One of the most committed Christians with one of the most brilliant minds in the evangelical world gave a talk to several hundred business and Christian leaders in our city, Cleveland, Ohio. Ravi Zacharias talked about the foundations that have been destroyed in our culture and so desperately need to be rebuilt.
He reminded us that one of the deep rooted problems in our culture is a lack of charity, a lack of giving to others with no thought of what’s coming back in return. Ravi told us about a successful businessman whose grandson asked him for some advice on what it takes to be a success. The grandfather gave him three words, "Others. Others. Others."
Too few of us really live that way. Serving others, giving to others, charity. It’s a rare virtue in our world. There seems to be a "what’s in it for me?" mentality connected with most things we do.
A great illustration of that is our dog. She just showed up in our neighborhood one day. And wouldn’t you know it, our boys were the ones who made the connection with her. Since she was just a "wanderer" who just happened to show up, we called her "Gypsy." After several weeks, we found the owners. They came over and said, "She looks pretty happy. Wouldn’t you just like to keep her?" Voila! Instant pet - a mixed breed, part sheltie and part shepherd. Hello, Gypsy.
My wife, Maryanne, says that she and this dog just haven’t connected. She says that this dog is nothing like the dog she had growing up - a dog that seemed satisfied just being with Maryanne. Gypsy seems to be always wanting something.
Our neighbor has spoiled her. We try to keep this dog happy with regular dog food. But Mrs. Balahutrac gives her table scraps. Yesterday, she fed Gypsy this big hunk of ham. Gypsy even ate the vegetables that went with it. A dog that eats veggies? I told Maryanne, "Mrs. Balahutrac ought to be giving us those leftovers. Gypsy’s eating better than we are!" So, now, Gypsy is conditioned. When she sees a human, she barks, "Feed me! Feed me! Feed me! Feed me!" Maryanne can’t stand the constant sniffing, "Whatcha got for me? Whatcha got for me? Whatcha got for me?" This dog isn’t man’s best friend. We ought to change her name to "moocher." Gypsy’s a dog that doesn’t give, but always gets.
Now, we don’t have to be like our dog, do we? And we don’t have to be like our culture. The "what’s in it for me?" spirit has got to go. When I lay my head on death’s pillow, I want people to be able to say, "He was a giver, not a getter." When our homes and churches and our communities are filled with givers, watch out!
The title for this talk is "Developing a Generous Spirit."
Our text is Matthew 25:14-30. We are beginning a new series entitled "Ready, Set, GROW!
A few years ago, I was talking with a former member of our church who now lives in North Carolina. He was a really new Christian at the time. He asked me, "If I wanted to be a great Christian, what would you tell me I would need to do? Just make it simple. Boil it down. Give me the basics."
Our church vision statement has boiled things down to the basics. The statement, I believe, has been given to us by God. Last year, we involved over 200 people in a process that resulted in adopting a statement that reflects the focus, the balance, the evangelizing, the discipling, and the "on-fire" kind of church that God wants us to be. Here’s the vision statement: "Helping people grow to be passionate followers of Christ."
The little word "grow" in our vision statement can become an acronym that summarizes our basic responsibilities. G = Giving time, talent and treasure. R = Relationships. O = O = Outreach. W = Worship in private and in public. If these experiences are spiritually practiced and are a part of a Christian’s life on a consistent basis, then personal growth will happen.
In this series, "Ready, Set, GROW!" we are going to look at each ingredient. What we want is to have a year’s worth of commitments to those things that will help us grow so that when we occupy our new building, we will be growing, maturing Christians ready to help others meet our Lord and grow in Him. We want to be the most well-balanced, mature body of Christ in NE Ohio.
Today, our focus in on the "G" = Giving our time, talent, and treasure to God. We are going to see how our commitment to be givers, not just getters - our commitment to charity - will help us grow. To do that, let’s listen to the words of Jesus found in Matthew 25:14-30.
14 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.
15 "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
16 "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.
17 "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.
18 "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 "Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them.
20 "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.'
21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
22 "Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.'
23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
24 "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.
25 'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.'
26 "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.
27 'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.
28 'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.'
29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
30 "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:14-30
Let's llok together at 3 commitments made by generous people, 3 facts about our future, and 3 options when it comes to generosity.
3 commitments made by generous people…
Commitment #1. What I have doesn’t really belong to me. v. 14
14 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.
God owns it all. Most Christians would agree with that. But most Christians aren’t really in touch with all that it means.
What do I really have? To put it another way, what has God given to me to manage for Him? Simply put, I have time. I have talent. I have treasure. It’s all "on loan" from God.
To say that God really owns my time, talent, and treasure is to say that He has the right to whatever He wants when He wants it. It’s all His. As the owner, He has all the rights. All I have are responsibilities.
Our son, Alan, has reached driving age. Sometimes he’s eager to use the car. So, as his parents, Maryanne and I entrust it to him. But there is never any question that we can take back the car at any time for any reason. He has only responsibilites while we maintain all the rights. In the same way, every single minute I live, every single ability I have, every single dollar I spend comes from someone else - God. We literally posses much but own nothing.
If you own your own home, take a walk around it your property to get a feel for the reality of this principle. Reflect on how long that dirt has been there; then ask yourself if you really own it or whether you merely possess it. You may have the title to it, but that title reflects your right to possess it temporarily, not forever. Only God owns it forever.
The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains.
I Corinthians 10:26 (NASB)
If I really believe that God owns my time, my talent, and my treasure, then I am free to give generously of His resources to His people for His purpose. All that I have belongs to Him.
Commitments made by growing people…
What I have doesn’t really belong to me.
Commitment #2. I won’t grumble about what I don’t have. v. 15
15 "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
Are you a five talent person or a two talent person?
The Lord gives us opportunities for service in accordance with our ability to make use of them. Since we don’t all have the same ability, we do not have the same, or an equal number of opportunities.
In the day of judgement, the number of opportunities for service will not matter. The question is only, "Have we been faithful in their use?"
We need to develop an attitude of gratitude!
Commitments made by growing people…
I won’t grumble about what I don’t have.
Commitment #3. I will invest what I have, not hide it. vv. 16-18
16 "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.
17 "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.
18 "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
Commitments made by growing people…
I will invest what I have, not hide it.
3 facts about the future…
Fact #1. A day of accountability will eventually come. v. 19
19 "Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them.
When Jesus told this story, perhaps He was implying that He did not expect to return immediately. He knew that a relatively long time would elapse before His return. Matthew 24:9, 14, 25:5. II Peter 3:4-9.
Everything should be done with a view to the day of reckoning that is coming. "How will this decision look on the day of judgement?" is the question that should constantly be asked.
Fact # 1…
A day of accountability will eventually come.
Fact #2. If I am faithful, I will be rewarded. vv. 20-23
20 "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.'
21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
22 "Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.'
23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
The master increased the resources after they had proven their faithfulness. Luke 6:38 says, "Give and it will be given to you…"
Though our responsibilities in the here and now are very important, they will be surpassed by those in the life to come.
Fact #2…
If I am faithful, I will be rewarded.
Fact #3. If I am lazy, I will be judged. vv. 24-30
24 "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.
25 'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.'
26 "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.
27 'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.
28 'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.'
29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
30 "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:14-30
The ones who through diligent use of the opportunities for service given to them by God have surrendered themselves to the Lord to love and help others. In doing this, they have enriched themselves and will, by continuing down this path, make themselves increasingly rich.
On the other hand, the ones who do not surrender to serve, even what little they once had will be taken away.
A distinguishing mark of a true Christian is service, giving. That’s why eternal destruction comes to those who do not serve, who do not give, who do not invest what they’ve been given into the Lord’s business. A lack of service, a lack of giving, betrays a heart where Jesus doesn’t really live.
How dare anyone call themselves a Christian - a Christ-follower - and not be a giver, a servant, a sharer, a minister?
Fact #3…
If I am lazy, I will be judged.
3 options for giving your
time, talent, and treasure…
In this passage, Jesus is teaching us that we have at least three options concerning the giving of our time, our talent, and our treasure.
Option #1. I will do a lot with a lot. vv. 16, 19-21
Option #1…
I will do a lot with a lot.
Option #2. I will do a lot with a little. vv. 17, 22-23
We are accountable regardless of our gifts. We have a tendency to think: "O, because I have just a few gifts - just a few blessings from God - then I’m less accountable. In this story, the Master came back and asked the same questions of those who had received much and those who had received little.
The world may despise small things, but our Lord doesn’t. The Bible is full of examples of people who did much with little.
Gideon
The widow who gave a few coins.
God never forgets the cup of cold water that is given in the name of Christ. Hebrews 6:10.
Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?"
This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.
Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little."
One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, *said to Him,
"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?"
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.
John 6:5-13
Did you catch the obstacle that had to be overcome before Jesus was able to take that little and do much with it? "What are these for so many people?"
"Giving my little to a big needy world won’t amount to very much. What is my little bit going to do? I barely have enough to take care of myself!" Wait! You’re forgetting the Divine factor. Little is much when God is in it!
Philip looked at the budget. Andrew looked at the pantry. The little boy looked to the Lord! Give your little to Jesus and step back and watch Him work! Ephesians 3:20 says, "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think!" He can do much with your little!
I read about a lady who was preparing a box of supplies to be sent to some missionaries in India. A little girl gave a penny that the lady used to buy a tract explaining salvation. Eventually, that little tract was put into the hands of a Burmese chief and was used to lead him to Christ. The chief told His friends of his faith. Many of them believed. A church was established there and over 1,500 natives became Christians - because somebody was willing to let God do much with their little. No gift is too small for God to use.
One day in heaven, we’ll all be rejoicing together and God will show a replay of a little girl’s life. He’ll remind us of that penny she gave. And every person who trusted Christ as a result of the chain of events her gift started will say, "Thanks you for doing a lot with a little."
Option #2…
I will do a lot with a little.
Option #3. I will do a little with a little. vv. 18, 24-30
You might be thinking, "Man, that’s pretty harsh treatment for someone who at least gave back what he had originally been given."
Jesus is teaching us that God does not want to receive back from us merely what He has given to us. He doesn’t want us to hold what we have. He wants us to develop it, to compound it, to multiply it. We are to discover, develop and use what we have. We aren’t to take and hold and give back what He’s given. God is not into that. He wants us to expand and multiply.
Those who are tempted to do little with little also have an obstacle to overcome. If you have little right now in the way of time, talent, and treasure, you are tempted to think, "When I have more, I’ll start giving more. I can’t afford to give my time, talent and treasure right now.
Don’t be too sure of that! Stewardship has nothing to do with whether you have much or little. Being a good steward or a bad steward doesn’t depend on what you have.
You can be a bad steward with a lot or a good steward with a little. You can be a bad steward with a little or a good steward with a lot.
It has nothing to do with possessions - nothing at all. Listen to Luke 16:10, 11. So you know what this means? If you are a good giver when you have a little, you’ll be a good giver when you have a lot. If you are a bad steward when you have a little, you will be a bad steward when you have a lot.
So, ask God right now to make you a good giver!
The sin of doing nothing is a great sin to God.
Option # 3…
I can do a little with a little.
By the way, Jesus didn’t mention another very real option. I can do a little with a lot.
The best way I know to do that is to invest in helping people grow to be passionate followers of Christ.
Why are we to give our gifts of time, talent, and treasure? We are to do it so we can be more passionate followers of Christ!
The point of this parable is: "Everyone must be faithful in using the opportunities for service which the Lord has given him. Negligence is punished and diligence is rewarded."
What should I do?
Ask God for the grace to be a person who will hear a "well done." Ask God for the grace to be a giver, not a getter. Volunteer for a ministry in the church of Jesus Christ.
