“…As Any Might Have Need”

Scripture:            II Corinthians 8:1-5

C.I.:                The Grace of Giving (Part 1)

Today and next Sunday – we will be talking about “Giving”!

I.  Consumerism And the People of God

A. “Am I Getting the Most Bang for My Buck?!”

1. What is this thing about money?

a. When putting our money into the plate are we paying for a great worship & sermon?

b. Have we paid for a building and now expect people to flock into it?

c. Have we brought in a Youth Minister – and now expect him to create a dynamic youth program?

d. Have we purchased God’s time this morning and now expect to get our way (prayers, emotions..)?

e. ARE WE GETTING THE MOST BANG FOR OUR BUCK?  

2. Satan Understands “Consumerism”.  In fact, he encourages it!

a. Satan believes that the only reason why we do anything for God – is to get something in return.

1) (Job 1:8-11), “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? – A blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’ – Then Satan said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? – You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. – But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.’” 

2) Is Satan correct? – Do we serve God because - of what we have or what we hope to have?!

3) (Acts 8:20-21), “Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, - because you thought to receive the gift of God with money! – …your heart is not right within you.’”

b. Satan also wants us to believe – that God may be holding out on us:

1) “As a Xn - I expected things to be better (marriage, family, job, etc.) – God is holding out…!”

2) (Gen. 3:1-6), “‘Has God said you shall not eat from any tree in the garden?’ – The woman said, ‘From the fruit of the trees in the garden we may freely eat…’  She took and ate…!”

3) (Matt. 3:17- 4:4), “‘This is My beloved Son…’ – Then Jesus was lead by the Spirit into the wilderness in order to be tempted by Satan. – And after He had fasted for 40 days, He became hungry. – And Satan said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread!’ – Jesus said, ‘It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by….’”

4) (Jn. 4:34), “Jesus said, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish….”

c. This “bang for our buck” thinking in our culture - leads some to certain conclusions:

1)  In the Material Realm:

(i) If we don’t like what we have – then take it back and get something else?

(ii) Or this place (store, restaurant) can’t give us what we want – then go somewhere else!

2) Sadly, some people apply the principles of “consumerism” – to the spiritual realm.

(i) “I’m paying good money – and I expect to receive good service!”

(ii) So what is it that we “hope to gain” – when we “put our money into the plate?”

II. Understanding the “Offering”

A. In order to understand “Giving” we need to start with God:

1. (Quote Jn. 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave….”

a. Notice the motivation behind God’s gift – He “…SO LOVED THE WORLD…!”

1) Are we motivated by what motivates God? – Do we give because of our LOVE for Him?!

2) In our discussion re: “Bang for your buck thinking” – notice that the underlying motive for giving – is not our love for God – but love for ourselves – AND SO WE GIVE TO GET!

b. So why do we do what we do?

1) (II Cor. 5:14-15), “The love of Christ controls us [His love for us, or our love for Him? – the latter], - having concluded this, that one died for all, - therefore all died; - that He who died for all, - so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, - but for Him who died, and rose again on their behalf.

2) Do we “Love” to be “Loved” – or because we already are loved?

(i) (I Jn. 4:10), “In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us, and gave His Son to be a sacrifice for our sins.”

(ii) (I Jn. 4:19), “We love, because He first loved us.”

c.  So our “Worship” (including our “giving”) - is our response to God – for His incredible gift to us

1) This is not merely some “spiritually mature attitude” we grow into – but is there at the start:

2) (Acts 2:44-45), “And all those who believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property & possessions – and were sharing them with all….”

COMMUNION & CONTRIBUTION

Conclusions:

 “Consumerism” – may be a fine idea for the material realm – but a bad one for us!

Everything we give to God (time, effort, money, etc.) – should be motivated by our love for Him!

It was the gift of Jesus – that motivated people to give their lives to Him… (Acts 2:36-38)!