Friday, December 2, 2011

Living in the Spacious Place: God's Money Managers

Sermon Title: Living in the Spacious Place: God’s Money Managers

Sermon Text: Luke 21: 1 – 4 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He 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. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Context: The day before this scripture takes place; Jesus cleared the temple from money changers. Until now the widow would not have been able to give such a small amount. She would have been made to purchase a sacrifice.
This is a familiar text and when we look at it, we typically see the widow as an ignorant poor woman. Jesus even refers to her as poor. Money is not equal to I.Q. or intellect. There are rich fools. In fact, not only was this widow not ignorant, she was a great money manager. Money managers manage large sums of money. Their sole purpose is to make money for their clients by making wise investments.
Don’t understand how she could be a money manager? Don’t pay attention to what she has left. Doing so speaks to our understanding or lack thereof as to giving to God. We think what we give to God disappears. We think there is no reward or return on what you give. Thinking that way will keep you from moving where you should be. Think of it as an investment. It is foolish to think that anything you give to God is gone. You can see paying a mortgage because you have a tangible return of a house. When you see the return you move from tipping to giving to God. There will be a return on your investments. Why should you only give to things that will rust and moths will corrupt? Don’t be like the rich man who had mo investments on the other side. Don’t have more faith in your mutual fund or your 401k than in God.
When you put everything you have into an investment, as the widow did, you better know that it has a great portfolio. She knew a few things about God.
• He was taking her somewhere
• He has taken care of her in the past
With God past performance is a DIRECT INDICATOR of future performance. Look at the children of Israel. God Is a SURE THING! Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
He is in tune with how you invest. If He keeps track of a glass of cold water, how much more does He with you tithes.

A Barna research study back in April 2000 found that only 8% of Christians give 10% of their income or more.
According to statistics, in American Churches the breakdown of giving looks like this:
20% of members Give 80% of all funds
30% of members Give the other 20%
50% of members Give nothing – ever!
What could be done if we all decide to fund His agenda? Steve Miller decided to fund God’s agenda with his mill business. He was not concerned about making money for himself. Because he trusted god he gave generously. As he gave generously so did God. He now owns 18 mills.

There are six types of givers:
1. Imitator-mimics others stewardship. If what /who they mimic is stingy with their giving they will also be stingy with their giving. The same applies if they are mimicking a generous giver.
2. Modeler—gives when there is an example
3. Conformer—gives because of tax benefits and personal gain
4. Individual—gives in proportion to what God has given him/her
5. Generous Giver—recognizes that all one posses belongs to God and derives joy from giving
6. Mature giver—focus on God then on others concerned with his/her treasure in heaven than treasure on earth and is content with daily provisions

We should all strive to become mature givers and give the following four ways:
1.Give Politely: Matthew 6:1 - 4 1 "Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that you are giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. There is a reward for giving. You can get it now or later.

2. Give Plentifully: 2 Corinthians 9: 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. You will reap what you sow.

3. Give Progressively: Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Phil 4: 19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory… God ask us to give because He wants to bless us MORE. The baseline is our tithing.

4. Give Positively: 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
A cheerful heart reflects the emotions of my ministry. If you are joyous about something, your giving should be a joyous moment because it is a opportunity for you to invest. When you give you make two deposits: one heavenly and one earthly.

Conclusion:
You unlock the door to your spacious place by giving. You will be investing like the widow and souls will be added to your account.

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