B. Consider the following principles of giving. Which of the Sermon Notes by Rev Steve Webster St Michael’s North Carlton following do you associate with your current practice of giving? Keeping it Real 3 types of giversgivers: There are three kinds of givers--the flintflint, the Studies in 2 Corinthians spongesponge, and the honeycombhoneycomb. To get anything out of a flint you must hammer it. And then you get only chips and sparks. # 13 When dealing with money To get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it, and the 2 Corinthians 8.1 - 9.15 more you use pressure, the more you will get. But the honeycomb just overflows with its own sweetness. Introduction When having to give a sermon on money could be forgiven for feeling a C. Discussion QuestionsQuestions: bit like the vicar in this picture… i. Someone once said: “Do your giving while you're living so Whenever the topic of money comes up you knowing where it's going.” What tensions and in church, inevitably some are upset. considerations are there when thinking about leaving a When you preach what you really think legacy for your loved ones, preparing for retirement, and about the church and money, it may giving for the mission of the church now? well be your last sermon!

ii. Paul’s displays a philosophy of equality in economics in the The church, like the rest of society, has collection process in the Gentile provinces, and his now come into the 21st century teaching on generous giving. Paul seemed to believe that regarding the collection, as is seen on Christ’s return and the consummation of the Kingdom was this cartoon… Today’s sermon is one I’ve imminent. He taught that immediate needs for spreading wanted to preach for some the Gospel were of primary concern, and one should be contented with the meeting of simple daily needs. How Many churches, like others in the community, are facing financial should we view his teaching in the light of the delay of challenges. Many of those who are Christ’s return? How should we prioritize saving for future new to church, or new to generations in our own families or for the long-term local may not yet know how church needs? How does the “Western” capitalist view of financial commitments fit with a wealth-generation and political democracy sit with Paul’s commitment to follow Christ. ethic of unity and support for poorer churches? What tensions must we deal with when applying Paul’s teaching How can we help our Church to on being content with basic needs for the sake of others to grow? How will we fund the many our culture and setting today? initiatives that will be put before us as visionary opportunities? How will we demonstrate a distinctive difference to the infantile fascination It’s those credit checks that 12 with materialism and wealth1 in keep slowing everything much of our society? These materials are produced by St. Michael’s Anglican Church North Carlton, Victoria, Australia.

www.stmichaelsnc.org.au Church budgets can create a bit of Conclusion heat at times, just as the cartoon Learning to be content in the knowledge that Christ here depicts. has given us everything we need for life and godliness Money Matters (2 Peter 1:3) is a life-long process of conversion to We know that money makes the become a generous Christian. Paul sums up the world go ‘round. We know too theology that must become the basis of our generosity that it’s the love of money, not in 2 Corinthians 8:9 saying, Christ was “rich, yet for money itself that is the root of all our sake became poor,poor so that through his poverty we evil. But in the end, many of us would become rich”. love it! It gets a grip on us. How Going Further can we thoroughly convert our Here are some further thoughts and questions to generate attitudes to this captivating commodity? As one writer puts it, “The trouble is that too many people are spending money they haven't yet discussion on the topic of generosity: earned for things they don't need to impress people they don't like.” A. Consider the following principles relating to money: Unknown • It teaches the principle of giving to the church community Someone once asked a Texan from Dallas how much money regularly (1 Cor. 16:2) Howard Hughes left. The answer went like this, "He left it • It teaches us to give to the needy (Romans 12:13) all!" That's the amount each of us will, isn't it? Zig Ziglar • It teaches that God looks at the intention and not at the A clever poet put the conundrum about money like this: “He amount (Mark 12:42-44) always said he would retire when he’d made a million clear/ • It teaches us to give according to our means, not to And so he toiled into the dusk/ From day to day, from year produce hardship (2 Cor. 8:11-13) to year/At last he put his ledgers up/And laid his stock reports aside/But • It teaches us that God will supply our needs more than when he started out to live/He found he had ALREADY DIED!” we can imagine (2 Cor. 9:7-11) anonymous • It teaches us to be wary of its corruptible nature (1 Tim. 6:10) The matter of giving and the church is well described by the Sunday • School class where the Junior Sunday School Teacher asked her eight It teaches us to give in proportion to our faith in God (Romans 12:3-8) eager 10-year-olds if they would give $1,000,000 to the missionaries. "YES!" they all screamed!! "Would you give $1,000?" Again they shouted • It teaches us to give without others seeing us and so "YES!" "How about $100?" "Oh, YES we would!" they all agreed!! "Would rewarding us (Matt. 6:3) you give just a dollar to the missionaries?" she asked. The boys exclaimed • It teaches us to give joyfully (2 Cor. 9:7) "YES!" just as before except for Johnnie. "Johnnie," the teacher said as she • It teaches us to give like God gave to us; unsparingly (2 noticed the boy clutching his pocket, "why didn't you say 'YES' this time?" Cor. 9:6-15) "Well," he stammered, "I actually HAVE a dollar.”

2 11 “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God How should we view our money in relation to the church? has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their How much should each individual Christian give to the overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich church and to Christian ministry in general? What principles generosity.” (2 Cor 8:1-2 NIV) from the should we follow? When we look to the letters in the that address these 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 are helpful. Macedonians we see evidence of this joy that is generated by the Spirit 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 of God. 10 years earlier than these events in the Second Letter to the Corinthians, In Philippians we read: the Apostles Paul and Barnabas made an agreement with the Apostles of the church. They agreed that James, John and Peter would “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue evangelize the people of a Jewish background, while Paul and Barnabas with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that would go to the Gentiles. A condition attached to this agreement was through my being with you again your joy in Christ will that Paul and Barnabas should ‘remember the poor’ (1 Cor. 16:1; Rom. overflow on account of me.” (Philippians1:25-26 NIV) 15:26; Gal. 2:9-10). This reference to “the poor” meant that they should In 1 Thessalonians we read: remember to look after the Christian churches in Jerusalem that were suffering from a great famine. Paul established a collection to be taken. “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe The churches of Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia were to be suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the contributors to the needs of the famine stricken church in Jerusalem. 1 It Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in will be helpful to note that Philippi and Thessalonica are among the Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not Macedonian Christians that Paul commends as churches that gave out of only in Macedonia and Achaia-- your faith in God has become their poverty (2 Cor. 8:1-4). known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it…” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 NIV) Just one year before writing this letter, the Christians in Corinth had begun to put aside money for the collection, but they had become slack How interesting to read with this knowledge about the in this duty. Listen to 2 Corinthians 8:10-11: “10And here is my advice Macedonian Christians in mind. We know that Paul had taught them about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not well about the nature of their Lord and Saviour who “being in very only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, your completion of it, according to your means.” being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death Paul dispatched his friend Titus and two other co-workers on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8 NIV) to visit Corinth and get what was needed.

Clearly, these Christians took seriously the joy that comes from serving 1. “1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to Christ, despite the suffering one might experience. Joy is greater than do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in happiness, because it is generated by the spirit within, and not by keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve outward circumstances. and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they 10 will accompany me.” (1 Cor. 16:1-4). 3 According to Paul’s teaching too, the smallest possible contribution From this pastoral emergency we can draw a series of principles for could be the greatest in God’s eyes if indeed it is from the heart and generous giving for today. for the Gospel. The teaching is clear that it is balancebalance and shared Generous Giving responsibility, not hardship that is the goal. 1. Generous financial giving is a spiritual activity (2 Corinthians 8:6,7) Test your heart Note that Paul refers to the activity of financial giving in the same One of Jesus’ most insightful sayings was: “where your treasure is, way he speaks of other spiritually gifted activities (compare, for there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). St. Augustine took it instance, 1 Corinthians 12). “6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier another step and said: “Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in is your happiness.” knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that Or consider the words of the great you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Cor. 8:6,7) European reformer, Martin Luther who Paul had referred to the generous giving out of poverty by the said : “I have tried to keep things in my Macedonian Christians as something generated by the “grace that hands and lost them all, but what I God has given” (2 Cor. 8:1). have given into God's hands I still possess.” 2. The poor and needy, especially Christians, are of primary concern (2 Corinthians 8:138:13----15)15)15)15) What we need to realize is that God wants fully devoteddevoted followers of Jesus Christ in the church. Rather than viewing our money as The Apostle presents a theology of unity across the boundaries of something we have to share with GodGod, a truly converted mind will distance, race, status, etc. It demands a priority of care towards those think in the reversereverse. who are most in need among the Christian churches across the world. “13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you One writer says: There are two ways in which a Christian may view are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present his money. "How much of my money shall I use for God?" or "How time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their much of God's money shall I use for myself?" (W. Graham Scroggie) plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it Rather than calling the Christians at Corinth to an adherence to a is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he percentage of giving, or to a target, he appeals to their hearts and who gathered little did not have too little."” (2 Cor. 8:13-15) spirits and says: “7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in Perhaps you noted in this passage that Paul borrows from Exodus speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for 16:18 to justify his plea. He uses a verse from the account of the daily us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7) food supplied by God (manna from heaven) when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. In that account we learn JoyJoyJoy that the Hebrew nomads were called to totally rely upon God to Finally, note that generosity generates joy. Paul spoke of the supply just enough for their personal or household needs. If anyone Macedonian churches in glowing terms because they gave out their collected more of the “manna” than was needed for their daily poverty, showing dependence upon God: 4 9 In the New Testament the words tithe and tithing appear only eight needs, the food would perish. With this in mind, Paul teaches the times (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Heb. 7:5-6, 8-9) and these passages only refer to Old Testament and ongoing Jewish requirements. Corinthians that in their collection, any household surplus should Tithing may be a practical way for some people to give in a practical, be directed to the needy Christians in other households or disciplined manner, but it is by no means a requirement in the teaching communities. of the Apostle Paul. It appears to be a non-essential in the New The Apostle puts a similar principle to his readers in other New Testament era. Testament letters too (Ephesians 4:28; Galatians 6:10; 1 Corinthians However, before we breathe a sigh of relief that we can claw back ten 16:1). No doubt Paul took his lead from the Lord Jesus who taught percent of your income we should realize that the tithe in the Old the principles of giving to the needy and relying upon God Testament times was not about restricting one’s givinggiving to God; instead it (Matthew 6:1-4). was designed to encourage generosity & communitycommunity. 3. Give according to your means, not producing hahardshiprdship (2 Corinthians 8:118:11----13)13)13)13) It’s important to realize that the implications of Paul’s teaching here is “11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may that ten percent is not enough! C.S. Lewis once said, “I do not believe be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to rule is to give more than we can spare.” what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13Our Nowhere does the New Testament expressly command Christians to desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard tithe. However, as believers we are to be generous in sharing our pressed, but that there might be equality.” (2 Cor. 8:11-13) material possessions with the poor and for the support of Christian In :6-8 Paul adds weight to the principle of freedom ministry. Christ Himself is our model in giving. Giving is to be voluntary, and generosity, but not imposed hardship: willing, cheerful, and given in the light of our accountability to God. Giving should be systematic and by no means limited to a tithe of our “6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, incomes. We are to recognize that all we have is from God (see King and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man David’s recognition of this as a model for us in 1 Chronicles 29:11-14). should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly We are called to be faithful stewards of all our possessions (Rom. 14:12; or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is 1 Cor. 9:3-14; 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8—9) able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, In addition we could say that large oneone----offoffoffoff gifts are welcome and you will abound in every good honorable, but Paul calls for a regular activity of generosity borne of the work.” (2 Cor. 9:6-8) heart. These principles (above) offer us For those with no control over household income, and for those with direction in the matters of giving and little or no incomeincome, the observation Jesus made of a widow’s sacrificial the church. gift and his commendation he gave to her should be an inspiration and challenge (Mark 12:41-43).

8 5 These principles suggest that our generosity must: to the church (that is, they set aside the first tenth of their income (10%), and use the rest of their income for their own ⇒ Support Christian leaders (Galatians 6:6; 1 Cor.9:1-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18) household and family.

⇒ Support missionaries (Phil. 1:5 = 10 year partnership) ♦ Some Christians generously give with once-off large gifts of money and resources. ⇒ Be generous and joyful (2 Cor. 9:7) ♦ Some Christians have little or no control over the household income (e.g. those with a spouse who is negative towards the Look at 2 Cor. 9:5,6 and see the attitude that Paul is seeking: church) and so they cannot give regularly. ♦ “5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in Others still have little or no income to speak of and are unable advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had to contribute much. promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one The Apostle Paul seems to promote different approaches and values. grudgingly given.” Should Christians tithe their money? Let’s consider this point from one who practiced cheerful generosity par excellence: Interestingly, Paul doesn’t teach the Corinthians to tithetithe. The tithe was an Old Testament discipline designed to promote thanksgiving "God loves a cheerful giver. He who gives cheerfully, gives better. for all the blessings God gives and to remind the Hebrews that they The best way to show our gratitude to God and to our neighbor is depended on God for all that they receive. to accept their gifts with joy. Joy is a net of love in which souls can be caught. We impatiently await God's paradise, but The tithe was supposed to encourage people to view all that one has we have in our hands the power to be in paradise as resources for the community of God’s people (Malachi 3:8-12). right here and now. Being happy with God means The practice of tithing existed long before the Law of (Genesis this: to love as He loves, to help as He helps, to give 14:17-20; 28:22) and was common among other nations. The Law of as He gives, to serve as He serves." Moses prescribed tithing in some detail (Leviticus 27:30-32), and the book of Numbers indicates that the practical purpose of the tithe was Mother Teresa of Calcutta to support the work of the Levitical priests (Numbers 18:21-32).

Money Matters in our time In the book of Exodus the practice of giving “firstfruits” seems to Think for a moment about the different practices of giving we see in function similarly (see also Ezekiel’s command in Ezek. 44:30). the church today: In its best form, the tithe in the Old Testament was the giving of a ♦ Many Christians see their own household budget and spending tenth to meet the material need of the Levite (the tribe of priests with on themselves as primary and offer some of any surplus to the no inheritance of land), the stranger, the fatherless (the orphan), and work of the church. the widow (Deut. 26:12-13). The tithe was an expression of gratitude to God by His people. Basic to tithing was the acknowledgment of ♦ Some follow the Old Testament tradition of tithing their income God's ownership of everything in the earth. 6 7