76 Sermon Illustrations on Tithing

An artist was asked to put on canvas what he considered to be the picture best symbolizing a decaying and dying church. After several months, he returned and reported that he had finished the task. The hour finally arrived when the painting was to be unveiled.

Several people standing around the easel had already given their description of what they thought the church would look like. Some had said it would be a rundown building in great need of repair and paint. Weeds would be growing in the church yard, and there would be some broken window panes. Everyone in the group seemed to have the same picture in mind. However, when the cloth was removed, a hush fell over the group. Everyone was stunned. Before their eyes was an absolutely beautiful church building. The grounds were well kept and the exterior of the building was in excellent condition.

After a few minutes, one person stepped forward and said to the artist, “I thought we asked you to paint a dying church?” The artist smiled and invited everyone to step closer to the painting. He pointed through the windows to the empty pews and to the collection plate on the table. There was nothing in the plate but “cobwebs.”

Some pastors shy away from talking about money. After all, they might say, the church is about spiritual matters like getting souls saved. Absolutely -- but then why do you suppose Jesus made such a big deal out of money? Many Christians are amazed to discover that He did.

The Bible has a lot to say about finances and belongings. I have researched God’s Word and found more passages about money and possessions than about heaven, hell or the Second Coming. The Bible offers more than 500 verses on prayer and fewer than 500 on faith -- but more than 2,350 verses on money and possessions! There is no doubt that the church should have something to say about financial matters in the church as well as in the secular world.

• Who you gonna serve?

Jesus said that you can’t serve God if you’re going to serve riches. “No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money” (Matthew 6:24).

Churches may have their own agendas in respect to certain types of ministries. But every local congregation needs to provide opportunities for people inside the church and in the outside community to acquire biblical financial wisdom.

• You gotta have heart

There are great benefits of having a congregation full of financially healthy people -- but healthy doesn’t have to mean wealthy. Some pastors may be hesitant to talk about biblical principles of finance and giving because they serve churches with blue collar, lower-income families. They might even envy their peers who pastor in suburbia with congregations of middle- or higher-income families. But, guess what? Giving really has little to do with amount, but it has a lot to do with heart!

In a Nov. 11, 2004 article, the Sun-Herald newspaper in south Mississippi told of an organization known as the Catalogue for Philanthropy that reported interesting statistics in their “2004 Generosity Index.” They found that New England states make more money but give less than other areas of the country. Southern and Midwestern states top off this generosity index, with the high level of liberality in these regions being attributed to the practice of tithing.

Based on the average adjusted income of residents, and the value of itemized charitable donations reported in 2002 federal tax returns, Connecticut had the nation’s highest average adjusted gross income at $64,724, but its residents donated $175 less to charity than the national average. So what’s the point?

Just this: Mississippi ranked as the poorest state in the nation but came in fifth in “giving,” and it consistently earns its place as “Number 1 giver,” because of the disparity between the income and charitable contributions of the folks in Mississippi. The average itemized filer in Mississippi reported $4,484 in donations in 2002, beating the national average by $1,029.

How about that -- poorest state, biggest givers! It seems as though I recall someone once saying, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

What an appropriate time in the life of our country for believers to help those generous Mississippians, and others on the Gulf Coast, get back on their feet.

What do financial issues have to do with spirituality? Well, for one thing, you don’t have to be rich to be generous, and poverty isn’t the cause of tightfistedness. So the spirituality part all comes down to where your heart is.

And that’s exactly why the church needs to be equipping God’s people in our country and worldwide to learn, apply and teach God’s financial principles. Because then, believers can be liberated from the bondage of debt, so they may know Christ more intimately, be freed to serve Him, and help fund the Great Commission.

God, money, and faith -- do you get the connection?

The blogosphere has been buzzing about the recent incident involving Pastor Alois Bell of the Truth in the World Deliverance Ministries Church and Applebee’s server Chelsea Welch. If you haven’t heard about the incident, here is a quick recap:

Pastor Bell, eating in a party of 10, was believed to have stiffed a coworker of Chelsea’s on her tip (that was later disputed). Perhaps most disturbingly, Ms. Bell commented on the receipt that she was a pastor and only gave God 10 percent -- “I give God 10%. Why do you get 18” for such a large party? Chelsea [actually, a friend of hers] took the receipt and posted a picture of it online as a joke and it went viral. Subsequently, Applebee’s fired Chelsea and Pastor Bell has been publicly shamed in the media.

This whole incident has enflamed a long burning discussion about the stereotype of the conduct and courtesy (or lack thereof) that many Christians display toward servers, waitresses, valets and others in the service industry. Among other things, the “Sunday morning crowd” at restaurants has a bad reputation.

But why does this stereotype exist? Because, in large part, many servers think it is true. Many Christians do as well. But, what does the research say?

According to the only study of which I am aware, published last year in the Journal of Applied Psychology, it appears that “Christians as bad tippers” is not supported by the stats. In their study, “Are Christian/Religious People Poor Tippers?,” Michael Lynn and Benjamin Katz explain:

“The results of this study produced three notable findings about the relationships between religion and tipping. First, Jews and those with no religion tip significantly more than Christians and members of other religions. However, the average Christian tips 17 percent of the bill when receiving good restaurant service and only 13 out of 100 Christians receiving good service leave a tip below 15 percent of the bill. Second, worship frequency has no significant main effect on reported tipping. Third, worship frequency significantly interacts with service quality such that the effects of service quality on tips were stronger the less frequently the tipper attends religious services.”

You can read their whole report at http://tippingresearch.com/uploads/ChristianTippersJASPaccepted.pdf and it would be worth doing so before saying that your personal experience trumps the research.

So, again, facts are our friends -- but in this case, perception is not our friend. And, perception is reality. That perception is real and is, I believe, hurting the reputation of Christians.

So, how do we deal with such a perception? In an article at the Christianity Today Her•meneutics blog, Karen Swallow Prior gives some helpful advice:

“Eating out is expensive. But if diners can’t afford all of the expected expenses of eating out, they should go to an establishment they can afford, or not go out at all. ... Maybe some folks don’t know that the minimum wage for servers is lower than for everyone else, or that the percentage for tips increases like everything else. ... Tips are payment for services rendered.”

She concludes:

“I don’t think that Paul had servers in mind when he exhorted believers, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” but the principle certainly does apply. Those who are to represent Christ in all they do should remember that includes paying the check -- in total -- at the end of the meal.”

Being cheap or taking your frustrations out on a server is in no way Christlike. And it is not indicative of how we should live our lives as Christians. Furthermore, leaving a tract instead of a tip is so foolish, it is hard to imagine. Yet, it happens -- and it undermines our witness and reputation. If you are leaving something with your server about the grace of God, make sure it is always connected to a gracious and generous tip.

We should be known as a generous people. We should be known for our love. Not just with waitresses and waiters at restaurants, but with everyone.

So in response, I’ve been striking up conversations with servers and asking them about this perception. The other day, I talked to a server, and we discussed the “pastor tip gate” scandal. I wanted to do a small thing to change the perception so I wrote a note on my bill: “Great job! I’m a pastor and I don’t leave bad tips!”

When I tweeted it, more than 12,000 people viewed or shared it in a day -- showing that there is some angst on this issue. And there should be.

I’m not suggesting you write the same -- as my comment was a result of our conversation -- but I do think we need to be generous and build a better reputation. It’s needed.

So, statistically, this claim does not hold up. I’ve written before in Christianity Today on the fact that Christians like to distribute stats that make themselves look bad. But, in this case, a lot of non-Christians believe it as well -- which is my greater concern. So, we should address it -- with the facts (it’s not true) and with our example (we can do better).

The answer, I think, is simply to be better tippers for the glory of God!

The U.S. Department of Commerce has recently released statistics on American churches, clergy and church schools. Church Law & Tax Report give some interesting figures: -

Number of U.S. congregations: 294,271

Churches with fewer than 100 members: 60,300

Churches with fewer than 500 members: 205,556

Churches with 1,000-1,999 members: 21,691

Churches with 2,000 or more members: 13,958

Last year churches received $49 billion in revenues, of which $40 billion came from contributions, $1.4 billion from wills and estates, and $2.5 billion from fees or charges for services. There are a total of 348,000 clergy employed in the United States, and they have served an average of 15.8 years in each position.

Of special interest are the statistics on who is supporting these churches. Persons 65-74 years of age donated the largest percentage of their income (3.1 percent) and those 18-24 the least (0.6 percent). Increasingly, those with lower incomes gave a higher proportion of their income to charity than higher income individuals. Persons with household incomes of under $10,000 gave 2.8 percent of their total incomes, while those with incomes over $100,000 gave only 2.1 percent. The average annual contribution to the church was $715 per household.

Pulpit Helps, August, 1992, Page 8

Mr. Fred [John?] Paton reporting mission work in the New Hebrides tells how the Christians of Matmissa were getting slack in giving and needed exhortation. Mr. Weir therefore preached on the Christian's financial obligation. In his address he referred to a heathen custom of Epi, where, at their sacrifice of pigs, the sacred men cut off the pig's tail and presented it to the spirits as their share of the feast, the rest being kept for themselves. Mr. Weir specially emphasized the fact

that God does not want "pigtail Christians."

The striking epithet caught the native imagination and has passed as current coin into their everyday speech.

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Record of Christian Work

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Version by John Stacy:

The people who inhabit the island of New Hebrides offer a pig in sacrifice to their gods. The only trouble is, they eat everything there is to the pig in their worship and offer the tail to their gods. They take for themselves all that they want and can use and what they don’t want and can’t use, they give to their gods. I wonder whether or not we are like them in the church. Do we give to God only those things that we don’t want and don’t need? He won’t accept the pigtail of our time, talents and money!

Hell is for two classes of people: Those who won’t do anything, and for those who will do anything.

A full exegesis of Article 13 of the Baptist Faith and Message would consume a lengthy volume and yield fruitful discourse. At least three topics deserve our attention here.

First, God owns everything, and therefore we are to be stewards of all he gives us. A basic tenet of a Christian worldview holds that God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. As Creator he thus owns all that is or ever will be. He owns our lives and bodies, our health and welfare, our goods and possessions and even the air we breathe.

In his wisdom and providence, he has placed in our hands and at our disposal certain blessings and gifts for our use for his glory. We, in turn, are thus responsible for using his blessings for his glory, our benefit and the welfare of others.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 makes clear that our responsibility is to multiply the gifts given to us by God. A thoughtful stewardship of all that we have is part of our Christian discipleship.

A second topic for our consideration is the command given in Scripture for us to give "cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally ..." to the Lord's work.

The command to tithe is clearly given in the Old Testament. Some have argued that since the tithe is not mentioned in a positive way in the New Testament, the tithing injunction does not apply to Christians.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Paul says, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of the week each of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collection be made when I come." And again in 2 Corinthians 9:6 he writes, "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

The New Testament teaches that Christians should give even above the tithe as God so blesses. The tithe is not done away with in the New Testament, but a greater principle of giving is placed upon the disciple of Christ. Christians are to give sacrificially as God blesses them.

Jesus commends the widow in Mark 12:41-44 who had put into the treasury "more than all the contributors" because she "out of her poverty, put in all she owned." May the Lord find us faithful in giving above and beyond the tithe.

A final topic mentioned in Article 13 is the motivation for our stewardship -- the glory of God and the benefit of others. Stewardship obviously involves more than our income or possessions but refers to every aspect of our lives.

Giving of our means is part of true Christian worship. Taking care of our bodies likewise is part of our stewardship so that we can serve God with all of our might. We work in order to be able not only to provide for ourselves and our families, but so that we might give to the Lord's work.

In our materialistic society we must challenge believers to work not for bigger houses and better cars, but so that they might give to the Lord's work around the world. God's glory should be the driving force behind how we use all the gifts and possessions that God has placed in our care.

At the end of our lives may we be found as faithful stewards of all that he has entrusted to us.

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Full text of Article 13: Stewardship

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.

Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

_________________

Walker is vice president for institutional advancement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

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It was one of those unrehearsed Presidential moments that capture America's Chief Executive in situations you might never otherwise see. After George W. Bush's Second Inauguration, there was a prayer service at the National Cathedral, and an offering was taken for which the President was apparently unprepared. What the camera captured was his Father, Former President Bush, reaching over his son's shoulder from the pew behind him. He was slipping the President of the United States some money to put in the offering plate. It all happened pretty quickly and pretty skillfully, but the camera got it, and you just had to smile.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “From His Hand to Yours.”

All the President had to give that day was what his father gave him. As a matter of fact, that's all any of us has to give - what our Heavenly Father gives us. Because, as the Bible says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17).

In 1 Corinthians 4, where we find our word for today from the Word of God, the Lord asks this rhetorical question in verse 7: “What do you have that you did not receive?” Any ability you have. Any money you have. Any success you have. Any insight, charisma, good looks or good health. You didn't achieve them - you received them! So pride is out the window. The verse goes on to press the point: “And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” Whatever we have to give was given to us by our Father. So you give without pride, without a need for recognition, without thinking that when you give, you have some right to control.

Earlier in this chapter, God says: “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). We've been trusted by God with things that are His. Like the master in Jesus' parable who “called his servants and entrusted his property to them” (Matthew 25:14). Notice - His property. You have no right to act as if it's yours any more than the bank where you put your money can say when you go to withdraw it, “Oh, I'm sorry - I've fallen in love with your money and it's mine now.” For too many of us, an honest evaluation of how we spend our money, our talent, our energy would reveal that that's exactly what we've done.

God has trusted each of us with some gifts from His hand. If it's not material things, it may well be personal traits, personal abilities or influence that are just as valuable, or more valuable than money. Whatever you've been given, who are you using it for? For your advancement, your agenda, or God's agenda and the advancement of His kingdom? Notice, the President didn't pocket what his Father gave him to give. He put it where it belonged - in God's hands for God's work. It seems obvious that some of us must have pocketed for ourselves what God gave us to give away. You can tell by how much of God's work on earth is constantly under-funded and understaffed. Surely, God is sending the money and the talent and the leadership His work requires. But is the supply line breaking down because some of us are keeping what we were supposed to be investing in His work?

It's about money, but it's about so much more than money - all the kinds of gifts the Heavenly Father gives to His children. And it's about the reason He gave them to us. It's a trust. He's trusting that we will give back to Him what He's given to us for the things He cares about, and to do it with humility, and to do it with joy. Anything else, in the ancient words of the prophet Malachi, “is robbing God.”

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Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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I was put in a difficult situation as pastor of a small Baptist church many years ago. One of the largest financial supporters for our little congregation had made a commitment to a friend that would require a significant change in our church’s doctrinal position.

He had promised that his friend could unite with our church by simply transferring his membership from a church that is viewed as a cult to this very day. My answer was that we would love to help this person find new life in Christ and follow in believer’s baptism, but we do not receive such transfers from churches that are not theologically sound. I also said I was certain that the church in question would not send any transfer of membership.

I was immediately threatened by the major giver and told we would accept this person by statement or he would withhold his giving to the church.

I will never forget the sting I felt as he said these words. I realized that I was heading into a dark storm, and my fear seemed nearly overwhelming. I am sad to say that my experience was not unusual. Many pastors have shared similar experiences when a significant giver was inappropriately leveraging them with the threat of withholding giving. I have talked with pastors who felt muzzled from clearly speaking the truth because of similar issues.

When I look at Scripture, the very first act of church discipline is found in Acts, chapter 5. God was less than pleased with a couple who sought to use money for prestige and personal gain in the early church, versus the example of an early church member’s giving from a pure heart in Acts 4:36-37.

Let’s consider what we should expect as a Return on Investment (ROI) when we give money to the local church. Is ROI really the standard we want to use in our giving? Giving begins with God, and I can assure you that He was not looking at a Return on Investment when Jesus died for your sin and mine. His gift for my salvation is far superior to any return that I can offer Him.

Let’s remember:

• God owns everything. Psalm 24:1 tells us that God is Lord over all. Colossians 1:16 explains that all things were created by Him and for Him. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 both promises and warns when it states that God is sovereign over our ability to make wealth. In an instant, He can prosper or destroy us financially. 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks an interesting question, “What do you have that you did not receive?”

• Stewardship means we are not owners, but managers of everything God places at our disposal. That is why tithes and offerings are merely one aspect of our stewardship. God also holds us accountable for how we spend our time and how we use our talents. 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we will stand before God and give an account of stewardship.

• We make a major error if we think money can provide anything lasting. Possessions cannot provide satisfaction (Ecclesiastes 5:10), significance (Luke 12:15) or security (Proverbs 23:5).

Having dealt with that errant church member more than 30 years ago, the experience taught me a great deal. I had to learn to trust God to provide for my family’s every need. My responsibility was to seek God as Matthew 6:33 instructs.

The threatening man I faced went to the church’s deacons and shared his demands. The deacons were nonresponsive, and I felt more alone than ever. I could not understand why they would not step up and take a stand. I praise God that our association of churches had a godly director of missions who walked beside me. He reminded me there are times that leadership may even cost you your job by staying true to scriptural convictions.

That counsel prepared me for one of the most difficult evenings of my life.

It was a Wednesday night prayer meeting, and you could cut the tension with a knife. The big giver was noticeably absent and emotionally present. I was walking to the front of the auditorium when the church treasurer handed me a note. I thought it was a prayer request. One sentence read, “I guess you know that you ran off 10 percent of our church’s budget.”

I knew the time had come to settle the matter once and for all. I stood before the core of our people and said, “Tonight you all will decide to either follow me or fire me.”

I sent my wife to gather the boys and we went home. I told the men of the church to please stop by the house when they had made a decision. I was scared. The home we lived in belonged to the church. My meager bank account would not last long. In about two hours, a couple of men came by and said, “Preacher, God called you here and we are going to follow you.” The rest is history. We lost the big giving family that night and God sent others to more than cover the need.

My biggest lesson from this experience had nothing to do with anything other than I learned that every gift I would ever place in the offering plate was God’s with no strings attached, period.

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Joseph Bunce is executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico.

God selects only a few to receive and dispose of large amounts of his resources. Nevertheless, Jesus made a promise to any Christian who will apply it: “Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return” (Luke 6:38).

The principle behind this promise is that of sowing and reaping, giving and receiving -- not giving in order to receive.

Does God want me to give until it hurts?

The apostle Paul wrote, “This is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality” (2 Corinthians 8:13). In other words, God doesn't want us to give and give until it hurts or until we are impoverished, unless of course it is to improve our lives spiritually.

Instead, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

So, don't give until it hurts. Instead, give until you're cheerful about it.

Being contented is not a bad idea.

The apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity” (Philippians 4:11-12).

The writer of Proverbs expressed a balanced attitude toward material things: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, 'Who is the Lord?’ Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9).

Should others know what I give?

Jesus said, “When you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3).

Those who have a problem with pride need to give in a modest and humble way. This doesn't mean that all giving must be done entirely in secret. It does mean that we're not to draw attention to ourselves when we give.

However, God's Word also says that giving openly can help bond Christians together, as the apostle Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 8:24. And be sure to allow your children to witness your giving, particularly when sacrificial giving is involved, because it will teach them the importance of commitment.

The tithe is not the goal.

Tithing is simply a good place to begin. The word tithe means one-tenth. The tithe's purpose is to be a testimony of God's ownership and is meant to be individualized. It's the minimum portion that a Christian should give.

Old Testament Jews gave a tithe each year to the storehouse; a second tithe was given annually for Jewish widows and orphans; and a third tithe was given every third year to gentile widows and orphans. Some of the Old Testament Jews probably tithed more than 23 percent.

Certainly Christians, living under God's grace in the reality of Jesus Christ, should neither look for ways to give less nor be satisfied to do so, but should give out of abundance. An important principle is taught in 2 Corinthians 8:14: “At the present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality.”

Give out of commitment.

Commitment is an important ingredient in giving, but confusion exists when it comes to distinguishing between faith promises and pledges.

A faith promise is a commitment to give a certain amount, which allows churches and ministries to prepare good, logical financial planning for the year. It is understood that if God does not provide the funds, you are not obligated to give them.

A pledge, on the other hand, is an absolute commitment to pay something. This type of giving is presumptuous, but a faith promise is scriptural. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Not all giving consists of cash donations

Give of your time, talents and love. You may donate your time or services to your church or an organization, or you may give non-cash gifts of food, furniture and clothing. But, please, don't ever give useless or junk “gifts.”

You also may give something with an appreciated value (an asset you bought at a low price that is now worth much more). This would include such things as stocks, bonds, jewelry, real estate or anything that grows in value.

One caution about giving is that sometimes people are encouraged to borrow in order to give. This isn't scriptural. It doesn't require much trust to borrow money. Deuteronomy 15:4-6 says that if we obey and trust God we will not have to borrow money.

There is no example in Scripture of God ever using a loan to manifest his will in the lives of his people. Borrowing to give is a manifestation of a lack of understanding (see Proverbs 17:18).

Giving should be a matter of the heart.

Giving is related to more than simply the pocketbook. In this country very few of us have a problem with sacrificing too much. Someone has correctly said that you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. So, give sacrificially as a way to honor God with your heart's attitude of love.

Never give to impress others. It's clear that neither a voluntary rejection of all wealth nor a display of material success are part of a balanced Christian walk. The purpose of God blessing us with an abundance is so that we can give in order to further the Kingdom of God.

But, even if you don't have an abundance, you can still give sacrificially and honor God with your cheerful heart.

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #15831]

“Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent [aid] once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.” (Php 4:15-17 NKJV)

The True Worth of Christian Beneficence

• beginning…Gospel — when the Gospel began for them; i.e., when they first heard it

• no…only — none but this one Church had made provision for his temporal need

• Thessalonica — 2 Cor 11:9 — when I was in that city

• once…again — both once and twice [Hebraistic: repeatedly]

• necessity, to supply my need

• gift — recompense

• fruit…account — Heb 6:10, 1 TIm 6:17-19, Acts 20:35 — he desired that they might so act as to secure the future reward of brotherly kindness

The gifts of the Philippians — Dr J. Lyth

I. The straitened circumstances of the Apostle.

II. The honourable conduct of the Philippians though poor (2 Cor 8:2), they acknowledged their debt — stood alone — repeated their bounty of their own free will.

III. The commendation of the Spirit of God — recorded to their honour for our instruction.

The support of the ministry — A clergyman in Wales was appointed by an ordaining council to address the people, who had impoverished their former pastor, and were now to receive a new one. He recommended, in his address, that Jacob’s ladder be let down from the skies to that Welsh parish, in order that the new minister might “go into heaven on the Sabbath evening, after preaching, and remain there all the week: then he would come down so spiritually minded and so full of heaven, that he would preach almost like an angel.” Now, the people insisted on having their pastor with them on other days than the Sabbath. “That may be,” replied the speaker; “but then, if he remain among you, he must have something to eat.” The dignity of the angels was not inconsistent with their ascending and descending on a wooden ladder; and one ladder on which our ministering angels may go up to their heavenly studies is, such a material sustenance as will make it unnecessary for them to grovel in the earth. — Prof. Park

“He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who can suit his temper to his circumstances.” — Hume

“There is some help for all the defects of fortune; for if a man cannot attain to the length of his wishes, he may have his remedy by cutting them shorter.” — Cowley

“Surely that preaching which comes from the soul most works on the soul.” — Fuller

The late Roger Brunet learned about the powers of faith and miracles at an early stage of his married life. He and his wife, Alice, had three children and a baby on the way, and, as any young couple, they needed money.

At that time, Roger worked as a human resources officer at Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, Canada. A few weeks before the baby was born, Roger had the grand total of two dollars to his name and this would have to last until his next paycheck which was four days away.

That Sunday morning Roger went to church as he always would. When the offering plate was passed something made him put in the last of his money. For some unexplained reason, Roger felt he had to give it all. “I got carried away by an overwhelming feeling that this was the right thing to do,” Roger said, “and ended up giving my two dollars thinking that my wife and I would surely find a way to last until Thursday. I would make myself lunches from our meager food resources and offer the inconveniences of this to the Lord.”

He had given away all his money that Sunday. What in the world had he done? He got on his knees and prayed silently but with great confidence. “Lord, I've given my last bucks,” he prayed. “I need You to take care of things until Thursday because we have a baby on the way, and I have to pay the bills.” He went home with nothing in his pocket -- but with a sense of having done the right thing.

“You won't believe this,” Roger Brunet later wrote, “but the same afternoon someone knocked on the door.” It was M. Danis, a neighbor from the next block. He wanted to know if the old car which Roger had parked at the end of the driveway was for sale. Roger had no idea that the carcass of this old rusty car could be worth anything and he didn't want to take advantage of anyone. But M. Danis was not interested in the carcass of the car. All he wanted was the engine.

Mr. Danis asked Roger how much he wanted for the old car. Roger replied that he had no idea what it was worth. Mr. Danis offered him 75 dollars, the deal was concluded and Mr Danis took the car away.

Immediately after, Roger reviewed the recent course of events with his wife, Alice. He remembered his prayer in church that morning, he told Alice about how he had felt compelled to deposit all the money that they had in the offering basket and how he had put himself and his family in the hands of the divine Providence.

From that day on, Roger never thought twice about the amount of his offering. He put his trust in the Lord to provide for him and his family. Of course, after having lived through a very tough time during the Great Depression and being the human being that he was with his inherent limitations, it took him many years to acquire enough faith in the Lord to stop worrying about not being able to provide for his family. But, with the help of the Holy Spirit and lots of prayer, Roger eventually became able to achieve this state of total abandonment which comes usually as a by-product of spiritual growth.

This story, I witnessed as his oldest child... and it has left its mark in my heart.

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By Jean-Pierre Brunet, mailto:Bioptic@aol.com

Copyright C 2005 by Jean-Pierre Brunet.

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It is said that the Christian who begins to tithe will have at least seven surprises:

At the amount of money he has for the Lord’s work;

At the deepening of his own spiritual life;

At the ease with which one meets his own obligations;

At the pleasure found in larger giving;

At the satisfaction in the practice of stewardship in time, talents, and possessions;

At himself for not adopting the plan sooner;

At his new appreciation of the goodness of God.

I was put in a difficult situation as pastor of a small Baptist church many years ago. One of the largest financial supporters for our little congregation had made a commitment to a friend that would require a significant change in our church’s doctrinal position.

He had promised that his friend could unite with our church by simply transferring his membership from a church that is viewed as a cult to this very day. My answer was that we would love to help this person find new life in Christ and follow in believer’s baptism, but we do not receive such transfers from churches that are not theologically sound. I also said I was certain that the church in question would not send any transfer of membership.

I was immediately threatened by the major giver and told we would accept this person by statement or he would withhold his giving to the church.

I will never forget the sting I felt as he said these words. I realized that I was heading into a dark storm, and my fear seemed nearly overwhelming. I am sad to say that my experience was not unusual. Many pastors have shared similar experiences when a significant giver was inappropriately leveraging them with the threat of withholding giving. I have talked with pastors who felt muzzled from clearly speaking the truth because of similar issues.

When I look at Scripture, the very first act of church discipline is found in Acts, chapter 5. God was less than pleased with a couple who sought to use money for prestige and personal gain in the early church, versus the example of an early church member’s giving from a pure heart in Acts 4:36-37.

Let’s consider what we should expect as a Return on Investment (ROI) when we give money to the local church. Is ROI really the standard we want to use in our giving? Giving begins with God, and I can assure you that He was not looking at a Return on Investment when Jesus died for your sin and mine. His gift for my salvation is far superior to any return that I can offer Him.

Let’s remember:

• God owns everything. Psalm 24:1 tells us that God is Lord over all. Colossians 1:16 explains that all things were created by Him and for Him. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 both promises and warns when it states that God is sovereign over our ability to make wealth. In an instant, He can prosper or destroy us financially. 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks an interesting question, “What do you have that you did not receive?”

• Stewardship means we are not owners, but managers of everything God places at our disposal. That is why tithes and offerings are merely one aspect of our stewardship. God also holds us accountable for how we spend our time and how we use our talents. 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we will stand before God and give an account of stewardship.

• We make a major error if we think money can provide anything lasting. Possessions cannot provide satisfaction (Ecclesiastes 5:10), significance (Luke 12:15) or security (Proverbs 23:5).

Having dealt with that errant church member more than 30 years ago, the experience taught me a great deal. I had to learn to trust God to provide for my family’s every need. My responsibility was to seek God as Matthew 6:33 instructs.

The threatening man I faced went to the church’s deacons and shared his demands. The deacons were nonresponsive, and I felt more alone than ever. I could not understand why they would not step up and take a stand. I praise God that our association of churches had a godly director of missions who walked beside me. He reminded me there are times that leadership may even cost you your job by staying true to scriptural convictions.

That counsel prepared me for one of the most difficult evenings of my life.

It was a Wednesday night prayer meeting, and you could cut the tension with a knife. The big giver was noticeably absent and emotionally present. I was walking to the front of the auditorium when the church treasurer handed me a note. I thought it was a prayer request. One sentence read, “I guess you know that you ran off 10 percent of our church’s budget.”

I knew the time had come to settle the matter once and for all. I stood before the core of our people and said, “Tonight you all will decide to either follow me or fire me.”

I sent my wife to gather the boys and we went home. I told the men of the church to please stop by the house when they had made a decision. I was scared. The home we lived in belonged to the church. My meager bank account would not last long. In about two hours, a couple of men came by and said, “Preacher, God called you here and we are going to follow you.” The rest is history. We lost the big giving family that night and God sent others to more than cover the need.

My biggest lesson from this experience had nothing to do with anything other than I learned that every gift I would ever place in the offering plate was God’s with no strings attached, period.

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Joseph Bunce is executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico.