1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,720 Thank you, Glenn, for sharing that testimony with us this morning. 2 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:18,520 As I have said, next Sunday evening we will have our congregational meeting at 6 o'clock. 3 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:25,240 I recognize that they're scheduled to be some kind of a football game at that time. 4 00:00:25,240 --> 00:00:33,760 The Vikings are not playing, sadly, and so you have no reason to stay home and watch 5 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:34,760 it. 6 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:38,880 And so I want to encourage you to be here for that praise gathering at 6 o'clock as 7 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:43,480 we share together the good things God has done in our church in the last year. 8 00:00:43,480 --> 00:00:51,600 Would you open your Bible, please, to Luke chapter 16. 9 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:57,720 The Bible has a lot to say about money, and it's my desire as a pastor to follow the 10 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:03,640 example of the Apostle Paul when he said that he preached the whole counsel of the Word 11 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:07,420 of God to the Ephesian church. 12 00:01:07,420 --> 00:01:11,440 That includes what the Bible has to say regarding this matter of money. 13 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:18,100 Now, some people become very nervous when they hear about money in a church, and there 14 00:01:18,100 --> 00:01:23,040 are probably some good reasons for that discomfort, among them the fact that there are some churches 15 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,000 that are just totally preoccupied with money. 16 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:30,480 I was talking to a friend of mine recently who goes to a church that has a large television 17 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:37,880 ministry, and he lamented to me the fact that the whole service each Sunday is given for 18 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:43,600 the television audience, and that it involves a great deal of appeal for funds in order 19 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,160 to keep the television ministry going. 20 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:53,880 The sad thing is that the ministry in that local church is suffering because of that. 21 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:59,360 Then there are other churches that have a partiality toward wealthy and rich people. 22 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,680 James has some strong words concerning that. 23 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:06,760 He says, if we have partiality toward the rich, we have become judges of one another 24 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:08,120 with evil motives. 25 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:13,600 In fact, he says, God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in the things of 26 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:19,920 God, and therefore we are not to look down upon those who are poor. 27 00:02:19,920 --> 00:02:21,360 But there are some churches that are partial. 28 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:29,040 I hope the Grace Church will never be partial toward a person because of his abilities to 29 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:33,520 give or the amount of money that he may have. 30 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:41,680 Then there are churches that use this matter of giving as pressure, and spiritual fear 31 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:50,960 is put into people, or sometimes even guilt, so that they are encouraged to give by really 32 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:53,720 what is manipulation. 33 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:58,920 So I can understand why there is discomfort regarding this matter of money. 34 00:02:58,920 --> 00:03:03,840 And yet the Bible has so much to say about it that we need to learn what God says about 35 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,040 this important topic. 36 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:10,680 Last week we looked together at the truth that God wants us to have money, and he has 37 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:15,480 made provision for us to gain it in several biblical right ways. 38 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:21,000 And the reason that he wants us to have money is so that our needs can be met, and so that 39 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:26,800 in addition to that there might be a margin between what we need and what we receive so 40 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:31,880 that we can give generously to those who have needs. 41 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:35,680 And then we looked at the fact that God wants us to think properly about money. 42 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,400 In the first place, he does not want us to love it. 43 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:44,920 In fact, he warns us that if we do choose to love money and go after that as our goal 44 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:51,880 in life, and about two-thirds of the college students surveyed recently indicated that 45 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:56,400 was their number one goal in life, to make money. 46 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:01,280 Twenty-five years ago, a four out of five students said the most important thing was 47 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:05,060 to find a solid philosophy for living. 48 00:04:05,060 --> 00:04:08,400 Things happened in the last twenty-five years in the college campus. 49 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:09,400 Motives have changed. 50 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:13,480 Now, two out of three say, it's money that I want in life. 51 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:20,040 The Bible says that if we set money as our goal, that it will destroy our lives, it will 52 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:29,640 make us useless to God, and will inevitably lead us to compromise of biblical principles. 53 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:34,340 So he wants us to, in the first place, not love money. 54 00:04:34,340 --> 00:04:40,200 But secondly, he wants us to be aware that money is deceitful. 55 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,960 Not only deceitful, but it's temporary. 56 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:48,440 So he wants us to be aware of its true nature, not be deceived by it. 57 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:55,200 Then we began looking at the fact that as we think of money, God wants us to make money 58 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,280 our servant. 59 00:04:57,280 --> 00:05:01,600 We see that in the parable that Jesus tells in Luke chapter 16. 60 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,480 I'm going to begin reading in verse one. 61 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:14,360 Now, he, Jesus, was also saying to the disciples, there was a certain rich man who had a steward, 62 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:21,320 and this steward was reported to him as squandering his possessions. 63 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:25,040 And he called him and said to him, what is this I hear about you? 64 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:30,120 Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward. 65 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:35,120 And the steward said to himself, what shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship 66 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:36,400 away from me? 67 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,600 I am not strong enough to dig. 68 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:40,800 I am ashamed to beg. 69 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:46,280 I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the stewardship, they will receive 70 00:05:46,280 --> 00:05:48,640 me into their homes. 71 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:52,680 And he summoned each one of his master's debtors, and he began saying to the first, 72 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:54,840 how much do you owe my master? 73 00:05:54,840 --> 00:05:58,120 And he said, a hundred measures of oil. 74 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:01,560 And he said to him, take your bill and sit down quickly and write fifty. 75 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:05,360 Then he said to another, and how much do you owe? 76 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:06,960 He said, a hundred measures of wheat. 77 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:11,060 And he said to him, take your bill and write eighty. 78 00:06:11,060 --> 00:06:17,080 And his master praised the unrighteous steward, because he had acted shrewdly. 79 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:22,640 For the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of 80 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:24,760 light. 81 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:31,920 And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, 82 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:38,320 that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 83 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:43,840 Please understand that in this parable, Jesus has one main lesson to teach us. 84 00:06:43,840 --> 00:06:47,840 As we interpret parables, it's important to keep in mind that we cannot press every 85 00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:51,360 point of the parable to some meaning. 86 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:57,440 Most parables have one central truth, and that is the case with this parable. 87 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:03,960 Jesus is not commending the dishonesty of the steward that he talks about. 88 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,200 The man was dishonest. 89 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:13,760 But even his own master had to admire the cleverness, the shrewdness with which he had 90 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:16,040 acted. 91 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:22,160 And it is that thought of preparation that Jesus commends, using what one has now to 92 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:25,000 prepare for the future. 93 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,200 That's what Jesus is saying. 94 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:33,600 And he says that we are wise when we use what we have now, specifically money. 95 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:39,160 He calls it the mammon of unrighteousness, but he's talking about money, our possessions. 96 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:45,220 We're wise when we use what we have now to prepare for the future. 97 00:07:45,220 --> 00:07:52,160 The future meaning when we arrive in heaven, when we come to the eternal dwellings. 98 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:58,040 The idea is that we invest what God has given us now in his work. 99 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:03,700 We use it for the winning of people to Jesus Christ, so that one day when we arrive in 100 00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:12,080 heaven there will be people there to welcome us because of the wise investment of our money 101 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:14,080 in God's work. 102 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:19,520 What is the primary principle that Jesus is teaching in this parable? 103 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:24,240 He is telling us that we are to use our money wisely. 104 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:28,840 And he goes on to say in the verses following that if a person does not know how to use 105 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:36,240 his money wisely with regard to that, then there cannot be entrusted to him the true 106 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:37,800 riches. 107 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:42,680 And Jesus is speaking about spiritual responsibilities. 108 00:08:42,680 --> 00:08:47,240 He says if a person is not faithful in that which is little, he can't be dependent upon 109 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:49,960 to be faithful in that which is much. 110 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:54,960 And if he is faithful in that which is little, then he can be dependent upon to be faithful 111 00:08:54,960 --> 00:09:00,280 with the true riches, with spiritual responsibilities. 112 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:06,160 I have heard people say in years past, well I don't really give a lot to my church because 113 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:09,800 I can't trust the leadership there. 114 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:14,360 You know what my thought is when I hear words like that? 115 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:19,600 It is if you can't trust the leadership of your church, then why are you going there? 116 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:23,400 After all, they are committing to you something that is far more important than the money 117 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,200 you're talking about. 118 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:31,400 If they cannot be trusted with the spiritual riches, or rather with the money that you 119 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:37,480 want to give them, then how can you trust them with the spiritual riches that they're 120 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:41,320 ministering to you weekly? 121 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:46,040 Jesus gives a basic principle here that the way that we use our money reflects upon our 122 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:50,720 character, our trustworthiness. 123 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:53,720 So he says make money your servant. 124 00:09:53,720 --> 00:10:01,640 Rather than making yourself its servant, and bowing before it and worshipping it, let your 125 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:08,720 money be your servant with eternal dividends in view. 126 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:09,720 Invest it with God. 127 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:16,800 That is what he is saying. 128 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:22,840 Not only does the Lord want us to have money and to think properly about money, but he 129 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:29,840 wants us to manage our financial stewardship in a wise way. 130 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:30,840 What does that involve? 131 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,760 Well, let me just suggest three things that it involves. 132 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:43,240 In the first place, it involves recognizing that my first responsibility is to God. 133 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:49,600 That as I am blessed, as I am prospered, the very first responsibility that I have is not 134 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:55,160 to the department store, it's not to the utility company, but rather it's to God. 135 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:58,400 That's my first responsibility. 136 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:04,360 Come back with me to Proverbs and the third chapter where I think that we see this principle 137 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:08,440 stated. 138 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:18,480 In Proverbs 3 and verse 9, it says, honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first 139 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:24,760 of all your produce, so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow 140 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,200 with new wine. 141 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:32,560 God says that we are to honor him with the first of our increase, the first fruits of 142 00:11:32,560 --> 00:11:39,480 our produce, and that if we are faithful in that, then he will bless us and meet our needs. 143 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:43,800 God cannot be outgiven. 144 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:46,720 God will return. 145 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:51,640 I don't mean that God will make you wealthy if you give, but God will see to it that you 146 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:58,960 are returned what you need in your life. 147 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:05,240 The first thing that we need to do is to recognize our responsibility to God. 148 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:06,480 How are we to do that? 149 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:12,200 Well, I think that we find a verse or two in the New Testament that speaks briefly about 150 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:17,000 that, although next Sunday I want to speak more in detail from 2 Corinthians regarding 151 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,760 this matter of our giving to the Lord. 152 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:25,200 But turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 16 and notice some words of the apostle Paul 153 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:37,080 as he writes to them about a collection for the saints, the poor saints in Jerusalem. 154 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:41,560 And here are his instructions so that that collection will be taken in an orderly way 155 00:12:41,560 --> 00:12:46,300 and there will not be emotional appeals when he comes. 156 00:12:46,300 --> 00:12:52,640 He says, on the first day of every week, this is verse 2 of 1 Corinthians 16, on the first 157 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:59,680 day of every week, let each one of you put aside and save as he may prosper, that no 158 00:12:59,680 --> 00:13:03,360 collections be made when I come. 159 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:09,600 Now in that verse we see a number of basic teachings regarding giving as it applies in 160 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:10,600 the New Testament. 161 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:16,920 In the first place, notice that it is to be regular and systematic. 162 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:21,280 He says, on the first day of the week, when was that? 163 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:25,480 Well that was obviously the time when they came together for worship. 164 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:30,440 And so in the context of that day it was to be every week as they came together for worship, 165 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:35,080 regularly, systematically, they were to bring their offerings. 166 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:41,160 Now it was a custom in that day that a laborer was paid each day. 167 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:46,880 There were not weekly paid periods or bi-weekly or monthly, but every day a laborer was paid 168 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,680 as wages in Israel. 169 00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:55,520 And so at the end of the week they were to count what they had received during that week 170 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:58,760 and out of that bring an offering every week. 171 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:05,160 The principle, folks, is this, that in our giving to the Lord we are to be regular about 172 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:06,160 it. 173 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:08,320 We are to be systematic about it. 174 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:14,480 We are not to be subject to emotional appeals from people, but rather we are just to learn 175 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:19,240 faithfulness in regularly bringing an offering to the Lord. 176 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:24,320 Does that need to be done the first day of every week in our culture? 177 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:28,320 Well there are some who say that and that's fine if they want to do it. 178 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:32,800 I think the principle though that underlies it is that as I am increased I am to bring 179 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:33,800 that offering. 180 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,480 So if I'm paid every week then every week I need to bring that offering. 181 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:42,640 If I'm paid every two weeks or every month likewise I am to bring an offering. 182 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:50,620 The principle is do it regularly and do it in a planned systematic way. 183 00:14:50,620 --> 00:14:55,960 And then notice that he says that it's to be a universal practice. 184 00:14:55,960 --> 00:15:02,640 He says let every one of you, let each of you, it's not only individual but it's universal. 185 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:03,760 They were all to do it. 186 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:08,800 There seems to have been no exception in Paul's mind. 187 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:13,660 He was not looking upon some of the congregation as too poor to participate. 188 00:15:13,660 --> 00:15:17,900 He said let each one of you participate in this. 189 00:15:17,900 --> 00:15:23,400 And so in our giving today in the local church there is to be no exception. 190 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:26,040 One is to share in that. 191 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:36,040 Now in the average church we are told that 20% of a congregation gives 80% of the money. 192 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:37,780 Did you know that? 193 00:15:37,780 --> 00:15:46,040 In the average congregation, evangelical congregation, 20% of the people give 80% of the money. 194 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:54,960 30% give 20% and 50% give nothing. 195 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,880 That is not God's plan at all. 196 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:02,560 God's plan is for each one to give. 197 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:08,020 And in fact we are told that the larger a church gets the more that 50% who gives nothing 198 00:16:08,020 --> 00:16:10,240 creeps up. 199 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:12,680 Becomes 51, 55 and more. 200 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:13,880 The larger a church gets. 201 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:14,880 And why is that? 202 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:17,080 Well there are some reasons for it. 203 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:21,060 The larger a church gets the more the budget seems to be removed. 204 00:16:21,060 --> 00:16:23,880 The ministry seems to be removed from the individual. 205 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:27,880 It seems less personal and so there is less commitment. 206 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:35,360 And I think that likewise in the day in which we live in particular there are ministries 207 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:44,360 that can appeal to people emotionally through radio and television and do it in such a way 208 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:51,880 that it prompts people to give to get this book or this acknowledgement of some sort. 209 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:56,280 And so those kinds of tools are used to get people to give. 210 00:16:56,280 --> 00:17:00,960 And churches by and large do not use those kinds of means. 211 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:05,440 And so that is another reason perhaps that some give outside of their church rather than 212 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:06,440 within the church. 213 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:12,720 It seems perhaps more exciting to give out there to a ministry when they say if you don't 214 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:16,120 give this week we are going off the air. 215 00:17:16,120 --> 00:17:19,520 And you come each Sunday and the lights are on in the church and the heat is on. 216 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:23,640 In fact it is a little bit too much today. 217 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:27,840 When you come and people are here to meet your needs and things just seem to go on and 218 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:32,760 the church doesn't really need the money as much as so and so out here whose ministry 219 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:36,880 is going to go out of existence if he doesn't get the money this week. 220 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:44,760 Now what most people fail to realize is that message was taped months ago. 221 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:48,840 Something doesn't quite match up there but nonetheless. 222 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:54,400 The fact is the teaching of God's word says let each one of you participate. 223 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,520 That is God's plan. 224 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:03,880 And then we are to give he says as we may prosper. 225 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:11,040 The point the principle here is we are to give proportionate to our increase. 226 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:17,040 Now there are those who believe that the New Testament teaches that we are to tithe our 227 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:19,020 income. 228 00:18:19,020 --> 00:18:22,760 In fact I have some wonderful messages on the subject of tithing that I have preached 229 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:29,140 in the past because that is what I was taught early on and that is what I preached in my 230 00:18:29,140 --> 00:18:30,880 early ministry. 231 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,440 Because I have come to study God's word a little more on that subject. 232 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:40,080 I have come to believe that tithing is not and never really has been the principle of 233 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:44,000 offerings to the Lord. 234 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:50,600 The word tithe by the way for those of you that may not know refers to 10 percent. 235 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:53,840 And it is true that in the Old Testament there were tithes commanded. 236 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:59,600 It is true that even before the law there were a couple of examples of tithing. 237 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:05,040 For example in Genesis 14 Abraham gave a tithe of all that he had to the Lord. 238 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:09,720 But that is the only time that we find any record of Abraham giving anything. 239 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:13,760 So to say that that was a regular principle of his would be incorrect. 240 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:19,080 Jacob likewise gave a tenth of all that he had but that was on one occasion that he gave 241 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:22,400 that to the Lord. 242 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:27,400 Under the law yes there were tithes commanded of the Jewish people. 243 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:34,080 But if you study that basically what it was was a tax to support the state and the religious 244 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:36,840 institution of Israel. 245 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,720 God had planned for it to be a theocracy. 246 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:48,880 His ruling over the nation and as the people gave a tithe, one tithe was to support the 247 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:53,440 priesthood and the nation. 248 00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:55,280 Another tithe was to be given every year. 249 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:58,840 You see there were two tithes actually in ancient Israel. 250 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:03,840 That tithe was to support the national festivals and that sort of thing. 251 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:10,160 And then every three years there was a third tithe required of the Jewish people which 252 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:13,200 was to be used for the poor. 253 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:18,320 And so if you average that out what they gave each year in tithe so called was actually 254 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:23,920 23.5 percent or 23.3 percent. 255 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:28,760 So that's what they were required to give under the law but that was basically a tax 256 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:35,200 upon them to support the nation and the institution, the religious institution, the temple and 257 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:38,600 the priesthood and so on. 258 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:46,400 However parallel to that throughout the Old Testament there was such a thing as was called 259 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:50,080 a free will offering. 260 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:57,360 And that is what is parallel to us today, not the tithe. 261 00:20:57,360 --> 00:21:01,800 When God says in Malachi 3, you've robbed me and the people say how have we robbed you? 262 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:04,600 He says in tithes and offerings. 263 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:10,920 He was saying in the first place you haven't paid your taxes, tithe, and the offerings. 264 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:14,800 There have been no free will offerings. 265 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:19,600 We have a number of examples of free will offerings in the Old Testament but perhaps 266 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:23,280 one of the most beautiful is back in the book of Exodus in verse 25. 267 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:27,080 Would you look at that with me? 268 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:34,760 My point is this, that in this matter of giving, God's principle has always been that of free 269 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:35,760 will. 270 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:42,120 In other words there is to be no coercion, there is no legalistic commandment that it 271 00:21:42,120 --> 00:21:48,960 must be 10 percent or 23.3 percent but it's a matter of a one giving out of his free heart 272 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:50,760 and will to the Lord. 273 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:58,200 In Exodus 25 verse 1 it says, the Lord spoke to Moses saying, tell the sons of Israel to 274 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:08,360 raise a contribution for me from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise my contribution. 275 00:22:08,360 --> 00:22:16,060 So God's plan was that in the construction of the tabernacle, that original tent of worship 276 00:22:16,060 --> 00:22:25,040 of the Jewish people, they were to do that through the free will giving of the people 277 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:27,840 whose ever heart prompted him to give. 278 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:37,540 Now turn over a few pages to chapter 35 where we have the actual command being fulfilled. 279 00:22:37,540 --> 00:22:45,000 For example, Moses says in verse 5, take from among you a contribution to the Lord. 280 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:51,440 Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord's contribution. 281 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:57,080 Look again in verse 21, and everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit 282 00:22:57,080 --> 00:23:01,000 moved him came and brought the Lord's contribution. 283 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:08,240 Verse 22, then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women came and brought various 284 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:09,760 items that are listed there. 285 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:17,120 Verse 24, everyone who could make a contribution of silver and bronze brought the Lord's 286 00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:18,600 contribution. 287 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:23,800 Verse 29, the Israelites, all the men and women whose heart moved them to bring material 288 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:29,840 for all the work, at the end of the verse they brought a free will offering to the Lord. 289 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:34,720 Chapter 36 and verse 2, in the middle of the verse, everyone whose heart stirred him to 290 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:37,280 come to the work to perform it. 291 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:43,480 And what was the result of all of this freedom to give as the people were moved, as they 292 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:44,480 were led to give? 293 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:52,480 Well, in verse 6 it says, Moses issued a proclamation that was circulated and it said this, let 294 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:58,000 neither man nor woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary. 295 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,640 Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. 296 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:02,640 What had happened? 297 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:07,920 Well, as they had given out of the freedom of their hearts, too much was given. 298 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:09,760 They didn't need any more. 299 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:13,680 And so they had to stand up and say, stop bringing contributions. 300 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:20,760 Now that would be a day in a church when that was the case, wouldn't it? 301 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:27,200 My point in showing you that in Exodus was to show you that alongside of the law regarding 302 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:32,720 the tithe, which was basically a tax upon the people, there was the opportunity to bring 303 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:34,600 a free will offering. 304 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:39,160 Likewise, today we owe to Caesar what we owe him, don't we? 305 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:41,040 And it's always too much. 306 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,480 But we're commanded by God to give it. 307 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:45,800 That's our responsibility as citizens of our land. 308 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,600 That's our tax. 309 00:24:47,600 --> 00:24:54,160 But in addition to that, we are to bring to the Lord a free will offering. 310 00:24:54,160 --> 00:25:01,840 And Jesus says in Luke chapter 6 that the more we give, the more God will bless us. 311 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,680 The more we give, the more God will bless us. 312 00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:10,880 He says, let your measurement be that of a basket that's pushed down solidly. 313 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:17,360 And cram as much in there as you possibly can and bring that to the Lord, because God 314 00:25:17,360 --> 00:25:24,560 is just going to bless you that much more richly for your free will in giving it. 315 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:29,200 Now let's go back and talk some more about 1 Corinthians 16 where it says, as he may 316 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:30,200 prosper. 317 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:38,900 The point that the apostle is making is this. 318 00:25:38,900 --> 00:25:49,160 The more I am prospered as an individual, the more I am to bring to God. 319 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:57,900 You see, if there is such a thing as legalistic tithing, I think it really destroys the principle 320 00:25:57,900 --> 00:26:00,920 that is talked about here in this verse. 321 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:10,540 For a person, for example, who earns $10,000 a year, if he brings a tithe, brings $1,000. 322 00:26:10,540 --> 00:26:16,520 That leaves him $9,000 for everything else. 323 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:28,840 A person who earns $100,000 if he simply practices tithing, brings $10,000 but is left with $90,000 324 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:31,640 to live upon. 325 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:33,720 Now is that what the Lord is teaching here? 326 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:36,160 No, it's not. 327 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:43,600 The more one is blessed, the more one has an increase, the greater his responsibility 328 00:26:43,600 --> 00:26:46,200 is to bring back to the Lord. 329 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:52,520 The one who earns more is to carefully guard his standard of living so that he doesn't 330 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:57,440 consume all of that upon his own covetous desires. 331 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:02,200 And if God blesses him with much, he is to return much to the Lord. 332 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:08,000 That is the principle in this phrase, as he may prosper. 333 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:14,640 Now, frankly, I knew very little about the principles of God's Word in this matter of 334 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:18,880 giving until I got out of college. 335 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:23,200 I practiced giving here and there, five bucks on the plate one time and $10 if it was a 336 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,360 real emotional appeal and I was moved. 337 00:27:26,360 --> 00:27:33,000 And of course, college students typically are not exactly overloaded with money, so 338 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,760 I gave that way. 339 00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:39,920 But I did not understand the principles here in this verse of regular systematic giving 340 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:45,120 that I was responsible as an individual to God as I was prospered. 341 00:27:45,120 --> 00:27:49,900 When I got to my first ministry down in Kentucky as an assistant pastor, it was announced to 342 00:27:49,900 --> 00:27:57,720 me that I would tithe and I wasn't exactly overpaid in my position either. 343 00:27:57,720 --> 00:28:01,000 But I was told, you will tithe. 344 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:07,180 And I accepted that because I liked the job and I knew what the alternative was. 345 00:28:07,180 --> 00:28:09,280 And so I began to tithe. 346 00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:11,200 It was hard at first. 347 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:16,200 It was a brand new concept to me. 348 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:20,920 But I got over the legalism of that. 349 00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:25,800 And what it did for me was it established a practice in my life of giving and giving 350 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:26,800 regularly. 351 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:31,680 Then as I began to understand the teaching of God's Word regarding the tithe and free 352 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:38,360 will offering that I've talked about, I was able to set aside the idea of a tithe. 353 00:28:38,360 --> 00:28:43,520 And my wife and I have practiced from that time forward giving more than a tithe to the 354 00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:47,960 Lord's work. 355 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:53,760 There have been times when I have been tempted not to give it for one reason or another. 356 00:28:53,760 --> 00:29:04,440 I remember when I was talking to one of my brothers who does not go to church regarding 357 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:08,220 a home that he and his wife and family were buying. 358 00:29:08,220 --> 00:29:10,560 And it was a beautiful home. 359 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:14,480 I understood how much he was putting down on it and that they were going to be practically 360 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:20,800 debt free because of the fact that he has a very fine job, but he does not practice 361 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:22,760 giving. 362 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:27,840 And so he's invested a lot of that money into things that their family possess and 363 00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:28,840 into their home. 364 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:32,680 You know, I began to look back at all the money I've given to the Lord's work through 365 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:34,560 the years. 366 00:29:34,560 --> 00:29:38,600 And the devil said in my ear, you know, if you hadn't given all that money, you could 367 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:43,280 own a home. 368 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:49,000 But it wasn't long before the Spirit of God whispered in the other ear, yes, but you've 369 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:55,000 invested for the future. 370 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:57,160 You've invested in eternal things. 371 00:29:57,160 --> 00:29:59,700 And that quieted my spirit. 372 00:29:59,700 --> 00:30:05,000 I do not regret the money that we've given. 373 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:12,560 I thank God that it's kept safe where we've saved it for the Lord's work. 374 00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:21,520 And that it's going to make a difference in eternity because we've given it that way. 375 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:25,720 Chuck Swindoll had some interesting comments about this matter of giving in one of his 376 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:28,800 monthly letters some time ago. 377 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:34,280 He begins by saying, dear listening friend, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my 378 00:30:34,280 --> 00:30:35,280 heart. 379 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:37,000 That sounds like Swindoll, doesn't it? 380 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:43,960 He goes on to say, how easy it is to emphasize duty in giving and miss the joy. 381 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:50,720 For far too long, God's people have been shamed and whipped into giving. 382 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:57,740 Guilt and manipulative techniques are commonly used to wrench money from pockets and purses. 383 00:30:57,740 --> 00:31:00,100 People give but not hilariously. 384 00:31:00,100 --> 00:31:01,720 How tragic. 385 00:31:01,720 --> 00:31:07,400 God highly prizes those who give with joy, joy, joy, joy down in their hearts. 386 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:13,760 Joy and generosity are like Siamese twins inseparably linked together. 387 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:18,640 It concerns me quite frankly, says Swindoll, that stewardship is usually viewed as a grim 388 00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:23,000 obligation and we frown our way through it. 389 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:27,840 Forcing ourselves to obey, we squeeze out a nickel or two while old Thomas Jefferson 390 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:28,840 yells. 391 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:32,080 Surely, this is alien to God's preference. 392 00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:39,120 Remember, he wants joy, joy, joy, joy, not okay, okay, okay, okay. 393 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:42,200 How can we bring the joy back? 394 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:45,920 Number one, reflect on God's gifts to you. 395 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:47,760 Hasn't he been good? 396 00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:49,000 Better than we deserve. 397 00:31:49,000 --> 00:31:53,760 Good health, happy family, sufficient food, clothing and shelter, close friends and so 398 00:31:53,760 --> 00:31:56,560 much more. 399 00:31:56,560 --> 00:32:01,400 Number two, remind yourself of his promises regarding generosity. 400 00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:06,120 Call to mind a few biblical principles that promise the benefits of sowing bountifully. 401 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:09,400 Bumper crops, don't forget, are God's specialty. 402 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:11,840 Number three, examine your heart. 403 00:32:11,840 --> 00:32:13,160 Nobody but you can do this. 404 00:32:13,160 --> 00:32:19,600 Open that private vault and ask several hard questions like, am I giving proportionate 405 00:32:19,600 --> 00:32:20,600 to my income? 406 00:32:20,600 --> 00:32:25,400 Am I motivated by guilt or by joy? 407 00:32:25,400 --> 00:32:30,600 If someone else knew the level of my financial involvement in God's work, would I be an 408 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:33,700 encouragement toward generosity? 409 00:32:33,700 --> 00:32:38,720 Have I prayed about giving or am I just an impulsive giver? 410 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:44,840 And finally, to return joy to giving, trust God to honor consistent generosity. 411 00:32:44,840 --> 00:32:46,720 Here's the big step, but it's essential. 412 00:32:46,720 --> 00:32:48,240 Go for it. 413 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:53,840 Release your restraint when you really believe God is leading you to make a significant contribution 414 00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:56,760 and develop the habit of generosity. 415 00:32:56,760 --> 00:33:00,960 It is doubtful that generosity has ever hurt very many people. 416 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:07,800 Well, he has some good words there telling us how to get back the joy in our giving. 417 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:13,660 As we think about our financial stewardship, remember number one, our responsibility is 418 00:33:13,660 --> 00:33:14,960 to him. 419 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:20,320 Not legalistically, but because he has done so much for us. 420 00:33:20,320 --> 00:33:25,880 And therefore, out of the joy and freedom, the love of our hearts, we bring our generous 421 00:33:25,880 --> 00:33:29,920 gifts to the Lord as he has prospered us. 422 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:44,760 Let's bow together. 423 00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:50,240 Let each one of you, says the word of God. 424 00:33:50,240 --> 00:34:01,600 I wonder how each one of us needs to respond to the message this morning. 425 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:08,160 He that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 426 00:34:08,160 --> 00:34:10,900 That's not prosperity gospel. 427 00:34:10,900 --> 00:34:14,960 That's a principle of God's word. 428 00:34:14,960 --> 00:34:19,860 God wants us to reap bountifully. 429 00:34:19,860 --> 00:34:23,960 God wants us to know the meaning of true riches in our lives. 430 00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:35,200 But before he gives that to us, he wants us to be good stewards of our money. 431 00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:38,740 What we've talked about this morning is not the way to heaven. 432 00:34:38,740 --> 00:34:47,440 The giving of money has nothing to do with whether we become children of God, have eternal 433 00:34:47,440 --> 00:34:52,320 life, or are home in heaven. 434 00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:58,280 That is all a free gift that we receive from God, which he has made possible through the 435 00:34:58,280 --> 00:35:02,340 death and resurrection of his Son. 436 00:35:02,340 --> 00:35:09,380 God wants us to have that gift that money cannot buy. 437 00:35:09,380 --> 00:35:16,120 And so grateful are we, Father, who have received that gift, that our hearts are liberated from 438 00:35:16,120 --> 00:35:24,840 the chains of covetousness and from the bondage of legalistic rules and percentages, so that 439 00:35:24,840 --> 00:35:34,680 we might bring to you, lay up in store in the Lord's work as you prosper us. 440 00:35:34,680 --> 00:35:44,360 Lord increase the liberality of our giving, that we may prove ourselves in character to 441 00:35:44,360 --> 00:35:55,520 be worthy of the true spiritual riches that you have entrusted to us for the world. 442 00:35:55,520 --> 00:36:15,520 We pray in Jesus' name, amen.