Treasure Giving! Series

"Treasure Giving!"

" The 3 T’s - Time, Treasure, and Talent" series part 1 of 3

Text: Mark 12:41-44 & Selected

Cross Creek Community Church

Pastor Dave Martin - Feb. 4, 2001

www.crosscreekcc.org

God’s Word is Powerful, Relevant, and Life Changing!

Mark 12:41-44 "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

* This was a free will offering for both the rich and the poor.

Review from last week’s message on HEAVEN: Two major things we will do throughout eternity:

1. We will WORSHIP our Lord! Rev. 22:9

2. We will SERVE our Lord! Rev. 22:3-5

To the believer, Heaven will be a continuation of our current worship and service to our Great God!

The Lord has given each of us 3 T’s to worship and serve Him today. They are...

TIME TREASURE TALENT

From a Biblical standpoint, it is so important to use each of these wisely.

Today we’re looking at our - TREASURE.

The reason we’re starting with our treasure is because of what is happening at Cross Creek! In a few weeks, Feb. 25th a special offering will be taken toward the down payment for our property. As a Church, we need to be praying about what the Lord would have each of us to do. I believe this is the first message on giving since we formed as a Church 11/2 years ago. As your Pastor I firmly believe to make known the need, then allow the Holy Spirit to direct the giving. I’m not here to plead or try to lay a guilt trip on anyone, but to share from the Word of God about this matter of giving.

The truth of giving back unto the Lord is found throughout scripture. In fact, 20% of everything Jesus taught was about money and the grace of giving! As we learn about giving and put it into practice, we begin to live like never before, it actually liberates us in a wonderful way. Giving sacrificially is the secret of a healthy life. It’s been said to "do your giving while you’re living" so you know where it’s going, because you can’t take it with you.

God will not merely judge us on the basis of what we gave but also on the basis of what we did with what we kept for ourselves.

I read about a preacher who was arranging the service who said, "And when I get through with my sermon, I’ll ask those of the congregation who want to contribute $1000 toward the mortgage on the church to stand. In the meantime you play appropriate music." The Organist asked: "What music do you want played?" The Preacher replied: "You play ’The Star-Spangled Banner’ "

How much should I give? What does the Bible say about tithing?

* In the Bible the Tithe is 10% - this is what you "owe" God.

Leviticus 27:30 " ’A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

* In the Bible, the offering is anything above and beyond the 10%, God has given you everything.

Genesis 28:22 (Jacob making a vow to God) "...and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

Malachi 3:8-10 "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.

1. Jesus saw the CIRCUMSTANCES behind their giving.

V 41 "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.

* What did Jesus see? The crowd. The wealthy, the pauper, destitute, in deep poverty - The Lord knows the welfare of every person.

* God saw the circumstances. She gave sacrificially - does it cost me something, or are we giving what we can spare like the rich people?