"In Response to Grace"
Rev. Les Kuiper
Text: II Corinthians 8:1-9
Introduction
A. People around the world, from every kilter, tradition, and
religion, deal with money on a daily basis.
1. Most people ask questions like, "which bills can I pay,
and which can I wait to pay? How can I get more money? How can I save?
Where can I get the most for the least? How can I budget? How can I plan
for retirement?"
2. Those who are guided by God's Word and Spirit operate on a different
level. Oh, they ask all of those same questions, but they often arrive
at different answers and they come with different motives. Plus, they ask
some additional questions. Questions like, 'how much should I give to God?
HOW does one give to God who is Spirit? And, how does giving affect my
relationship with God?"
3. This morning we are concluding a four-part focus on Stewardship.
We focused on the fact that everything belongs to God. We found that wisdom
values freedom from debt. And we discovered God's desire that we bring
our tithes to the storehouse.
B. This morning we conclude by focusing on the motive for giving. The focus
begins with Jesus, the model donor, as we see in 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
1. ONE OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLE5 FOR GIVING IS THAT BIBLICAL GIVING IS INVESTING
WITH GOD.
A. In making financial decisions, one of our main concerns
is cutting out waste.
1. Let's say, for example, that you budget $5200 per year for
food. As a lump sum that sounds like a lot of money. As you know, that
comes to $100 per week.. Now, even if you received the $5200 at one time,
you wouldn't want to spend it all at once. You would want to use it carefully,
making sure that you didn't waste it so you ran out of food money before
the end of the year.
2. If you are living within a tight budget, you think the same way in
every area of the budget. You budget your spending on food, clothing, housing,
the car, personal items, as well as your giving. You not only consider
your trust in the people and the institutions to which you give, but you
ask questions like, "Will you actually provide the service you say you
will provide? And, is the service worth the cost?" These are questions
we ask as we give, or pay for anything. What we give away we don't have
anymore. So, can we afford to give? Is this worthwhile or a waste? What
can I efficiently cut out?
B. The Lord assures us that He gives a top rate of return to those who
give to Him.
1. This is implied in the verses we jus read . In
8:1, Paul writes, "Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that
God has given the Macedonian churches." And in 8:9 Paul reminds us, "You
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become
rich." That word "grace" is literally "a gift." In other words,
God gives us what we need in order to give, whether it is a gift of money,
or a gift of self
2. What Paul implies in these verses, he says in so many words in 9:6ff.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whomever
sows generously will also reap generously... And God is able to make all
grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that
you need, you will abound in every good work... You will be made rich in
every way so that you can be generous on every occasion." In other
words, you cannot outgive God. Think about it! Investing with God gives
a top rate of return. Jesus echoed that when he urged us,
"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." (Mt 6:19-20).
2. BIBLICAL GIVING IS INVESTING WITH GOD. BUT, HOW CAN YOU GIVE TO GOD,
WHO IS SPIRIT? THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO CRITERIA. ON THE ONE HAND, BIBLICAL
GIVING IS IN RESPONSE TO NEED.
A. To respond to need you must first of all identify need in its many
forms.
1. In these verses in Corinthians, there are at least two kinds
of need. In vs. 9 Paul is referring to our deepest need, Using rich imagery,
Paul recalls how Jesus came down to our level of poverty, coming under
the curse of sin for us. Throughout chapters 8 and 9 there is another kind
of need as well. The Christians in Jerusalem were being persecuted. They
were losing their jobs. Their families were in danger. Temporarily they
were able to help each other, as they did in the book of Acts. However,
as the persecution continued and spread, the believers in Jerusalem became
destitute. They depended on the mercy of believers in other parts of the
world.
2. In Matthew 25, Jesus identifies a number of other kinds of need.
He knew people who were hungry, or thirsty, or lonely, or in need of clothing,
or sick, or in prison. There are a whole variety of needs, which people
experience.
B. Biblical giving finds a way to respond that is appropriate to the need.
1. If you want to see a mis-match, turn to James
2:15-16, for example. "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and
daily food. If one of you says to him, 'God, I wish you well; keep warm
and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is
it?" There are times when we need encouraging words like "peace
to you," and "God bless you." That was the aim of Jesus' ministry. And
that is the aim of the ministry of the Word and sacraments today. That
ministry is carried on through our local ministries, through missionaries
around the world, through radio and television ministries, and through
educational ministries. There is a world of darkness and despair out there.
When people are under the curse they desperately need an encouraging word!
But James saw a mis-match, and called attention to it. Biblical giving
responds to needs, and responds in a way that is appropriate to the need.
2. In responding to human need, we are giving to those in need, but
we are also giving to God. Jesus demonstrated this double level of giving.
He gave himself for us, and in doing so, he was giving a gift of obedience
to the Father. In a similar way, the Macedonian believers were giving money
to help the believers in Jerusalem, and in doing so, "their
generosity result[ed] in thanksgiving to God" (9:11). And Jesus
made the connection clear when he said, "whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me"
(Mt 25:40).
3. HOW CAN ONE GIVE TO GOD? BIBLICAL GIVING IS IN RESPONSE TO NEED, AND
BIBLICAL GIVING IS MOTIVATED BY LOVE.
A. It is motivated by love for God first.
1. Take a look at 8:9 again. "You know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your
sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
Why did Jesus give himself for us? What motivated him? Jesus himself
gives us a peek at his motives when he says "I have
come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent
me" (Jn 6:38). And we see something of the intensity of his motivation
when we read that, "as his time approached Jesus
resolutely set his face to Jerusalem" (Lk 9:51). He was motivated
by obedience to God's will regardless of the cost There are different kinds
of obedience. Someone can obey because they have no choice. Another can
obey to get in good favor with their superior. And yet another can obey
simply because of love for the one they are obeying. Jesus obeyed the Father
because He loved the Father.
2. With that motivation, Jesus is the model for our giving. Giving will
involve obedience to the biblical principles for giving which God gives
in His Word. But the giving that God desires is giving that arises out
of obedience regardless of the cost, because of our love for the Father.
B. Biblical giving is motivated by love for God first, and by love for
neighbor second.
1. When we see someone in need a part of us may naturally turn
the other way. We get squeamish looking at wounds, we don't want to get
dirty, and we may feel weak and helpless ourselves. Seeing needs around
us can be overwhelming. Seeing someone in need, you know they need something
which you have to offer, but you are already responding to so many demands.
Maybe giving a dollar will get you off the hook.
2. Then we are reminded, "You know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (8:9).
Those words, "for your sake," especially catch your attention. Deep inside
you know that if you are going to give according to God's Word, as Jesus
gave, then you will love your neighbor.
CONCLUSION: This concludes our Stewardship Month. On behalf of the congregation,
thank you to the Stewardship Committee for all that you have done to focus
our attention for these four weeks on God's Word for giving. There are
other areas of life which God addresses, and we will move on to some of
those areas in the coming weeks. However, as we do that, don't allow yourself
to just go back to doing your own thing in regard to giving. Continue to
live and to give today and each day always in response to God's grace.
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