REAL GIVING - Rev. Jeremiah Poulsen
Key Scripture: Luke 12: 13-21
Parable of the Rich Fool
13Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
14Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
16Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Teaching about Money and Possessions
22Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Key Points:
The enemy of real giving
The motivation of real giving
The mark of real giving
The result of real giving
1) The Enemy of Real Giving
The enemy of real giving is Greed.
Greed has the power to deceive us and destroy everything that we put our hands on: money, talents, time, relationships, everything.
What is greed?
Greed (Materialism) is an excessive desire for or dependence on money and material things. A desire for money and material things isn’t necessarily greed but when that desire is out of order or has your heart, it can become greed.
What this all means is that Greed has the power to blind you to Greed!
Luke 12: 18-19 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
2 Corinthians 8:9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
What things in life are you driven to accomplish or to hoard? Why?
2) The Motivation of Real Giving
The motivation of real giving is Grace.
What is grace? Getting what you don’t deserve. It is unmerited favor from God. (mercy is not getting what you do deserve)
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
“Grace is fundamentally God's action of providing benefits that are not earned or deserved by the recipient.” Dr. Timothy Keller: Undeserved Benefits
2 Corinthians 9:10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
The grace of God makes every moment of our lives possible.
2 Corinthians 8:7 & 9 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich
Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are now ours because of our union with Christ and because of this we are motivated by this grace to give generously.
3) The Mark of Real Giving
The mark of real giving is Generosity.
Generosity can be defined as the willingness and habit of giving time, resources, or support to others, driven by a spirit of unselfish kindness, compassion, and a desire for the common good, rather than expecting anything in return.
Luke 12:32-34 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Generosity is the mark of real giving. As Christians, our giving is not to be measured in percentages and in joyless obedience to rules but in stunning radical generosity.
When grace meets greed, the inevitable result is generosity.
Hearts that Stretched
2 Corinthians 8:3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
What would giving beyond your ability look like for you?
“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” – Mother Teresa
Hearts that Choose
2 Corinthians 8:3b-4 …entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with is for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints
They gave from a motivation of grace for the privilege of giving.
Hearts that Belong
2 Corinthians 8:5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
Giving yourself to Jesus means surrendering the right to rule and reign in your own life. This has implications, not only for how you use your money, but how you use your gifts, your body, your words…and on and on.
4) The Result of Real Giving.
The result of real giving is Gospel Impact.
When we intentionally oppose our greed and are motivated by Grace we become a radically generous people. The Guaranteed result of this type of life is gospel impact.
When we are determined to make a difference and demonstrate generosity the result is impacting our community for the Gospel.