Text: Matthew 7:9-12
Title: Good gifts!
Series: The Giving Church
Topic: Giving
Occasion: Burnside Christian Church, June 1st, 2008
Proposition: The desire to give used to be part of our God given nature! Let’s look at 4 reasons we give!
Introduction: This month, our focus will turn to giving! Today, we are going to be taking up a special offering to help one of our missions that we support. Saint Louis Christian College. If you don’t know anything about S.L.C.C. then take a few minutes to read up on the institution.
Now when people usually think of giving…one subject comes to mind: MONEY!
But Money is only one area that we have the privilege of giving. As our posted indicates, there are four areas in which we can give. I can give my money, my time, my talents and my love.
Think of these four areas: Time, Money, Talents, Love. Which is the easiest for you to give? Which is the hardest? Is there more than one that is tough?
Today sermon title is:
Good Gifts!
It’s based on our text which will be Matthew 7:9-12
Please turn there. And we’ll get ready to read these verses.
Our verse come to us in the middle of Jesus’ only recorded sermon.
Matthew 7:9-12
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
(Can I go off on a little bit of a rabbit trail? Is that ok with you?
Verse 11 says that we are evil? I’m evil? The word evil = pawn-ay-ros literally means: causing or having labor, sorrow or pain; hence evil or malignant. It’s the same word used in verse 17 & 18 that is translated “bad”. Therefore, original sin (being born evil) can not be! At one time, even a ’bad tree’ (vs. 18) was at one time good. Something along the way during the life of that tree, causes it to be “bad” or “evil”. The fruit then therefore is corrupt and rotten too.)
12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
How interesting it is that this “golden rule” comes to us in the context of giving!
T.S.: Today, I want to explore the reasons we give…WHY DO I GIVE???
This is the MAIN REASON I GIVE! Jot this down because all giving happens in the context of this main POINT.
I GIVE BECAUSE I’M CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE!!!!
As you read back in Genesis, God looks at how He should create man and decides that man is to be made in HIS image! Something that separates humans from the rest of God’s creation. Giving is part of God’s nature! So when God made you and made me in His image, he created us to want to give! That’s why it makes you feel good when you genuinely give. Because you are doing what you were made to do! (Ephesians 2:10) As we look over these four points, just keep in mind, that the #1 reason you give, is because you were created in God’s image! Ok…having said that,
Lets get right in to our sermon
REASON #1...
1. You give because there is a need.
A. The need is great!!!
--Overwhelming needs
Where to begin? As you live your life and as you look around, it is easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated because there are simply a lot of needs out there! It all the time seems as though someone is asking for your money, or asking you to do something for them.
Or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum. Maybe you are oblivious to the needs that exist! There are certainly global needs that are out there. But I want to share with you some needs we have here at our own church.
We have financial needs - we have a large budget. That budget depends on you and your family to give your tithes and offerings each week. The only debt we have currently is the money we owe on our new addition. We desperately want and need to get that paid off. Did you know that you can give to the building fund at any time? All you have to do is write a check and in the memo put “Building fund” and that money will go to pay off our building debt.
At Burnside we have visionary leadership with big dreams on reaching people for Christ. Those dreams (in order to become reality) will require money. We have always trusted that God will provide. Let me let you in on a little secret. God provides through YOU! And thankfully, you have been generous. We’ve never let money stand in the way of where we believe God is leading. And I pray we never will.
We have spiritual needs - There is all the time a need for teachers. Sunday school, Jr. Church, VBS. If you want to help teach in this area, see Brigham or Jamie Pettit.
There is a need for men to give Communion and offering meditations. If you are interested in helping out, see Rick Dixon!
We have physical needs - Did you know that we have a benevolence team? Doug Jacob is in charge of our benevolence team. They give food and money to those in dire straits in the community! They have been known to help families pay unforeseen medical bills, high utility bills, as well as give food to families that can’t afford it. You can always donate canned goods to the benevolence team. You can always give money to the benevolence team to help them reach out to the community!!
B. YOU can make a difference. (maybe not for everyone…but for someone!)
--The need is great! And YOU can make a difference!
Give to the need!!!!
It would be impossible to know how many lives have been forever changed or impacted by the generosity of you here at Burnside. I would like to know the answer to that question, but I’m afraid I must wait until heaven!
But I know I’m thankful for the generous giving of so many that has made our trip to Mexico possible. I know of at least 11 lives that will be changed as a result of that trip! And that doesn’t even count the orphans or the people from Mexico. That’s just our group!
THANK YOU FOR GIVING WHENEVER YOU SEE A NEED!
Why do I give? Reason #2.
2. You give because you want to.
A. You won’t find “because you have to” as a reason that I am listing today…
--If you EVER give TIME, LOVE, MONEY OR TALENTS because you HAVE to…then you haven’t really given. You paid! We don’t say: Well, I gave my taxes this year. Or, I gave them $20,000 for a new car. Criminals don’t do community service because they are so giving…THEY SERVE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO!!! Associated with those things is an OBLIGATION! Not giving! It’s payment! You pay money because you HAVE to. You serve your time because you have to!
B. God wants people to give because they want to!
2 Cor. 9:7
7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
When you are asked to serve at the church, do you be-grudgingly say yes only to go home and complain to your spouse? “well you’re never going to believe what I got roped into…”
--Decide on your own!
Prepare to give! That’s the message Paul is preaching to the Corinthians. You will find that you have much more joy when you have all ready decided that this is what you’ll give! That’s true in finances, that’s true in serving with time and talents, that’s true in giving love! Decide in your heart ahead of time!
Reason #3:
3. You give because you can.
A. You’ve been blessed!
--Look at all you’ve got!
You’ve got money. America is the 6th richest country in the world with a per capita income of $48,000.
You’ve got talent. Man! Do you have talent! I know a lot of you worked on Brig and Jamie’s house. Wayne Caparoon has spent too many hours to count getting things just right. He’s a talented carpenter. He gives his talent because he can! I was there to tear stuff up. THAT I can do. J
You’ve got time. Some of you are busy. No doubts about that. But I love the fact that even with today’s busy schedule, there are those of you who take time to serve! Praise God! And may God continue to bless you for your priorities!
You’ve got love!
It’s within your power to help those who need help!
B. So be a blessing!
ILLUSTRATION: I received an email yesterday from Dave Ramsey that in the subject it had said: “Stop telling your church to give!” So naturally that caught my attention. When I opened up the email, it read: “Start TEACHING your church how to give!”
Dave Ramsey is a finance guy. Basically he instructs people how to handle their money. The reason he instructs people on how to handle money is so that they can be a blessing with the wealth they will have accumulated!
If you have the desire to give but don’t…it’s probably because you can’t because you yourself are in financial straits! But maybe you can learn to give!
Reason #4:
4. You give because you care.
A. Compassion always leads to giving
Without compassion, you will drive right on by the “will work for food” guy every single time!
--Jesus’ example
Matthew 9:36 NIV • Read this chapter
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 14:14 NIV • Read this chapter
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 15:32 NIV • Read this chapter
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
Matthew 20:34 NIV • Read this chapter
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
What do these verses have in common? Each time, Jesus had compassion and it led Him to react! Jesus gave time, love, food, healing and help!
The word compassion means: to be moved within, to feel the bowels yearn!
PLEASE UNDERSTAND: Compassion comes from God!
1 John 3:17
But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
Why should I care?
Because they won’t care about HIM (Jesus) unless we care about THEM. Another way of saying it: They won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
B. How can I care?
--Get to know the people you’re helping!
When you form relationships with people you will care if something happens to them.
CONCLUSION: As we look over these principles…did you notice something? Each one of these is a reason that not only do we give, but reasons as to why God gave. John 3:16 “For God so love the world that He gave Jesus.”
1. God gave because there was a need - You and I are sinners who deserve nothing but hell! There was certainly a need for God to give Jesus! For we would not get to heaven if it were not for God’s generous gift in the form of Jesus.
2. because He wanted to - God gave us Jesus not because He had to. But because He wanted to! No one forces God to do anything He doesn’t want to do.
3. Because He could - God had the means to offer salvation. So He did! There is nothing God can’t do!
4. and because He cared! - God’s compassion upon an unsaved world MOVED Him to act in a powerful and unique way!
God gave because that’s part of who He is! God created you in His image. God created YOU to give!
Won’t you give.
An elderly man was desperately ill. Knowing the time for his departure was near, he called for his closest friends to come see him one last time. Attending him were his doctor, his preacher and his accountant. The old man said, “I know you can’t take it with you, but who knows for sure? What if the experts are mistaken? I want to account for all possibilities. So I’m giving you each an envelope containing $100,000 cash. When I die, I want you each to slip the envelope in my jacket pocket at the funeral service. Then, if I do need money in the life to come, I’ll be ready. And I’m giving the envelopes to you because you are my most trusted friends.” Shortly thereafter, the man did die. Each of his three friends was seen slipping something into the deceased’s coat pocket as he walked up to the casket to pay his final respects. Following the service, while these friends were visiting with each other, the doctor, with a sheepish look on his face, said, “Guys, I have a confession to make. You know with the cost of medicine today, I don’t make that much money. The hospital is desperate for funds. We can’t even replace the CAT scan machine that’s broken down. So, I took $20,000 for the new CAT scan and put the rest in the coffin.” The minister cleared his throat and looked down at his shoes. He said, “I, too, have a confession to make. As you know, our church is seriously overburdened by the needs of the homeless. I couldn’t just see burying that money. So, in hopes of helping the homeless, I took $50,000 out of the envelope and put the rest in his pocket.” Looking sternly at the doctor and the minister, the businessman exclaimed, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I am astonished and deeply disappointed that you would treat a solemn trust so casually. He was our friend. I want you to know that I placed in his casket my personal check for the full $100,000.”
GIVE IT WHILE YOU’RE ALIVE! You can’t take it with you. When you die, it’s too late! You are created in Christ Jesus…to do good works! And giving is part of those good works! Give of your time. Give of your money. Give of your talents. Give love!
We come now to our time of decision!
