GOALS IN GIVING

6 trillion dollars!  Can you imagine such a sum?  Yet, that is what has been obliterated in the stock market in only two days!  Yet, any sum—vast or small—that is given to the Lord’s work is never lost and only pays dividends of eternal worth. 

Thus, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21). 

The purse strings are directly connected to our heart strings. Our stewardship is a spiritual x-ray of our soul. Therefore, every pastor must preach on giving and set the pattern in giving. 

Paul sets forth three goals to govern our giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9.  These are not about the sum of what we give, but the spirit in why we give.  The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart!

The first goal in giving is GRACE, (8:1-15). Four times in these verses, the Apostle calls giving a “grace.”  This is the means of our giving. It is not a legalistic obligation, but a loving motivation. It is not about how little we can give to satisfy God’s demand, but how large a gift we can give to celebrate God’s grace toward us. 

That cannot be measured in dollars, for Jesus presented the example of a widow who gave only two “mites.” A mite would be equivalent to about 1/8th of a penny today. Still Jesus said she gave more than all the wealthy men, “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood,” (Mark 12:44). She was motivated by grace, and that is what God is looking for in our giving. 

Of course, Jesus is the perfect model and Paul underscores that here. All we are and all we have and all we will enjoy for eternity is all of grace—the incalculable, “indescribable gift,” of Christ, (2 Cor. 9:18). God not only mandates our giving, but models true giving (Jn. 3:16). I have no right to preach this, if I do not practice this!

The second goal is GLORY, (8:16-9:5). Twice, Paul uses the word, “glory,” in presenting a goal. This is the motive for our giving. Now, he does boast in the generosity of the Macedonian churches, using them as an example to inspire the Corinthians. Yet, that goes beyond and points to the glory of God as the Provider who makes all our giving possible. All we are, all we have, and all we do is to redound to the glory of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus warned to have the proper motive for giving. 

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matt. 6:1-4).

This does not mean that generosity cannot be celebrated. We already mentioned that the widow gave all she had and Jesus shone the spotlight on her. Then, I think of a very wealthy man, Barnabas, who sold all his vast possessions and surrendered the sum to the Apostles to distribute to any in need. The inspired Scriptures document that. In this text, Paul is giving a pat on the back to generous givers in stressing the Macedonian saints. Again, this gets to motive—and the heart’s passion. Is our giving for the praise of men or the praise of God?

The third goal in giving is GLADNESS, (9:6-15). “God loves a cheerful giver,” (v. 7). This is the mirth of our giving. It is not “a grudging obligation,” (9:5) in paying a bill, but a glad celebration in praising the Lord. I understand the use of online giving, or providing collection boxes, and the passing of collection plates. Any of these may be the means for offering worship to God. I do think highlighting giving in the gathering of the saints is important—as it is about worship. It is a personal matter, but a public celebration. How raucous is the rejoicing when the offering is received?

What is the business of the church when we assemble on the Lord’s Day?  It is for the purpose of exalting God in corporate worship. We may participate in worship by our singing, and with our serving, in the Scriptures, and in our stewardship. Some give madly, angry that there is the expectation that they give. Some give sadly, as they worry that they won’t have enough after they give. Some give gladly, and only these receive the blessing of God upon their giving. 

The passage closes with a summation of these goals in giving, as Paul stresses grace, glory, and gladness.  

“For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (v. 12-15)

We need more liberal preachers and churches. Not in doctrine, morals, or politics—certainly not!  But, liberal only in the matter of our giving—an abundance of grace, glory, and gladness!

GET UP AND GET GOING

 

Doubtless, there have been times that your “get up and go” got up and went!  Maybe today you feel that way. As a pastor, I recall weeks where I had hospital visits, multiple funerals, perhaps counseling a couple in marital crisis, a committee meeting, Bible lessons to prepare, phone calls to field, and besides all this, children to take to school, ballgames to attend, grass to mow, and you come to Saturday. You know what follows—Sunday!  For the preacher, it is the biggest day of the week, and you have given until you are “give out.”  Catch your breath, grab a cup of coffee—and prepare your heart to preach. Here are some thoughts to strengthen you. 

THE LORD IS OUR MAKER, “For of Him…”.  He knew us and knit us together in our mother’s womb. God, in His sovereign work, formed a unique creation in you and me. The circumstances that we find ourselves in are because He has placed us there. Our potential and limitations are according to His formation of us. Surrender yourself as human clay in the Potter’s hands. Paul put it this way, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor.‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬‬). 

THE LORD IS OUR MEDIATOR, “and through Him…”. The Father so loved you that He sent His Son to suffer as no other to redeem you. It is through this atoning work that we are fit for heaven. Because Christ is our Mediator, we are not only fit for heaven, but to do heaven’s work here below. Others need to know of the grace that can save a wretch like them. We attest to it, for He saved such wretches as we are. Truly, it is the business of every believer to bear witness to the saving work of Christ, but God has called His preachers to set the standard.  Paul exhorted a young (perhaps tired) Timothy, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry,” (2 Tim.‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬‬). 

THE LORD IS OUR MOTIVATOR, “and to Him are all things…”.  When tempted to throw up our hands in frustration or throw in the towel in defeat, remember this—it is not about us, but the Lord. The rationalizations we can make for giving up will be amply supplied by Satan. Indeed, we can probably come up with a few on our own!  Job’s wife offered this discouraging word, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). The bottom line is this: it is not the expectation of others, the commendation of colleagues, the recognition by church members, the remuneration that pays the bills—it is the passion to honor Christ that is our motivation, “to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

THE CONGREGATION OF THE COMMON

 

There were a relative handful of those who held the reins of power and abundance of possessions who followed Jesus. One thinks of Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and a few women of Herod’s household. Matthew and Zaccheus had been wealthy, but surrendered their status and substance to follow Jesus. There was an occasional ruler of a synagogue and Roman centurion, but that is about it.

The vast majority of those who received Christ’s words were common people. The peasant Prophet had a receptive audience in the poor, needy, outcasts, and such. Jesus had a message of hope to those who were the dregs in the bottom of society’s cup. The common people not only heard Him, but “heard Him gladly”!

One is reminded of Paul’s words:

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”  (I Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭29‬‬)

There is an uncommonly great message for the common people.  

Notice it does not say “not ANY wise…not ANY mighty, not ANY noble,” but “not many,” so we need not abandon all hope of reaching those who are scholars, successful business leaders, and in positions of power. Yet, only a handful of the “upper crust,” will respond to the Gospel. It is a sad reality.

Yet, the preacher need not despair, for he will often have a listening ear among those who are struggling to survive from day to day. In almost a half century of preaching the Gospel my experience attests to this. I have embraced it and seen people lifted from the depths of depravity and despair to the glory of being children of God!

So, stop complaining if this is the makeup of your congregation. Jesus was not “too good” to preach to such a flock, though He was the King of Glory, and only perfect Man. I can be like Jesus in serving the congregation of the common. May I be found preaching in the nursing home, the prison, the homeless shelter, and in the little brown church in the wildwood.  I do not have to speak from an elevated pulpit in a massive cathedral or on a spot-lit stage in a high-tech mega church facility.  If God calls me to such, then it is grace, but wherever—it is for His glory.

Matthew West put it this way in song lyrics:

Why You ever chose me
Has always been a mystery
All my life I've been told I belong at the end of the line
With all the other Not-Quites
With all the Never-Get-It-Rights
But it turns out they're the ones You've been looking for all this time

'Cause I'm just a nobody
Trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me
You gave my heart a song to sing
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus

Moses had stage fright
And David brought a rock to a sword fight
You picked 12 outsiders nobody would've chosen
And You changed the world
Well, the moral of the story is
Everybody's got a purpose
So when I hear that devil start talking to me, saying
"Who do you think you are"
I say...

I'm just a nobody
Trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me
You gave my heart a song to sing
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus
I'm living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus

To this I say, “Soli Deo gloria!”

MOTIVATIONS IN MINISTRY

What we do in ministry is important—a Biblically directed service is essential. The way we do it matters, also. The end does not justify the means. But, why we do Gospel work counts much, for God does not judge as man does—by outward appearance—rather the Lord looks at the heart  The right thing done the right way apart from being done for the right reason makes it wrong!

Stephen Olford wrote about motives in, “According to Your Word.”

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” – Revelation 4:11 

I have been created, and am now living, for the pleasure (and by the will) of God if these three characteristics are true of me: 

He is worthy to receive glory. My life should have as its first characteristic the glorifying of God. The Lord says in John 15:8, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit,” the fruit of character. 

He is worthy to receive honor. Here is the second characteristic: to give God honor is to give Him His due. He is worthy of all. 

He is worthy to receive power. Thirdly, power. Not only what He does in me and what I am, but also He is worthy to receive what I can do!

May all that I am and all that I do bring You glory and honor and power. Amen.

It is far too easy to seek the glory that only God deserves, to want the honor which rightfully only belongs to God, and to exercise power for the benefit we receive rather than laboring for the Lord.  Yet such motives will eventually be exposed—if not on earth, then in eternity.  At the judgment seat of Christ, we may find much of our ministry, when tested by fire, is incinerated—unworthy of reward.  Ask the Holy Spirit today to shine his light upon your ministry and reveal if there be any iniquity in your motivation.  Join with the Psalmist in praying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps.‭139:23-24‬)

ALL ON THE ALTAR

The Old Testament sacrificial system with its priesthood, altar, and sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, the Great High Priest, who offered Himself as a Lamb on the cross in fulfillment.  Yet, what Christ did absolutely, we are as His followers to do spiritually as  a kingdom of priests, offering spiritual sacrifices on the altar of our commitment.  That is the imagery Paul uses in this text.  Paul so describes the sacrificial gift of money brought by Epaphroditus from the Philippian church. There is a principle that we may apply to any gifts God graces us with—and how we may worship Him through the sacrificial offering of those for God’s glory.  Allow me to specifically speak to the preacher.

THERE IS THE SCENT OF THE SERMON. It is to be “a fragrant offering.”  Now, some sermons just stink! That brings no honor to God or help to the congregation. In contrast to that, If you have smelled a steak cooking on a grill—an aroma that makes you salivate—this should be akin to the scent of our sermon. In our prayerful preparation and passionate presentation, the offering of the message can make each one attending hunger for God and His Word—as Psalm 34:8 says to, “taste and see that the LORD is good!”

THERE IS THE SACRIFICE IN THE SERMON. It is “a sacrifice.”  The Old Testament worshipper was not to bring the worst of the flock, but the best. God was to get the firstfruits and not the leftovers. As David declared, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing,” (2 Sam.24:24). There is a price to pay for preaching that is for the glory of God and good of man. You don’t grab sermon scraps from a book or podcast, stick it in the microwave and go through the motions from the pulpit!

THERE IS THE SATISFACTION FROM THE SERMON. It is “acceptable and pleasing to God.”  If meant to only satisfy yourself in doing your job, or to tickle the ears of the people so they magnify you, then as a preacher your motivation is deadly. We pray that people will be touched by the truth, but it is not that they will always react with acceptance, they may respond with anger. We will find joy if the sermon is acceptable to God. Fundamentally our focus is on God being satisfied. If God is pleased, it ultimately matters not whether anyone else is.

Dear God, may the preacher offer in the sermon his all on the altar—a living sacrifice to You, that is holy in its conception and acceptable in its communication—as his spiritual act of worship!