Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#35]
JERUSALEM- AS YOU GIVE
Matthew 23:37
Introduction:
We are continuing in our Series about the most mentioned City in the Bible- Jerusalem.
Matthew 23:37
I have said several times through the years that I do not preach and teach on just the giving of your money; so when I reached this passage I thought about skipping it. Of course, the Lord did not let me do that. I was praying about this, and I remembered something that happened to me over 30 years ago.
I remembered this song that I had used in a Kid’s Christmas musical when I was the Worship Minister at Mountain View Baptist Church in Albuquerque, NM. I had a Kid’s Choir of 16 kids, 12 of which were all from 1 family. Those were the 12 meanest kids from the worst home life that I had ever encountered. Those little kids had lice, dirty clothes, a terrible odor, nasty mouths, etc… This simple kid’s song started ringing in my ears- “What Can I Give Him?” I remember those little kids singing this song at Hoffmantown Baptist Church in a concert. In the largest Church in Albuquerque, amongst some of the richest people in town; these poor little kids sang this song from their hearts while I cried. As a 20 year old man, those little children taught me about giving that night.
“What Can I Give Him?”
What can I give Him poor as I am
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man I would do my part
Yet what can I give Him
Give Him my heart
Mark 12:35-40
As you give, remember…
1. Who you are giving to.
Jesus asked the question, “How could the Lord be the Son of David when David was praying and trusting in Him”? We serve an eternal God who created all things. As we give of our time, money, work, etc… it should always be given to the Lord. Everything we do is, “As unto the Lord”. The people had forgotten who they were giving to. They had forgotten whom they were worshipping. I fear that God’s people have once again forgotten who we are giving to. Before you give an offering, I pray that you remember who you are giving to.
Mark 12:41-44
As you give, remember…
2. Why you are giving.
As Jesus was sitting with His Disciples, He pointed out to them people’s behavior as they were giving of their tithes. He pointed out the pompous behavior of the religious and those who considered themselves important. With all of that, He pointed out a poor widow who gave all she had. She didn’t have much to give; but she gave it all to God whom she loved with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Conclusion:
Years later, I saw one of those bad little kids and she recalled that night at that big Church. I asked her why she started singing that song that night and she said she remembered standing in that huge Church with the new dress the church had got her. She said it was the 1st time someone had ever given her something. She said she remembered how nice it was to have clean hair which had been done by 1 of the college girls that helped them get ready. She said as I stood there all I could think was, “These people did such nice things for me because they love Jesus and I wish there was something I could give Jesus to show Him how much I loved Him”.
That night after the program was over, I did not see those kids again until that day that I saw this young lady. They had snuck out of town, and no one knew where they had gone. As I stood there looking at this young lady who was obviously different, she said 1 last thing- “Shawn, that night after we sang, I went home to craziness. Everyone was quickly packing up and getting ready to leave; but for me it was the best night ever because I gave my heart to Jesus; and I just wanted to let you know that what you and that little Baptist Church did for us kids made a difference. Remember what we are doing.
