01-11-2015 Cashing In - Scattering Seeds The Pursuit of True Riches 2 Cor 9:6 I. Intro. Starbucks generosity and MIT gal on airplane moved by Science magazine. 3. I never believed the saying of Jesus. (8:35-8:50) Acts 20:35 - "It is truly better to give than to receive" I could not believe that because it sounded so sacrificial. I truly believe as many of us today that indulging ourselves is better than giving. Or in other words getting makes me happy. Britain economists in have stated people are "egoist "- (self interest as the foundation of morality). Interesting stat from "Science" magazine. 632 Americans surveyed no matter the income level those who spent money on others reported a higher level of happiness. In another study a group was given $5, $10, & $20 instructed to give to others and another group to spend on themselves. Those who gave to others were "happier" than those who were instructed to spend on themselves. Actually should be read: in the Greek word order acts 20:35 goes like this "blessed it is more to give than to receive" [paul was in prison - Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one I am talking like a madman with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.] Ministry is not a snapshot but a moving picture. Remember how low we felt last week. Circumstances does not dictate the calling. It does however unite us together. Beware of "cashing in" too soon. "He answered, The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom..."(matthew 13:37-38a ESV) Sower - Jesus Seeds - the followers of Christ Field - world 2 Frank learned some remarkable lessons from Re about being in possession and the management of the time talent/gifts & resources.
Frank has tasted the Seeds of his own kingdom being built and the reality of his own generosity (or lack thereof). The example of his innocent son in his lavish gift. Episode one. Then the real reality of his giving compared to "his reality" in episode 2 shook him to consider a more generous life in view of the kingdom. Then the "ladle" grabbed Frank's checkbook out of his hand and inserted a "spoon" to serve. Where you money goes your heart follows, but likewise where your service goes so does your heart. You can give your time, talents and treasure and true to form and His word your heart follows it (1,2,3,4 of stewardship - Luke 12:34 - "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.") Then he was hit with the reality that his life and his wife was fragile and he had no guarantees for tomorrow. He then discovered how Re was also familiar with sorrow. This was a come to Jesus moment for Frank. He realized his tower to run to in times of trouble could not stand, but only God is a strong enough tower! (Episode 4) ---- ---- Intro now Frank has seen (Episode 5 - final installment) Now this final installment where the financial sky is falling and those who "should" worry will and those who are "less blessed" don't have such opportunity for concern. We may even have a bit of distain for those two homeless guys who mocked the rest of us who have been so prudent. For real financial managers would fear losing it so violently and viscously in a stock market crash. Then we find out the intentionally defective trust, a trust Scattering seeds this session. (2 Cor 9:6) We have been given seeds and the one overlooked is the why. 3 Disciples are made and made only when we invest. It is about the pleasure of serving a more satisfying king and kingdom. 1. Kingdom economy - Galatians 6:7 & Phil 4:17. (John Fisher and missionary in Thailand.
"Any fear associated with giving to God's kingdom is irrational. It's on par with a farmer who, out of fear of losing his seed, refuses to plant his fields." Fields of Gold - Andy Stanley A. Generosity is always public - it's God's megaphone. V1 A. Your love is genuine if you are generous. 2 Cor 8:9 D. Giving what you have not what you don't have. 2. Kingdom integrity - Matthew 6:3 & Acts 4&5. - giving was always public and showboating will always be here. The question is not whether someone will find out my giving the question is will anyone ever find out the motive of my giving. 2 Cor 8&9 - Macedonian church. An impoverished "We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia," (2 Corinthians 8:1 ESV) 3. Kingdom urgency - Luke 16:9. (Noonan Ga ) The 911 urgency. "You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV) "Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. (2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT) "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV) "God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows 4 into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God." (2 Corinthians 9:8-11 MSG) Frank understands this no matter what is going around him in the world his focus is fixed and nothing will deter or shake him.
Q&A - What would be able to shake you today from this divine course? ---- Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated to say nothing of you for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:1-6, 8-15 ESV) -- On my worst day I am pursued by Jesus. At my worst and most broken moment I am most pursued by Christ, at my most shameful and nasty moment I am loved more than I will ever know unless I experience the brokenness of having everything in possessing nothing. 5 "If you know someone's story you cannot be at enmity with them" mark twain. There are so many things I don't like about you but it I know your story I can love you.
To enter into another person's stories you must take your shoes off. If you walk into my story you walk into a mess but into holy ground. "No one has a right to their own pain." Dr. Dan B. Allender Our pain makes known the resurrection of the living God. Do you know your own story? What is your giving story? Do you know it? Do you have a safe person to tell it to? Someone who will not be critical or judgmental or condescending or jealous or disgusted or jealous. Generosity is cultivated by stories more than coercive pastors. "I realize I should hide from my giving because of the blessings I receive from it". Dan a Businessman in his 30's from Alaska Land purchased to give half to Christian school and use the half to find the school and God prospered him more than the cost of the school then he had so much more it ended up making him rich - rich in good deeds. Now he is in a foot race to give more. He gives to missionaries what large churches give. Junk food stories. --- --- 9:6-15 Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase; others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that 6 also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown. We must show the reality of our subjection to the gospel, by works of charity. This will be for the credit of our profession, and to the praise and glory of God. Let us endeavor to copy the example of Christ, being unwearied in doing good, and deeming it more blessed to give than to receive. Blessed be God for the unspeakable gift of his
grace, whereby he enables and inclines some of his people to bestow upon others, and others to be grateful for it; and blessed be his glorious name to all eternity, for Jesus Christ, that inestimable gift of his love, through whom this and every other good thing, pertaining to life and godliness, are freely given unto us, beyond all expression, measure, or both --- John Wesley The old preacher wisely pointed out that when people spend money on things they do not really need, they begin to want more things they do not need. Instead of satisfying their desires, they only increase them. And how has God directed Christians to use their incomes? Wesley listed four scriptural principles: Provide things needful for yourself and your family (I Tim. 5:8). The believer should make sure the family has a sufficiency of plain, wholesome food to eat, and clean raiment to put on as well as a place to live and enough to live on if something were to happen to the breadwinner. Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content (I Tim. 6:8). Whoever has sufficient food to eat, and raiment to put on, with a place to lay his head, and something over, is rich, he said. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Rom. 12:17) and Owe no man anything (Rom. 13:8). Wesley said the next claim on a Christian s money is the creditors. He adds that those who are in business for themselves need to have adequate tools, stock, or capital for the carrying on of that business. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). After the Christian has provided for the family, the creditors, and the business, the next obligation is to use any money that is left to meet the needs of others. In giving these four biblical principles, Wesley recognized some situations were not clear-cut. He accordingly offered four questions to help his hearers decide how to spend money: In spending this money, am I acting like I own it, or am I acting like the Lord s trustee? What Scripture requires me to spend this money this way? Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to the Lord? Will God reward me for this expenditure at the resurrection of the just?