THE FORWARD WALK – PART SEVEN
‘THE WALK OF SACRIFICE’
2 CHRONICLES 24:1-14 - ©LARRY L. THOMPSON
Introduction:
We are taking our final steps in the Forward Walk as we approach our Forward by Faith Commitment Sunday on June 1st. In today’s Forward Walk we will discuss the WALK OF SACRIFICE and I will use this chest, a chest that we shall call, “The Chest of Joash” as a focal point for the next three weeks. In the Bible passage this morning, we will read about King Joash. He was a good king (righteous, or accepted by God). For 40 years he ruled over God’s people in the late 9th century BC and our focus today will be on the King as he led the effort to repair the crumbling Temple of God at Jerusalem. The temple was badly in need of repair because it had been robbed of its vessels for the service of Baal and neglected during the reign of (a-thawl-yah) Athaliah. With the help of the high priest, Joash undertook the repair of the temple. Jehoiada and the priests were using free-will offerings to finance the work, but this did not satisfy the godly zeal of this young king. It was King Joash who devised a plan of his own and constructed the first “money box” in the form of a chest with a hole in the top. This box was placed at the gate of the temple for offerings. Each day its contents were counted by the king’s officers and handed over to the builders. The work on the house of God was soon completed, and there was enough money left over to provide vessels for the service of the sanctuary.
I will use this chest as a visual because according to the WORD of GOD the chest will remind us of our responsibility as the PEOPLE of GOD to continue to build for the future insuring that this great fellowship continues to be the beacon of truth in South Florida and to the uttermost part of the world.
As in the days of King Joash, today this chest is a reminder of both and opportunity and an obligation. So remember, this chest is a reminder. People don’t look forward to that reminder. (Look in box) “FEED ME!”
You might have even had this thought cross your mind, “Who does the Pastor think he is, telling me I should put MY money in HIS Chest?” I’ve got three responses for you today…
It’s not My Chest;
It’s not Your Money;
If you have a Pastor that doesn’t teach the truth of God’s word concerning biblical stewardship then you’ve got the wrong pastor or wrong church.
“MY DAD’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR DAD!” I assure you it’s not like the story of the three young men bragging about the importance of their dads. The first boy begins the bragging. He says, “My Dad is really important. He’s a songwriter. He scribbles a few words on paper, calls it a song, and they pay him $500.” The second kid, not to be outdone, brags, “That ain’t nothin’ – my Dad’s a lawyer. He scribbles a few words on a paper, calls it a brief, and they pay him $1,000.” The third little guy now speaks last, “Ha! You think your Dads are important? My Dad’s a preacher. He scribbles a few words on a paper, calls it a sermon, an’ it takes sixteen guys to haul in all the cash!”
This illustrates the truth– it really is God’s Chest, and God’s offerings and not anyone else!
So, with this background now established please allow me to look into this chest and see if I can provide some answers for all of us today that will help us to take the FORWARD WALK OF SACRIFICE as we look to the strengthening of God’s work among us. Two key questions concerning the walk of sacrifice:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SACRIFICALLY GIVE?
To answer this question you would have to return to the story of the widow’s mite as Christ watched the people give their offering.
Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. [42] But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. [43] Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. [44] They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.”
What does it mean to sacrificially give?
1. Jesus OBSERVES what we give (v.41-42).
2. Sacrificial giving is measured by how much a person has LEFT—not by how much a person GIVES (v.43).
3. Sacrificial giving seeks to have a NEED MET (v.44).
4. Sacrificial giving is giving out of our SURVIVAL, not our SURPLUS (v.44).
The second question that must be answered in the walk of sacrifice is…
WHY SHOULD WE SACRIFICALLY GIVE? (2 Chron. 24:2-4)
“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest. [3] Jehoiada chose two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters. [4] Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of the Lord.” (24:2-4)
I. BECAUSE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP
“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…” This young king has a personal relationship with the living God. Even though at this period in his life he was just a young man he was being mentored by an older man who was instructing him on the blessings of learning obedience in our walk with the Lord. When you have a relationship with Christ then the relationship will be reflected in the way you live.
The King did what was right in the eyes of the Lord which meant he was aware that God was watching his life, listening to his words, recording his actions, and examining his heart. My overriding motivation for sacrificially giving to strengthen the work of God through this ministry is BECAUSE I HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FATHER IN HEAVEN AND I DESIRE TO HONOR THAT RELATIONSHIP.
II. BECAUSE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY
“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.”
The second reason we should sacrificially give to the building of this ministry is because of our personal responsibility to those around us and those who will follow us. Our spiritual witness will be declared by the commitments we make and never forget that many eyes are watching.
Joash was the only surviving son of Ahaziah and began to reign as King at the age of seven and held the responsibility for 40 years (835-796). For at least 23 years the young King was mentored by Jehoiada the priest and Joash remained righteous before the Lord all that time.
Listen carefully, I am not responsible for what someone did or did not do in the past, nor can I be responsible for what others will do in the future after I have gone to be with the Lord but make no mistake about this…WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MOMENT, THIS PRESENT DAY IN THE LIFE OF THIS MINISTRY AND OUR ACTIONS AND OUR WITNESS WILL BE USED TO EITHER ENCOURAGE OR DISCOURAGE A GENERATION THAT WILL FOLLOW.
ILLUSTRATION: ‘TARGET POLICE’
Last week Cynthia and I were in Target and while she was checking out I was standing by the door - an elderly grandmother with two girls 3 & 5. She told them to buckle up. The oldest, “NO, I’m not going to use this belt and you can’t make me…I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I spoke to the little girl, “Young Lady I’m with the Target Police Department and I’m afraid I’m going to have to arrest you for not obeying and respecting your grandmother.” I have never seen a seat belt fastened faster in my life!
Tragically, I walked away thinking, “Who is mentoring this young child? Who is taking the responsibility to show and teach by their actions what is expected of her life?” The same question must be asked of us as we see not only our children but hundreds of new believers watching our witness and following our example.
III. BECAUSE OF OUR RESOURCES24:5-7
“He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, "Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now." But the Levites did not act at once. [6] Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, ‘Why haven’t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the Lord and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?’ [7] Now the sons of that wicked woman (a-thawl-yah) Athaliah had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals.”
You can mark this down – Whenever YOU make a plan for your resources, other than God’s plan, the question of Lordship in your life has not been settled.
“But the Levites did not act at once.” What could possibly be the reasons the Levites were negligent in responding to the King’s decree restoring the Temple?
BECAUSE THEY WERE COMFORTABLE. Perhaps in their years of inactivity they had grown comfortable in their position. There had been no call for sacrifice, no call for commitment, no accountability and so they simply became comfortable in doing ‘business as usual’ and this is the sure sign of RELIGION not a RELATIONSHIP.
As you pray about God’s leadership in FORWARD BY FAITH begin by asking the Lord to show you areas in your life or family where you have become comfortable in your relationship with the Lord. By comfortable I mean your relationship with Christ cost you nothing and you have no accountability. Here are a few suggestions that you and your family can prayerfully consider:
1. SUNDAY LUNCH AT HOME RATHER THAN RESTURANT – SMOKER SUGGESTION
2. RENT A MOVIE RATHER THAN GO OUT AND SET ASIDE SAVINGS SO SHOW FAMILY
3. POSTPONE MAJOR PURCHASE IN ORDER TO SACRIFICALLY GIVE – CAR, RENOVATION
4. INCLUDE FAMILY IN PLANNING ON HOW TO GIVE UP COMFORTS FOR CHRIST AND HIS WORK.
I REDUCED OUR CABLE SERVICE BY $32 MONTH TIMES 36 MONTHS = $1,152 SAVINGS OVER THREE YEARS
BECAUSE THEY WERE COMPLACENT. Complacency is easily identified among God’s people when there is a call to commitment. You immediately see those who, like the Levites, are basically indifferent to what God is doing among His people.
How can you keep from becoming complacent in regards to the work of the Lord?
1. KEEP A PICTURE OF THE COMMUNITY LIFE CENTER ON YOUR FRIG AND ASK THE LORD TO CONSTANTLY REMIND YOU OF WHAT OUR INVESTMENT IN THE LIFE OF SOUTH FLORIDA IS GOING TO MEAN TO THE KINGDOM.
2. HONOR THE LORD’S DAY IN SMALL GROUP STUDY AND WORSHIP
3. FATHERS SPIRITUALLY LEAD YOUR FAMILY IN HONORING THE THINGS OF GOD
BECAUSE THEY WERE COMPROMISING. Compromising your faith is the most dangerous of all signs of rebellion in regards to your resources. Examine 24:7: “Now the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah (ah thawal yaw) had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals.” WE OFTEN SPEAK OF BEING ONE GENERATION AWAY FROM A GODLESS SOCIETY AND YET HERE IS EVIDENCE OF A COMPROMISED LIFE THAT LED TO A COMPROMISED GENERATION. The Temple, which had apparently fallen into disrepair under the preceding three monarchs, and especially under Athaliah, who had allowed her sons to break in and steal from the temple which was not even functioning as God had intended. The same with Homes, Lives, Business, Churches or Nations that compromise God’s word and will for their lives.
How can avoid compromising our faith?
1. AS A FAMILY ASK THE LORD TO SHOW YOU AREAS OF YOUR LIFE WHERE YOU ARE COMPROMISING YOUR FAITH WALK WITH CHRIST.
2. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN IN THEIR PERSONAL SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR FAITH
BECAUSE THEY WERE CONTROLLED. Controlled by something or someone other than the KING! This is an excellent time to ask yourself, “Could you respond to the Spirit’s leadership even if you wanted to join us in walking FORWARD BY FAITH?” Tragically, some of you are not controlled by the Lord in your resources but instead you are in bondage to this world, in bondage to debt, in bondage to your own rebellion in the past and now it is time for God’s people to respond to His call and You know the conviction of the Spirit but you can not answer the call.
ILLUSTRATION: The Freedom Flight of the Geese
Ronald Meredith describes a personal experience in early spring while visiting the farm of his childhood:
“Suddenly out of the night came the sound of wild geese flying. I ran to the house and breathlessly announced the excitement I felt. What is to compare with wild geese across the moon? It might have ended there except for the sight of our tame mallards on the pond. They heard the wild call they had once known. The honking out of the night sent little arrows of prompting deep into their wild yesterdays. Their wings fluttered a feeble response. The urge to fly--to take their place in the sky for which God made them-- was sounding in their feathered breasts, but they never rose from the water. The matter had been settled long ago. The corn of the barnyard was much too tempting! Now their desire to fly only made them uncomfortable. Soon they relented and returned to their state or normalcy, a state in which they were never designed. Temptation is always enjoyed at the price of losing the capacity for flight.”
HOW MANY OF US HAVE LOST OUR CAPACITY TO MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES BECAUSE WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE FRESH AIR OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING WITHOUT STRINGS, DENYING OUR PERSONAL APPETITES INVESTING IN ETERNITY INSTEAD OF OUR OWN TEMPORAL PLEASURES?
What do you do if you are controlled by something other than Christ and that which has you under control also has you in bondage?
1. Confess it to the Lord
2. Ask the Lord to show you how gain victory
3. Seek spiritual help from a mature believer
4. If it is debt then cut your credit cards.
5. Make appointment with our financial counselors
THE LAST AREA OF UNDERSTANDING “WHY DO WE SACRIFICALLY GIVE IS…
IV. BECAUSE OF OUR RECOGNITION [24:6]
“Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, "Why haven’t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the Lord and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?”
This Bible passage reminds us that God wanted the temple repaired. It was obviously recognizable to ANYONE who visited that there were great needs. It was only a matter of responding to the recognition that was before them every time they made their way to the temple. Recognition of spiritual needs and needs related to the building of spiritual lives is difficult to acknowledge and admit. The reason is obvious; it takes financial support and personal commitment to meet the needs that are obviously recognizable in our midst. When the priests were too reluctant to get it done, Joash set up the collection chest and presented the need to the people and the people recognized the need to respond and sacrificially give. The people gave, and the temple work was completed.
KING JOASH KNEW THIS…It costs to do ministry God’s way. They invested in the eternal, they gave and it was good. This was very good – that the temple of God was restored! The witness of the temple was once again a priority in the lives of God’s people.
CONCLUSION:
One of the reasons I am committed to speaking the truth from this Word of God, even when it is difficult, is this example from the life of Joash. As a young king he spoke with conviction and urgency and he spoke the truth.
Proverbs 27:6: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
There are many voices that will cry out to you in a message like this, some telling you this is the right way…this is better…you’ll like this way. There are many spiritual voices but all except ONE represent spiritual darkness. GOD ALONE IS THE ONLY VOICE OF SPIRITUAL RECOGNITION THAT HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND YOUR ETERNAL DESTINATION. Yet we have a serious problem regarding spiritual giving among Christians in this nation.
Sacrificial giving is giving by CONVICTION – not giving according to CONVENIENCE!
So, do Christians in America give by conviction or convenience? According to statistics from a 2001 survey of “2001 Giving Patterns in Evangelical Churches in America:” the breakdown is as follows:
22% of members give 78% of all funds
32% of members give the other 22%
46% of members give nothing
Sacrificial giving is giving that originates from a heart of conviction. In sacrificial giving our hearts follow our money. Some people understand Jesus’ statement backwards. They think that wherever you have a fondness (a heart-affiliation), that’s where you’re going to put your money. That may be true –but listen carefully to what Jesus said about sacrificial giving:
Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus makes it clear that in spiritual giving our heart follows our treasure.
Close with the testimony of Mr. Leland E.
