“Fiscal Faithfulness”
Every Christian serious about a deeper walk with God and greater impact in our world must incorporate some disciplines indented to increase capacity for a deeper walk as a way of life.
One such discipline has to do with personal sacrifice. Someone estimate that 17% of what Jesus said related to wealth and money. Scripture boldly addresses issues related to money – perhaps more than many other subjects. Its mention would at least rank in the top ten most addressed topics of the Bible. Paul clearly warned of its destructive power.
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:7-10
Jesus drew clear lines when it comes to money.
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24
The only way to prevent money from capturing our heart is to become stewards rather than owners. We need to become conduits rather than consumers. We need to be motivated by grace not greed. The only way to do that is to develop a healthy habit of giving.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
We are reluctant to give sacrificially because we have not discovered the treasure. Where are you storing your treasure?
I.Benefits of Faithful giving
A. Develops and demonstrates devotion to God.
B. Provides for eternity and binds the heart to eternal concerns
C. Releases the heart to fully serve God.
D. Brings satisfying eternal reward now and later.
E. Develops unity among believers
F. Reflects the giving nature of our Heavenly Father
Understanding the benefits of faithful regular giving is only a part of embracing the discipline.
We need to know and embrace some basic Biblical fundamental financial principles.
II.General Financial Principles
A. Proper approach to Wealth
1. Realize that all wealth belongs to God
"But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18
It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it. Proverbs 10:22
2.Invest in eternal pursuits.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21
storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. 1 Tim. 6:19
"But God said to him, ’You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ "So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:20-21
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3
3.Be contentment
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philip. 4:12-13
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1 Tim. 6:7-9
Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," Hebrews 13:5
4.Share with those in need
Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need. Ephes. 4:28
We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 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? 1 John 3:16-17
B.Poisonous approach to wealth
1.Don’t trust it
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. Proverbs 11:28
Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds;
For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. Proverbs 27:23-24
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 1 Tim. 6:17
2.Don’t desire to have it or love it. 1 Tim 6:9-10; Ecc 5:10; Pro 23:4-5
Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. Pr 23:4-5
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. Eccles. 5:10
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. 1 Tim. 6:9-10
III. Principles of Gaining Resources
A. Sources of supply
1.Work
In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it. Proverbs 13:11
He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. Proverbs 28:19
"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Ezekiel 16:49
Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need. Ephes. 4:28
2.Gifts and Inheritance
Adversity pursues sinners, but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Prov 13:21-22
House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14
And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; Philip. 4:15
3.Investment Returns
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up. Prov 21:20
She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16
’Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Matthew 25:27
B.Sources of suspension
1.Discipline
•Wrong view of wealth (see above)
•Stinginess or greed
There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. Proverbs 11:24-26
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Col. 3:5
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? 1 John 3:17
•Over-indulgence
He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich. Prov 21:17
Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.Prov 23:20-21
•Get rich quick schemes
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it. Proverbs 13:11
The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:19-20
•Sexual impurity
Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,
Lest you give your vigor to others, and your years to the cruel one;
Lest strangers be filled with your strength, and your hard-earned goods go to the house of an alien; Proverbs 5:8-10
•Giving to the rich
He who oppresses the poor to make much for himself or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Proverbs 22:16
•Failure to give to the poor
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. Prv 14:31
He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed. Pro19:17
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13
•Usury
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury, gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. Prov 28:8
•Laziness
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 10:4
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape. Proverbs 19:5
Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food. Proverbs 20:13
Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. Proverbs 23:20-21
2.Direction
3.Deeper Devotion and faith
IV.Principles of Giving resources
A. Motivation for giving (Why should we give?)
1.Sacrificial giving develops and demonstrates devotion to God.
2.Sacrificial giving to the eternal binds the heart to the eternal.
3. Sacrificial giving releases the heart to be fully devoted to serve God.
4.Sacrificial investment brings eternal reward now and later.
5.Sacrificial giving develops unity among believers
6.Sacrificial giving reflects that nature of God
B.Ministers of giving (Who should give?)
"When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 6:2
"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ’It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ " Acts 20:35
On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. 1 Cor. 16:2
Answer? Everyone!
C.Material (What are we to give?)
1.Give the best of ourselves
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1
… but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 2 Cor. 8:5
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philip. 2:4
2.Give the best of our resources
"You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. Deut. 14:22
in order that they might bring the first fruits of our ground and the first fruits of all the fruit of every tree to the house of the LORD annually, Neh. 10:35
Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; Proverbs 3:9
D. Measure (How much should I give?)
1.Pre-Law Pattern
a)Required giving (Taxed by Egypt)
b)Freewill offerings
2.OT Law Pattern
a)Required giving
(Tithe-Regular, Fesitival, Poor; gleaning laws, Temple tax, Sabbath=23%)
b)Freewill oferings over and above the tithe
(1)Firstfruits Pr 3:9
(2)Liberally and generously Prov 11:25
(3)Willingly Ex 25:2; 35:29; 36:7
(4)Proportionally Deut 16:16-17
3.NT Grace Pattern
a) Required giving (Taxes Rom 13:6)
b)Freewill offerings
(1)Give purposefully as determined in one’s heart
Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7
For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, 2 Cor. 8:3
Where there is an emphasis on the letter of the law and appeasing a frightening God, the heart focuses on doing only what is necessary to appease God. Where there is an emphasis on the spirit of the law and pleasing a loving Father, the heart focuses on doing everything possible to bring delight to His heart. Giving should be the heart response to a living relationship with God.
If He asks us to give 10%, we willingly and cheerfully give that. If He instructs us to give 50% we willingly and cheerfully give that. Many in Scripture gave sacrificially out of deep gratitude and devotion to God. Zaccheus gave 50%. The Widow gave 100%.
If God asks 30% and we are only give because someone told us he is happy with 10%, are not only disobedient but miss the blessing God had in store by asking 30%.
The issue is not how much we should be giving him but how much he allows us to keep for ourselves.
(2)Give sacrificially
that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 2 Cor. 8:2-4
And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
(3)Give proportionally
On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. 1 Cor. 16:2
For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Cor. 8:12
(4)Give generously
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. 2 Cor. 9:6
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 1 Tim. 6:18
(5)Give consistently
And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
E.Manner (How should we give?)
1.Right attitudes
a)Cheerfully
Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7
b)Willingly
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly. 1 Chron. 29:9
Willingly I will sacrifice to Thee; I will give thanks to Thy name, O LORD, for it is good. Psalm 54:6
2.Responsible Action
a)Secretly
"But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Matthew 6:3-4
b)Faithfully
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. "If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? Luke 16:10-11
c)Consistently
On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. 1 Cor. 16:2
F. Mission (To whom do we give?)
1.Parents
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you. Exodus 20:12
And He answered and said to them, "And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? "For God said, ’HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ and, ’HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH.’ "But you say, ’Whoever shall say to his father or mother, "Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God," he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
’This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.
’But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ " Matthew 15:3-9
but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 1 Tim. 5:4
2.Primary ministry of spiritual nourishment
Old Testament “tithe” was utilized for the main worship center.
And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Galatians 6:6-7
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 1 Tim. 5:17
If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you? If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share with the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. 1 Cor. 9:11-14
3.Other ministries
Collections were taken for other churches and individual believers
Missions, ministries, sources of encouragement.
4.Individual needy believers
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Romans 12:13
Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need. Ephes. 4:28
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? 1 John 3:17
5.The needy of the world
"If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks. "Beware, lest there is a base thought in your heart, saying, ’The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you. "You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ’You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’ Deut. 15:7-11
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. Pro 14:31
He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed. Proverbs 19:17
He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. Proverbs 22:9
And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:12-14
Conclusion
Failure to practice regular giving reveals a great deal.
•We are not fully devoted to God.
•Our hearts are focused on the temporal rather than the eternal.
•We have limited access to spiritual resources.
•We have forfeited future blessing and reward.
•We are not connected to other believers.
•We are poor examples of God’s true nature.
What are we willing to sacrifice for the surpassing value of really knowing Christ?
Moses willingly sacrificed all the treasure of Egypt.
Jesus became poor that we might become rich.
Paul considered everything garbage compared to knowing Christ.
A starting place is to establish a habit of regular giving that reflects the nature of true New Testament giving.
