INTRODUCTION
Nothing is as unpopular as the preacher talking about money. Stewardship
is not on the top ten list of favorite sermon topics. People get uncomfortable
about the subject of money, especially when you mix spirituality with
it. Our money also reminds us of our problems. Financial guru Ron Blue
states in the book The Making of a Marriage, that money is one of two
areas of married life that give couples the most trouble. And yet Jesus
had much to say about money, our attitude toward it and our use of it.
Today, we look at a passage of Scripture that Jesus seems to relate
money and God in a powerful way. In an effort to squelch our fears surrounding
it, he states some very important things in Luke 12. I've entitled our
message for today, Giving: a Remedy for Anxiety. In it, hopeful you
will find some helpful things to keep in mind as we look at the subject
of stewardship. First of which is this…
I. GOD PROMISES TO PROVIDE FOR HIS PEOPLE.
Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen
gladly to give you the kingdom. For one, this statement implies that
the kingdom is the Father's to give. Take notice what Jesus states in
the previous passage. He tells us to have a big view of God, especially
when it comes to material possessions. He stated concerning the ravens
in verse 24, Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have
no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable
you are than birds! Concerning the beauty of lilies in verse 28, If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today,
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you,
O you of little faith!
This should cause us to take a different look at our possessions whether
they be our finances, our time or our abilities. We are to honor God
with our wealth. Proverbs 3:9 tells us, Honor the LORD from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled
with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. We do this because
everything ultimately belongs to Him anyway. Psalm 50:9 states, I have
no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for
every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field
are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is
mine, and all that is in it. A very basic lesson comes from such verses:
God owns it all.
But there is danger in thinking that we own it all. For if we are not
careful, we can become too attached to our possessions. There is a big
emphasis on giving in the gospel of Luke, written primarily to Gentiles.
Religion or no, selfishness is at our core. Many of you know that we
were recently blessed with the birth of a daughter recently. I've observed
something about her actions. She doesn't give a whole lot. Other than
some sleepless nights and a few dirty diapers, she's not too generous.
At the very heart of each of us is the tendency to hoard rather than
bestow.
You will notice that there are repercussions from withholding from God.
As we read in our responsive reading, God cursed the nation because
they did not tithe. In Malachi 12:7 we are told, Ever since the time
of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not
kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD
Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 8 "Will a
man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse-- the whole nation
of you-- because you are robbing me.
Ironically, generosity towards God is a sign of faith. Zaccheus was
a tax collector. Upon visiting his home, Jesus made Zaccheus aware of
his greed and history of cheating others. As a result of that meeting,
we read his words in Luke 19:8, Look, Lord! Here and now I give half
of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of
anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Seeing his repentance,
Jesus response in verse nine, Today salvation has come to this house,
because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came
to seek and to save what was lost. Giving is a solution to selfishness.
But what value do you place on your possessions? Do you see life as
revolving around them? Or do you see them as means to an end? Does wealth
and possesions serve the purpose of helping others, or just helping
yourself? That leads us to our next lesson,…
II. GENEROSITY HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES.
As a result of God's provision, Jesus says in Luke 12:33, Sell your
possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not
wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near,
nor moth destroys. 34 "For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also. Our attitude towards giving reveals the place of our
hearts. Is it centered on the temporal/material or on the eternal/spiritual?
There are several instructions pertaining generosity for the disciples
of Christ. One of Luke's greatest concerns is for the poor. This is
why there are so many verses on sharing and giving within this gospel.
For instance, Luke 3:11 says, Let the man who has two tunics share with
him who has none; and let him who has food do likewise. Or Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours,
do not demand it back… . And Luke 11:41 But give that which is
within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.
The giving I speak of today is not just monetary in nature, but of yourself:
of your time, talent and treasure. Generosity is one mark of Christian
discipleship. And yet, it is a major roadblock for many. Maybe this
is why we have the story of the rich young ruler. After telling Jesus
that he had done all of the things expected from one who desired eternal
life, in Luke 18:22 we are told, And when Jesus heard this, He said
to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and
distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and
come, follow Me." We read that the man could not follow through.
We are told this was especially applicatory in verse 23, But when he
had heard these things, he became very sad; for he was extremely rich.
In my former place of ministry, there was a gentleman who owned a lot
of land along with a major business in the town. He had the reputation
of being very wealthy, but very stingy. He held membership in a local
church, yet only gave around a hundred dollars a year, even though he
easily could have given a hundred times that much and not been effected
in the least. He was known for being stingy and selfish. One day it
cost him. A man had agreed to buy some firewood from this person. The
deal was done. Then "Mr. Jones" was approached with a better
price and sold the wood before the first man came back for it. The man
was so upset that he drew back and laid him out on the floor of his
business. True story.
Ironically enough, his grandson, who later became a part of the church
I served, was quite the opposite. He was a faithful contributor. And
whenever there was a great need in the church, he was the first in line
to give. How we treat our money speaks of our spirituality, or its lack.
Jesus cannot be Lord of our life, if He is not also Lord of our checkbook.
Does God have a place there? Does God have the authority over it? If
He does, you can be sure it will be noted in the end. Jesus tells us
to give and be generous to those in need, …and you will be blessed,
since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid
at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14). Or, …make friends
for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when
it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings (Luke 16:9).
CONCLUSION
Today, we've learned two valuable lessons in the area of stewardship.
One of which is that God provides for His people. Secondly, that generosity
has eternal consequences. Not to mean that by writing a check we can
enter heaven; but to say that giving is a characteristic of the Christian
faith and life. A song that especially speaks towards this is the words
of Thank You by Christian singer and songwriter, Ray Boltz. As you listen
to the song, please follow along with the words:
I dreamed I went to heaven
and You were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came.
And he said, "Friend you may not know me now"
And then he said, "But wait"
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart."
(Chorus)
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I am here today."
One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed.
And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you.
Great is your reward."
