STEWARDSHIP: GIVING AND FORGIVING
A: INTRODUCTION Galatians 6:1-10
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
For each one shall bear his own load.
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows that he will also reap.
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption but he who sows to the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we so not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
B. STRANGE IDEAS OF CHRISTIANS ABOUT MONEY
1. Mistake 1: They think "money" is evil. If they don’t think money is evil, many think that "things" are evil.
a. Genesis 1:31 - "God looked at everything He made and said, "Behold it is very good."
b. I Timothy 6:17 - "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." Note, God gave all things to enjoy, therefore all things are not evil.
2. Mistake 2: That material is separated from the spiritual life.
a. Luke 16:11 - "If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, (money) who will commit to your trust the true riches (the things of God)?"
The right use of things our money guarantees God will trust us and give us greater spiritual blessings.
C. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WORLDLY MAN AND THE SPIRITUAL MAN
a. The spiritual=use giving money as an opportunity
The worldly=use as an obligation.
b. Galatians 6:10 - "So then while we have opportunity let us do good to all men . . ."
General William Boothe, Founder of Salvation Army was unable to attend their International Convention. He sent a telegram to be read to the delegates with just one word, "OTHERS."
The Peanuts cartoon had Lucy asking Charles Brown, "Why are we here on earth?" Charlie Brown answered, "To make others happy." Lucy ponders the answer for a moment and then says,
"Then why are the others here?"
We must look at the "one another" verses throughout the Bible. Love one another occurs at least 24 times.
"Pray one for another," (James 5:16)
"Edify one another," (I Thessalonians 5:11)
"Prefer one another," (Romans 12:10)
"Be hospitable one to another," (I Peter 4:9)
"Bear one another’s burdens," (Galatians 6:2)
C. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE
1. Galatians 6:6 - "And let the one who is taught the Word share all good things with him who teaches." This verse is paraphrased to mean, "as we receive spiritual truth from others, we should share material blessings with them."
2. I Timothy 5:17 - "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine."
3. Matthew 6:21 - "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Stingy - Satan
Sharing - God
The closer to sharing a person comes, the closer to God he gets.
Sharing has nothing to do with wealth . . .
Sharing has nothing to do with health . . .
Sharing has everything to do with attitude!
D. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOW
1. Galatians 6:7,8 - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Many times this verse is preached to the sinner, telling them that when they sow to the flesh they will reap judgment. This verse should also be preached to Christians. When they give money to God, they will reap blessings.
E. STATEMENTS ON SOWING MONEY
1. Life returns what life receives.
Life is like a mirror, what is reflected into the mirror is seen there and is reflected out. What we sow in life, is what we get out of it.
Life is like the old fashioned pump on the farm. We had to take water and prime the pump, i.e. we have to pour water into a pump before we can get water out of a pump.
The Christian life is like an apple orchard, we must plant apple sprouts to get apple trees. Even when we plant an apple sprout, we have faith to believe, "one day this will be an apple tree."
2. Where we sow is as important as what we sow.
Some people sow to the flesh and they reap corruption. Some people sow to the Spirit, and they reap eternal life from God.
There are two kinds of people in the illustration.
First, the first person uses material blessings in a spiritual way and reaps eternal life.
The second uses material blessing in a fleshly way and reaps corruption.
The fact that you’re saved does not change the harvest of the seed that you sow. You can be saved and sow to the flesh and you will get God’s judgment. You can be saved and sow to the Glory of God, and get God’s blessing.
3. We reap in proportion to what we sow.
a. 2 Corinthians 9:6 - "He who sows sparingly so also reap sparingly, he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully."
God wants to bless you totally. But he can only bless you totally when you give yourself to him . . . TOTALLY!
4. The goal for 1996 . . . "start sowing."
E. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
1. Galatians 6:9,10 - "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
2. Those who sow money to get money from God usually get very slow return because it’s not the money you give to God, it’s the attitude to which you give to God. The most unhappy people in the church are those who give a tithe expecting a financial return, and they are waiting for God to keep score. But God’s score starts with our attitude. When we give unselfishly, our attitude has been transformed, i.e. we are changed. And when we are changed, it makes a difference at home, at work, with everything in life.
Note the challenge to "do good to all men." Be the initiator, don’t wait on someone to do good to you, you initiate and do good to them.
3. The world does good to a few men.
The Christian does good to all men.
4. The world returns good for good and evil for evil.
The Christian returns good for good and good for evil.
5. The two great marks of a Christian; (1) giving,
(2) forgiving.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Contact us and ask for a copy of The How To Book or use The How To Book Online (Falwell.com). It is a booklet that will answer many of the questions you are sure to have about living the Christian life. And when you contact us, tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
