“Do You Trust Me?” Malachi Chapter 3 – pt. 4
Thesis: Malachi challenges us with the questions from the Lord “Do you trust me?” “Do you really believe that I will do what I say I will do?” If you trust Him then put your faith into action and make a difference with your life for the kingdom of God.
Opening video illustration from Video’s That Teach, page 62, 63: The Empire Strikes Back
The Movie:
This is the second film of the Star Wars trilogy. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) receives his first training as a Jedi knight…
This Clip (over 5 minutes)
Start 1:17:01 – Stop 1: 22:12
Luke Skywalker travels to Dagobah in search of the Jedi master, Yoda (Frank Oz). Luke knows that to become a Jedi knight he must learn to use the force. After his X-Wing fighter sinks in the swamp, Luke is instructed by Yoda to lift it out by using the power of the Force. When Luke tries and fails, he gives up and the fighter sinks deeper into the swamp; however, Yoda is successful, telling Luke the reason for his failure is because he does not believe.
Where to take the movie clip:
What was it that Luke didn’t believe that caused him to fail?
Can you relate to Luke’s lack of faith?
Is there something you lack faith in with God?
Compare the Force from Star Wars to God’s power. Are there similarities?
Is there anything you need to unlearn so your faith can grow and be put into motion?
Scripture Text: Malachi 3:1-18
1“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.
2But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
5“So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.
6“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
8“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
“In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
13“You have said harsh things against me,” says the LORD.
“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’
14“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’”
16Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
17“They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Introduction:
The Book of Malachi has been challenging us over the last couple of weeks to make sure our hearts and lives are in alignment with the things of God. The message of the book of Malachi can be outlined as follows:
1. Stop – I love you! 1:1-5
2. Look – I see you! 1:6-2:9
3. Listen – I know you! 2:10-4:6
Holman notes this about Malachi: The purpose of Malachi was to assure his people that God still loved them, but He demanded honor, respect, and faithfulness from them. Malachi pointed out religious and social abuses and warned that judgment would come to purge the people of sin unless they repented.
We have progressed into chapter three of Malachi. Here God is calling on His people to return to Him and if they do then He will return to them as well. The action step required for restoration is that they must make the first step toward reconciliation with Him for the blessings to begin to flow into their lives gain. In chapter two we discovered that the nation had slipped into all types of sins and therefore they have come under the law of cursing rather than the law of blessings in their lives. The leaders were a mess, the people had broken the faith, the sin of divorce was ramped in society and violence was ripping the nation apart. The Lord tells this nation in chapter 3 how to be restored. For them to be blessed requires that they return to God. He then promises that if they make the first step then He will return to them. His returning to them will facilitate a healing of their nation, their families and their personal lives. The Lord promises to pour out blessings on them and all will see how the God Israel blesses the righteous and judges the wicked. The ones who honor and fear God will receive the blessings of Heaven and the ones who do not trust God will receive the curses and the judgment of wickedness.
This whole chapter addresses the children of God with the question “Who do you trust?” Do you trust the Lord or do you trust in your earthly resources?
Today is Palm Sunday the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem with all kinds of people shouting “Hosanna” which means “Save us!” They are saying to Jesus as he enters “We trust you Jesus!” We believe you can deliver us from sin and slavery. But then as you observe Holy Week you discover how short lived there trust really is. Why? Because by Friday they are saying, ‘Crucify Him!” In other words we do not like this King any more because He is telling us things we do not like to hear and we need to do things we do not want to do. They trusted Him when He did miracles for them and when He fed them but when He challenged them to live holy lives and die to themselves they said get rid of this guy! They wanted the blessings from God but they did not want to be obedient to living the way they were suppose too especially when it was required of them to give.
Is it any different today than it was in Jesus day or Malachi’s day? We want the blessings from God but we want to do it all our way! The truth is we all need to repent and come back to God and then He will come back to us. This means that we all need to return to God by surrendering all of our self-centered lifestyles to His desired servant style lifestyle. We need to commit to honor the Lord with our lives and our actions.
T.S. – The Lord is speaking through Malachi to us today to return to Him and He promises to return to us! The Lord challenges us to return to Him. We are quickly approaching Easter and the decision needs to be made. Will we return or stay on a path that leads away from the Resurrected Savior?
I. God says, “Return to me and I will return to you!”
a. God challenges the Israelites to repent and return to doing things His way.
i. He proclaims that He is coming back to put the people of God through the refiners fire.
1. To purify them from their corrupt lifestyles and from their sin.
2. We know that Jesus came back after this passage was prophesied and that He went to the cross so that we could be freed from sin once and for all.
ii. He wants us today to embrace His way before judgment day and before His 2nd coming because he does not desire to pronounce a curse on us rather he wants to pronounce a blessing on us.
1. The Lord wants His people to come to Him before it is too late.
2. Why? Because He does not want them to have to face his wrath and judgment. Because He loves us and wants what is best for us!
3. He wants people to trust Him now- not tomorrow!
a. So many people today are missing out on the blessings from God because they have chosen to follow the ways of the Lord.
b. They have chosen not to trust the Lord and therefore they are under the law of the curse and not the law of the blessing.
b. The Meaning of Blessing by Doug Hagedorn from Ease the Squeeze page 140-142.
i. He stated: Approximately 80 percent of the time that the words bless, blessed, or blessing occur in the Bible, they are used in both the Hebrew and the Greek as an act toward God- adoration, thankfulness, or to praise Him. In the other 10-20 percent of cases, they are interpreted as “go forward,” “prosper,” “happy,” “to confer a benefit upon,” “count happy,” or “fortunate,” “well off.” These terms do not necessarily refer to money. In fact, God warns us so much about money that it probably does not mean money for most of us (e.g. Paul learned to be content, the love of money is the root of all evil, be on your guard against greed, etc.). Putting God in a financial blessing-only mode is making Him too small …We will be blessed if we follow and act upon God’s Word… I have found nine things that lead to His blessings. Here is a summary of nine steps to God’s blessing in life:
1. Obedience- Obedience to the will and the ways of God always leads to His Blessing. Genesis 22:18 “…all nations on earth will be blessed, because you obeyed me.”
2. Being merciful- Showing mercy to others always opens the door for God to bless you. Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy…”
3. Helping the poor – Proverbs 28:27 “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing…”
4. Live an blameless (walk) life – Psalm 119:1-2
5. Keep His statues – obey His commands
6. Seek Him with all your heart – Matthew 6:33
7. Delight yourself in the Lord – Psalm 37:3-7 and it tells us he will give us the desires of our hearts.
8. Mix prayer with your giving – Acts 10:5; Acts 20:35
9. Be His child – Blessings will come into our lives just because we are children of God.
ii. The blessings from God are not just financial but cover a wide variety of areas in our lives: This section taken from Hagedorns book page 144:
1. Children, crops, food, enemies defeated, your work, prosperity, lenders (Deut. 28:1-14)
2. Mercy, deliverance, protection (Matt. 5:7)
3. Strength, peace (Ps. 29:11; Isa. 40:29)
4. Wealth, riches (Gen. 26:12-13; Prov. 10:22)
5. Spiritual and material blessings (Rom. 15:27- a material seed may reap a spiritual harvest)
6. “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8)
7. Favor, make you fruitful and increase in numbers (Lev. 26:9)
8. Favor with both the Lord and men (I Sam. 2:26)
9. He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord (Prov. 18:22)
10. Salvation (2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 2:8)
11. The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did (Gen. 39:23)
12. Land flowing with milk and honey (Deut. 6:9)
13. God gave Solomon wisdom and great insight (1 Kings 4:29; 5:12; Prov. 2:6)
14. Bread and water (Neh. 9:15, 20, 22, 27)
15. Possessions (Job 42:10). The Lord can give, and the Lord can take away (Job 1:21).
16. Authority over evil spirits (Mark 6:7)
17. The Holy Spirit (Acts 11:17; Luke 11:13)
18. Health, healing, peace, security (Jer. 33:6; Prov. 3:8; 4:22; 14:30)
19. Grace (1 Peter 5:5)
20. Refreshing (Prov. 11:24, 25)
21. Friends (Prov. 19:6)
22. Family (Prov. 18:22)
23. Heaven, spiritual gifts, job, church, pastor (etc.)
iii. God is not limited to just blessing us in the financial realm and really the blessings in life are not just financial but come in so many forms and from so many different areas. The Blessings of Heaven are way more than money orientated!
c. God challenges His people to tithe and to give their offerings to God because it belongs to Him any ways:
i. Pastor Eddie Cude on Bible.com states this about the tithe:
1. What is the tithe? It is the "gateway for the believer into the covenant of blessings." In the Hebrew "maaser" or "maasrah," is translated tenth, or tenth part, and in Greek "apodekatoo" and in both, it means a payment or giving or receiving of the tenth.
2. The tithe is that tenth of our income that we give to God, which enables Him to move on our behalf in the area of blessings. The Bible records numerous accounts of man tithing to God. God is the creator of everything that exists. He owns everything and we are simply stewards of what we have been entrusted with. The tithe principle is this; "He gives unto us, we give back to Him one-tenth of all that He has blessed us with."
ii. The truth is many do not give what belongs to God because they do not trust Him. Instead of trusting God they actually have carved and made with their hands their own idols to worship.
1. A.W. Tozer stated, “Within the human heart ‘things’ have taken over. God’s gifts now take the place of God, and the whole course of nature is upset by the monstrous substitution.”
2. Watchman Nee stated, “When material things are under spiritual control, they fulfill their proper subordinate role.”
d. The truth we learned last week was that we are to raise our children to be godly. This task is one of our primary jobs as Christian parents. Dennis Rainey states, “In a house where adults are consumed with satisfying their lusts, a child becomes a victim” (One Home at a Time).
i. When are lives are aligned with the wrong ways our children will always pay the price for our sins.
T.S. – God is beckoning us today to return to Him and in turn He will return to us in a powerful life transforming way. He asks us to let go of the things in our life that are sinful and not beneficial to us and instead to place our trust Him. He tells us to try Him in this and see if He does not bring forth the blessings of Heaven into our lives.
II. God says, “Test me in this and see if I do not bless you”
a. This is one of the only places were God says test me in this - try me! It’s a challenge from God to us! He wants us to test Him so He can prove to us that He is the “Great I Am!”
i. God says, “Quit robbing from me!” “Quit stealing what belongs to me!”
1. He is very honest in this passage about the current condition of His children. He tells them instead of ripping me off start giving what is already mine and then if you do then I will pour out the blessings of Heaven upon you.
a. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
b. Paul Little states in How to Give away Your Faith, “The statement that God is in control is either true or it’s not true. If it’s not true, we’d better forget about God. But if it is true and we accept God’s revelation of Himself, our faith enables us to enjoy and rest in the certainty of His providence.” (Sweeting, 252).
b. Test is defined by Webster as: “It’s an examination, experiment, or trial as to prove the value or ascertain the nature of something.”
i. Test Me in This,’ Says the Lord Almighty. Here is a testimony to a person who tested God and was blessed:
1. Anonymous writes: I was in Ohio last summer where you were giving a seminar on finances and giving to the kingdom. I accepted the challenge to consistently give tithes and offerings. Since then, I have been more aware of tithing and feel joyous about giving. I am a pediatrician and was hired by a regional hospital to start a hospital- base practice about six and one-half years ago. I put in a lot of hours into building this practice from one full-time and two part-time pediatricians to now a three full-time and three part-time pediatric practices. The hospital has been very supportive and generous to me. A month ago I found out that I had not taken my full four weeks vacation per year for the past five years. The hospital agreed to buy back the weeks that I have not taken, and after looking back at the records, they came up with 232 hours of vacation time owed me. This translates to a little over $10,000. Needless to say, I was so surprised at this unexpected blessing. I continue to marvel at the faithfulness of the Lord. Aside from taking you up on the challenge to be faithful in giving, I also learned to be a better steward of the money God has entrusted to me. I am convicted of the sin of impulse buying, and God has been dealing with me on this particular issue. I would like to thank you for allowing God to use you to teach people about priorities with regards to personal finances.
May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
a. This anonymous testimony—addressed to Brian Kluth, senior pastor of First Evangelical Free Church of Colorado Springs—was submitted to Generous Giving in 2002.
b. This person took the challenge and tested God and was convinced that “he does what he says He will do!”
ii. Stories for Preachers makes this observation about trust:
1. For well over 2,000 years the world’s great religions have taught the virtues of a trusting heart. Now there is another reason to heed the wisdom of the ages: scientific evidence indicates that those with trusting hearts will live longer, healthier lives. Nearly every American is aware that Type A people are impatient, driven and easily moved to hostility and anger. The driving force behind hostility is a cynical mistrust of others. If we expect others to mistreat us, we are seldom disappointed. This generates anger and leads us to respond with aggression.
2. The truth is placing our trust in the Lord is the healthiest thing we could ever do.
3. So why do so many still not trust?
c. The power of trust will set you free physically and set you free in those stress full times of life : Listen to some testimonies as to the power of trusting and placing all of our life into the hands of the Lord.
i. Stuart Briscoe, in What Works states, “The fact of the matter is that I take refuge in the Lord. Unashamedly I run to Him. In fact, if it were not for the ready access I have to Him, I would never survive the ministry. The pressures would be more than I could take. I hide myself away with Him. I crawl into a corner and talk to Him. When the pressure is on, I pull the drapes and commune with Him. I take refuge in Him (Sweeting, Great quotes & Illustrations, page 252).
1. George MacDonald stated, “This is sane, wholesome, practical, working faith: first, that it is a man’s business to do the will of God; second, that God takes on himself the special care of that man; and third, that therefore that man ought never to be afraid of anything” (Sweeting, 252).
d. The power of trust will also set you free from the pressures of finances and what to do with them. Listen to these individual stories and thoughts on what it means to trust the Lord with our resources.
i. C. S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity stated, “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid that the only safe rule is to give more than one can spare.”
1. Why do this? Because as we do it our faith in the Lord is strengthened and soon giving is not stressful but a joy filled experience.
2. Remember it’s all about trust!
ii. Here is an Anonymous testimony shared with members of a Tennessee church, in 2001.
1. A young married couple described how they have learned to give in excess of the tithe, reaping both joy and greater prosperity as a result. They learned early in their marriage to make giving a shared experience by working through their differences on the subject; they have since learned to find “great fun ‘sneaking’ offerings into the hands of needy folks now and then.” God has enabled them to tithe and give an extra sum, to support a child through Compassion International, and to help support three missionaries. In spite of this relatively extravagant amount of giving, they have found that “the more we give, the more seems to be there!” Now that they have learned to give in excess of the tithe, they do not worry about “crunching numbers” but, instead, give freely and joyfully as they are able (website:generousgiving.com).
a. They tested the Lord and discovered that God does what He says He will do!
e. Let’s look at some individuals who have learned to trust the Lord with their finances:
i. President, George W. Bush plans to encourage Americans to give generously of their time and money to charitable organizations. The Texas governor is optimistic in his view of charitable giving, saying that America could be on the verge of one of its great philanthropic periods in history. Bush released his tax records, saying it is important for people in high-profile positions to take leadership in this area. He wants the electorate to compare his public statements with his private deeds. His desire for faith-based initiatives to play a larger role in the provision of social services heartens many nonprofit leaders. “The most efficient dollar spent to help somebody in need is that which goes to charitable institutions.”
1. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush donated $69,925 to charities, 9 percent of their net taxable 2002 income.
2. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush gave $82,700 to churches and charities in 2001, a figure that represents 11.6 percent of their taxable income.
3. Grant Williams. The Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 6, 2000 stated: During their time in Texas, George W. and Laura Bush were noted for their generous giving to a variety of organizations. More surprising, though, was the amount of leadership and time that they committed to these charities. Beyond writing a one-time check, they chose to invest themselves in the organizations they supported. A large percentage of the couple’s giving—more than $112,000—went to Methodist churches. Bush has said, “The first thing that I’ve always tried to support is the church.” The Bushes’ largest single gift went to Southern Methodist University, the college from which Laura Bush graduated. George W. Bush has been known to give time and money to a Dallas-based group called Hearts & Hammers, which refurbishes run-down houses owned by low-income families (website:generousgiving.com).
a. Our own president knows the importance of placing our trust in the Lord when it comes to finances.
ii. The Story of Henry Parsons Crowell
From “Giving Warriors: Inspirational Stories of Men and Women Who Experienced the Joy of Giving.” Chattanooga, Tenn.: Generous Giving, 2003.
1. One of the wealthiest men of Chicago when he died in 1943, Quaker Oats founder Henry Parsons Crowell gave away nearly 70 percent of earnings for more than 40 years. But Crowell viewed all things as a stewardship from God, including influence. Over the years, one businessman after another would comment on how he came to know Christ personally because of the life of integrity lived by Henry Parsons Crowell (website:generousgiving.com).
iii. John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
1. America’s first billionaire, the late founder of Standard Oil Co., gave away more than $500 million, the equivalent of $5 billion today. His lifelong practice of giving began with a small tithing exercise as a boy (website:generousgiving.com).
iv. The Generous Life of J.C. Penney
1. Summary compiled from various sources by Generous Giving: J[ames] C[ash] Penney (1875-1971), became famous for his “Golden Rule stores,” known today as the J.C. Penney Co. department store chain. His abiding faith in God and the ethical teachings of Jesus formed the foundation for his entire life. His business amassed great wealth, and he spent much of his lifetime giving that wealth away. He threw himself into generous giving with such fervor that it resulted in personal economic loss. He was involved in a variety of charitable works, such as National 4-H Clubs and Junior Achievement Clubs (website:generousgiving.com).
v. The Story of Francis of Assisi
1. From “Giving Warriors: Inspirational Stories of Men and Women Who Experienced the Joy of Giving.” Chattanooga, Tenn.: Generous Giving, 2003: Francis of Assisi once said, “Let me not be tied down to property or praise, and I shall be free—free from the nagging ache of envy, free from the hurts of resentment, free to love and to forgive all, and to do and to say what is right, and to wander everywhere, even as inspiration guides me.” As the son of a wealthy Italian family, Francesco Bernardone (1181-1226) was able to indulge every desire. Yet full satisfaction eluded him until, at last, he found joy in God. Determined to seek after God, he freed himself from his wealth’s constraints, giving it all away and befriending the friendless poor and sick. St. Francis did not consider wealth evil but simply a hindrance to free enjoyment of God.
vi. Greg Boeck. Hoop, March 2000 on David Robinson.
1. Meet David, the Goliath of Giving. As one of the top players in the NBA for more than a decade, David Robinson seems to have it all: fame, fortune and family. Yet for Robinson this is not enough. In fact, for at least 10 years Robinson has given generously on two fronts—fiscally, with 10 percent of his income annually targeted to the David Robinson Foundation, and physically with his time and energy. The words of Matthew 5:14 set the tone and define the work of his foundation: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Although Robinson is an athlete who has achieved great wealth, it has not dimmed for him what is most important in life: “God has given me more than I ever hoped for, so it’s my responsibility to give back.” (website:generousgiving.com).
vii. Howard Heinz (1877-1941)
1. He was the son of Henry J. Heinz, founder of the food company now famous for its ketchup. He became the advertising manager in his father’s company in 1900, eventually working his way up to president. The younger Heinz was a ruling elder at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he was actively engaged in charities and civic improvements.1 He took a special interest in programs that would better the lives of young people, such as Covode House, a clubhouse for boys. He created the Heinz Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh campus to serve as a spiritual resource for the students. Following World War I, he directed food relief in southeast Europe and Turkey (website:generousgiving.com).
viii. Mike Kendrick. Testimony delivered at the annual Generous Giving Conference, Pasadena, Calif., February 28-March 2, 2003.
1. Since the establishment of his investment firm in 1994, Mike Kendrick has been on a roller coaster of fortune and success. As his business grew, Kendrick saw God prosper not only his company but also the ministries it supported. Yet with the bear market that followed in the late 1990s, hard times have come for this faithful giver, leaving him to ask, “Are we going to be ‘good-times’ givers, or are we going to be generous givers in good times and bad? Are we just givers when God is blessing and resourcing—giving out of excess? Or are we going to give when things get tough?” Kendrick encourages those with the gift of giving to abide by four principles: (1) Invest in eternity. (2) Invest aggressively because today’s abundance might be gone tomorrow. (3) Give out of net worth, not just income and excess. (4) Maintain integrity in business (in good times and in bad) in order to preserve our witness for the gospel. (website:generousgiving.com).
ix. John Wierick. New Directions for Living:
1. “God has called me to make all the money I can, but live on as little as possible and give the rest away,” states businessman Gary Ginter. One of the four founding partners of Chicago Research & Trading Group, Ginter helps to guide a multimillion-dollar futures and options trading firm which The Wall Street Journal has dubbed “the envy of the industry.” Yet while many may envy his ability to invest in the market, his investments in Christ’s Kingdom are what drive him on. For the last several years, Ginter and his wife, Joanna, have channeled millions of their personal fortune into missions (website:generousgiving.com).
x. Helena the Great: P. Kirsch. The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol 7. New York: Robert Appleton Co., 1910.
1. Helena (250-330) is most widely known from the tradition that credits her with discovering the cross on which Christ was crucified, in Jerusalem in 326. She was the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, whose influence caused her to convert to Christianity. She quickly became zealous in her service to the Lord and the spread of Christianity in those early days of the church was helped by her generosity. She had churches built in Palestine, and the poor and destitute were the special objects of her generosity. Throughout her later life she visited churches everywhere with pious zeal and made rich donations to them (website:generousgiving.com).
xi. Kentucky business men give: Risa Brim. Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader, March 29, 2004.
1. Kentucky business owners and executives have begun giving and “tithing” not only from their personal incomes but also from their business’ bottom line. Business owners like Mike Totterton take seriously the biblical principle that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). He and others testify that generous giving is not only a personal joy but that it is good for business. In fact, he continued to give in spite of financial difficulties. This new trend is a substantial one as some business owners are giving millions. For example, in 2001, Lee Rutherford gave more than $5 million from the profits of his communications company. Taking this trend to the nth degree, Lexington insurance executive Biff Buckley said he gives away all his company’s profit. Interestingly, these givers are not doing it all on their own. They attribute their decisions to biblical directives or Christian ministries that encourage generosity. Although these business owner give in varying amounts and in diverse way, they are united in their belief that giving is a blessing (website:generousgiving.com).
xii. Bill Gates 2002. (website:generousgiving.com).
1. Patty Stonesifer, president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation since 1997, discusses the Microsoft founder’s philanthropy. Their giving includes a pledge of $750 million to a global vaccine initiative for the poor and a $1 billion commitment to the Gates Millennium Scholarship program to help needy minority students to attend the universities of their choice
f. So how well is America doing as whole in their trusting in God and in their giving?
i. Doug Hagedorn gives the following reality check to modern day Christians in the USA: I quote a number of George Barna’s recent giving statistics, and giving by the "church" continues to drop. The average American pays $1000 a year in interest and only gives $754 a year!
1. We spend an average of $1,251/person yearly in entertainment
2. We spend an average of $1,091/ person yearly on clothing
3. We spend an average of $1,517/ person yearly on eating out/food away from home
4. We spend an average of $186/person yearly on tobacco and smoking supplies.
5. We spend an average of $292/person yearly on alcoholic beverages, and $156/person yearly on non-alcoholic beverages
6. We spend an average of $5,243/person yearly on transportation (vehicle, gas, and insurance).
7. We charge an average of $1150/household on credit cards during the Christmas holiday season.
8. Estimates show we spend $60 - $250 billion a year on Gambling. Twice the GDP of Bangladesh.
9. We spend $27 billion a year on pet food and services.
10. We spend $20 billion a year on cosmetics and fragrances.
11. We spend $8 billion a year on box office movies.
12. We spend $24 billion a year through jewelry store sales.
13. We spend $13 billion a year on chocolate in all its forms.
14. We spend $36 billion a year through vending machines sales.
ii. Yet,
1. We give only 2.9 billion a year to Overseas Missions.
2. 1579 people groups (more than 1 billion souls) have yet to hear the gospel.
3. The Bible is not available in whole or in part in 4,267 of the world’s 6500 languages.
4. More than 25% of the children die before 5 in: Afghanistan, Angola, Niger, and Sierra Leone.
5. More than 15% of the children never reach the age of 1 in Afghanistan, Angola, Niger, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
6. The Philippines spends 52% of its income on food. (We spend 10%.)
7. U.S. Citizens consume six times as much grain per person as do people in lesser developed countries.
8. In developing countries, 40-60 million people die from hunger and hunger related diseases each year.
9. The dollar value of the food North Americans throw in the garbage each year equals about 1/5 of the total annual income of all the Christians in Africa.
10. One source estimates that 70-80 billion would impact the worst of world poverty, and $2.5 billion could end most of the 11 million annual deaths of children under age 5.
11. According to the Executive Office of National Drug Control Policy, Americans spent $66 Billion on illegal drugs, “Establishing that Americans spend more annually on illegal drugs than they contribute to all charities, education, and religion combined.”
12. If church giving increased from an average of 2.5% per person to 10% per person, we could give an additional $78.4 billion a year to overseas Missions (181-183).
a. He adds this thought after sharing the above information “Do I cite all these statistics to make you feel guilty? No! I do so only to provide perspective. When 85% of the world’s population lives in the Third World, and the Bible is for everyone, the Scriptures about hoarding do not apply to very many countries or people. Are we doing our personal part? Should we feel guilty? No. Should we be convicted and make a change in our lifestyles and in our giving and missions support?
g. Truth is we are not doing very well in trusting God with our giving as Christian’s in America. You may be thinking I think I do good but I am not sure. Well here is a good way to see if you are or not. The ushers are going to Handout this test to the New Life Community Church:
i. I challenge you to take this test from http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=101&page=413
to see if you are investing in eternity and into the Kingdom of God or instead robbing God of what belongs to Him. The truth is we need to evaluate our lives to see if we are stripping ourselves of God’s Blessing.
Am I Investing in Eternity? Questions for Reflection
The New Testament teaches the remarkable idea that we can “invest in eternity,” that is, that we can use our resources now in such a way that they will generate a return in the age to come. Are you investing in eternity? If you are unsure, take a few minutes to ask yourself the following biblical questions.
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Am I Looking for Opportunities to Be Generous?
“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:1-7).
1. Have I ever experienced a time when I stepped out in faith to give beyond what I was able? What would that look like for me?
o Believe God for a significant amount as a lifetime goal in giving?
o Give away annually as much as I spend on myself? Or some multiple of that?
o Take on a faith ministry project that I am unable to fulfill in my own strength?
o Increase the percentage I give every year?
2. Do I have an “overflowing joy” to participate in ministry opportunities like the Macedonians, who urgently pleaded to share in the service to the saints? If not, why not?
3. Am I excelling in the grace of giving? Is that something I aspire to? If so, what will I do this year to intentionally prioritize excelling in my giving? Pray, give, go, etc.
4. Is there someone else with whom I can share my hopes and aspirations for excelling in this grace of giving; someone who can join me on this venture; someone who can encourage and exhort me?
Where Am I Storing Up My Treasures?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
1. Where are the majority of my treasures right now? What is my net worth? How much did I give last year? Have I considered giving out of net worth and not just income? Do I see the amount I have given as the most important number on my balance sheet?
2. Should I be more aggressive in re-allocating my investments from earthly treasures to heavenly treasures? What do I need to do this year to see that my good intentions become reality?
3. Just between God and me, is my heart more enamored by things of this world or of God’s kingdom? Have I realized that where my treasure goes is a window on what is important to me?
Am I Experiencing God’s Blessing When I Give?
“... [R]emembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ ” (Acts 20:35b).
1. Do I really believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive?
2. Why do I find it difficult to give sacrificially if it is truly more blessed to give than to receive?
Does Greed Hinder My Giving?
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
1. Am I content with what God has entrusted to me or am I constantly striving for more?
2. Are there any temptations, traps, or foolish and harmful desires that are causing me to stumble as it relates to my wealth or my pursuit of wealth?
3. Are material assets competing with God for first place in my life? If materialism is the disease, is giving the only cure?
Is Christ’s Kingdom the Focus of My Giving?
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
1. Have I subtly begun to put my hope and security in my wealth instead of in God? What does that look like for me? How can I move toward greater hope in God?
o When my wealth is declining, am I consumed by the loss?
o Do I believe that I must take care of myself in the future rather than God?
o If I am honest, has my wealth created greater faith or greater fear in my life?
2. How can I be rich in good deeds, generous, and willing to share? Am I actively seeking kingdom opportunities to be involved in? Am I willing and eager to participate in opportunities when God brings them across my path?
3. Am I willing to offer everything up to God in order to experience the life that He deeply desires for me? If not, what are the things I am holding back? How can I, this year, increasingly take hold of the life that is truly life and lay up treasure for the coming age?
4. What one thing will I change as a result of what God has shown me through this exercise?
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This handout was distributed to participants in the annual Generous Giving Conference, Sarasota, Fla., February 28-March 2, 2002. Copyright © 2002 Generous Giving. All rights reserved.
The truth is we have to make sure that we are placing our trust in the Lord. It’s all about letting go of our security blankets and letting our Heavenly father direct us with our giving and with our lives.
Video Illustration From Videos That Teach, Doug Fields and Eddie James page 112-113: The Movie: Mr. Mom
This Clip: start 59:35 – 1:01:48
Kenny, jack’s middle child, has carried a blanket around since he was a babby. His “wubby” helps him feel safe. However Kenny isn’t a baby any more, and the blanket has seen better days. Jack believes it’s time for Kenny to let go of his security blanket and take some chances. Kenny takes a big step when he reluctantly trusts his dad and let’s go of the huge part of his childhood.
Where to take it:
What are some of our security blankets in our lives?
What are some benefits of letting go of our childish ways and listening to our Father? What are the possible benefits of trusting our Father and following His advice?
Could our “wubbies in life” really be our hinderances to maturing in our faith?
Could they even be our idols that cause us not to trust the Lord?
We need to pray and ponder this thought!
Conclusion:
God wraps us His thoughts in this chapter by telling us that if we follow His directive and His ways then, “You will be mine!”
We need to not just pass over this thought and take this lightly. God says “You will be mine!”
In other words we will be His Children! We will belong to His kingdom and to all the benefits that come with being royalty. It means the blessings of Heaven will be bestowed upon us and our families. It’s a promise of eternal and immediate blessings from our father in Heaven.
There are six characteristics of what it means for a person to be a child of God. These six have been adapted and borrowed from the website: http://www.gospelcom.net
1. We get Family Position: When we become a child of God we inherit a family position in the Kingdom of God. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 Jn. 3:1).
2. We get access to God our Father through prayer: In Romans 8:15, the apostle Paul said that because we are God’s adopted children, we can cry out "Abba, Father" (this phrase is also used in Mark 14:36 and Galatians 4:6). Concerning this verse, Bible commentator F. F. Bruce writes that the use of Abba is significant because "Abba was not, and is not the term used by Jews when addressing God as their Father. But the fact that the Aramaic word found its way into the worshiping vocabulary of the Gentile churches strongly suggests that it was used in this way by Jesus" (The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, Eerdmans, p.166).
3. We receive Training in the ways of the family: We need to reflect the nature and values of our family unit. We need to represent the name bestowed upon us with keep it in a honorable position. Therefore our Father will correct us and direct us in our lives. Whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father does to his son in whom He delights (Prov. 3:12). “Do we believe it? Are we convinced that everything God allows to happen in our lives is training of one sort or another--with the goal of making us more like Christ?” This is the question of trust again! Do we trust Him?
4. We get Help in our time of need: Do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" . . . For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things (Mt. 6:31-32).
5. We receive Eternal Hope for the future: [I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation . . . ; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:17-18). We know that all things work together for good to those who love God . . . . If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:28, 31).
6. But we also get Responsibilities To Fulfill: As obedient children, . . . be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear (1 Pet. 1:14-17). You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Mt. 5:48).
A.W. Tozer stated, “God is looking for leaders through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do ourselves.”
People preach by their lives not by their words! So how are you preaching? How are you doing in honoring your Father with your current life and habits?
