Given to Generosity
Series: ROOTS
Brad Bailey – November 6, 2011
Intro
We’ve entered November…. heading into the holiday season. Which brings us into one of the great conflicts in our nature. In just a few weeks we will have a special day in which we stop and give thanks… we recognize the need to be grateful for all we have… and then within hours we are unleashed to into a shopping frenzy… to become consumed with buying new stuff for the Christmas season.
This past week… sat down as a family and talked about getting some perspective ahead of time.
This morning God invites us to do the same.
As we continue in our series ROOTS… seeking to recapture the life of Jesus in us… by looking at the first followers of Jesus in the Book of Acts…we see the power of being changed in how we related to our possessions.
Acts 4:32-37 (NIV)
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Here we see a quality that flowed into the nature of those who first began living in the life of Jesus… GENEROSITY… they were GIVEN TO GENEROSITY. [1] [2]
As you heard of what unfolded… perhaps like me you heard something both inspiring and intimidating.
Such generosity is inspiring. Generosity is perhaps the greatest quality that can be attributed to anyone. The English word is derived from that which infers nobility...that which reflects what bears the highest dignity. When we speak of a generous portion… it means larger.
A generous person is larger… more truly fulfilling their greatest dignity.
But generosity is often conflicts with something else within us. We love to give… but we really want to get as well… maybe even more.
BOY TELLS BROTHER "TO PLAY JESUS" IN SHARING
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, Ryan, 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.' Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"
So lets stop for a moment and pray… and ask God to help us.
“Father… you have gathered us to grow us… to grow us to become more like you. We are inspired but intimidated. For to become more generous will likely challenge our grip… our control… our sense of ownership. Teach us how to be more like you.”
I want to offer several points which God teaches us about generosity…
1. Generosity rises above the individualism of consumerism…as well as the imposing of communism.
Some have read this description of the first to lives who took up the way of Jesus and saw a form of communism…but actually …
The power of true generosity challenges the nature of communism.
This generosity is rooted in the validity of personal stewardship (relative ownership)
Rooted in personal care and responsibility… something freely chosen… not imposed … not controlled by force. [3] [4]
The Scriptures don’t quench incentive to work… they embrace personal responsibility…
Proverbs 12:11
He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
Notice it does not say “If a man can not work”… but “will not work.”
The generosity that flows from God is not a call to simply enable some to live off others… but rather to share resources among those committed to the common good.
The power of true generosity also challenges individualism of consumerism.
Jesus came to unite us with the Father… and with all His children… which confronts our self consumed lives… and the greed that flows from it.
God created the potential to create wealth… and values it. The problem is not wealth itself… but greed… not money but the love of money.
Jesus said that all that is good comes down to loving what? To loving God… and our neighbor.
(There is potential to comment on the following but may be limited by time / timeliness.)
That calling confronts our inclinations towards communisms’ imposing the redistribution of wealth… in such a way that disregards the problem of quenching human potential and personal responsibility … but also confronts our inclinations towards consumerism that disregards our problem of greed and self indulgence.
I find it interesting that we come to these words at a time in which our own nation is galvanized around these very dynamics being raised by the Occupy Wall Street movement. In the past 6 months the whole world is exploding with movements that are engaging greed and control… Egypt, Libya, and in the western world… those deemed to have too much control of wealth.
I do not want to divert into a political discourse here… and especially not a soap box for any personal political positions. What I do want to note is that I believe God is clear about some of the underlying issues at hand in regards to economic justice.
I believe both forced redistribution of wealth and free market capitalism each must face how they are vulnerable to our corrupted nature. Communism has not proven to fulfill human needs because it is naïve regarding human freedom… and capitalism has not proven to fulfill righteousness and justice because it is vulnerable to materialism and greed.
No matter what governing ideology we operate within, the Scriptures call us to be a people of personal responsibility… as well as care for those in need.
2. Generosity allows us to become like God our Father.
The truth is that God is calling us to become like Him… the God who gives… the God who is generous.
Who is the first giver… the initial force?…God
If we are to be restored as those who bear God’s image… it is rooted in the transformation of our wills… and therefore cannot be imposed… and it will involve generosity. The generosity that flows from God knows that it is not a matter of becoming stripped of something… but rather rediscovering that the power to give is actually the power that reflects our true God-given nature.
You are most like God when you are giving.
Apart from God… our relationship with money and possessions becomes corrupted and controlling. We becomes slaves… we become smaller.
We can become whining children rather than empowering mature lives.
Popular and pointed statement:
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
“The real measure of our wealth is how much we’d be worth if we lost all our money.”
3. Generosity frees us from the deception of ultimate ownership.
No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. – Acts 4:32
Why didn’t they claim their possessions as their own? Because ultimately everything comes from God. We are indebted to Him for it… and when you are in debt for something… it’s really not your… you are just being given use.
Everything comes from God: not only all of creation and nature… but all our potential to work itself.
So the place you live… car… food… clothes… toys and time are all God’s. [8]
“Giving” is really more a matter of “managing.”
-Think of all the stories Jesus told about money. Notice that He always spoke of someone being put in charge of something. It wasn’t theirs to do with as they liked. They were to use it to bring a good return to the Master who really owned it.
-That is the perspective we should have of the resources God has given us. What kind of return are we bringing to God’s kingdom with the use of the resources God sends our way?
Jesus was clear… those who considered the tithe as the only part that is really God’s… were wrong…. He owns everything.
And getting stuff is more a matter of managing. Next time you’re wondering if you should buy something… ask your Father in heaven.
4. Generosity embraces that we are bound in healthy responsibility to others.
Our text begins in verse 32 describing how “All the believers were one in heart and mind.”
They were bound with others… in heart and mind.
Something changed their identity from the inside out. They were no longer just individuals consumed by their own desires and destiny. This causes us to relate to material things differently.
The apostle Paul was very clear that he could claim a worker was worthy of wages… something he taught as fitting because his time was invested… but that he was trying to limit any such need upon the community….by making tents…. Which had been his trade. [5] Further in the Book of Acts he explains how this shaped his life…
Acts 20:35 (NIV)
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
He sought to work for the sake of being blessed by giving.
We seek to work in order to give… to generate in order to be generous.
Generosity involve a willingness to separate ourselves from money because of the greater gift of connecting with humanity.
• When I set apart a portion of what I earn to contribute to the community and our shared ministry and mission… it not only connects me to God in trust… but also connects me with others.
• When I stop to buy a homeless person lunch… I experience that it felt more human… more right… to relate to a fellow human as such… than the connection to that $5.
5. Generosity must rise above the powers at work in…
Fear –Seeking security in our control more than God’s
It’s normal from our limited perspective to have some fears about the future… especially about financial security. For some of us… it has become a binding fear that cuts us off from trusting God, enjoying the abundance we have, and sharing with others.
What’s the difference between healthy concerns for financial planning and unhealthy fear? A primary issue is whether we are trusting our control more than God’s.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Consumerism and Entitlement – Allowing things we ‘want’ to become things we think we ‘need’ and ‘can’t be happy without’ and have a ‘right to.’
It might seem strange to think that as a nation we are among the wealthiest people to have ever existed… yet we have more lives who feel deprived. But I suppose it shouldn’t surprise us because we eat the connection between things and happiness every day… breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We believe we need the new and improved gadgets and get ups to be happy. And needing leads to believing we have a right to it.
If you simply ask me to explain more about the things I want... and why I want them… I end up recognizing their limits But in the moment… when watching the ad on television or the internet… seeing that object somewhere... seeing that object with someone else… I truly believe that there is a something that equates with my happiness … the want becomes a must… and unless something wakes me up… soon I’m trying to make my new thing make me happy.
Generosity is an antidote to the limits of materialism.
Gordon Cosby – “To give away money is to win a victory over the dark powers that oppress us.” (MSP, p. 36)
“Generosity is to materialism what kryptonite is to Superman.” (Lloyd Shadrach, pastor and author)
Deprived Identity – Identifying with being in need rather than with the ability to give.
Many have associated themselves as ‘those in need’… likely rooted in their earlier life… and as a result… we can relate our whole lives to others in this way. We see others as the ‘haves’ and we as the ‘have not.’ And we cut ourselves off from generosity… because we see ourselves as defined by our needs… by getting rather than generating and giving.
Jesus wants to break the spell… as he presents the widow giving her two cents worth. She had the most dignity of all… she was the most like God… because she didn’t withdraw from communal contribution. [7]
Giving allows us to break the power of a deprived mentality.
Two years ago we when our country first was facing the challenges of a significant economic recessions… we made a decision… we believed that it was an opportunity to counter our fears with generosity. We would all seek to discover the extra… and give it all to a cause beyond even our own communal needs… Harvest Home. Together… children… youth… and adults alike… we able to keep that home solid as the year ended by collecting $17,762.45.
The “Extra Collection” reflected our desire to counter the work of fear. We learned that we can enjoy generosity in the midst of financial fears.
We countered the powers at work around us.
Ultimately, generosity is a way of life. It’s a life pattern. A life pattern is the way a person structures his or her life. A pattern is built or drawn from the values that a person develops over time. These values come from many different sources including family, friends, culture, and God.
A new life pattern which fully reflects the reality of God does not fully develop at the moment an individual first begins a relationship with Christ. Our old values have created certain habits and ways of thinking. When a person becomes a follower of Jesus they are discovering and entering a whole new understanding of reality. Maturity involves a process of confronting old attitudes and actions that are deeply ingrained in us.
6. Generosity becomes a true way of life when we learn to…
(I want to end with FIVE quick qualities)
• Give THOUGHTFULLY and FREELY
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Paul is calling for us to be thoughtful… to take time to really decide what we should give… and then to do so freely… based on what we decided. Now Paul says a lot about planning for the offering… he has no problem inspiring… enticing… exhorting generosity… but he is clear on what must not be lost… the personal freedom that gives joy.
> The term “cheerful giver”… implies out of control delight… wild delight.
So what about tithing... the original practice of giving the first tenth of everything to God? [6]
Jesus affirms the soundness of tithing, but not the safety.
He takes the cap off.
Everything he taught and put before us was both more free and more radical
• To the rich young ruler – ‘ Go and sell everything.’
• Luke 19:1-10 Zaccheus—an encounter with Christ led to giving half away and restoring any injustice; and no requirement was set (Jesus never stopped and said “Wait, only 10%).
> That’s what giving freely means.
Legalism asks how little… Love asks how much.
• Give from the FIRST
Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
There are a number of reasons for giving to God from the first of our earnings…
o It shows priority of God in our lives… that he doesn’t simply fall between ‘Electric Bill’ and ‘Haircut.’
o If we give God from what’s “extra”, we find “extra” can be elusive; there are always more demands for our resources
o And perhaps the most vital reason, is what should be most obvious… it requires faith.
They gave to God from the 1st portion of their harvest, not knowing how much the entire harvest would yield.
This kind of stepping out allows us to experience God’s faithfulness.
o I get constant testimonies of people who have found that when they began setting apart giving to God first… they found their needs fully met. (Friday night - Matt & Melissa)
o We as a church community…. give 10% to serve those beyond us… we will not seek a building ahead of it.
• Give SACRIFICIALLY
People in this great early church were selling houses and selling their land and giving the money to the Lord.
2 Samuel 24:24 (NIV)
“I will not sacrifice to the LORD … offerings that cost me nothing."
The simple truth is “When it’s felt, it includes self. ” [9]
• Give to FAITHFUL HANDLING
We read how “(They) brought the money… and put it at the apostles' feet.” – Acts 4:35, 37
The generosity was a communal process. It involved participating in something bigger than themselves. As such it involved entrusting those purposes to the apostles and later to various leaders. Throughout the many years since then...we know that amazing works have been accomplished… we also know that many have violated that trust.
I believe that God’s principle is that:
Giving in faith means we give up our control, not our conscience.
2 Corinthians 8:20-21 (GW)
We don't want anyone to find fault with the way we are administering this generous gift. We intend to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people.
This is why we have governing elders… who follow all our resources into ministry, in the most strategic and efficient way; including the setting of salaries for staff.
You need to know it’s God’s purposes being served.
This raises the whole issue between giving to the communal ministry of the church verses giving to personal causes. What do the scriptures teach? Scriptures do not give a direct likely because they never did life independently. There were no lives or causes functioning independent of the local body of believers.
My own personal commitment is to fulfill my responsibility to my community first… through regular commitment of first fruits or ‘tithe’…… and to give to others what I give beyond that.
Many pastors and leaders will teach this to be a Biblical pattern. I simply share it as a healthy principle—one that honors my commitment and interdependence to the Body of Christ, and allows freedom to give to personal needs and causes as well.
• Give REGULARLY
If generosity is really going to become our way of life… it should become as regular as every other pattern that we value. [10]
As such, I think Rich Nathan’s suggestion is fitting:
“If you are paid weekly, give weekly. If you are paid monthly, write a check monthly. If you are given a bonus, then write a check on your bonus. If receive a financial gift, write a check on the gift. If you receive an inheritance, write a check on the inheritance.
Generous people have developed a discipline of regular giving on all of their income. Generous people have developed giving as a way of life that transcends the ups and downs of their emotions.”
Closing
Are you given to generosity? Are you becoming more like your Father?
COMMUNION –
Communion brings us to the table that God sets…
God’s generosity – “For God so loved the world he GAVE…”
A meal… that binds us together… we must leave our autonomy and independence and embrace our common responsibility for each other.
Resources: Jeff Strite,
Notes:
1. Jeff Strite notes that the context of this text of sharing may have reflected the mass of foreigners now staying in Jerusalem following Pentecost.
“When the church began back at Pentecost, this was a big feast day for the Jewish people. The law required that God’s people return to Jerusalem from wherever they were living. And some of them lived several days journey away. Some in Africa, Italy, Greece and other far-flung nations. But once Peter preached his sermon on Pentecost, some 3000 men repented of their sins and were baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. Now all these people were part of an exciting body of believers… and nobody wanted to go home.
They don’t have jobs. They don’t have permanent homes.
And, if they’re going to stay… they’ll need help. They’ll need money.”
2. Regarding the meaning and origins of the word ‘generosity’ Wikopedia notes:
The modern English word "generosity" derives from the Latin word generōsus, which means "of noble birth," which itself was passed down to English through the Old French word generous. The Latin stem gener– is the declensional stem of genus, meaning "kin," "clan," "race," or "stock," with the root Indo–European meaning of gen being "to beget." The same root gives us the words genesis, gentry, gender, genital, gentile, genealogy, and genius, among others.
Most recorded English uses of the word "generous" up to and during the Sixteenth Century reflect an aristocratic sense of being of noble lineage or high birth. To be generous was literally a way of complying to nobility." During the 17th Century, however, the meaning and use of the word began to change. Generosity came increasingly to identify not literal family heritage but a nobility of spirit thought to be associated with high birth— that is, with various admirable qualities that could now vary from person to person, depending not on family history but on whether a person actually possessed the qualities. In this way generosity increasingly came in the 17th Century to signify a variety of traits of character and action historically associated (whether accurately or not) with the ideals of actual nobility: gallantry, courage, strength, richness, gentleness, and fairness.
3. As Jeff Strite notes:
Holding things in common was not imposed upon them by the church.
That’s what we find in Acts 5 where we read the story about Ananias and Sapphira.
This early church couple saw that others were selling their land and receiving great honor. They wanted to cash in on that excitement, so they sold some of their land as well… and gave only a portion to the church to use for the poor.
Now had they lived under a communist organization they would have been required/forced not only to sell their property, but also to give all of the proceeds to the church.
But notice what it says in Acts 5:4,
Peter rebukes Ananias for what they’d done.
“Didn’t (the land) belong to you before it was sold?” (you didn’t have to sell it)
“And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?” ( you didn’t have to give any of it to the church).
“What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
In other words, Ananias and Sapphira sinned against God not because they gave only a portion of the sale of their land. No, they sinned because they lied about their donation in order to manipulate the church into giving them the praise everyone else got.
4. Jeff Strite notes: ‘It is notable that it is right after they prayed… in the very next verse we’re told: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32
Prayer came before giving. And I think their prayerfulness led to their giving hearts.
But, why would that be?
Well, too many Christians forget to include God in their plans.
They do good things, but they don’t often talk to God about what they’re going to do.
They don’t really mean to do that, but it happens.’
5. Regarding Paul’s teaching about supporting ministry, Jeff Strite notes:
The New Testament has clear teaching in the responsibility of those served by the Gospel to support those who are set apart in providing for the work of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:1-15, it is noted that although Paul was a tentmaker and more than likely supported himself by working in this trade as indicated in Acts 18:3 and Acts 20:34, it seems that the church at Corinth was supporting the efforts of others while they labored in the gospel, but they were not supporting Paul who had raised up this church. Paul asked the Corinthians a number of questions in order to help them to have a clear understanding of the issue of supporting those who served in the ministry.
6. The role of the tithe in Scripture; that is the commitment to give the first 10% of our earnings.
One has to follow the developing history of Israel to understand the role of the tithe
We find there, Israel emerges as a theocracy—a people governed in every way by God.
We also find far more is called upon to be shared.
Actually 3 tithes
First, Leviticus 27:30—‘Lord’s Tithe’
Given to the Levites, one of the 12 tribes of Israel who were the priests and temple assistants, ran the affairs of the people.
Second, Deuteronomy 12—‘Festival tithe’
To be used for community celebration
Third, Deuteronomy 14—‘Poor Tithe’
Every 3rd year for the stranger, fatherless, and widow.
So the total was 23%, all of which was required
Then came the free will offering, in which one gave as they chose, the first and best of their harvest and earnings.
As the call of God is extended through Christ, we must recognize two changes:
1. The Church as the living Body of Christ doesn’t run all the affairs of the community; many of the community needs are now met thru taxes/government.
2. Jesus clearly restored and set forth the Spirit of God’s law
God’s laws for the people weren’t to become rules which one could manipulate and control, but to serve underlying principles and purpose.
I.e. divorce (Can we divorce if…) and Sabbath (Is it right to heal…)
Jesus restores the spirit of Giving
• God owns everything (Give to Caesar… but to God…)
• Justice and Equality and Responsibility
• God is generous and sacrificial
• Give up control, be just, give freely
7. 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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciple to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)
8. Henri Nouwen writes about the “nonpossessive” life:
“To be able to enjoy fully the many good things the world has to offer, we must be detached from them. To be detached does not mean to be indifferent or uninterested. It means to be nonpossessive. Life is a gift to be grateful for and not a property to cling to. A nonpossessive life is a free life.” - Henri Nouwen (Bread for the Day, Feb 20)
9. There is a wonderful text in 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 which says this:
2 Corinthians 8:2-3 (NIV)
“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own…”
(From Rich Nathan)
Paul ties together things that we always keep apart – severe trial and overflowing joy; extreme poverty and rich generosity. Sacrificial giving is not the special purview of the very wealthy. Sacrificial giving is a blessing given to everyone including the poor.
Now, there are different levels at which you can give. You can give less than your ability. You can give as much as your ability. You can give beyond your ability. It says here in 2 Corinthians 8:3 concerning the Macedonian church which was a great church: “even beyond their ability.”
10. The apostle Paul, wrote to the church at Corinth saying:
‘On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.’ - 1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV)
