Sunday Evening Sermon

Preached by John Gaines at Leonard Street Church of Christ

January 12, 2002

1. In Mark 12:41-44, we read about a poor widow who is commended by Jesus because she gave everything she had. The NKJV reads: Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

2. Jesus said she cast more into the treasury than anyone else. Others gave more money from their abundance, but this woman gave everything she had.

3. The key to God-pleasing giving is not how much we give, but the spirit with which we give it. QUALITY counts for more than QUANTITY.

I. GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER

A. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

1. Some denominations practice church levies (or taxes). These are wrong because they are unauthorized and unscriptural. Furthermore, they violate the principle of voluntary giving. God wants us to give because we want to give.

B. Our attitude about giving is determined by the way we see giving.

1. Some see giving as an expected obligation of going to church. . . sort of the price of admission. When the collection baskets are passed around, this person gives because it is the expected thing to do.

a. Compare this to tipping a waitress after mediocre service at a restaurant. You're not pleased with the service. You don't really want to give her a tip. But you do so because it's what you're supposed to do.

b. Anyone who gives with this spirit is not following the teaching of 2 Corinthians 9:7. God wants us to be cheerful givers.

2. Other givers have learned that giving is a part of our worship to God. They have given themselves to the Lord [Like the Macedonians -- 2 Corinthians 8:5 (NKJV) And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.]

a. Their question was not "How much do I have to give?"

b. Rather they gave beyond their ability. They gave more than a reasonably prudent person would have thought possible. A financial advisor would not have recommended this kind of giving. An advisor certainly would not have told the poor widow to give everything she had. Where would she get food to eat? How would she provide a roof over her head?

c. They placed their trust totally in the Lord. They were truly walking by faith rather than sight [2 Corinthians 5:7].

II. GOD LOVES A PURPOSEFUL GIVER.

A. Look again at 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

B. Purposing in our heart concerning giving suggests advance planning.

1. Giving is not to be haphazard -- whatever we happen to have left after other expenses are paid.

2. Good stewardship causes us to recognize that we have a responsibility to use wisely the resources left in our care.

a. Everything belongs to the Lord [Psalms 24:1 (NKJV) The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.]

b. It's a false division to think of "my money" as something separate from "the Lord's money." It is ALL the Lord's money. He has left me as manager of a part of His estate. He has left you as manager over another part. Stewards have to be accountable for everything left in their care.

3. A wise steward determines (i.e., purposes) that a certain amount of his income should be used in supporting the work of the Lord's church.

a. The need is being presented to you tonight as we look at our 2003 budget.

b. Your responsibility is to examine the resources at your disposal and commit yourselves to give a certain amount to support the work. Some churches use pledge cards so that you actually sign a promise to give a certain amount. We don't ask you to actually fill out a card and turn it in. However, we do ask that you purpose in your heart . . . make a commitment to yourself and to God.

c. Then, of course, you need to keep your commitment.

(1) We understand that circumstances can change . . . people lose jobs or suffer other financial reverses and unanticipated expenses which make the purposed level of giving impossible.

(2) However, the greater problem is that other wants and desires have a way of crowding out the support we should be giving to the Lord's work. Suppose a certain family in the church wants to buy a new car. The car is fairly expensive and meeting the monthly payments will be a stretch. They think, "Well, we could cut back on our church contributions and come up with an extra $100 a month." That is not keeping our commitment . . . staying true to what we have purposed.

d. We have to be good stewards [1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.]

CONCLUSION

1. The church has great needs.

a. Preachers and missionaries need to be supported. You will notice in the budget presentation that 62% of this year's budget is targeted toward preaching the gospel in one form or another. That's up from 58% last year.

b. Our evangelistic efforts cost money . . . mailing House to House/Heart to Heart is a major undertaking for us this year.