How to receive New Wine in 09
Step 2: “Giving”
Thesis: The first step to revival is prayer and the second step to revival is giving – for many this is the largest and most difficult step to take.
Opening Video Illustration: Shindlers List - Oskar Shindler saved 1,100 lives by his sacrifice of Finances, Time and Resources. The descendents of the Shindler Jews is well over 6,000 today as a result of his commitment to save those condemned to die by the Nazi’s. He was a man who knew what it meant to sacrifice for others.
Objects on Stage: Clock = Time, Money = Finances, Books, car = Resources – I believe in a principle I will call 10 3rd power. The Clock represents our time and parallels to the one who actually gave us all the gift of time – His name God the Father. The second object is money, which represents Jesus Christ the one who gave the biggest sacrifice for you and me. He gave his precious costly life. The third item is a book, cell phone, car and the like represent resources that we possess and parallels what the Holy Spirit gives to us which is God’s resources.
For those who recall your math 10 to the 3rd power is not 10+10+10=30. It is 10x10x10=1000.
I believe we need to give 10% of our time to God, 10% of our finances to Christ, and 10% of our resources to the Holy Spirit.
Texts:
I Timothy 6:6-12 (NIV)
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:6-12 (The Message)
A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.
But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (The Message)
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,
“God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?”
Introduction:
Today we are focusing our attention on the 2nd Step to revival. We all say we want revival but many throw away the second step - but you cannot have revival without taking the second step to revival. This is step impacts the life and effectiveness of our church, and it determines the impact this church will have on our community. It’s a subject that has held the church back from reaching the world for Christ for centuries. More Christians and ministers have fallen as a result of having an unbiblical view of this important topic. Listen to some recent statistics on how this step is avoided and even ignored by Christian people:
• George Barna reports that giving to churches dropped significantly last year. In 2000, 70% of Christians gave to the church, compared to 84% in 1999. Barna’s survey also showed that while 32% of Christian claimed to have tithed, a check of the household income showed that only 12% actually did.
o The truth is many lied to themselves and to others.
• The average Christian only gives 2.5% of their income to the Lord.
• Yet they spend 2x more on entertainment than on God’s work.
• Christianity Today \’s Cover Story Dec. 2008 issue “Scrooge Lives.” They noted this about American Christians Giving: …Of all Christian groups, evangelical Protestants score best: only 10 percent give nothing away. Evangelicals tend to be the most generous, but they do not outperform their peers enough to wear a badge of honor. Thirty-six percent report that they give away less than two percent of their income. Only about 27 percent tithe… The $85.5 Billion Gap - American Christians’ lack of generosity might not be as shocking if it didn’t contrast so starkly with their astounding wealth. Passing the Plate’s researchers say committed American Christians—those who say their faith is very important to them and those who attend church at least twice a month—earn more than $2.5 trillion dollars every year. On their own, these Christians could be admitted to the G7, the group of the world’s seven largest economies. Smith and his coauthors estimate that if these Christians gave away 10 percent of their after-tax earnings, they would add another $46 billion to ministry around the world… One early finding: That estimate of $46 billion in additional giving is unrealistic. Not because it’s too big, but because it’s too small. Estimating 10 percent giving for every committed Christian in the U.S. neglects two groups: those who truly can’t afford to give 10 percent (due to illness or unemployment or similar reasons), and those who are already giving more than 10 percent (more on this group in a moment). If you calculate that 10 percent of Christians can’t give because of their financial limitations, most of the rest give 10 percent, and a handful of generous givers continue their current generous giving pattern, committed American Christians could realistically increase their giving by $85.5 billion each year.
I have to come back to my question, “How many really want revival?” Then the church must have a Godly mindset toward stewardship. Godly Biblical Stewardship – encompasses finances, time management, and the proper use of the resources we all possess.
T.S. - This step to revival is the biggest and tallest that most people face. For revival to breakout in our hearts and lives we must drive out the unbiblical mindset of selfishness, greed, hoarding of finances, and other selfish and fearful motives in our life.
I. The arguments and excuses against giving to the Kingdom of God especially to the local church.
a. The negative attitudes and mindsets about this step come out in the following statements people have made to me over my 20 plus years of ministry: I will share a few with you and I want you to know that The Word of God does have a response to each one of these common statements.
i. Excuse #1: “The church does not need me to give they have plenty of money.”
1. God’s response II Corinthians 8:7: 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2. God’s response Romans 12:1–13: 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
ii. God’s response in His Word is for everyone and there are no exceptions!
1. This negative selfish mindset says, “I don’t need that step for revival!”
2. Then my response is – ‘Then you will never experience a genuine revival in your heart.”
b. The other excuse I have heard against giving is: “Giving does not apply to me because I can’t afford to give – I am to poor.”
i. Jesus’ response to this attitude is found in Luke.
1. Luke 21:2: 1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3“I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
2. Coffey states, “The Bible teaches the opposite(To our statement above). This is one of the great benefits of Christian financial management. It puts one in the position to be a generous giver.
a. The Bible says in 2 Cor. 9: 6: “Remember this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, but who-sows generously will also receive generously.”
b. The truth is according to the Word of God: “You cannot afford not to tithe! You cannot afford not to give your time! You cannot afford to not give from your resources.”
3. The Word of God wants us focused on Kingdom work not our selfish wants.
a. This unbiblical selfish attitude says, “This step to revival costs too much for me and I don’t want to do it!”
4. Sir John Templeton Chairman of Templeton Funds that manages over 15,000,000,000 (15 Billion) annually in investments said: “I have watched 100,000 families over my years of investment counseling. I always saw greater prosperity and happiness among those families who tithed than among those who didn’t.”
ii. God responds with Phil. 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
iii. This fearful mindset says, “God I really don’t believe that you will supply all my needs!
c. Excuse #3: “Don’t you realize that I have two cars, a house and credit card debt I have to pay on.” Or “I have too many other bills and I cannot afford to give.” Or “Don’t they realize Pastor Mike that I have a $10,000 charge card debt I got to pay off!”
i. God’s response James 3:13-16: 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
ii. God’s response I Timothy 6:3-10: 3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.
iii. The phrase “The Love of money” is the attitude one hands toward money –not that money in and of itself is evil -it’s what comes out of the heart toward that object that makes it evil.
1. The love of money means you love money more than you love God which then makes that money and idol.
iv. John Bunyan’s couplet: "There was a man, some called him mad; The more he gave, the more he had."
v. God’s response Proverbs 18:16: A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
1. The best way out of debt is managing your finances God’s way not your way.
a. Your way has gotten you into debt.
2. The cure to get out of debt is:
a. Readjust you priorities. Our 1st priority in finances is to God.
b. Develop the discipline to say no to impulse spending and the mind set of “I need more.”
c. Spiritual discipline in our lives helps us to develop financial discipline.
d. Follow a plan to get out of debt.
i. Many fail at this because they have no plan!
ii. You have to be deliberate it you want out of debt.
3. This negative mindset says, “This step to revival is too expensive and I won’t and cannot do it.”
a. This mindset says, “God does not want me to take that step because He wants me to spend the resources on myself.”
b. This unbiblical mindset says, “I’m too far in debt to do things God’s way. His way will never work because it makes no earthly sense.”
d. Excuse #4: “All the pastor’s or church leaders are greedy and they just want more money for themselves.”
i. God’s response I Timothy 3:1-7 1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
ii. This lie is generated from the Devil and it has been enhanced by a few leaders who have fallen into the trap of greed.
1. But 99% of all the ministers who I know are not in this for the money. Why? Because you will not get rich in the ministry.
iii. This deceived mindset says, “They want to get rich with my money, but I want to get rich with my own money.”
e. Excuse #5: “I don’t like the way the Board votes to spend my money so I will not give.”
i. God’s response I Corinthians 4:1-5: 1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
1. Point who are you to judge that they are making the wrong decisions that’s God’s job not yours.
ii. God’s response Romans 13:1, 2: “1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
1. The Bible says submit because God places people in leadership and if you rebel – if you rebel against God and that which He has instituted you then bring judgment on yourself.
iii. This negative suspicious mindset says, “I want to control all my money and spend it my way and no one else will.”
f. Excuse #6: “I will only give when if it benefits my ministry or interests.”
i. The Lord responds with Phil. 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition.”
ii. Billy Graham said, “God has given us two hands-one to receive with, the other to give with.”
iii. This person believes that this step has nothing to do with their spiritual health or destiny so they don’t see any benefit in giving.
iv. This unbiblical attitude says, “I give when I get back in return.”
g. Excuse #7: “God does not want me to give and He understands!”
i. God ‘s response: “Don’t use my name in vain and break one of the Ten commandments” and remember Malachi 3: 6-12: 6“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever 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. 9You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
ii. Satan is one who promotes this lie because God has not changed his mind about giving for you or for anyone else.
iii. Satan wants you to believe this so there is less money being spent on God’s Kingdom.
iv. This deceived mindset says, “God appeared to me as an angel of light and told me “You don’t have to give to me or the ministry of the Gospel keep it all for yourself you deserve it!”
The challenge from Christian Hills is that we promise to give you back your money if God has not blessed you by starting to tithe.
Conclusion:
If we overcome the unbiblical mindsets and excuses and truly focus on being Godly Stewards of our time, finances and resources then God promises the following blessings.
Matthew 6:33, 34: 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Deut. 10:14: 14To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
God promise in His Word that He will take care of all your basic needs and bless you as you make giving decision His way.
Proverbs 3:5-10
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
G – God
I – In proper
V – view of
E – eternity
Always brings revival!
Altar call- Prayer for those in need and those who want to do the Biblical Principle of Giving Gods Way -- 10 to the 3rd power.
