The Joy in Giving To God
1. Philippians 4:15-19
2. Mark 12:41-44
Psalm 138
The book of Philippians was written for two reasons. First of all it was written as a letter of Paul’s expression of joy. The Christian life is to be filled with joy. In this letter Paul expressed joy in numerous situations. Second the book of Philippians is a thank you letter for the gift – the offering that the Philippians gave – as they supported Paul’s ministry. Paul wrote to the Philippians to thank them for the gift they had sent him. Follow along as I read our text for today:
Philippians 4:15-19
“Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
The Old Testament has way more commands about financial giving – who, when, and how much – than the New Testament. Maybe the New Testament writers just assumed that as God had given far more to us in the New Testament – giving Himself to death – that our giving should follow fairly logically and easily. But, just in case we might miss the link, there are clear New Testament commands also
(1 Corinthians 1:2). As all of God’s commands are given to enhance our lives, obeying this command will increase our happiness.
1. Giving makes me become more like Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Jesus was a great giver.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
The most Christ-like thing you can do is give. Jesus was a giver – He was sacrificial. To give is to become more Christ-like.
Illustration
“A father gave his little girl two dollars and said, “You can do anything you want with one of the dollars, but the other dollar belongs to God.”With joy she ran to the candy store. On the way she tripped and one dollar fell into the storm drain. She got up and said, “Well Lord, there goes your dollar.”
2. Giving is an INVESTMENT (Philippians 4:15)
When the Philippian church gave Paul said:
“No church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
When you give financially it does not mean that God will bless you financially in this world. Don’t think that because you give money – God will bless you with money. Could God bless you with money – yes. Will He bless you with money – that is up to God – but I do know that He expects us to be cheerful givers. I also know that God pays attention to your giving.
Illustration
A man was lost in the desert, and dying of thirst, when suddenly, he stumbled upon an old shack. Right next to it was a rusty old water pump. He crawled over to it, grabbed the handle, and started pumping up and down. But there was no water. Then he noticed a jug of water with a note saying, "My friend, don't drink this water. You must first prime the pump with the water in the jug. P.S. And don't forget to fill the jug again before you leave." The man was uncertain what to do. He was so thirsty, and if he drank the water he might survive for at least a little longer. But if he poured it into the pump, what if nothing happened? On the other hand, it might give him all the water he needed later. He considered his position. Should he take a risk and pour the water into the pump, or drink what was in the jug and ignore its message? Hesitantly, he poured all the water into the pump. Then he grasped the handle and started pumping. Nothing happened! He tried again. Finally, a little dribble of water spurted out, then a thin flow, and then it began to pour out of the pump! He excitedly filled the jug and drank the life-giving water. After he had finished drinking, he filled the jug for the next traveller, and added this little note: "Trust me, this actually works."
[Luke 6:38] “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Mark 12:41-44)
The Bible has a story in Mark I want us to look at:
“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
God pays attention to what we do. He is recording anything and everything. Every-time you give something it is recorded in heaven.
A cup of cold water given in Jesus’ name is written down. Every time you’re generous with your family, your church, your friends, unbelievers, anybody – God knows it. He sees it all – and God will bless you because of your giving.
3. Giving is a SACRIFICE (Philippians 4:18)
Paul said:
“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
The most pleasing thing you can do for God is to give sacrificially. Jesus was a total sacrificial giver. When you are most like Christ, you are sacrificial in your giving. You are generous and it pleases God. A sacrificial giver is a beautiful person. They view giving as an act of worship. They give to honor God. God loves it when we give as an act of worship.
(Matthew 10:42)
Matthew says:
“Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
Illustration
A successful businessman gave his taxi driver a miserly tip. The driver complained, "Yesterday, I gave your son a ride in my cab and he gave me ten times as much as much as that!" "My son has a rich father," the businessman replied. "I don't!"
Conclusion
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
