A-Z of Boldness
Bold with our Finances
"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."
Luke 21:1-4
The past several weeks we have been discusing the A-Z of Boldness. Last week we discussed being bold in our example. We looked at a scripture in 1 Timothy where Paul instructs Timothy to be an example of the believer in word (speach), in conversattion (in Conduct), in charity (love), in spirit (enthusiasm), in faith (continuing to grow, and in purity (living holy lives). This week we will look at something else that we should show boldness with and it is a topic no one likes to discuss, We are going to look at being Bold in the faith with our Finances! That right we will talk this morning about money. Now I want you to keep in mind that this is not about bragging about what you give.In Matthew 6 Jesus tells us that we should give our alms in secret if we do it for the attention of men we have received our reward. But, if we do it in secret out Father in heaven knows and He will reward us. Being bold has to do with courage not arrogance. This morning we will look at Luke chapter 21 verses 1-4. Luke records for us what Jesus says regarding what He sees when the people are giving at the temple. There are many who give out of thier abundance, but a widow gives in her lack. That is Boldness with ones Finances.
1.Boldness in our Finances is a matter of TRUST
Being bold with our finances is amtter of learning to trust God. In Proverbs 3:5,6 it says "5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." It is easy to trust God in matters beyond our control, but not so easy with those things we think we can control.
A lot of people give when they think they can afforf to. That does not take trusting God. Trusting God is giving when you don't think you can afford to!
2. Boldness in Finances goes beyond the TITHE.
Joke: man and his girl friend at a football game- after all it's only a quarter. (A man took his girlfriend to a football game. She knew nothing of the game, but thought she would catch on, and so did he. When halftime came, he asked her what she thought of the game, to which she replied,"Well there certainly is alot of action but I don't understand what the fuss is all about" What do you mean? Well the whole time I kept hearing the players and the fans yelling,"get the quarterback!" I mean what's the big deal about a quarter?)
The tithe is an old testament command given by God . The tithe means one tenth. In the old testament this was an expected offering given to the church to care for it's priest, musiciians, and caretakers of the teemple. Israel struggled just as the modern church does with this principal. Malachi spoke to Israel concerning this matter in Chapter 3 of his prophecie. It is recorded for us in verses 8-10."8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." The tithe is the bare minimum we should give to God. Do you rob God? If you give less than ten percent of your income you do! That is certainly not being BOLD!
3. Boldness in our Finances is a way of giving THANKS
Do you believe that all things belong to God? If you do this has to include the Finances He has entrusted you with. Whhen we us eHis money for His glory we are showing our thanks.We don't give away our money but His! In 1 Corinthians 16 Paul writes concerning the giving to the church, "1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality (or gift) unto Jerusalem." In 2 Corinythians 9 Paul writes to the church and lets them know how they should give. "6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
Generousity witth Gods Money brings Reward Luke 6:38 is a record of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus says "38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
The widow in our story gave much more than a tenth as we should also. Do you believe that God has provided for you abundantly, beyond what we deserve. I do! Philippians 4:19 syas "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
We receive a blessing when we give away what God has given to us. The founder of Caterpillar R.G. LeTourneau was achristian that believed in giving away what God gave to him. As his business increased so did his giving . At the end of his life he had been giving away ninety percent and living on ten.
Joke: Man who vowed to give ten percent but it was costing him too much!
The Boldness we spoke of today is not an arrogant bragging of how much we give but courage to give more than we think we have! Do you trust God? Prove it be BOLD with your Finances!
