Download 9:6–15 // The Whole Story#41

“Multiplying in Every Way” // 2 Cor.
9:6–15 // The Whole Story #41
Election:
Well,notsureifyouheard,buttherewasanelectionTuesday…
LikemanyAmericans,thenextmorning,Iwokeupalittledazedand
confused.IsatdowntoreadmyBible,asItrytodofirstthingevery
morning,andtheassignedpassageforthedaywas1Peter3,andI
readthisverse:“Finally,allofyou,haveunityofmind,sympathy,
brotherlylove,atenderheart,andahumblemind.”(1Peter3:8ESV).
Thatversespoke3wordstome,thatIwanttopassontoyouthat
oughttoshapeourpostureinthedaysahead:
• ThefirstwordisEMPATHY:Regardlessofwhichwayyouvoted,
weneedtofeelempathyforthosewhoareworriedorfearful
rightnow.
o Evenifyouagreewithcertainotherofhispolicies,you
havetoacknowledgethatourPresident-electhas
throughouthislifesaidsomerepulsiveandindefensible
things.
§ Andifwearefilledwithsympathy,brotherlylove
andatenderheart,wearegoingtofeelthepain
andconcernthatcausestoourbrothersandsisters
inChrist,andstandwiththemagainstthosethings.
o ToourAfricanAmericanbrothersandsisters,Iwantto
saythatwewillcontinuetofightwithyouagainstracism,
discriminationandinjusticewhereverweencounterit—
whetheronthepersonalorsystemiclevels.
o Towomen,Iwanttosaythatyouaretreasuredand
honored,noteverytobedefinedasortreatedlikesexual
objects,butratherasbelovedsisters.
o ToourHispanicbrothersandsisters,werecognizethat
youaremadeintheimageofGodjustlikeweare,andwe
•
•
willinsistthatyoubetreatedwiththesamedignityand
respectthatanyofuswouldwanttoreceive.
o ToMuslims,Iwanttosay,webelieveyouarefullandfree
citizensoftheUnitedStates,justlikewetherestofus,
anddeservingofallthesamerightsandprivilegesasevery
lastoneofus.
o Empathy…
ThesecondwordisCHARITY.Weneedtoassumethebest,
whereverwecan,aboutthosewhoareontheoppositesidesof
theaislefromus.
o Wetendtoassumethebestaboutourownintentions,
andtheworstaboutthosewhodisagreewithus.
o Ihaveheardthemostawfulmotivesattributedthis
week—bypeopleonbothsides—tothosewhovoted
differentlythantheydid.
o GivetobrothersandsistersinChristthesamebenefitof
thedoubtthatyouwantthemtogiveyouonyourmotives.
o Isn’tthattheGoldenRule—Dountoothers…giveunto
others…
o Sure,youcanchallengesomeoftheirconclusions,justas
theycanchallengeyours.Butyoucandosowhilegiving
themthebenefitofthedoubt.
o Wehaveanirresponsiblemediathatthrivesoncreating
controversyanddivisionthroughinflammatoryrhetoric
andsensational,exaggeratedcaricatures.Rejectthat
narrative.
o WhenasiblinginChristvotesadifferentwaythanyou,
choosetobelievethebetternarrativeaboutwhythey
mighthavedoneso.
o Aboveall,thismeanslisteningtoeachotherduringthis
time.ThathastobewhatPetermeansby“brotherlylove
andahumblemind.”
Finally,forallyou—theSummitChurch,thewordFOCUS:
o WhenPetertellsustopossess“unityofmind,”heis
pointingtothefactthatwehaveamissiongreaterand
moreunifyingthanpolitics:Ourmissiondidn’tchange
o
o
o
o
withtheoutcomeoftheelection.Itwouldn’thave
changedhadSecretaryClintonbeenelected.
WhoeversitsonthethroneinWashington,ourfocusison
theKingwhositsonthethroneinheaven,andour
commissionistopreachhisgospeltotheendsofthe
earth.
Ourunityisfoundinsomethingwehaveincommonin
Jesusthatrunsdeeperthananyofourdivisionsinpolitics,
and
Oursharedgospelmissionisfarmoresignificantthanany
politicalrealignment.
§ 10,000yearsfromnow,whenAmericanandallher
presidentsareanobscurefootnoteintheannalsof
history,thekingdomofJesusandthesoulshe
savedwillgoonforever.
Listen,asafriendofminesaidrecently,“Ifyouaremore
concernedwithwhowonorlostthiselectionthanyou
aresoulsbeingsaved,you’reprobablyacitizenofthe
wrongkingdom.”
Canwepray?HolySpirit,helpustobless,notcurse;respond,not
react;offerhope,nothype;showuptounderstand,nottofix.1
(Transition to Sermon)
WeareinaseriescalledTheWholeStory,inwhichwe’retakinga
yeartogothroughthewholestoryofthewholeBible.
• ForthefirsthalfoftheyearwewalkedthroughtheOTtotellthe
storyofthecomingofJesus—howGodhadpromisedtosenda
Saviortoreversethecurseofman’ssinandrestorewhatwehad
destroyed.
o Wesawhowinstoryafterstory,pictureafterpicture,and
prophecyafterprophecy—morethan300inall—God
foretoldthecomingofJesus.
1
WordingofthatlastprayerbyScottyWardSmith
•
•
ThenwewalkedthroughtheNewTestament,showinghowthis
promisedMessiah,Jesus,came,livedthesinlesslifeweshould
havelivedanddiedthedeathweshouldhavedied—asinner’s
death,ourdeath,andnowofferssalvationtoallwhowillreceive
it.
Hethenascendedtoheavenafterformingus,thechurch,and
commissioningustocarrythisgospeltothewholeworld.He
wantseverytribeandtongueunderheaventohearandbelieve
thisgospel.
Now,we’vecometothatpartofthestorythattalksaboutourrole
inthespreadofthegospel.
• LastweekIshowedyouhowtolistentotheSpiritofGodand
discoverhisspecificpurposesforyourlife.
• Thisweek,we’relookingatanattitudePaulwantsustofosterin
ourlives—thatappliestoourfinances,yes,butconcernsmuch
morethanthat.It’sabouthowweshouldviewourwholelives.
Checkoutthisstory.VIDEO:MikeandSharonFreeman2
SharonembodiesaspiritthatPaulcallsthe“cheerfulgiver.”
• ThewordPaulactuallyusesis‘hilaros.’WegetourEnglishword
“hilarious”fromthatword.
o Paulprobablydoesn’tmeanthatwesnickerandgetthe
giggleswhentheofferingplategoesby…buttheword
doescommunicateapersonwhojustlovestogive.
• Ithink,deepdown,that’saspiritweallwant.
• Haven’tyoubeenaroundsomeonebeforewhowasjustso
selfless,sokind,sogenerouswithoutathought—andyou
thought,“Iwanttobelikethat!”
• Thispassageshowsyouhow.2Cor9
2
SUMMARY:They'veseenGoddoamazingthingsthroughtheirgenerosityovertheyears.Theystartedalongtimeago
whentheyhadverylittleandhavecontinuedtobefaithfulandGodhasprovidedabundantly.ThroughAll-InGod
broughtthemtoapointofgivinganumberthattheyneverthoughttheycoulddoanditopenedupthishilariouslevelof
generositywheretheyliterallyweresayingyestoeveryrequest.Sharonwasconcernedthatgivingsomuchawaywould
limithowmuchshecouldpassontoherfourkidsintheirinheritanceandtheLordspoketoherandsaidjustasyouare
proudofyourkidsforbeinggenerous,don'tyouthinkyourkidswillbeproudofyou!)
Now,theelephantintheroom.
Irealizethatwheneverwetalkaboutgenerosity,peoplegetas
nervous,asmygrandpausedtosay,asalong-tailedcatinaroomfull
ofrockingchairs.
• Itkindofremindsmeofthesexeducationtalkyougotatschool
inthe8thgrade.Rememberthatthing?Ineverwantedtotalk
aboutitbutCoachYokelylookedatmerightintheeyesand
madesureIwasawareofeverylittledetail.DidIneedtoknowit?
yes.Wereweallthebetterforit?Probably.DoIwantitto
happenagain?Never.
Peoplegetnervousbecausetheyfeellikethisdiscussionleadstoa
guilttripwhereItrytogetyourmoney.Iwanttoremovethatfear,if
Ican.
• LikeItoldyoulastweek,westartfromtheassumptionthatGod
doesn’thaveneeds.
o Heusesourgiftsashismeanstoworkinourlivesandin
theworld,buthedoesn’thaveneeds.
o Hedeservesourfirstandourbest,andhecallsustouse
ourresourcesfortheworldlikeJesususedhisforus.
§ That’sdifferentthansayinghehasneeds.
o Thus,thisismoreofanissueofdiscipleshipthan
fundraising…thisisabouthowyouandIrespondtothe
gospel.
o WhichiswhyIoftensayifyoucan’tgetovermetalking
aboutit,likeI’mmanipulatingyou—maybeyouhadabad
experienceorsomething,I’daskthatyouapplythistruth
bygivingratheryouapplyitbygivingsomewhereelse.
§ I’dratheryoulearntobegenerousandgive
somewhereelsethanforyoutouseabad
experienceorsuspicionofuskeepyoufromgoing
downthispathofdiscipleship.
§ Ourchurchisagroupofpeoplewhoarevery
committedtothemission,webelieve—onedaywe
•
hopeyou’lljoinus,butitisapurelyvoluntary
thing.
WhichleadsmetothesecondthingIwantyouemphasizeaswe
getstarted:Godtellsusin2Cor9thatwhathelovesisacheerful
giver.**Eachonemustgiveashehasdecidedinhisheart,not
reluctantlyorundercompulsion,forGodlovesacheerfulgiver.(2
Corinthians9:7)
o Balloonsstory(useballoons)
o Paulwantspeoplewhofeellikethat.Whodon’tneeda
givingseriesoracommitmentcardoraspecialemphasis…
notpeoplewhobecomegenerousforaseasonin
responsetoasermon,butgenerousforalifetimein
responsetothegospel
Thatwhat2Cor8–9isabout…so2Cor8ifyouhaveyourBible…
10
AndinthismatterIgivemyjudgment:thisbenefitsyou,whoayear
agostartednotonlytodothisworkbutalsotodesiretodoit.11So
nowfinishdoingitaswell,sothatyourreadinessindesiringitmaybe
matchedbyyourcompletingitoutofwhatyouhave.
• He’stalkingabouttheCorinthianscompletinganofferingthey
committedtoayearago.Soprettyapropostowhereweare.
• AyearagowelaidoutwherewethoughttheHolySpiritwas
takingusasachurch,and5000householdscommittedtobea
partofitinthisMultiplyInitiative.
• ThingshavegoneEXTREMELYwell,andweareevenaheadof
wherewehadhopedwewouldbe.We’rebuildingnewcampuses
downinSouth-Cary/Apex,andanew1600seatfacilityinN.
Raleigh.
• Atthesametime,wehavesensedGodopeningsomenewdoors
forus—forexample,buildingpermanentcampusforNDurham,
andwehaveactiveleadsonpermanentcitesforourAlamance
CountyandChapelHillcampuses…aswellastheopportunityto
open2newcampusesintheprisonshere…sowearerenewing
ourselvestothis.
Hesayssomestuffinchapter8we’llcomebackto,butlet’sgoto
chapter9.9:8,AndGodisabletomakeallgraceaboundtoyou,so
thathavingallsufficiencyinallthingsatalltimes,youmayaboundin
everygoodwork.
Again,notice,whenPaulstartshisconversationaboutgenerosity,he
doesn’tstartwithaneedthatGodhas,butwithagraceGodwantsto
give.
SoI’llsayitagain:Godisnotshortonmoney.Hedoesn’tstartthis
conversationfromneed.
• OneofmyfavoriteshortstoriesintheNTiswherePeteris
worriedaboutataxbillandJesussendshimfishingandhe
catchesafishwithagoldcoininhismouth…thisforeverremoves
theideathattheministryhasfinancialneedsJesuscan’tfulfill.He
canmakeuscatchfishwithgoldgrillsforthecompletionofhis
mission.
• So,Goddoesn’tneedmoney,butthegivingofhispeopleisthe
meansbywhichhepursueshismissiononearth.It’sthemeansby
whichhereleaseshisabundance.
o Bestbiblicalexample:5loavesand2fish.Goddidn’t
“need”5loavesand2fish.Whatifhe’donlyhad1fishand
2loavesofbread?Sameoutcome.Hecouldhavedonethe
samewithabreadcrumbandafishfin.
o Hedidn’tneedit.Hemultiplieditbecauseitwasoffered
insurrenderandfaith.
o That’swhywesaythisisanissueofdiscipleship.Ithas
nothingtodowiththeamountofmoneyyoubring.The
pointisthatyouplaceallofitinthehandsofJesus.
o Ourgoalisthat100%ofpeoplehereparticipate—from
theyoungesttotheoldest,therichesttothepoorest,
fromthosewhoarebrandnewinChristtothosewhoare
mostmature—notbecausetheymeetthefinancialgoals
ofthechurch,butbecausetheyaretruedisciplesofJesus!
Obedienceinthisalsothemeansbywhich,Paulsays,Godmultiplies
graceintheirlives.It’showtheycanabound.
• BeforeIshowyouhow,letmemakesureyouseethat:Mostof
usthinkgenerosityissomethingGodwantsfromus;accordingto
Paulitissomethinghewantsforus.
• Weareworriedaboutwhatwewillhavetogiveup,butPaultalks
intermsofwhatGodwantsustogain.
Here’showitworks:(10)Hewhosuppliesseedtothesowerand
breadforfoodwillsupplyandmultiplyyourseedforsowingand
increasetheharvestofyourrighteousness.[11]Youwillbeenriched
ineverywaytobegenerousineveryway...
Acoupleofthingstonoteherefromvs.11.Firstofall,whatdoes“in
everyway”mean?
• Doeshemeanfinancial?Asin,ifyougive,Godwillincreaseyou
financially?Yes,thatisincludedintheword“every.”Everyisa
big,expansiveword.
o It’sapromiserepeatedthroughoutScripture:“Honorthe
LORDwithyourwealthandwiththefirstfruitsofallyour
produce;thenyourbarnswillbefilledwithplenty,and
yourvatswillbeburstingwithwine.”Grapejuiceforyou
Baptists.(Proverbs3:9–10)
• Sodoeshemeanfinancial?Yes.Butdoesheonlymeanfinancial,
here,asifthisisnothingbutaninvestmentprogram?No,“in
everyway.”
o Theimageofsowinghereisareallyilluminatingone.
Whatyouharvestissowingisoftenquitedifferentinits
looktowhatyouplant.3Youeverseenapeachseed?It’s
thishard,uglythingyou’dneverwanttoeat,itlookslikea
ratbrain—fromitcomesthistreewithlusciousfruits.
• Moneyislikeaseedyouplantthatharvestsinmultiplefruits
muchbetterthanitself.Whatarethoseotherthings?
o SometimesitisGreatercontentment
3
TimKeller,“ThePowerofGenerosity,”2Corinthians8:8-15,9:6-12
Manyhavesaidthatthesecrettoahappylifeis
nothavingallyouwant,butwantingwhatyou
have
§ Paulsays,“Godlinesswithcontentmentisgreat
gain.”1Tim6:6Thegreatestgainiscontentment!
§ OneofthethingsGoddoesinyourlifeasyougive
isworkcontentmentinyourheart.
• Myfamilyhasseenthat.Whenmywife
andIgive,wefindthatwegrowreally
contentwithwhatwehaveleft.
• Onthecontrary,it’swhenwedon’tgive
generouslywealwaysfindourselves
wantingmore.
o IncreasedlovefortheKingdomofGod
§ C.S.Lewissaid,“Wealthhasawayofknittinga
man’shearttothisworld.”Andthat’saterrible
curse.GivingisthewayGodcreatesagreaterlove
forthekingdomofGodinourhearts.
§ Jesussaiditthisway:“Whereyourtreasureis,
thereyourheartwillbealso.”Matthew6:21
• Puttingyourtreasureinaplaceactually
makesyoubegintolovethatmore!
• That’snothardtounderstand.Ionceknew
aguywholovedUNC,butthenhis
daughterwenttoDuke—70Kayear.Aftera
while,hestartedcheeringforthemDevils.
Why?Becausewhenyouaregiving70Ka
yeartosomeone,yourheartgoeswithit.
§ Soifyouwanttoloveheavenmore,ifyouwantto
lovethegospelmore,givesacrificiallyandwatch
howittransformsyourheart!
o I’veheardpeoplesaythatgivingcanreallyClarifyyour
purpose.Italkedtooneguytheotherday,inhis50’s,who
saidthathespentthefirstpartofhislifetryingtogather
andsave—hewasalreadyaChristian,andhealways
thoughthewasdoingitforhiskids—buthesaiditwas
§
onlyashegavesacrificiallythathebegantodiscoverareal
senseofpurposeinlife.
o GivingproducesinyouaMorelovingheart.
§ Stinginessshrinksyourheart.Itbreedsisolation.
Givingopensyouup,andanopenheartisamuch
happierheart.
ThesearejustsomethethingsGodenrichesyouwith—makesyou
aboundin—whenyouaregenerous.Youendupbeinglikethatlittle
boywhogavethe5loavesand2fish.
• Thestoryisthatafteritwasallsaidanddonetheytookbackup
12basketsfull.Youcan’ttellmethislittleboydidnotgettotake
homeatleastoneofthosebaskets.Imaginebeingthislittleboy
walkingbackintohishouse.
• HeleftwithaLevitelunchable,aHebrewhotpocket;hereturned
homewithTabernacletailgatespecialthatJesuscreatedthrough
spontaneousgeneration!
Secondobservationfromvs.11.Accordingtothatverse,whydoes
Godincreaseyou*financially?[11]Youwillbeenrichedineveryway
tobegenerousineveryway...
• Listen:Goddoesn’tbegrudgewhathehasgivenyou…
o Butwithhisblessingcomesanassignment.
§ Withgreatpowercomesgreatresponsibility(I
don’tthinkthatisintheBible.Ithinkitisaquote
fromSpiderman,butit’sstilltrue.)
o TheBibleversion:Towhommuchisgiven,muchis
required.
• Therearebasicallytwowaystolookatyourresources,that
revealalotaboutyourmaturity.
o Onewayiswhereyouthink,“Mylifebelongstome.I
shouldgivesomeofmystufftoGod.”HowmuchdoIhave
togivetoGod?It’slikeatax.
§ That’sveryimmature;itshowsyouhavebarely
beguntheprocessofdiscipleship.
•
•
o ThematureChristiansays,“Father,itallbelongstoyou.
I’mnottheownerofit;it’syoursandI’mthestewardofit.
Sure,Igettoenjoysomeofit.Butmygiftsandtalentsand
timeandresourcesweregiventomeforyourkingdom.
§ I’vehearditdescribedlikeafinancialadvisor…you
getacheckfor$800,000)
o Whenthatchangeoccurs,you’llstopasking,“Howmuch
doIhavetogive?”Andyou’llstartasking,“WhatamInot
givingandwhy?”
o Lotsofdimensionsofspiritualmaturityoccurgradually;
thischangehappensallatonce.Yousuddenlyrealizeyou
arenotanownerofanythingyouhave—yourtime,your
talent,oryourtreasures.
Letmesaysomethingveryserious.Everysingleoneofyou
listeningtomerightnowareapartoftherichest2%ofpeoplein
theworld.
o Withthatprosperitycomestheresponsibilitytouseitfor
hiskingdom.
o Andwhenheblessesyouthroughoutyourlife,hedoesso,
sothatyoucanmultiplyitforhiskingdom!
o Greaterfinancialcapacityoughtnotjusttoleadtoan
increaseinyourstandardofliving,buttoincreaseyour
standardofgivingaswell.(Notmerelytheamountinyour
check,butI’dsaythepercentageaswell.)
IsthatwhatyouaredoingwiththeblessingGodhasgivenyou?
o Yousay,“Well,I’mnotreallythatwealthyyet.”
o Well,letmeaskyouthisquestion:“Basedonwhatyou’re
doingwithwhatGodhasgivenyousofar,ifyouwereGod,
wouldyougiveyoumoremoney?”
Infact,Paulshowsusthatwhenwedon’tlivethisway,itactuallyhas
anegativeeffectonus.Youhavethechoiceofenteringtheblessing
ofmultiplication,oracurse(noneutralground).Let’sgobackto
chapter8now.8:12,“…itisacceptableaccordingtowhataperson
has,notaccordingtowhathedoesnothave.13ForIdonotmeanthat
othersshouldbeeasedandyouburdened,butthatasamatterof
fairness14yourabundanceatthepresenttimeshouldsupplytheir
need,sothattheirabundancemaysupplyyourneed,thattheremay
befairness.15Asitiswritten,“Whoevergatheredmuchhadnothing
leftover,andwhoevergatheredlittlehadnolack.”
• Thisisareferencetothestoryofmanna,Exodus16:
o ThechildrenofIsraelwereinaplacewheretheycouldn’t
providefoodforthemselves.So,everynight,God
miraculouslyraineddownthisstuffcalled“manna”from
heaven.(Manna=man’hu,whichmeansliterally,in
Hebrew,“Whattheheckisit?”–Basedonthedescription,
seemstobealikeamixbetweenaTwinkieandaprotein
bar).
o Oneoftherules:Theycouldnottakeawayfromthere
morethanwhatafamilywouldneedforoneday,andif
theydid,thenextdayitwouldrotandruinyourtent.
o Asymbol.Whenyouhoardtheexcess,ithasrottingeffect
onyoursoul.
• Thereisnothingwrongwithsavingforthefuture.
o Buttherecomesapointinwhichthat’swhatyoutrustin.
Andthatrotsyoursoul.
o Howdoyouknowyou’vegottentothatpoint?Whenyou
saveextravagantlybutdon’tgiveextravagantly—when
yousavemoreextravagantlythanyougive.
• Thereisnothingwrongwithbuyingnicethings.
o Buttherecomesapointatwhichthosenicethingsare
whatyoumostdelightin,whatyoumostfindyouridentity
in.(Thenewtoybringsyouthemostpleasureinlife;
drivingthenicecarorwearingthenicestclothes
establishesyouridentity.)
o Andthatrotsyoursoul.
o Howdoyouknowyou’vegottentothatpoint?Youspend
extravagantly,butdon’tgiveextravagantly.Whenyou
spendmoreextravagantlythanyougive.
Again,youhavethechoiceoftheblessingofmultiplication,orthe
curseofrotting!Noneutralground.
InMatthew6,whereJesustalksmostextensivelyaboutmoney,he
says,*“Youcannotlove(love,trustordependon)Godandmoney.”
Matthew6:24(Onlyplaceheputstwothingsindirectcontrastlike
that!Ifyoulovetheone,youwillhatetheother.Doyoulovemoney?)
• Hethensays,“Considerthebirds.”“Considertheflowers.”
• 2personalitytypes
• Thenheendsthatdiscussionthisway:“Butseekfirstthekingdom
ofGodandhisrighteousness,andallthesethingswillbeaddedto
you.
o Givegenerositythelargestpartofyourlife.Yourfirstand
yourbest.
§ It’snotthatyoudon’talsohaveroominyourlife
forthoseotherthings—saving,somenicethings—
butthefirstandbestgotoGod.
§ Lastyear:CainandAbel
§ Debt.Needs.Retirement.
o Everybodygivestheirfirstandtheirbesttosomething.
Whatdoesyoursgoto?Yourlifestyle?Yoursavings?Give
yourfirstandyourbesttoGod.
• ThenIlovethis:Thereforedonotbeanxiousabouttomorrow,for
tomorrowwillbeanxiousforitself.Sufficientforthedayisitsown
trouble.”(Matthew6:33–34)
o Don’tworryabouttomorrow.Why,Jesus?Because
tomorrowhasalotofproblems.Butthat’sexactlywhatI
wasworriedaboutwithtomorrow!
o Tomorrowhasalotofproblems,buttomorrowalsohas
thepresenceoftheSavior.God,withhisnever-ending
supplyofmanna,willbetheretomorrow,too.
Thisunderstandingishowyoubecomejoyfulingiving.
Hecontinues…yourgenerosity,…whichthroughuswillproduce
thanksgivingtoGod.(2Cor9:14)
• Paulsays,“Oneofthewaysyoubecomeajoyfulgiveristhatyou
seethethanksgivingtoGodthatyourgivingproduces!
o Igotaletterfromagirlinourchurchthisweek:familyhas
come,gotreallyinvolvedingiving.Shewroteaboutthe
effectthattheirgenerosityishavingontheirkids:“A
coupleofweeksago,ourthree-yearolddaughter,who
hadseensomeofheroldersiblingsgetbaptized,asked
me,“WhenIgetbath-tized(B-A-T-H),canIwearmy
floaties?”
§ Sheexplainedthatassheandherhusbandgave
gotteninvolvedinthechurch,she’sseenherkids
gettingbaptized.
§ Sheisclear,Godisnotsavingmykidsbecausewe
gave,butourapproachinlifeisreapingeternal
dividendsinthem,andthatmakesherjoyful.
o Recently,Igotaletterfromaguywholivedoutonthe
WestCoastwhotalkedabouttheimpactourchurch’s
onlineministryhadhadonhim.Hesaid,I’vestruggled
withSSAformanyyears,andIjustdidn’tknowwhereto
turn.SomeweretellingmetoforsakeJesusandpursuemy
lifestyle,andthenIheardwhatyoualltaughtatthe
SummitChurch,anditwaslikewaterinthedeserttomy
soul.
§ HesaidintheministryIfoundgraceandtruth.The
truthaboutwhatGod’swordsaid,thegracethat
hehadneverstoppedlovingmeevenasI
struggled,andneverwould.
§ Hewrote,“TheSummitChurch’sministryhas
changedmylife.Thisisnounderstatementeither.
ThroughthemercyofChristandtheministryofthe
Summit,IheardforthefirsttimethatIwasloved
andacceptedbyGod.Iwasattemptingto“Goand
sinnomore,”sothatImightbelovedandaccepted
byGod,insteadofhearingGod’stendervoice
speakingHisgreatloveovermewhenhesaid
throughJesus,“NeitherdoIcondemnyou;nowgo
andsinnomore…Thankyou,thankyou,thank
you!Youhavehelpedme—amanwhohasbeen
•
hidingunderneathyearsofgreatshameand
feelingsofdisqualificationbythechurchbecause
ofmytemptations—findnewlifeandhopeinthe
gospelofourSaviorJesusChrist.”
§ Bestpartofthestory,3weeksago,heshowedup
atourSaturdaynightservice.Hehadtraveledall
thewayacrosscountryjusttocometocomeand
say“Thankyou.”
o Oneoftheprisonersweministerto…
§ Committedmurderandmultiplecountsof
robbery.Inforlife.18years.
§ Readfromletter.
§ “Ohyeah,you’recomplaining.Youcan’tgivethat
10%.”
o Sincewere-launchedastheSummitChurch15yearsago,
wehavebaptizedover5400people.Alotofthosewere1st
timeprofessionsoffaith,andpeoplelikethese.
o Lastyear,throughmembersoftheSummitlivingoverseas,
3,964peopleheardthegospel,562peoplebecame
believers,and386werebaptized.
§ ThisistheJOYwegiveto.
Sacrificeisgivingupwhatyouloveforsomethingyouloveeven
more!
o Iusedtoteachpeopleifyouwanttoknowhowmuchto
give,“Giveuntilithurts.”IheardRickWarrensay,“Ifyou
areonlygivinguntilithurts,you’veneverfoundthejoyin
givingGodwantsyoutohave.Don’tgiveuntilithurts;give
untilitfeelsgood!”
o Untilthejoyofwhatyouaregivingtoreplacesthepainof
whatyouaregivingup.
AtsomepointIhopeyourealizethefutilityofalltheotherthings
youspendmoneyon.
• NotlongagoIwasatthisretreatwhereIwasaskedtoconsider
whohadthebiggestimpactonmeintermsofgenerosity.
•
o MomandDad:about16whenIrealized—thatcouldbe
mine!
o ButtheygavemethelegacyoflovingthekingdomofGod,
alegacymorevaluablethanahotnewcarthatprobably
wouldhavejustspoiledme,andIprobablywouldjust
havewreckedanyway.
o Theywouldalwaystellme:Money,can’ttakeitwithyou.
Onlyonelifetolivewillsoonbepast
VandIthinkabouthowtopassthisontoourkids.We’revery
publicwiththem.Wesetasideasmallamounteachmonthjustto
begeneroustopeopleweknow,andwediscussasafamilywho
togivethatto.
Fortheministryofthisserviceisnotonlysupplyingtheneedsofthe
saintsbutisalsooverflowinginmanythanksgivingstoGod.Summit,
lotsofpeoplehavegottensavedbecauseofyourgenerosity.There
aremanymorewhowillbeaffectedbyyourfuturegenerosity.By
theirapprovalofthisservice,theywillglorifyGodbecauseofyour
submissionthatcomesfromyourconfessionofthegospelofChrist
(Thereitis—2elementsPaulsumsupgivingasaresponsetothe
gospel,obediencetotheHolySpirit).
Vs.15,Paulbringsthissectionofhislettertoaclose:Thanksbeto
Godforhisinexpressiblegift!”
• Thisiswheretheballoonreallyfillstothepointofpopping.
o RecentlyIwaswithRickWarren—maybethemostfamous
pastorofAmerican.HesaidthateveryyearForbesputout
alistofthe100richest.Everyonewascompetingtogeton
thelist.Buttheywereabysmalatgiving.Hechallenged
theeditorswhopublishalistalongsideofit,the100most
generous.Hesaidthat’swhenalltheseguysstartedtotry
andoutdoeachother,becausetheywantedtobeonboth
lists.
• Christianshaveadifferent,primarymotivation—nottogetona
listinamagazine,butbecauseJesusshedhisbloodtoputuson
thelistofthoseincludedintheLamb’sbookoflife.
•
•
•
•
Ireadalotofleadershipbooksthatraisethequestion:What’s
morepowerful?Thecarrotorthestick?
o Ialwaysthink—there’ssomethingmorepowerfulthan
both,andthatisthegospel,whichisthatGodtookthe
stick,beatJesus,andhandedyouthecarrot.
What’sthemainwayIcanmotivateyouingenerosity?
o Isitwiththestick?Makeyoufeelguilty?Baptists.
o Isitwiththecarrot?Godwillmakeyourich!Alotofmore
Pentecostalchurchesdothat.
o Paulturnsneithertoguiltorgreedashisprimary
motivator,butgrace.
WherewouldwebewithoutJesus’generosity?Thesameplace
millionsofpeopleintheworldarewithoutyours,sinceit
wouldn’tmatterifJesusdied1000timesifnooneeverheard
aboutit.
SorememberthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,thatthoughhe
wasrich,yetforyoursakehebecamepoor,sothatyoubyhis
povertymightbecomerich.(2Corinthians8:9)
Whereweare:
• Thecard:3groups
ThequestionIsendyououtwith:HowhasGodprosperedyou?Are
youusingitforhisglory?
• TheEnglishBible-WilliamTyndale&HumphreyMonmouth:In
the1500sanEnglishmannamedWilliamTyndalewantedto
translatetheBiblefromtheoriginalGreekandHebrewinto
English.For1,000yearstheBiblehadbeenlockedinLatin,but
mostEnglishmencouldn’treadLatinandthereforedidnotknow
theBible.Tyndalewantedtochangethat.Hewantedhis
countrymentomeettheGodoftheBible,aGodtheyhadheard
aboutbutneverknown.TheproblemwasBibletranslationwas
illegal;youcouldbekilledforit.ButGodintervenedthrougha
godlybusinessmannamedHumphreyMonmouth.Monmouth
protectedTyndale,heprovidedforhim,andheevenusedhis
merchantshipstosmugglethefirstEnglishNewTestaments
•
throughoutEngland.Veryfewpeoplehaveeverheardof
Monmouth,buthispartnershipwithTyndalechangedtheworld.4
Notwealthy?Goddoesn’thaveneeds.Hewantsobediencefrom
allofus.100%participation.Areyoufaithfultobeapart?
4
Astoldinthebook,GospelPatrons:PeopleWhoseGenerosity
ChangedtheWorld,byJohnRinehart.
Bullpen:
o Manyofus,aswehavestartedtoage,havethoughtabout
retirementportfolios.Retirement.Eternityisalotlonger!
Everychurch,everyChristian:Multiplyordie:Everychurchonthe
earthislivinginoneof3stages:risktaking,care-taking,or
undertaking.
• • There’sathingcalledthe“Prosperitygospel.”GivetoGod,and
he’llgivebacktoyou.It’strue.Youcan’toutgiveGod.Whatis
getswrongisthepurposeforwhichGodmultipliesyou.He
multipliesyousoyoucanmultiplyblessingintheworld.
o Hemultipliesyounotsoyoucanincreaseyourstandardof
living,butsoyoucanincreaseyourstandardofgiving.
• Jesustalkedalotaboutmoney.Here’swhy.Itshowswhoareyou
livingfor.
LotsofaspectsofChristianmaturitygrowovertime,butthereisat
leastoneI’veseenthathappensallatonce,andthatisthe
understandingofwhoyourstuffbelongstoandwhoorwhatitisfor.
(1Cor5–8isacompilationofwhathastobethemostawkward
thingstotalkaboutinchurch—In1Cor5,Paulencouragesthechurch
togetaguystopsleepingwithhismom(andsomescholarssay‘stepmom,’butstill,whenyoucallhermomandtakehertotheprom,it’s
bad);1Cor6isaboutwhyit’sbadtomessaroundwithprostitutes;1
Cor7isaboutwhysinglenessisbetterthanmarriage;andnowin1
Cor8Paultalksaboutanoffering.)It’snowonderhewrotetheseina
letter.Andthoseofyouwhothinktheearlychurchwasperfectand
thesewerethe“goodolddays,”farfromit.)
• •
“Wedon’twantthedecisionwiththecardtobeanemotional
andrashdecisionforyounextweek.That’swhywe’rebringing
thisupagainandagain.It’ssoyoucangoonthisjourneywith
God,soyou’recominginhereprepared.”Soyoudon’tdonext
weekwhatyouguysdidwiththeelectionthisTuesday…you
walkedinthereandmadeupyourmindatthelastminute.
(SometimesIhaveanoutlineIwanttotalkthrough.Sometimes,Ijust
wanttoreadtheBiblewithyou.Todayisthatday.
8:8
Isaythisnotasacommand,buttoprovebytheearnestnessof
othersthatyourlovealsoisgenuine.9Foryouknowthegraceofour
LordJesusChrist,thatthoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakehe
becamepoor,sothatyoubyhispovertymightbecomerich.10Andin
thismatterIgivemyjudgment:thisbenefitsyou,whoayearago
startednotonlytodothisworkbutalsotodesiretodoit.11Sonow
finishdoingitaswell,sothatyourreadinessindesiringitmaybe
matchedbyyourcompletingitoutofwhatyouhave.12Forifthe
readinessisthere,itisacceptableaccordingtowhatapersonhas,not
accordingtowhathedoesnothave.13ForIdonotmeanthatothers
shouldbeeasedandyouburdened,butthatasamatterof
fairness14yourabundanceatthepresenttimeshouldsupplytheir
need,sothattheirabundancemaysupplyyourneed,thattheremay
befairness.15Asitiswritten,“Whoevergatheredmuchhadnothing
leftover,andwhoevergatheredlittlehadnolack.”
6
Thepointisthis:whoeversowssparinglywillalsoreapsparingly,
andwhoeversowsbountifullywillalsoreapbountifully.7Eachone
mustgiveashehasdecidedinhisheart,notreluctantlyorunder
compulsion,forGodlovesacheerfulgiver.8AndGodisabletomake
allgraceaboundtoyou,sothathavingallsufficiencyinallthingsatall
times,youmayaboundineverygoodwork.9Asitiswritten,“Hehas
distributedfreely,hehasgiventothepoor;hisrighteousnessendures
forever.”
Whygive?RickWarrenonForbes’listofrichestpeople
•
Keller:
•
§
§
“Theonewhogatheredmuchdidnothavetoomuchandtheone
whogatheredlittledidnothavetoolittle”(8:15).
o FromExodus16:ThechildrenofIsraelwerenotgoingto
beabletosupportthemselvesandcouldnotaccrue
enoughfood.SoGoddidamiracle.Oneoftherules:They
couldnottakeawayfromtheremorethanwhatafamily
wouldneedforonedaybecausethenextdayitwould
rot.
o Bylikeningyourmoneytomanna,Paulistellingyou:
§ Youneedtolearntolookatallthemoneyyou’ve
earnedasagiftfromGod:Therewaswork
involvedingatheringmanna,anditwascrucial
whenyougatheredittoshareitsoeveryonehad
whattheyneeded.
Yourhealthandyourabilityto“gather”areagiftfromGod.
Ifyoukeeptoomuchmoney,itwillrotyoursoul.5
§ Sohowdoesyourmoneycomeback?PaulquotesPsalm
112:9.Righteousnessmeansrightrelationships.Becausehe’s
scatteringhisgiftstothepoor,rightrelationshipsare
happening,povertyisbeinghealed,andfamiliesarebeingput
backtogetheragain.Yourgivingishealingtheworld—youare
supposedtogetreallyexcitedaboutthat!
McDonald:6
•
Thereare2kindsofgiving
5
TimKeller,“ThePowerofGenerosity,”2Corinthians8:8-15,9:6-12
6
JamesMacDonald,“ExaltingChristThroughGiving”,“God’sOnly
Agenda”Series
•
•
PaultalkingaboutthechurchofMacedoniaandCorinth
o Givingaccordingtomyability
§ Iwillgivesomemoney,butnotthemoneyIhave
anotherplanfor.
o Givingbeyondmyability
§ LookingtowhatGodhasgiventome,takingallI
have,andsomeIhaveanotherplanfor—Iam
trustingyouwithit,thatyouwillreplenishitand
provideaccordingly.
SomeChristiansthink,“Imightbeamidgetingiving,butI’ma
giantinlove!”Wecultivatethisnotionthatcertainelementsof
theChristianfaithcanlagwaybehind,butwecanstillbemature
Christians.
o Don’tthinkgivingisn’tpartofspiritualgrowth.Where
moneybecomeanidol,spiritualgrowthstops.
ThomasAquinas:“SummaTheologica”—hewastouringthe
VaticanwithPopeInnocent4th,andthepopewasshowinghimall
thegrandartifactsintheVatican.Thepopesaid,“Youknow,we
can’tsaylikePetersaid,‘silverandgold,haveInone.’”Thomas
saidtohim,“That’sright,andneithercanwesay,inthenameof
Jesus,standupandwalk.”Richeshadcome,andspiritualpower
hadgone.ThatisanindictmentofthechurchofNorthAmerica.
2Corinthians9:6–9
• Principle:(verse6)
o Godiswatchingwhatyougive,andGodisnotgoingtobe
indebttoanybody!
o Thosewhosowsparingly,reapsparingly.Thosewhosow
bountifully,reapbountifully.
• Plan:(verse7)
o Leteachpersongiveashepurposesinhisheart.It’sa
personaldecision.Prayaboutit.AskGodwhatyoushould
give.Anddoit.
• Promise:(verse8)
o Hewillmakesurethatheisneverindebttoyou.
•
BetterModel:Jesus(verse9cp.8:9)
o Hewhowasrichforyoursakesbecamepoor,sothatyou
throughhispovertymightbecomerich.
Joby Martin
•
•
•
Asapastor,I’mnotgoingtobeheldaccountableforhowmany
dollarsweraise,buthowmanydiscipleswemake.
WeseebothprovisionandprotectionfromtheLordhere.Thisis
howhelovesus.Somethingisgettingyourfirstandbest.Andthat
somethingcannotprovideandprotectyouasGodcan.
WebringtoGodourfirstandbestbecauseGodfirstlovedusby
givingushisbest.
Livingstone
“PeopletalkofthesacrificeIhavemadeinspendingsomuchofmy
lifeinAfrica.Canthatbecalledsacrificewhichissimplypaidbackas
asmallpartofthegreatdebtowingtoourGod,whichwecannever
repay?Isthatasacrificewhichbringsitsownrewardofhealthful
activity,theconsciousnessofdoinggood,peaceofmind,andbright
hopeofagloriousdestinyhereafter?
Awaywithsuchaword,suchaview,andsuchathought!Itis
emphaticallynosacrifice.Sayratheritisaprivilege.Anxiety,
sickness,sufferingordangernowandthen,withaforegoingofthe
commonconveniencesandcharitiesofthislife,maymakeuspause
andcausethespirittowaverandsink;butletthisonlybefora
moment.Allthesearenothingwhencomparedwiththeglorywhich
shallhereafterberevealedinandforus.Inevermadeasacrifice.Of
thisweoughtnottotalkwhenwerememberthegreatsacrificewhich
HemadewholeftHisFather’sthroneonhightogiveHimselfforus.”
Livingstone’sPrivateJournal:1851-53,ed.I.Schapera.(DiedMay1,
1873:buriedhisheartinAfrica)