Today we are concluding our series, “Follow Me,” and we have been looking at the 7 Traits of A Spirit-Filled Disciple.” So far we have discussed how a Spirit-Filled Disciple must…
Be In God’s Word
Serve in the local church.
Worship in total Freedom.
Seek the Holy Spirit.
Live a life of prayer.
Live a life accomplishing their God-given mission.
Today, we will make this a little personal by discussing Joyful Generosity.
Now, you will never get me to apologize for talking about money. Why? Because Jesus talks about money a lot in the Gospels. Jesus typically taught in parables-and 11 of His 40 parables were about money or used money as a way to teach us spiritual truths. For instance…
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl compare the kingdom of heaven to riches.
The parable of the talents tells the story of a master who entrusts his servants with money to make a point about being productive.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, He draws attention to a tremendous eternal reversal where those who are most comfortable on earth find themselves bringing up the rear.
So why does Jesus seem to care so much about our finances? Because if Jesus doesn’t have your wallet, He doesn’t have your heart. In our message about prayer, we looked in Matthew 6 at the Lord’s prayer. And I think most of us here would agree that praying is a good thing. But what immediately follows that passage?
It kind of sounds like if Jesus doesn’t have your wallet, He doesn’t have your heart. Now let me stop for a moment and make this statement…
I’m not after your money. This church is not after your money. We desire for you to be a disciple of Jesus, and giving is a needed step to follow Jesus. God will provide for this church. And He has. But I don’t want just to survive; I want to thrive as a church. And that takes all of us working together.
Do Not Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures On Earth
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus uses money as a tool to reveal our true priorities. If you think about it, our bank statement tells the truth about what’s really important to us. Jesus hammered this home in the Sermon on the Mount, which we read a few moments ago.
His point is that if we truly believe life is eternal, we won’t invest all our time and finances into possessions and entertainments that will simply perish. Instead, we will pour our energy and resources into behaviors and actions that will resonate throughout eternity.
There is a maturity that eventually happens in all of us when we go from buying wants to needs. I want things and experiences. I need heat, food, and walls with a ceiling, transportation, and water. So who cares that you had a fun experience if you cannot feed your family?
Likewise, if your spiritual life is in shambles, who cares what type of food you eat, what particular car you have, or the big house you live in? After all, listen to Jesus’ words in Mark 8:31-38.
That passage leads us to two more stories about giving with individuals that Jesus interacted with.
Money and Salvation
In Luke 19, we meet Zacchaeus, a tax collector who has made himself wealthy by cheating his fellow Jews.
Salvation didn’t come to Zacchaeus because he gave money, but because he stopped letting money be the most important thing in his life. So you cannot serve two masters. Compare this reaction to the response of a young man who comes to Jesus for advice in Mark 10:17-27
He falls at Jesus’ feet, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds that he should keep the commandments of the law. And the man assures the Lord that he has. Then I love what happens next! Jesus looked at him, loved him, and told him… “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” We’re told that he went away sad because he had great wealth.
Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus immediately impacts his pocketbook. He promises to give half what he owns to the poor, and out of the remaining half vows to pay back quadruple what he’s defrauded others. But the rich young man who comes to Jesus to find eternal life discovers that money has become a boundary between himself and God.
So Why Does Jesus Care About My Money?
At the heart of Christianity lies the premise that God created everything, and it ultimately belongs to Him. Human beings exist as stewards or managers of God’s resources-this includes our money. Stewardship isn’t just an aspect of the Christian life; it is the whole of the Christian life.
For many of us, the struggle to align ourselves with God’s will is played out in the realm of our finances. It’s where the real battle happens for so many. As Martin Luther said, “There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, the conversion of the mind, and the conversion of the purse.”
Jesus talks about money because when we truly understand our roles as stewards, money is a tool we can invest into growing His kingdom.
What Does This Look Like For Us?
Pre-School
· Believe God provides for them and express thanks.
· Know that God wants them to share with others.
· Recognize others’ needs and choose to help them.
Elementary
· Disciples say thank you to Jesus for His love with offerings and learn about God’s heart for everyone.
· Disciples develop a heart of compassion for all people that leads to generosity and learn to share possessions and God’s love with others freely.
· Disciples learn to give sacrificially to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return.
Youth
· Disciples learn to biblically manage their personal resources well, giving the Lord’s tithe and offerings beyond the tithe, saving for the future, and learning to budget.
· Disciples give freely of possessions because they understand that they are ultimately giving to God.
· Disciples develop a deeper understanding and care for the broken, poor, and vulnerable and seek opportunities to help.
· Disciples learn how they can contribute to God’s economy by giving, working, and helping others fulfill their mission.
· Disciples begin to recognize and experience God’s provision. They learn to give sacrificially of their time, talent, and treasure as the Holy Spirit leads.
Adult
· Disciples biblically manage their personal resources well, giving the Lord’s tithe and offerings beyond the tithe, saving for the future, and living below their income when possible.
· Disciples are hospitable, opening their hearts and home to people showing that God loves everyone.
· Disciples care for the broken, poor, and vulnerable at home and abroad, looking for ways to help all people flourish.
· Disciples understand how they contribute to God’s economy by giving, working, and helping others fulfill their mission.
· Disciples who have experienced God’s provision are ready to give sacrificially of their time, talent, and treasure as the Holy Spirit leads.
Do you want to dive further into this topic? Then check out the full message here!