The Blessing of Giving
Introduction
Warren Hiersche tells of “America’s Greatest Miser, Hetty Green”
Acts 20:34-35
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 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.”
Acts 20:34-35 (Da Jesus Book, Hawaii Pidgin)
You guys know dat I wen work fo all da stuff me an my friends need. I do all dat fo show you guys dat by dis kine hard work we gotta help da guys dat no stay strong inside. I rememba wat da Boss Jesus wen say, “Da guy who give, he stay mo good inside den da guy who get.”
“Givers sleep well
takers eat well”
I. Giving is a blessing to the recipient
a. Provides a sense of nurture emotionally – literally make them happier
i. Pidgin translation: “. . . feel mo good inside . . .”
ii. The Elder worth honor –
I Timothy 5:17
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
iii. The gift of a quilt
b. Provides nurture physically
i. Needs are met
ii. Careful not to enable
iii. Rich are to share
I Timothy 6:17-19
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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 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.
c. Blessing to Jesus
Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
II. Giving is a blessing to the giver when motives are right
a. Opposite (hoarding)
b. Philanthropists
c. Re-affirms our worthfulness
i. Dissipates selfishness
ii. Bolsters self esteem (“mo good inside”)
III. Givers are blessed when nothing is expected in return
a. We are tempted to give in order to get back
i. Jesus: “Don’t let your left hand know . . .”
Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
ii. Mature leaders stop expecting to be rewarded for their giving
b. Generosity of God’s people are how the less-fortunate are taken care of
i. Haiti . . . Hospitals – food banks – care centers
ii. James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
iii. Ephesians 1:22-23
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Why God is counting on us to be givers:
1. Caring for the less-fortunate
2. His church is cared for and is empowered to reach the world
3. He knows we will experience joy that comes from giving
4. We allow the world to see Jesus’ compassion
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