42:34,860 –> 00:42:39,520 you will find one who truly loves you 692 00:42:40,399 –> 00:42:42,820 and one in whom you can trust 693 00:42:42,820 –> 00:42:45,399 for life and death and eternity, 694 00:42:45,399 –> 00:42:47,500 and as you walk with him, 695 00:42:48,540 –> 00:42:53,199 he will make you increasingly one who is generous, 696 00:42:54,479 –> 00:42:58,000 and he will make of you one who increasingly 697 00:42:58,000 –> 00:42:59,959 can be trusted. 698 00:43:01,840 –> 00:43:06,179 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 699 00:43:07,520 –> 00:43:09,179 That’s what he does. 700 00:43:09,239 –> 00:43:10,820 Let’s pray together, shall we? 701 00:43:11,659 –> 00:43:12,939 Father in heaven, 702 00:43:14,620 –> 00:43:19,179 we bow in your presence and bless you 703 00:43:19,179 –> 00:43:22,979 for the one who counted our interest greater than his own. 704 00:43:24,699 –> 00:43:27,100 The one in whom for life, death, and eternity, 705 00:43:27,100 –> 00:43:29,020 we can put our trust and know 706 00:43:29,020 –> 00:43:31,479 that we will never be put to shame. 707 00:43:32,439 –> 00:43:34,580 Make us increasingly like Him. 708 00:43:35,520 –> 00:43:39,179 Marked by generosity and integrity, 709 00:43:40,179 –> 00:43:42,000 individually and together, 710 00:43:43,479 –> 00:43:48,020 for Jesus sake, amen. 711 00:43:50,159 –> 00:43:51,300 ANNOUNCER You’ve been listening to a sermon 712 00:43:51,300 –> 00:43:53,659 with Pastor Collins Smith of Open the Bible. 713 00:43:53,659 –> 00:43:58,639 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN-365 714 00:43:58,639 –> 00:44:02,620 or visit our website, OPENTHEBIBLE.ORG

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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