While poverty or wealth often correlates with foolishness and wisdom respectively there are other times when the wise must choose wisdom over wealth. Wealth is fleeting, especially for the fool and hence a wise person will be generous towards those in poverty. This talk explores what Proverbs says about worldly riches.
Read the Bible texts – Proverbs 11:1-31; 2 Cor 8:1-15
Over the generations, across the world, and right to your local church family, there will be numerous examples of godly and generous givers. Among those who have given, are many who have given even at times of extreme poverty or hardship (Luke 21:1-4; 2 Cor 8:2). It is right and proper to be immensely thankful to God for these saints (maybe you are one such person). Under God, what has been given has served the gospel and those the gospel has reached for centuries. Godly giving, although rarely put on display, is a wonderful testimony to the power and gift of the gospel. Praise God.
So how should a Christian organise their godly giving?
Let’s look first at our priorities and then at the practical mechanics!
Christians are called to be godly in giving. That could be giving in attitude, time, energy or money – all are important. Here we will focus specifically on the area of money and the way we generously and responsibly use the resources that God has put in our care.
Let me make four points from 1 Timothy 6 which may help our thinking.
First, Godly giving is not a means to financial gain.
Christians are givers. In fact, they are called to be godly in giving.
When it comes to financial giving, Christians are called to be different to the world around them. The world promises anything that money can buy, but God calls upon the Christian to give generously.
The battle, although played out before our eyes every day, is really a battle played out in our hearts and minds. Each day, all week, we get hit by an avalanche of advertising informing us of the best, newest, most economical, trendy, affordable, and necessary product or service available. Be it dining, travel, technology, fashion, real estate, entertainment, motoring or home furnishing. There is a lot competing for our dollar – thank goodness we have jobs to afford all these necessary things!
Inspired by Acts 4:32-5:11
On the surface it looked so good – it was what was lying below the surface that really made us think!
We were all together, sharing and giving as we were able. There was something amazing about being one in mind and heart and not being territorial with the possessions we each had. And the joy in sharing with anyone and everyone ensuring that no one among us was in need – surreal really. So foreign to what we experienced in the world around.
Ken Noakes’ farewell sermon at Trinity Church Adelaide considers the Great Treasure (the Gospel – the Good News about Jesus) which is given to those who follow Jesus. Ken points out from 2 Corinthians 4 the Great Responsibility that this brings as well as the Great Opportunity.
Preacher: Ken Noakes
‘What Jesus says to the Crowds and to the Disciples and to the Pharisees, is that there is an eternal future. It is good, it is real, it is far better than what we have here.’ (Ken D Noakes)
Sermon from the ‘Meeting The Messiah’ series with Ken Noakes speaking about ‘The Shrewd Manager’ from Luke 16:1-18.
Watch the full sermon: http://bit.ly/2jeYo5X
Read the Bible text: http://bit.ly/2j5zKET
Talk Outline and Full Script for this talk – Luke 16:1-18
Sermon ‘Generous In Giving’ (2 Corinthians 8:1-15) by Paul Harrington is available now in audio and video: http://bit.ly/2sFu1b9
Read the Bible text: http://bit.ly/2rwUOJw
English Support: http://bit.ly/2rwUGtw
Sermon ‘Humble Ambition’ (James 4:13-5:6) by Peter Blyth is now available in audio: http://bit.ly/2dMi8bu or video: http://bit.ly/2eSNTBA
Full Text and Workings for this Sermon – James 4:13-5:6
English Support Handout: https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/trinitycity/english/2016/20161009.pdf
Well if you missed Sunday night you missed this!
It is time that many at 5pm Church fell a little out of love with money! I have heard it said that the least believed verse in the Bible is this:
‘You can not serve both God and Money’ (Matt 6:24; Luke 16:13)
Least believed, because it is a verse that is either ignored, or a verse that most think is not something they should pay attention too, because they happen to be the exception – they are the one who can, love both God and Money!!
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