1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,840 Well we’re continuing our series together entitled worship what we do 2 00:00:03,840 –> 00:00:09,040 and why we do it and we’re exploring together what happens when we gather 3 00:00:09,040 –> 00:00:13,280 for public worship on Sunday morning like this. 4 00:00:13,280 –> 00:00:17,680 We’ve seen that authentic worship is God centered 5 00:00:17,680 –> 00:00:21,520 that is christ focused and that it is spirit filled 6 00:00:21,520 –> 00:00:25,440 and we’ve begun to look at the different elements of worship 7 00:00:25,440 –> 00:00:29,200 we’ve talked together from the bible about singing and about praying 8 00:00:29,200 –> 00:00:33,119 and today we come to the subject of giving. 9 00:00:33,119 –> 00:00:38,320 Now think about it. Every Sunday morning we spend something like 10 00:00:38,320 –> 00:00:45,360 five minutes passing wooden plates all round the sanctuary for the purpose 11 00:00:45,360 –> 00:00:48,400 that people should have the opportunity to put in some money 12 00:00:48,400 –> 00:00:52,000 or a check or an envelope that they’ve been given by the church for the 13 00:00:52,000 –> 00:00:56,240 purpose. And the question is why in all the world 14 00:00:56,240 –> 00:01:01,520 would we do that? After all studies repeatedly show 15 00:01:01,520 –> 00:01:06,800 that people outside the church, who we would very much like to draw in, 16 00:01:06,800 –> 00:01:11,279 are very cynical about this aspect of what we do on Sunday morning. 17 00:01:11,279 –> 00:01:16,879 Ever heard this? The church is just after your money. Many people say. You must 18 00:01:16,879 –> 00:01:20,480 have heard that many times. You know organized religion is just another way 19 00:01:20,480 –> 00:01:24,800 of making money. You know. And of course 20 00:01:24,800 –> 00:01:27,839 this is the Arlington Heights Evangelical 21 00:01:27,839 –> 00:01:33,440 Free church. And I’ve certainly had folks say now does 22 00:01:33,440 –> 00:01:36,639 this mean that this is a church where you don’t have to put something in the 23 00:01:36,639 –> 00:01:41,120 offering. Well now what is this offering all 24 00:01:41,120 –> 00:01:45,279 about? Is it just that the church needs money 25 00:01:45,279 –> 00:01:48,720 and that we therefore have a kind of whip round while all the good folks are 26 00:01:48,720 –> 00:01:52,959 together. And the best time for that is Sunday morning? 27 00:01:53,040 –> 00:01:57,199 Obviously the church needs money. You can’t maintain a building, or support 28 00:01:57,199 –> 00:02:00,480 pastors or send out missionaries without money. 29 00:02:00,480 –> 00:02:05,599 But there are plenty of other ways of collecting money. 30 00:02:05,599 –> 00:02:09,440 I mean you could have an annual membership just like you have for the 31 00:02:09,440 –> 00:02:12,720 golf club or for a gymnasium or whatever. You could 32 00:02:12,720 –> 00:02:16,160 say well that’s no good because that would make it compulsory and of course 33 00:02:16,160 –> 00:02:20,399 our giving must be free. Well there are plenty of other ways of 34 00:02:20,399 –> 00:02:24,639 giving freely. We could have a little box and put it at 35 00:02:24,639 –> 00:02:28,559 the back of the church. Or even a big box, and put it at the 36 00:02:28,559 –> 00:02:31,839 back of the church. Stick it on the wall and then everyone who wanted to give 37 00:02:31,839 –> 00:02:35,600 could put something in the box when they came in. Or when they left. And 38 00:02:35,600 –> 00:02:40,639 you will know many churches are going down that road, so why don’t we do that. 39 00:02:40,639 –> 00:02:45,199 After all it would save five minutes from the service wouldn’t it? 40 00:02:45,360 –> 00:02:48,880 In fact we might not, in a few years of time, even need 41 00:02:48,880 –> 00:02:51,919 a little box on the wall, because we can give 42 00:02:51,919 –> 00:02:55,919 nowadays by direct deposit straight from your bank. 43 00:02:55,919 –> 00:03:01,119 It’s a wonderful system, I use it myself. You decide what you’re going to give and 44 00:03:01,119 –> 00:03:06,800 then it’s all done for you automatically once or twice a month. 45 00:03:06,800 –> 00:03:10,960 So there are plenty of ways of raising money and there are plenty of ways 46 00:03:10,960 –> 00:03:18,399 of gathering or receiving money. Yet the church throughout history has 47 00:03:18,399 –> 00:03:24,399 chosen to make this an act of worship. 48 00:03:24,399 –> 00:03:32,000 We give it a central place in a service of worship. Now that’s what we 49 00:03:32,000 –> 00:03:35,360 do and i want us to understand from the 50 00:03:35,360 –> 00:03:39,679 bible why we do it. So, I want us to begin with 51 00:03:39,679 –> 00:03:43,520 why of giving. Very simple outline we’ll have several scriptures this morning. 52 00:03:43,520 –> 00:03:48,000 We’re going to look at the why the what, and the how of giving. And let’s 53 00:03:48,399 –> 00:03:51,179 with the why and you might like to turn to the Old Testament,6 54 00:03:51,179 –> 00:03:57,520 Deuteronomy and chapter 8, Deuteronomy and chapter 8, the why of giving. 55 00:03:57,520 –> 00:04:01,199 And the first thing here for us to grasp is that all of our money 56 00:04:01,199 –> 00:04:05,520 is a gift from God. Deuteronomy chapter 8 57 00:04:05,520 –> 00:04:12,160 and we’re reading from verse 7. Now this truth that all of our money is a 58 00:04:12,160 –> 00:04:16,079 gift from God is really written right into the very foundation of the bible 59 00:04:16,079 –> 00:04:19,359 story. Remember God’s people were slaves in 60 00:04:19,359 –> 00:04:22,000 Egypt and if you’re a slave you have almost 61 00:04:22,000 –> 00:04:25,040 nothing but God brought them out of that 62 00:04:25,040 –> 00:04:28,320 and then he brought them into the promised land, 63 00:04:28,320 –> 00:04:31,519 a land of prosperity that was flowing with milk and 64 00:04:31,519 –> 00:04:36,160 honey. And just before God’s people entered the Promised Land, Moses spoke to 65 00:04:36,160 –> 00:04:39,839 them about the prosperity that God would give them. 66 00:04:39,839 –> 00:04:42,959 You can read what he said in this book of Deuteronomy 67 00:04:42,959 –> 00:04:48,640 and we take it up at chapter 8 and I’m reading from verse 7. 68 00:04:48,640 –> 00:04:51,959 Moses says, the Lord your God is bringing you into a good 69 00:04:51,959 –> 00:04:54,720 land and then he describes it a land with 70 00:04:54,720 –> 00:04:59,279 streams and pools of water with springs flowing in the hills and the valleys, 71 00:04:59,279 –> 00:05:03,679 a land with wheat and barley and vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and 72 00:05:03,679 –> 00:05:06,799 honey, a land where bread will not be scarce, 73 00:05:06,799 –> 00:05:10,239 where you will lack nothing, a land where the rocks are 74 00:05:10,239 –> 00:05:15,119 iron and you can dig copper out of the hills and it goes on in that vein. 75 00:05:15,119 –> 00:05:18,320 Now if you’ve got your bible open and you’ve got the feel 76 00:05:18,320 –> 00:05:22,880 of the passage I’m going to try and just paraphrase it a little bit 77 00:05:22,880 –> 00:05:29,679 to bring it into the 21st century American context and you can follow what 78 00:05:29,679 –> 00:05:34,399 Moses actually said. Here’s a paraphrased 21st century 79 00:05:34,399 –> 00:05:38,320 version of it, verse seven. The Lord your God is bringing you into 80 00:05:38,320 –> 00:05:43,119 a good land a land where you can have everything that you want and just about 81 00:05:43,119 –> 00:05:47,519 everything you could dream of as well. Verse eight, it is a land where you 82 00:05:47,519 –> 00:05:51,359 will have more than you need and just about every pleasure you could 83 00:05:51,359 –> 00:05:56,559 want to enjoy will be available as well. And you see he lists things like 84 00:05:56,559 –> 00:05:59,839 pomegranates well we don’t get too excited about pomegranates so let’s put 85 00:05:59,839 –> 00:06:04,320 in the things we do get excited about. Exotic vacations, holiday homes, time 86 00:06:04,320 –> 00:06:07,519 share, skiing trips, cruises, you will have opportunities that 87 00:06:07,519 –> 00:06:12,239 others will only dream of and you will lack nothing. 88 00:06:12,239 –> 00:06:15,040 Verse nine, you will have plenty of scope for initiative. 89 00:06:15,040 –> 00:06:18,799 The enterprise culture will give you the opportunity to build your own business 90 00:06:18,799 –> 00:06:22,480 or share in the profits that are made by others. 91 00:06:22,480 –> 00:06:26,559 Verse 10, once you get used to this kind of lifestyle don’t forget about worship 92 00:06:26,559 –> 00:06:30,640 and obedience to God. Praise God for the good land he has 93 00:06:30,640 –> 00:06:33,119 given you. Make sure that in the middle of all this 94 00:06:33,119 –> 00:06:37,119 pleasure you do not forget him. Verse 12, otherwise in the middle of 95 00:06:37,119 –> 00:06:40,000 enjoying life in your comfortable home and with your 96 00:06:40,000 –> 00:06:44,239 growing stock portfolio your heart may become proud. 97 00:06:44,239 –> 00:06:47,200 Verse 14 and you will forget the Lord your God 98 00:06:47,200 –> 00:06:50,480 who gave you all this in the first place. 99 00:06:50,480 –> 00:06:54,079 Verse 17 and now i read the actual words of Moses, 100 00:06:54,079 –> 00:06:58,160 you may say to yourself my power and the strength of my hand has produced this 101 00:06:58,160 –> 00:07:02,239 wealth for me but remember the Lord your God for it 102 00:07:02,239 –> 00:07:05,679 is he who gives you the ability to produce 103 00:07:05,679 –> 00:07:13,440 wealth and so confirms his covenant which he swore to your forefathers. 104 00:07:13,440 –> 00:07:16,480 You see as we relate what Moses was saying to the people there to our 105 00:07:16,480 –> 00:07:21,359 opportunities and privileges and blessings in this country today 106 00:07:21,359 –> 00:07:26,880 we would have to say this who was it that caused you to be born in this 107 00:07:26,880 –> 00:07:31,679 country or to come to this country of incredible abundance and 108 00:07:31,679 –> 00:07:34,399 opportunity 109 00:07:34,480 –> 00:07:40,480 It was God and it was God who gave you your education 110 00:07:40,480 –> 00:07:44,640 it was God who opened up the doors of opportunity in your life 111 00:07:44,640 –> 00:07:49,279 It was God who gave you the skills that caused someone else to want to hire you 112 00:07:49,279 –> 00:07:52,799 or to work with you it was God that wove the pattern of 113 00:07:52,799 –> 00:07:57,600 your life so that you met your husband or your wife and so share 114 00:07:57,600 –> 00:07:59,119 in all that you enjoy 115 00:07:59,200 –> 00:08:04,720 It is God who has directed your steps into the job that gives you that income 116 00:08:04,720 –> 00:08:06,720 that enables you to do so much 117 00:08:06,720 –> 00:08:11,839 What do you have that you did not receive? 118 00:08:11,859 –> 00:08:19,100 Everything that you have comes from the hand of God and that includes your money 119 00:08:19,100 –> 00:08:24,239 So you see, a Christian approach to money and to giving 120 00:08:24,260 –> 00:08:30,700 begins not when we say, oh here’s 10% and that’s God and here’s 90%, and that’s mine 121 00:08:31,839 –> 00:08:34,520 You know a Christian approach to money and to giving 122 00:08:34,520 –> 00:08:36,520 bringing it all under the Lordship of Christ 123 00:08:36,520 –> 00:08:40,940 begins when we say 100% of what I have comes from God 124 00:08:40,960 –> 00:08:44,900 and belongs to God and is trusted to me 125 00:08:44,919 –> 00:08:52,179 I am the steward of it. I have received every good gift from His hand 126 00:08:54,239 –> 00:08:58,099 That’s the first thing. Money is a gift from God 127 00:08:59,219 –> 00:09:03,400 Second, money wants to be your master 128 00:09:03,400 –> 00:09:08,580 Now here we come to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6.24 129 00:09:08,599 –> 00:09:10,359 which was read to us 130 00:09:10,380 –> 00:09:13,679 No one can serve two masters 131 00:09:13,700 –> 00:09:16,000 Either he’ll hate the one and loves the other 132 00:09:16,020 –> 00:09:18,599 or he’ll be devoted to one and despise the other 133 00:09:18,619 –> 00:09:22,900 you cannot serve both God and money 134 00:09:23,659 –> 00:09:25,859 Now if you have the new international version 135 00:09:25,880 –> 00:09:29,159 you’ll notice there that money is printed in that verse 136 00:09:29,179 –> 00:09:30,960 with a capitol M 137 00:09:30,979 –> 00:09:33,239 and the reason for that is that of course 138 00:09:33,260 –> 00:09:36,219 what Jesus is saying is that money wants to become your God 139 00:09:37,820 –> 00:09:39,840 Money is a master 140 00:09:39,859 –> 00:09:44,260 and it wants to be the master of your life 141 00:09:44,299 –> 00:09:48,520 Money is powerful. It has the ability to capture the heart 142 00:09:48,539 –> 00:09:51,179 That’s why Jesus says in Matthew 6.21 143 00:09:51,380 –> 00:09:55,239 where your treasure is there your heart will be 144 00:09:55,260 –> 00:09:57,419 Heart follows treasure 145 00:09:57,419 –> 00:10:01,559 Money has the ability to move your heart 146 00:10:01,580 –> 00:10:03,260 where you put your money you will find 147 00:10:03,280 –> 00:10:05,039 your heart is drawn in that direction 148 00:10:06,859 –> 00:10:09,299 So money is a master 149 00:10:10,780 –> 00:10:12,580 and it wants to be your master 150 00:10:13,659 –> 00:10:16,159 it wants to gain power over your life 151 00:10:16,179 –> 00:10:17,880 and the only way to make sure 152 00:10:17,900 –> 00:10:20,619 that money does not gain power over your life 153 00:10:20,820 –> 00:10:24,780 is to bring that master under a greater master 154 00:10:26,140 –> 00:10:28,520 and to say me and my money 155 00:10:28,539 –> 00:10:34,440 we are under the lordship of Jesus Christ 156 00:10:38,299 –> 00:10:39,880 That brings us to the third thing 157 00:10:39,900 –> 00:10:41,239 money is a gift from God 158 00:10:41,260 –> 00:10:43,000 it wants to be your master 159 00:10:44,419 –> 00:10:48,799 but giving dethrones the other God 160 00:10:48,840 –> 00:10:51,179 and here I refer to Exodus Chapter 20 161 00:10:51,200 –> 00:10:53,419 Verse 3 the first of the Ten Commandments 162 00:10:53,440 –> 00:10:54,820 remember the First Commandment 163 00:10:54,840 –> 00:10:58,179 God said you shall have no other gods 164 00:10:58,200 –> 00:11:00,020 before me 165 00:11:00,039 –> 00:11:02,859 course there’s only one God 166 00:11:02,880 –> 00:11:04,299 Creator of heaven and earth 167 00:11:04,320 –> 00:11:06,039 but there are many power 168 00:11:06,059 –> 00:11:07,659 at work in this world 169 00:11:07,679 –> 00:11:09,700 and the many powers are always trying 170 00:11:09,719 –> 00:11:12,260 to take over the throne of God 171 00:11:12,280 –> 00:11:13,780 remember that’s what happened in heaven 172 00:11:13,799 –> 00:11:15,520 at the beginning of the Gospels 173 00:11:15,539 –> 00:11:18,619 but God said take over the heart of the earth 174 00:11:18,619 –> 00:11:20,640 that was the beginning of human history 175 00:11:20,659 –> 00:11:23,179 Satan and his rebel Angels 176 00:11:23,200 –> 00:11:25,859 tried to usurp the throne of God 177 00:11:25,880 –> 00:11:26,880 they were unsuccessful 178 00:11:26,919 –> 00:11:29,320 they were thrown out of heaven 179 00:11:29,340 –> 00:11:31,700 so guess where they’re trying to take 180 00:11:31,719 –> 00:11:32,700 the throne of God 181 00:11:32,719 –> 00:11:35,380 they try do it in your life 182 00:11:35,400 –> 00:11:37,260 one of the ways in which that happens 183 00:11:37,280 –> 00:11:41,179 is through money becoming the master 184 00:11:41,200 –> 00:11:43,020 so the very first commandment 185 00:11:43,039 –> 00:11:44,099 that God gives to his people 186 00:11:44,119 –> 00:11:47,559 is you shall have no other gods 187 00:11:47,559 –> 00:11:49,599 to rule me 188 00:11:49,619 –> 00:11:50,799 That means that 189 00:11:50,820 –> 00:11:53,059 if God is to be Lord in my life 190 00:11:53,080 –> 00:11:59,559 I have to actively dethrone the other gods 191 00:11:59,580 –> 00:12:03,960 I have to undermine intentionally 192 00:12:03,979 –> 00:12:06,239 The throne that the other masters 193 00:12:06,260 –> 00:12:08,299 will try and setup in my life 194 00:12:08,320 –> 00:12:10,099 and you see that’s exactly 195 00:12:10,119 –> 00:12:12,979 what happens when we give 196 00:12:13,859 –> 00:12:18,739 Giving dethrones the other master 197 00:12:18,760 –> 00:12:20,479 Everytime I give 198 00:12:20,500 –> 00:12:22,940 I’m saying and this is an act of worship 199 00:12:22,960 –> 00:12:27,260 money does not control me 200 00:12:27,280 –> 00:12:29,919 Everytime I give 201 00:12:29,940 –> 00:12:31,640 I’m saying money will not 202 00:12:31,659 –> 00:12:33,679 take the place of God in my life 203 00:12:33,700 –> 00:12:35,719 God rules in my life 204 00:12:35,739 –> 00:12:37,640 Jesus is Lord of my life 205 00:12:37,659 –> 00:12:39,919 and the demonstration of his lordship 206 00:12:39,940 –> 00:12:42,179 over this area 207 00:12:43,059 –> 00:12:44,919 is that I give 208 00:12:45,539 –> 00:12:48,200 you see giving is actually a wonderful way 209 00:12:48,219 –> 00:12:51,960 of demonstrating that money is not God in your life 210 00:12:51,979 –> 00:12:56,080 when I give I’m saying money is not my master 211 00:12:56,099 –> 00:12:58,799 I’m undermining its throne 212 00:12:58,820 –> 00:13:03,500 I am dethroning the other master 213 00:13:05,780 –> 00:13:10,099 that’s why giving is an act of worship 214 00:13:10,119 –> 00:13:12,159 it’s much more than a bank transfer 215 00:13:12,179 –> 00:13:17,500 it’s an act of worship because it’s saying to the Lord Jesus Christ 216 00:13:17,520 –> 00:13:21,359 you are Lord over all of my life including 217 00:13:23,159 –> 00:13:24,400 my money 218 00:13:25,700 –> 00:13:28,239 so I want to encourage us all to think about this whole 219 00:13:28,260 –> 00:13:32,200 matter of giving as being an expression of worship 220 00:13:32,239 –> 00:13:33,799 and that’s why it’s right that it should be 221 00:13:33,840 –> 00:13:38,520 at the very heart of our worship together 222 00:13:38,520 –> 00:13:39,820 because giving you see is much more than 223 00:13:39,840 –> 00:13:41,559 meeting the financial needs of the church 224 00:13:41,700 –> 00:13:43,559 it is an expression of worship 225 00:13:45,200 –> 00:13:47,940 and every week has the offering plates come round 226 00:13:48,940 –> 00:13:52,599 we have the opportunity of a few minutes of private reflection 227 00:13:53,119 –> 00:13:56,840 in the presence of God we have the opportunity to lift our hearts 228 00:13:56,880 –> 00:14:02,080 and to say, oh God, thank you for everything you’ve given me 229 00:14:03,520 –> 00:14:05,260 if you haven’t done that through this week 230 00:14:05,359 –> 00:14:07,919 here’s the place in public worship where we’re able to do that 231 00:14:08,559 –> 00:14:12,659 from our hearts, Lord, thank you for your provision for me 232 00:14:12,659 –> 00:14:13,820 and everything that you’ve given 233 00:14:15,299 –> 00:14:18,000 and then for me to offer myself to God in a fresh way 234 00:14:18,099 –> 00:14:20,640 Lord, I want to be wholly available to you 235 00:14:20,679 –> 00:14:23,200 to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ 236 00:14:24,099 –> 00:14:26,640 show me if there’s any new way in which I can serve you 237 00:14:26,900 –> 00:14:30,340 prompt me if there’s something you want me to do for you this week 238 00:14:32,039 –> 00:14:35,119 see, a worship service is really packed tight with things that we do together 239 00:14:35,479 –> 00:14:38,119 we sing together, we pray together, we hear the Word together 240 00:14:38,359 –> 00:14:42,059 but here is an opportunity for private reflection 241 00:14:42,400 –> 00:14:45,419 and thanksgiving and self-offering 242 00:14:45,599 –> 00:14:47,340 and submission to God 243 00:14:48,799 –> 00:14:53,000 think of the value of that built into your life 244 00:14:53,179 –> 00:14:54,940 every week, every time 245 00:14:55,940 –> 00:14:58,700 we gather together for worship 246 00:14:59,479 –> 00:15:02,039 to bring your whole life in a new way 247 00:15:02,239 –> 00:15:04,539 under the sovereign rule 248 00:15:05,479 –> 00:15:06,719 of Jesus Christ 249 00:15:08,760 –> 00:15:10,320 see, it’s more than 250 00:15:10,559 –> 00:15:12,799 meeting the needs of the church, this is an act of 251 00:15:13,619 –> 00:15:14,219 worship 252 00:15:15,520 –> 00:15:16,520 it’s worship 253 00:15:18,500 –> 00:15:21,039 now if that’s the why and let’s go to the what 254 00:15:21,539 –> 00:15:22,760 what should we give? 255 00:15:23,140 –> 00:15:25,400 and this is a very important and a very practical 256 00:15:25,400 –> 00:15:28,080 and I think a very searching question 257 00:15:28,799 –> 00:15:31,299 as most of us are aware, in the old testament 258 00:15:31,900 –> 00:15:34,840 God’s people gave a tithe of their income 259 00:15:35,799 –> 00:15:38,739 people gave 10% pretty much in the same way as 260 00:15:38,739 –> 00:15:40,239 we give taxes 261 00:15:40,640 –> 00:15:41,140 and 262 00:15:41,400 –> 00:15:43,840 probably you’re saying right now, if only 263 00:15:44,440 –> 00:15:46,520 our taxes were 10% 264 00:15:47,020 –> 00:15:47,919 how happy 265 00:15:48,380 –> 00:15:49,380 we all would be 266 00:15:50,580 –> 00:15:51,059 well 267 00:15:51,559 –> 00:15:54,559 the principle of tithe in the Old Testament 268 00:15:55,479 –> 00:15:57,400 is the good guideline 269 00:15:57,900 –> 00:15:59,700 for Christian giving today 270 00:16:00,659 –> 00:16:04,099 but it is important to remember that it is never repeated 271 00:16:04,099 –> 00:16:05,900 in the New Testament 272 00:16:06,400 –> 00:16:09,539 as a rule for Christian believers 273 00:16:10,000 –> 00:16:12,880 and I think that it’s important for us to ask why that is 274 00:16:12,880 –> 00:16:15,840 why is it that under the inspiration of the Spirit 275 00:16:15,840 –> 00:16:18,539 at no point in the New Testament did Peter 276 00:16:18,539 –> 00:16:19,940 or John or 277 00:16:19,940 –> 00:16:21,460 Paul say 278 00:16:21,820 –> 00:16:24,359 well you Christian believers now you’ve been converted 279 00:16:24,359 –> 00:16:26,119 you’ve got to do the same thing as the Jews did 280 00:16:26,119 –> 00:16:26,979 in the Old Testament 281 00:16:27,820 –> 00:16:30,479 you bring 10% of what you earn to church on Sunday 282 00:16:30,479 –> 00:16:32,679 why did they never say that at any point 283 00:16:32,679 –> 00:16:34,239 in the New Testament? 284 00:16:34,739 –> 00:16:35,940 why? 285 00:16:36,659 –> 00:16:38,080 answer 286 00:16:39,640 –> 00:16:43,280 because God does not want you 287 00:16:43,280 –> 00:16:45,260 to think about your giving 288 00:16:46,219 –> 00:16:48,260 in the same way as you think 289 00:16:48,260 –> 00:16:50,200 about your taxes 290 00:16:50,739 –> 00:16:52,159 that’s why 291 00:16:53,059 –> 00:16:55,979 because God does not want 292 00:16:56,039 –> 00:16:58,780 you to think about your giving 293 00:16:59,679 –> 00:17:01,520 in the same way as 294 00:17:01,520 –> 00:17:03,659 you think about your taxes 295 00:17:04,979 –> 00:17:07,479 hands up, all the people in the congregation 296 00:17:07,479 –> 00:17:10,540 who love to pay taxes 297 00:17:11,660 –> 00:17:12,939 hands down 298 00:17:14,599 –> 00:17:16,160 God does not want you to think 299 00:17:16,160 –> 00:17:18,140 of your giving like that 300 00:17:20,000 –> 00:17:21,939 see, tithes in the Old Testament 301 00:17:21,939 –> 00:17:24,140 were like taxes, they were compulsory 302 00:17:25,099 –> 00:17:26,459 it was part of being a citizen 303 00:17:26,459 –> 00:17:27,599 it wasn’t an option 304 00:17:27,599 –> 00:17:29,260 then on top of the tithes, of course 305 00:17:29,260 –> 00:17:31,780 there was the opportunity to bring offerings as well 306 00:17:31,780 –> 00:17:33,099 tithes were compulsory 307 00:17:33,099 –> 00:17:34,800 offerings were voluntary 308 00:17:34,800 –> 00:17:36,660 but the whole point about the difference 309 00:17:36,660 –> 00:17:38,079 between the old covenant 310 00:17:38,079 –> 00:17:39,520 and the new covenant 311 00:17:40,459 –> 00:17:42,479 is that what was imposed 312 00:17:42,479 –> 00:17:45,400 externally in the Old Testament 313 00:17:45,400 –> 00:17:47,819 now arises internally 314 00:17:47,819 –> 00:17:50,000 from the heart in the Christian believer 315 00:17:50,000 –> 00:17:51,540 by the power of the Holy Spirit 316 00:17:51,900 –> 00:17:53,500 that’s why the new covenant 317 00:17:53,579 –> 00:17:55,699 is far better than the old 318 00:17:58,579 –> 00:18:00,780 and that of course, is the point of the great prophecy 319 00:18:00,780 –> 00:18:01,520 of Ezekiel 320 00:18:01,520 –> 00:18:03,719 god says, I’ll put my Spirit within you 321 00:18:03,719 –> 00:18:05,339 and I will move you 322 00:18:05,339 –> 00:18:06,619 giving you a new heart 323 00:18:06,719 –> 00:18:09,199 to follow my decrees and keep my laws 324 00:18:11,020 –> 00:18:12,079 so in the Old Testament 325 00:18:12,079 –> 00:18:12,780 God said 326 00:18:12,780 –> 00:18:14,719 this is what you have to do 327 00:18:15,619 –> 00:18:17,280 but in the New Testament 328 00:18:17,280 –> 00:18:19,819 the Holy Spirit so indwells the believer 329 00:18:19,819 –> 00:18:21,520 that he creates a new heart 330 00:18:21,760 –> 00:18:25,239 says this is what I want to do 331 00:18:26,099 –> 00:18:27,780 that’s one of the greatest evidences 332 00:18:27,780 –> 00:18:28,819 of the work of God 333 00:18:28,819 –> 00:18:31,099 in the soul of a Christian believer 334 00:18:31,479 –> 00:18:32,979 that is why 335 00:18:34,020 –> 00:18:37,959 Christian giving should never be from some obligation 336 00:18:37,959 –> 00:18:39,680 that is imposed on the church 337 00:18:41,439 –> 00:18:42,339 that is why 338 00:18:42,339 –> 00:18:43,979 if you become a member of this Church 339 00:18:43,979 –> 00:18:45,180 or go through some classes 340 00:18:45,180 –> 00:18:46,380 you’ll learn many things about the Church 341 00:18:46,380 –> 00:18:48,500 there’ll be talking about giving there 342 00:18:49,140 –> 00:18:50,160 but you’ll never be told 343 00:18:50,160 –> 00:18:51,920 you’ve got to give 10% 344 00:18:54,699 –> 00:18:56,839 because it cannot be imposed 345 00:18:57,599 –> 00:19:00,040 Christian giving must be offered freely 346 00:19:00,040 –> 00:19:01,739 it must be offered gladly 347 00:19:01,739 –> 00:19:04,439 it is a voluntary response 348 00:19:04,439 –> 00:19:08,380 to the abundant grace of God in our lives 349 00:19:10,459 –> 00:19:10,959 Now you see 350 00:19:10,959 –> 00:19:12,839 that is I think the problem 351 00:19:12,839 –> 00:19:14,180 or at least the limitation 352 00:19:14,180 –> 00:19:16,079 with the approach that says 353 00:19:16,719 –> 00:19:18,119 well now work out your income 354 00:19:19,079 –> 00:19:20,660 take 10% off the top 355 00:19:21,640 –> 00:19:22,479 that belongs to God 356 00:19:22,479 –> 00:19:23,599 and the rest belongs to you 357 00:19:24,959 –> 00:19:26,920 There is something to be said for that 358 00:19:26,920 –> 00:19:28,239 but the problem with it is 359 00:19:28,239 –> 00:19:30,560 it’s so easily becomes mechanical 360 00:19:31,739 –> 00:19:33,599 It becomes a duty done 361 00:19:33,599 –> 00:19:35,520 rather than a heart opened 362 00:19:35,819 –> 00:19:39,660 So beware of the taxation mentality 363 00:19:41,260 –> 00:19:43,979 God does not want you to think 364 00:19:43,979 –> 00:19:46,400 about your giving in the same way 365 00:19:46,400 –> 00:19:48,260 as you think about your taxes 366 00:19:48,500 –> 00:19:51,660 The question is never for a New Testament Believer 367 00:19:51,660 –> 00:19:54,520 how much do I have to give 368 00:19:56,540 –> 00:19:57,699 The question is 369 00:19:57,699 –> 00:20:01,819 how much am I able to give 370 00:20:02,680 –> 00:20:06,219 and actually that’s a far more searching question 371 00:20:07,020 –> 00:20:08,900 and I want us to think about it a little bit 372 00:20:08,900 –> 00:20:10,739 because it seems to me that the New Testament 373 00:20:10,739 –> 00:20:13,339 does address some of the very practical issues 374 00:20:13,339 –> 00:20:16,420 about how much we are able to give 375 00:20:16,839 –> 00:20:19,319 and maybe we can summarize it in this very simple 376 00:20:19,319 –> 00:20:21,119 and very practical principle 377 00:20:22,420 –> 00:20:25,339 If you want to be able to give more 378 00:20:26,079 –> 00:20:27,699 here’s how to do it 379 00:20:28,359 –> 00:20:31,160 spend less 380 00:20:32,119 –> 00:20:34,339 Wonderfully insightful that don’t you think 381 00:20:34,339 –> 00:20:36,020 If you want to be able to give more 382 00:20:36,020 –> 00:20:37,000 here’s how to do it 383 00:20:37,000 –> 00:20:39,119 spend less 384 00:20:40,140 –> 00:20:43,180 Now I’ve been very fascinated to notice 385 00:20:43,180 –> 00:20:47,459 is that the primary areas of our expenditure 386 00:20:47,459 –> 00:20:48,479 our spending 387 00:20:49,479 –> 00:20:52,400 actually relate very closely 388 00:20:52,400 –> 00:20:58,839 to the issues at the heart of the three temptations of Jesus 389 00:20:58,839 –> 00:21:01,739 You might like to check this out later in Matthew’s Gospel 390 00:21:01,739 –> 00:21:04,619 and chapter 4, or even to turn to it now 391 00:21:04,619 –> 00:21:08,239 but if you think about the three areas of our spending 392 00:21:08,239 –> 00:21:10,420 they cluster around 393 00:21:10,420 –> 00:21:11,979 our needs 394 00:21:13,199 –> 00:21:15,199 impressions 395 00:21:16,339 –> 00:21:18,140 and experiences 396 00:21:18,140 –> 00:21:19,859 let me just walk through these three 397 00:21:19,859 –> 00:21:21,979 and I think you’ll find that they are areas 398 00:21:21,979 –> 00:21:25,040 where we can ask God to search our hearts in new ways 399 00:21:26,319 –> 00:21:30,099 the first area in which Satan brought temptation to Jesus 400 00:21:30,099 –> 00:21:33,199 was in relation to needs 401 00:21:33,479 –> 00:21:35,339 remember that the Holy Spirit 402 00:21:35,339 –> 00:21:36,959 had led Jesus into the desert 403 00:21:36,959 –> 00:21:40,760 to engage in the ministry of praying and fasting 404 00:21:41,680 –> 00:21:45,219 now this whole business of fasting is absolutely fascinating 405 00:21:45,219 –> 00:21:47,800 because it is all about going without 406 00:21:47,800 –> 00:21:50,060 what we normally need 407 00:21:50,599 –> 00:21:54,199 the body obviously needs bread 408 00:21:54,199 –> 00:21:56,839 but Jesus was led by the Spirit 409 00:21:56,839 –> 00:21:59,500 to go into the desert for a limited period of time 410 00:21:59,500 –> 00:22:03,359 and to go without what he normally needed 411 00:22:04,619 –> 00:22:07,260 and when he was going without for a period of time 412 00:22:07,260 –> 00:22:08,500 what he normally needed 413 00:22:08,500 –> 00:22:10,300 the tempter came to him and said 414 00:22:10,300 –> 00:22:13,880 Turn these stones into bread 415 00:22:14,459 –> 00:22:17,939 you need to have what you need 416 00:22:18,619 –> 00:22:20,819 the temptation in other words, was to put 417 00:22:20,819 –> 00:22:22,920 personal needs 418 00:22:22,920 –> 00:22:25,239 above the will of God 419 00:22:25,500 –> 00:22:27,880 who had led Jesus by the Spirit 420 00:22:27,880 –> 00:22:30,000 to put these personal needs to one side 421 00:22:30,000 –> 00:22:31,359 for a limited period 422 00:22:31,359 –> 00:22:33,880 in order to engage in fasting 423 00:22:35,040 –> 00:22:37,040 now let me suggest this application 424 00:22:37,040 –> 00:22:40,239 If we are to grow in our giving 425 00:22:41,219 –> 00:22:43,800 the first area that we might like to 426 00:22:43,800 –> 00:22:48,040 look at is what we have we need 427 00:22:48,380 –> 00:22:50,560 in other words let’s do a review of our budget 428 00:22:50,579 –> 00:22:52,859 and look first at the money that we say 429 00:22:52,859 –> 00:22:54,819 is committed 430 00:22:55,479 –> 00:22:56,599 that would include for example 431 00:22:56,599 –> 00:22:58,040 the mortgage 432 00:22:58,040 –> 00:23:00,699 membership fees for various clubs 433 00:23:00,699 –> 00:23:02,780 associations or whatever it is 434 00:23:02,780 –> 00:23:06,260 the cable, the cell phone, the car payments 435 00:23:06,319 –> 00:23:08,619 the high-speed internet connection 436 00:23:08,619 –> 00:23:09,739 and so forth and so on 437 00:23:09,739 –> 00:23:14,280 Everyone of these involves a choice 438 00:23:14,280 –> 00:23:16,760 most of these, half the rest of the world 439 00:23:16,760 –> 00:23:18,439 doesn’t have anyway 440 00:23:18,439 –> 00:23:24,119 but all of them we include in our list of needs 441 00:23:24,979 –> 00:23:29,579 now the spirit of fasting says 442 00:23:30,339 –> 00:23:34,260 that there may be some things that I say I need 443 00:23:34,680 –> 00:23:36,300 that at least for a period of time 444 00:23:36,300 –> 00:23:38,920 I could give up in order to strengthen 445 00:23:39,099 –> 00:23:40,640 myself giving to God 446 00:23:40,640 –> 00:23:42,560 that’s what fasting is all about 447 00:23:43,819 –> 00:23:45,760 so take a look at everything 448 00:23:45,760 –> 00:23:49,579 that you put under the list of essentials 449 00:23:51,020 –> 00:23:55,520 the question is how does what you call your needs 450 00:23:55,520 –> 00:23:58,920 relate to your giving 451 00:23:58,920 –> 00:24:01,800 and if it is the case that your needs 452 00:24:01,800 –> 00:24:07,260 are filling up just about all of what God has given to you 453 00:24:07,939 –> 00:24:14,160 then you have probably overestimated your needs 454 00:24:14,160 –> 00:24:16,420 think about applying the spirit of fasting 455 00:24:16,420 –> 00:24:17,920 to something you say you need 456 00:24:17,920 –> 00:24:19,380 even for a period of time 457 00:24:19,380 –> 00:24:20,900 in order to strengthen your giving 458 00:24:20,900 –> 00:24:23,400 it may be the beginning 459 00:24:23,400 –> 00:24:25,920 of a new chapter of growth 460 00:24:25,920 –> 00:24:28,520 in your spiritual life 461 00:24:28,520 –> 00:24:31,079 the second area of our spending 462 00:24:31,079 –> 00:24:34,579 revolves around what we could describe as impressions 463 00:24:34,920 –> 00:24:38,599 and remember that in the second temptation of Jesus 464 00:24:38,599 –> 00:24:43,880 Satan invited him to jump off the pinnacle of the temple 465 00:24:43,900 –> 00:24:46,180 saying to him that the angels would take charge of him 466 00:24:46,180 –> 00:24:47,579 and that he wouldn’t be injured 467 00:24:47,579 –> 00:24:48,760 he’d just float to the ground 468 00:24:48,760 –> 00:24:50,819 and wouldn’t even be bruised 469 00:24:50,819 –> 00:24:52,619 now the heart of the second temptation 470 00:24:52,619 –> 00:24:55,719 was about making a big impression 471 00:24:55,719 –> 00:24:59,579 think of the stir that would be caused 472 00:24:59,579 –> 00:25:01,560 if Jesus jumped off the pinnacle of the Temple 473 00:25:01,560 –> 00:25:03,300 and floated down uninjured 474 00:25:04,760 –> 00:25:07,640 now I found it helpful therefore to think about that 475 00:25:07,640 –> 00:25:12,760 and to say let’s take a look then at what I spend 476 00:25:12,760 –> 00:25:18,400 on things that are essentially about making an impression 477 00:25:19,439 –> 00:25:21,760 we all spend money on things that are about making an impression 478 00:25:21,760 –> 00:25:23,319 I bought a new shirt this week 479 00:25:23,319 –> 00:25:24,839 not because I need a new shirt 480 00:25:24,839 –> 00:25:26,119 I have plenty of shirts 481 00:25:26,579 –> 00:25:27,459 but we were in a store 482 00:25:27,459 –> 00:25:28,500 I saw a rather nice shirt 483 00:25:28,500 –> 00:25:30,199 and my son who was with me said 484 00:25:30,199 –> 00:25:31,760 hey dad you look great in that 485 00:25:32,400 –> 00:25:33,459 so I bought it 486 00:25:33,839 –> 00:25:35,380 it makes a nice impression 487 00:25:36,619 –> 00:25:41,780 let’s look at the things that are in the area of impression 488 00:25:42,239 –> 00:25:44,280 that would include a lot of 489 00:25:44,280 –> 00:25:45,660 our clothes 490 00:25:47,000 –> 00:25:47,859 jewelry 491 00:25:48,699 –> 00:25:50,359 probably cars 492 00:25:51,520 –> 00:25:52,880 home remodelling 493 00:25:53,619 –> 00:25:54,699 furniture 494 00:25:55,560 –> 00:25:56,859 entertaining 495 00:25:57,680 –> 00:25:58,660 put it this way 496 00:25:58,660 –> 00:26:02,880 anything that you would buy because it was cool 497 00:26:03,479 –> 00:26:07,300 if when you go into a store and you say oh isn’t that cool 498 00:26:07,660 –> 00:26:10,239 you know that the primary connection 499 00:26:10,239 –> 00:26:12,959 that it’s making with you is about impression 500 00:26:12,959 –> 00:26:16,619 now I’m not saying that its wrong to buy things that impress 501 00:26:16,619 –> 00:26:19,300 I’m just saying that if we’re to get serious about giving 502 00:26:19,300 –> 00:26:22,920 it’s good for us to look at the things that are primarily 503 00:26:22,920 –> 00:26:24,119 about impression 504 00:26:24,859 –> 00:26:27,079 and then to measure them against our giving 505 00:26:28,680 –> 00:26:31,000 and here’s the third area that we could describe 506 00:26:31,000 –> 00:26:33,060 as experiences 507 00:26:33,380 –> 00:26:35,020 remember the third temptation 508 00:26:35,300 –> 00:26:39,459 satan showed Jesus the splendors of the world 509 00:26:41,199 –> 00:26:43,199 now what do the splendors of the world include 510 00:26:43,199 –> 00:26:44,520 the great barrier reef 511 00:26:46,000 –> 00:26:50,520 the jungles and safari parks of africa 512 00:26:51,579 –> 00:26:53,599 the pacific coast 513 00:26:54,180 –> 00:26:55,060 and it’s surf 514 00:26:55,060 –> 00:26:59,079 a whole world of travel and enjoyment 515 00:27:01,579 –> 00:27:05,280 a lifetime of pleasures and experiences 516 00:27:05,780 –> 00:27:09,140 satan showed this to Jesus and he said 517 00:27:09,140 –> 00:27:11,619 all these can be yours 518 00:27:13,260 –> 00:27:18,359 now the truth is that a lot of theses actually ours 519 00:27:19,040 –> 00:27:22,680 for in our generation and this is an incredible blessing and privilege that 520 00:27:22,680 –> 00:27:23,739 we have from God 521 00:27:23,800 –> 00:27:28,040 there are many of us who by the age of thirty have seen more of this world 522 00:27:29,000 –> 00:27:32,560 and have had the opportunity of more wonderful experiences 523 00:27:33,319 –> 00:27:34,439 across the globe 524 00:27:34,920 –> 00:27:38,020 than previous generations would have had or ever dreamed of 525 00:27:38,020 –> 00:27:40,140 in an entire lifetime 526 00:27:40,140 –> 00:27:44,459 we have become the been there done that culture 527 00:27:44,459 –> 00:27:45,560 you know that phrase? 528 00:27:46,020 –> 00:27:47,300 Being there done that 529 00:27:48,959 –> 00:27:50,040 now this is wonderful 530 00:27:50,780 –> 00:27:52,680 these are great blessings from God 531 00:27:52,800 –> 00:27:54,739 they are wonderful wonderful privileges 532 00:27:55,020 –> 00:27:57,119 but here’s a question that I have o ask myself 533 00:27:58,540 –> 00:28:01,479 how does what I spend on world travel 534 00:28:02,880 –> 00:28:04,959 relate to my giving? 535 00:28:06,319 –> 00:28:07,920 or if you take another area of pleasure 536 00:28:07,920 –> 00:28:10,540 how does what I spend on entertainment 537 00:28:11,260 –> 00:28:12,560 relate to my giving? 538 00:28:13,699 –> 00:28:15,060 how does what I spend on any 539 00:28:15,060 –> 00:28:18,119 personal experiences or pleasures 540 00:28:18,119 –> 00:28:21,020 that are part of the abundance that God gives us to enjoy 541 00:28:21,020 –> 00:28:22,640 I’m not saying don’t do that 542 00:28:22,939 –> 00:28:24,500 that if we’re serious about giving 543 00:28:24,500 –> 00:28:25,439 we ought to take a look 544 00:28:25,439 –> 00:28:27,599 at how these two things compare 545 00:28:30,660 –> 00:28:31,920 for if we do not address 546 00:28:31,920 –> 00:28:33,359 this issue in our lives 547 00:28:33,359 –> 00:28:34,939 what happens is 548 00:28:35,300 –> 00:28:39,099 that needs and impressions and experiences 549 00:28:39,099 –> 00:28:40,219 become the things that gain 550 00:28:40,219 –> 00:28:42,400 a deep hold on our hearts 551 00:28:43,459 –> 00:28:44,260 and Jesus says 552 00:28:44,500 –> 00:28:46,339 where your treasure is 553 00:28:46,339 –> 00:28:47,800 there your heart will be also 554 00:28:47,800 –> 00:28:50,540 so if my treasure is going into 555 00:28:51,500 –> 00:28:54,540 all of these experiences and impressions 556 00:28:54,540 –> 00:28:56,619 then my heart’s going to be there 557 00:28:56,619 –> 00:28:58,560 and it won’t be with Jesus 558 00:29:01,819 –> 00:29:03,180 and what’s happened is that 559 00:29:03,180 –> 00:29:04,400 without realising it 560 00:29:04,400 –> 00:29:08,880 I’ve built the throne of the other god 561 00:29:13,719 –> 00:29:16,199 now at this point some of us will be saying 562 00:29:16,199 –> 00:29:17,560 boy, it would be much easier 563 00:29:17,560 –> 00:29:18,859 if you just said give ten percent 564 00:29:18,859 –> 00:29:19,839 because then we could do it 565 00:29:19,979 –> 00:29:21,439 and then we wouldn’t need to worry 566 00:29:22,459 –> 00:29:23,339 exactly 567 00:29:25,760 –> 00:29:27,760 see, the Holy Spirit searches us much more deeply 568 00:29:27,760 –> 00:29:29,540 don’t you think? 569 00:29:30,699 –> 00:29:33,319 he goes to the core of our being 570 00:29:33,319 –> 00:29:36,699 that’s what it means to grow in being 571 00:29:36,699 –> 00:29:40,380 a giver whose heart has been ignited 572 00:29:41,160 –> 00:29:43,760 by the knowledge of the grace of God 573 00:29:45,640 –> 00:29:47,719 the privilege of being part 574 00:29:48,579 –> 00:29:49,839 of his kingdom 575 00:29:52,219 –> 00:29:55,660 giving, you see, is not to be thought of like taxation 576 00:29:55,660 –> 00:29:57,560 it would be much easier if it was 577 00:29:58,579 –> 00:29:59,920 it’s worship 578 00:30:00,979 –> 00:30:06,560 it’s what I choose to give out of love for Jesus 579 00:30:09,040 –> 00:30:10,739 now that leads us to the last thing 580 00:30:10,739 –> 00:30:11,739 we’ve talked about the why 581 00:30:11,739 –> 00:30:13,079 and we’ve talked about the what 582 00:30:13,079 –> 00:30:14,020 here’s the how 583 00:30:14,020 –> 00:30:16,359 and you might like to turn to one last scripture reference 584 00:30:16,599 –> 00:30:19,300 and that’s to 2 Corinthians 9 585 00:30:19,300 –> 00:30:22,180 everything you need to know about the practicalities of giving 586 00:30:22,180 –> 00:30:23,680 right here in this chapter 587 00:30:23,680 –> 00:30:26,140 2 Corinthians and chapter 9 588 00:30:26,140 –> 00:30:28,560 how are we going to make giving then 589 00:30:30,560 –> 00:30:32,859 not a kind of mechanical process but an act of worship 590 00:30:32,859 –> 00:30:35,380 first step, decide 591 00:30:35,380 –> 00:30:37,579 2 Corinthians 9 and verse 7 592 00:30:37,579 –> 00:30:43,339 each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give 593 00:30:44,339 –> 00:30:47,219 so when we’ve understood the why and the what of giving 594 00:30:47,219 –> 00:30:48,699 its time to make a decision 595 00:30:48,699 –> 00:30:52,880 decide in your heart what you want to give 596 00:30:52,880 –> 00:30:55,619 that will be the first step towards you making 597 00:30:55,619 –> 00:30:57,979 the offering, your offering 598 00:30:57,979 –> 00:31:01,060 an expression of worship 599 00:31:01,060 –> 00:31:03,900 don’t wait till the plate comes round 600 00:31:03,900 –> 00:31:05,520 and then have a dig in your pocket 601 00:31:05,520 –> 00:31:06,660 and see what happens to be there 602 00:31:06,660 –> 00:31:07,880 that’s not worship 603 00:31:07,880 –> 00:31:10,160 that’s what you do when you finish a meal in a restaurant 604 00:31:10,160 –> 00:31:12,199 you want to give a tip to the waiter or the waitress 605 00:31:13,180 –> 00:31:15,680 that’s not worship 606 00:31:15,680 –> 00:31:17,560 now this is something to think about at home 607 00:31:17,560 –> 00:31:20,380 this is something to think about when the checked book is out 608 00:31:20,380 –> 00:31:22,780 this is something to think about when we’re talking about 609 00:31:22,780 –> 00:31:25,540 planning budgets for the family and so forth 610 00:31:25,540 –> 00:31:28,280 and if it’s 10% you’ve decided to give 611 00:31:28,280 –> 00:31:31,119 then give it 612 00:31:31,119 –> 00:31:32,560 maybe you’ve been doing that for some years 613 00:31:32,560 –> 00:31:33,640 and one year you’ll decide 614 00:31:33,640 –> 00:31:36,280 hey God’s been abundantly good to us 615 00:31:36,280 –> 00:31:39,839 let’s make it 12% 616 00:31:39,839 –> 00:31:41,199 maybe God has blessed you in such a way 617 00:31:41,199 –> 00:31:43,680 that you could make it 20% 618 00:31:43,680 –> 00:31:45,939 maybe there will be a year where you could make it 50% 619 00:31:45,939 –> 00:31:50,359 but make a decision and then give 620 00:31:50,359 –> 00:31:51,699 what you’ve decided to give 621 00:31:51,699 –> 00:31:53,219 it’s never too early to start 622 00:31:53,219 –> 00:31:54,880 this is an area in which parents can help 623 00:31:54,880 –> 00:31:56,260 even young children 624 00:31:56,260 –> 00:31:58,839 to get a grasp of this dimension 625 00:31:58,839 –> 00:32:01,599 of expressing our love and our worship to God 626 00:32:01,599 –> 00:32:03,180 remember as a very small child 627 00:32:03,180 –> 00:32:04,719 being given a couple of coins 628 00:32:04,719 –> 00:32:06,420 what would have been the equivalent I guess 629 00:32:06,420 –> 00:32:09,420 of a quarter and a nickel 630 00:32:09,780 –> 00:32:11,199 and being given them on a Saturday 631 00:32:12,199 –> 00:32:15,280 and one of them was to be my giving 632 00:32:15,839 –> 00:32:17,260 i earned it by doing some chores 633 00:32:17,260 –> 00:32:19,280 and brought it to church on Sunday morning 634 00:32:19,280 –> 00:32:20,180 it’s a great thing 635 00:32:20,180 –> 00:32:21,380 don’t just give the children something 636 00:32:21,380 –> 00:32:23,160 to put on their plate on Sunday morning 637 00:32:23,160 –> 00:32:26,540 let it something they have a sense that they have earned 638 00:32:26,540 –> 00:32:29,079 let it be something that they are able to give 639 00:32:29,079 –> 00:32:32,079 teach the concept of deciding 640 00:32:32,079 –> 00:32:33,619 what is to be given to God 641 00:32:33,619 –> 00:32:36,520 and what is to be used for another purpose 642 00:32:37,479 –> 00:32:39,040 if you give by direct debit 643 00:32:39,040 –> 00:32:40,739 by the way tell your children you do that 644 00:32:40,739 –> 00:32:41,199 explain it 645 00:32:41,319 –> 00:32:42,880 i don’t know how you explain that to children 646 00:32:42,880 –> 00:32:45,099 but work out a way of explaining it 647 00:32:45,099 –> 00:32:48,280 let it be clear that Jesus being a Lord over your money 648 00:32:48,280 –> 00:32:50,560 is a very important part 649 00:32:51,380 –> 00:32:52,819 of the Christian life 650 00:32:53,699 –> 00:32:55,819 and then not only decide but enjoy 651 00:32:55,819 –> 00:32:57,180 look at what He says here 652 00:32:57,180 –> 00:32:59,719 you’re to give what you’ve decided to give 653 00:32:59,719 –> 00:33:02,119 not reluctantly or under compulsion 654 00:33:03,319 –> 00:33:05,459 for God loves a cheerful giver 655 00:33:06,319 –> 00:33:08,920 the word reluctantly literally means out of grief 656 00:33:09,680 –> 00:33:12,199 if you’re going to feel it’s a pain to give, don’t give 657 00:33:13,800 –> 00:33:15,880 because God loves the giving that comes 658 00:33:15,880 –> 00:33:17,420 not out of compulsion 659 00:33:17,420 –> 00:33:20,099 not out of manipulative emotional appeals 660 00:33:20,400 –> 00:33:23,400 but out of a heart that has been touched by His grace 661 00:33:23,400 –> 00:33:25,380 and sees that this is worship 662 00:33:27,000 –> 00:33:28,760 God loves a cheerful giver 663 00:33:28,880 –> 00:33:31,459 literally that word cheerful means 664 00:33:31,459 –> 00:33:32,739 literally translated 665 00:33:33,260 –> 00:33:34,680 hilarious 666 00:33:35,459 –> 00:33:38,819 it means the laughing giver 667 00:33:39,439 –> 00:33:40,739 it’s a wonderful picture 668 00:33:40,959 –> 00:33:41,479 and 669 00:33:42,520 –> 00:33:45,020 you know why giving is hilarious? 670 00:33:45,900 –> 00:33:47,079 because when you give 671 00:33:48,180 –> 00:33:50,420 you dethrone the other God 672 00:33:50,880 –> 00:33:53,760 and isn’t it great to see the other God’s power fall? 673 00:33:54,420 –> 00:33:58,020 isn’t it great to break the strangle hold by giving? 674 00:33:58,280 –> 00:33:59,760 there’s joy here 675 00:33:59,760 –> 00:34:03,239 it’s an evidence of the grace of God in a person’s life 676 00:34:04,219 –> 00:34:06,040 remember the Berlin wall coming down 677 00:34:06,040 –> 00:34:07,719 the emotion and the joy of that 678 00:34:08,000 –> 00:34:10,320 remember young guys with sledgehammers 679 00:34:10,479 –> 00:34:12,860 weighing into this hated wall 680 00:34:13,479 –> 00:34:16,540 breaking through to people they love on the other side 681 00:34:16,540 –> 00:34:18,719 and have been kept for for years 682 00:34:19,000 –> 00:34:21,300 see, that’s a wonderful picture of giving 683 00:34:22,159 –> 00:34:25,500 it takes down the barrier between you and God 684 00:34:25,739 –> 00:34:29,260 it breaks the stranglehold of an oppressive power 685 00:34:29,500 –> 00:34:33,060 it strikes a blow for freedom in your soul 686 00:34:33,399 –> 00:34:38,840 God loves the laughing-giver who sees the joy of what’s really going on 687 00:34:39,179 –> 00:34:40,699 when giving 688 00:34:41,060 –> 00:34:44,840 becomes worship and by the way, that’s why we have music when we give 689 00:34:45,239 –> 00:34:48,459 and it should always be joyful music, triumphant music 690 00:34:48,520 –> 00:34:49,860 beautiful music 691 00:34:49,919 –> 00:34:55,060 because it strikes a blow for the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives 692 00:34:56,500 –> 00:34:59,300 one of the joys of being in Chad at the end of last year 693 00:34:59,320 –> 00:35:01,340 one of the poorest countries in the world 694 00:35:01,479 –> 00:35:03,620 was to see the offering on Sunday morning 695 00:35:03,620 –> 00:35:05,659 people had almost nothing 696 00:35:06,419 –> 00:35:09,139 and yet, this was the most joyful part of the service 697 00:35:09,139 –> 00:35:10,879 they would come up one by one 698 00:35:10,879 –> 00:35:13,040 there was this large offering box at the front 699 00:35:13,040 –> 00:35:14,899 they would dance their way up there 700 00:35:14,899 –> 00:35:16,679 you never saw such joy 701 00:35:19,479 –> 00:35:21,280 then lastly, anticipate 702 00:35:21,280 –> 00:35:22,060 notice what he says 703 00:35:22,060 –> 00:35:24,620 God is able to make all grace abound to you 704 00:35:24,620 –> 00:35:27,899 so that in all things at all times, having all you need 705 00:35:28,239 –> 00:35:30,479 you will abound in every good work 706 00:35:30,639 –> 00:35:31,639 as you give 707 00:35:33,219 –> 00:35:36,040 watch what God will do in your life 708 00:35:36,040 –> 00:35:38,379 watch how he will change your heart 709 00:35:38,979 –> 00:35:41,300 watch how he will provide for you 710 00:35:42,739 –> 00:35:45,739 I think we do need to be careful about teaching that implies 711 00:35:45,739 –> 00:35:48,199 that giving is a kind of way of growing rich 712 00:35:49,500 –> 00:35:51,639 but God is nobody’s debtor 713 00:35:52,540 –> 00:35:55,100 and when you give yourself to God 714 00:35:55,639 –> 00:35:59,159 watch what he does in you and through you 715 00:35:59,919 –> 00:36:00,959 as a result 716 00:36:02,320 –> 00:36:06,159 you will never regret what you gave as worship to Jesus, never 717 00:36:06,560 –> 00:36:10,600 you never come to the end of your life and wish that you had given less 718 00:36:12,719 –> 00:36:14,360 my friend Ray Pritchard 719 00:36:14,879 –> 00:36:17,760 tells a story about Maxie Jarman 720 00:36:18,439 –> 00:36:20,959 an internationally known Christian businessman 721 00:36:21,100 –> 00:36:25,040 during his heyday he gave away millions and millions of dollars 722 00:36:25,419 –> 00:36:27,560 he built churches around the world 723 00:36:27,699 –> 00:36:30,840 he gave generously to all kinds of Christian causes 724 00:36:31,000 –> 00:36:34,199 and then he experienced a personal financial disaster 725 00:36:34,280 –> 00:36:37,820 he lost his company, he lost most of his personal fortunes 726 00:36:38,979 –> 00:36:42,020 and during the darkest days of his financial crunch 727 00:36:43,239 –> 00:36:45,959 a friend asked him if he now regretted 728 00:36:46,500 –> 00:36:47,860 the millions 729 00:36:48,620 –> 00:36:51,060 that he had given away over the years 730 00:36:52,100 –> 00:36:53,600 and this is what Jarman said 731 00:36:54,699 –> 00:36:55,659 not at all 732 00:36:56,620 –> 00:36:59,820 I only lost what I kept 733 00:37:00,699 –> 00:37:01,860 for myself 734 00:37:03,360 –> 00:37:04,580 let’s pray together shall we 735 00:37:08,679 –> 00:37:11,179 Father thank you for what it means 736 00:37:12,419 –> 00:37:15,820 to have the spirit of God living within us 737 00:37:19,379 –> 00:37:22,580 to be brought from the childhood in which 738 00:37:22,899 –> 00:37:27,060 we were given a set of rules to the maturity in which we’re given trust and responsibility 739 00:37:30,580 –> 00:37:38,659 create within us in increasing measure the heart that so values your grace and has so been touched 740 00:37:40,580 –> 00:37:43,459 that we want to bring the whole of life 741 00:37:44,659 –> 00:37:46,820 under the lordship of Jesus Christ 742 00:37:48,659 –> 00:37:52,260 and even at the end of this service we want to be able to 743 00:37:52,739 –> 00:38:03,300 conclude with an act of self-giving to you take my life! and let it be consecrated! 744 00:38:04,179 –> 00:38:17,780 dear lord to the for these things we ask in Jesus name, Amen