1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:04,320 We are one church. We love God, love. 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:06,960 People love his mission and love His church. 3 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:09,560 Welcome to the One Church podcast. 4 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,120 Hello 1 Church. My name is Sarah Hickman, I'm 5 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:22,560 part of the central site, and I'm the finance manager at One 6 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:24,840 Church. My name is Chris Wright. 7 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:28,080 I'm part of the North Side and I also work here at one church as 8 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,240 part of the finance team. Every year we devote a whole 9 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:35,120 message to the important area of giving, and today is that day. 10 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:38,400 Before an inspirational message from Phil John, here is a little 11 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:40,840 overview of what giving looks like here at One Church. 12 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:45,880 Firstly, giving on Sundays. On Sundays, during our 13 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,720 gatherings, we take a moment to bring our gifts. 14 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,080 This is a continuation of our worship to God. 15 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:56,400 People give by putting their details on the envelopes and 16 00:00:56,400 --> 00:01:00,000 putting the gift inside. These are then placed in the 17 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,600 pots that are passed around the room. 18 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,880 The pots are then taken by at least two of our serving team 19 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:11,080 and emptied into a secure pouch. This is sealed and then brought 20 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,480 to the one centre and kept in our safe. 21 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,600 Offerings from every site are combined and then counted by two 22 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,640 people. The amount is recorded and any 23 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:22,480 gifts are taken to our church bank. 24 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:25,680 There is integrity at every step. 25 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:35,080 Secondly, giving online. Many people who call One Church 26 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:39,960 home choose to give online. In fact, nearly 90% of giving 27 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:43,560 takes place in this way. People often give by scanning 28 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:46,480 the QR code found on our envelopes and screens, or 29 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,400 directly visiting the One Church website. 30 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:52,520 This is very easy to do, providing the ability of paying 31 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:55,640 through a phone or other device and easily directing where 32 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,880 you're giving is going. You can clearly and simply give 33 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,200 to specific areas like open hands, different missions, 34 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,840 projects or special one off offerings. 35 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:08,440 For many people, a standing order is an easy and regular way 36 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:10,880 of giving. This is a regular payment you 37 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:12,760 set up directly with your personal bank. 38 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,080 This enables anyone to enter into the regular rhythm and 39 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,320 blessing of giving every month. It is also the most helpful and 40 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,400 cost effective method for us as a church as we plan ahead. 41 00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:29,120 Thirdly, giving during the week. Of course, it's also possible to 42 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:31,800 give gifts at any time through the church office. 43 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:35,800 This could be a check through the post or a gift delivered in 44 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:40,640 person. When you're Auk taxpayer, you 45 00:02:40,640 --> 00:02:43,080 can claim Gift Aid. This is support from the 46 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,280 government that boosts giving to charities like One Church by 47 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:49,520 25%. Last year, the total Gift Aid 48 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:55,440 claimed by One Church was 189,550 lbs, which is an 49 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:58,680 incredible blessing. If you've never given your 50 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,480 details for us to claim Gift Aid on your giving, we can claim 51 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,720 back an amount on your last four years, and it's far easier than 52 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:07,760 you think. To set this up, head to the 53 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:11,640 giving page of the website, fill in the declaration on a giving 54 00:03:11,640 --> 00:03:14,240 envelope, or get in touch with the finance team. 55 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,320 Chris and I are the only people who know in total who gives 56 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:22,720 what, and we're consistently inspired by people's heart and 57 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:24,800 passion for God and for the house. 58 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:28,400 Thank you. Your giving has enabled the 59 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:31,360 continued building of his church and the growth of all our 60 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:34,240 groups, events, care, outreach and people. 61 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:39,680 You truly are playing your part. Now get ready for an 62 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:43,000 inspirational message about biblical giving that will 63 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:47,400 inspire you, challenge you, and speak into your life today. 64 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:50,520 Good morning. I'm Phil John. 65 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:54,080 I'm part of our Loughborough site and I'm also a trustee for 66 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:57,040 One Church. A short story to begin with. 67 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:01,720 In 2016 I spent a week in New Orleans and Chicago on business 68 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:04,920 and when I arrived back home I went straight up to the bedroom 69 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,560 to unpack them to rest. I put my suitcase on the bed and 70 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:11,880 started to unpack it. I was taking things out when I 71 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:16,040 dropped a sock on the floor and as I bent down to pick it up I 72 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:19,320 noticed a wooden box under our bed and I thought well that's 73 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:24,000 not mine so it must be Katie's but we'd always agreed no 74 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,680 secrets. In the end my curiosity got the 75 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:29,880 better of me and I opened the box at which point I was 76 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:34,040 staggered inside. There were three eggs and around 77 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:38,480 £100 coins. I decided to put it back and 78 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:42,720 stay quiet but as the weekend went on my curiosity got the 79 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:45,600 better of me and I chose to brave it out. 80 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:49,720 I just had to know. So I asked Katie, Look. 81 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:52,560 I found a wooden box upstairs under the bed. 82 00:04:52,840 --> 00:04:54,880 I'm sorry, I couldn't resist looking in it. 83 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:57,640 Why are there three eggs in the box? 84 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:01,840 She replied. Well, over the years, every time 85 00:05:01,840 --> 00:05:05,800 you gave a bad presentation or a poor conference paper or a 86 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:09,440 disappointing after dinner speech, I put an egg in the box. 87 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:14,840 So I thought, yes, 40 years and only three eggs. 88 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,520 This is tremendous. Feeling really good about 89 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:22,760 myself, I hastily asked. Well, what are the 100 LB coins 90 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,080 doing in there then? Oh, that's easy, she replied. 91 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:30,040 Every time I collect 10 eggs, I sell them for a pound. 92 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,200 Well, I'm not going to talk about eggs today, but I am going 93 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,760 to talk about money. The world tells us that the last 94 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:41,280 things we should talk about are death, money, sex, and politics. 95 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,000 God disagrees, at least about money. 96 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,880 There are over 2000 references in the Bible to wealth, money, 97 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:53,760 and possessions, and experts estimate that 25% of what Jesus 98 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:57,360 taught relates in some form or other to money and wealth. 99 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:03,960 Let me pray briefly. Holy Spirit, speak into all our 100 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,440 hearts this morning as we consider everything we've been 101 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,760 given and how you would have us respond. 102 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:15,400 For those taking notes, this message could be called Whose 103 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,920 money is it? This question is a crucial 104 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:20,640 starting point to the whole topic. 105 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:26,160 And what would your answer be? James 117 tells us that every 106 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,200 good and perfect gift is from the Father. 107 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,480 That's our house, our money, our family, our skills, our 108 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:36,160 possessions and more. And Psalm 24 verse one tells us 109 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:39,160 that it's all His. The earth is the Lord's and 110 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:43,200 everything in it, the world and all who live in it, and in 111 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,880 Matthew 25, Jesus tells the power of the talents which were 112 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:48,680 large sums of money in those days. 113 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,960 It's clear from this teaching that Jesus expects us to steward 114 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,640 all that we've been given, whether it's a small amount or a 115 00:06:56,640 --> 00:07:00,640 large amount. Simply put, a steward is someone 116 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:05,440 who manages someone else's affairs, and as God's stewards, 117 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,640 we are to manage everything that God has given us with great 118 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,760 care. So when it comes to everything 119 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:16,760 that you have, and specifically money, ask yourself this 120 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:21,000 question. Am IA steward or am I an owner? 121 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:25,960 Your answer will determine how you behave with money, just as 122 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,160 your behaviour with money will reflect your heart. 123 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,160 So let's have a look at the heart of giving for a few 124 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:36,040 moments. And the Bible has a lot to say 125 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:38,400 about the heart. In fact, there are over 700 126 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:43,080 references to it throughout. In Deuteronomy 6 verse 5, we're 127 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:45,600 called to love the Lord our God with all our heart. 128 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,560 And in one Samuel we discover that God looks at us differently 129 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:53,200 to the way that other people do. The Lord doesn't look at the 130 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,200 things people look at. People look at the outward 131 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,400 appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 132 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:03,560 So what does he want to see when it comes to the heart of giving? 133 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,120 Well, the answer can be found in Two Corinthians 9, verse 7. 134 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,800 Each of you should give what you've decided in your heart to 135 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:15,400 give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a 136 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:18,680 cheerful giver. You see, giving starts with the 137 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:22,320 decision of the heart and should always result from an obedient 138 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,680 and cheerful heart full of gratitude. 139 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,320 In the same way that a doctor uses an ECG to check the 140 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:33,679 condition of our hearts, one Chronicles 28 nine tells us that 141 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:37,720 God searches all hearts and understands every thought and 142 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:41,400 desire. Have you checked the condition 143 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:45,360 of your heart recently? Is there a healthy rhythm to 144 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:49,720 your giving? Let's move on to the amount or 145 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:53,320 the extent of giving. How do we decide how much we 146 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:57,640 should give and to whom? The first time the word tithe 147 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,600 appears in the Bible is in Genesis 14 verse 20. 148 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:04,320 Abraham's nephew Lot got caught up in the crossfire between the 149 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:07,880 king of Sodom and some other kings, and as a result he lost 150 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,760 all his possessions and his freedom. 151 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,000 Word of this reaches Abraham who sets off immediately to rescue 152 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:18,240 his nephew and against all odds, Abraham defeated all the kings, 153 00:09:18,680 --> 00:09:22,320 plundered all they had, rescued Lot, and recovered everything. 154 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:27,760 Then out of the blue, Melchizedek, King of Salem and 155 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:31,120 priest of the Most High God, appears, bringing bread and 156 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,720 wine, blessing God, and then blessing Abraham. 157 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:39,840 Abraham's response by his own choice was to give Melchizedek a 158 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,400 tithe of all he had gained, A tithe being 10%. 159 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:48,080 He did this gratefully, voluntarily, and systematically 160 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:50,000 out of a true sense of gratitude. 161 00:09:51,560 --> 00:09:54,440 It was then over 400 years before God told the children of 162 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,480 Israel to give their ties to the Levites. 163 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,120 This was to be 10% of their agricultural produce and 164 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:02,920 livestock. It was important because the 165 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:06,400 light the Levites were not allocated any land in the same 166 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:07,960 way that the rest of the tribes were. 167 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,040 They had no other means of income but were dedicated to 168 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:15,760 temple service. But more was expected. 169 00:10:15,800 --> 00:10:19,360 Numbers in Deuteronomy described 3 ties which the children of 170 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:23,040 Israel were commanded to give, though one of these was only 171 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:25,360 every three years. So in fact they didn't just give 172 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:30,080 10%, they gave more like 23%. And tithing was seen as a 173 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:33,120 serious matter in the Old Testament, as failure to do so 174 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:35,440 can be considered as robbing God. 175 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:40,600 In Malachi 3 verse 8, we read Will a mere mortal rob God? 176 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,880 Yet you rob me. But you ask, how are we robbing 177 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:48,120 you in tithes and offerings? You are under a curse, your 178 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:50,120 whole nation, because you're robbing me. 179 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,280 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be 180 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:57,600 food in my house. So what then, does the New 181 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:01,520 Testament teach about giving? We don't find any direct command 182 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:05,880 to tithe, but we do find some very clear directions on giving. 183 00:11:06,680 --> 00:11:09,880 We're to ensure that those who preach the gospel and oversee 184 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:15,320 the church have the means by which to live. 1 Corinthians 914 185 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:18,640 reads in the same way. The Lord has commanded that 186 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:21,600 those who preach the gospel should receive their living from 187 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:26,440 the gospel, and in one Timothy 5 verse 10, it indicates that we 188 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:30,440 should give not only to make a living possible, but as a 189 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:34,160 standard of double honour. The elders who direct the 190 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:37,000 affairs of the church well are worthy of a double honour, 191 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:40,280 especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 192 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,240 For Scripture says don't muzzle an ox while it's treading out 193 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,000 the grain and the worker deserves his wages. 194 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:53,080 You see, God doesn't need your money, but His Kingdom does. 195 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,000 In the absence of a fixed amount that we should give, I see 196 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:01,360 tithing or giving 10% as the absolute minimum based on 197 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:04,360 scripture. Abraham saw that this was a 198 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:07,360 fitting amount to give to demonstrate his gratitude when 199 00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:11,640 blessed by Melchizedek. And in fact, in Hebrews 7, we 200 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:14,920 read that Melchizedek is a figure of Christ, like the Son 201 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,720 of God. The writer there quotes Psalm 202 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:23,120 110 verse 4 for telling Jesus you are a priest forever, in the 203 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:26,560 order of Melchizedek. So like Abraham with 204 00:12:26,560 --> 00:12:30,320 Melchizedek, I choose to demonstrate my gratitude to 205 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:35,120 Jesus by tithing as an act of worship because I'm indebted to 206 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:38,120 God for his radical generosity towards me. 207 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,680 My tithe does the following six things. 208 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:48,680 It provides for God's house. It tells God that I trust Him. 209 00:12:49,680 --> 00:12:51,840 It reminds me that I'm not my source. 210 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,840 It connects my money to a Kingdom purpose. 211 00:12:56,960 --> 00:12:59,400 It transforms my money into a seed. 212 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,280 And it reminds me to keep God first in my life. 213 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:10,120 So, in light of His amazing gifts to us, is 10% enough to 214 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,400 explore this further? Let's look at the grace of 215 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,720 giving. Now growing up I was taught 2 216 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:19,160 useful ways to understand grace. The first was that it means 217 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,800 unmerited favour, and the second was that it stands for God's 218 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,480 riches at Christ's expense. And these two explanations have 219 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,640 stood me in good stead ever since. 220 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:35,280 Now the Greek word for grace is charis and this appears over 140 221 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:39,280 times in the New Testament, 10 of which can be found in Two 222 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:43,760 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 where Paul uses this very 223 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:48,040 special word intentionally to talk about the grace of giving. 224 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:53,080 Two of the 10 instances of Karis in these chapters clearly relate 225 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:56,680 to the gift of his son. Firstly, in Chapter 9 and verse 226 00:13:56,680 --> 00:14:01,120 15 we read thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 227 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:05,120 So where is karis in this verse you might ask? 228 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:09,480 Is it the word gift? No, it's the word translated 229 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,920 here as thanks. So this verse could equally be 230 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:17,320 translated as grace be to God for his indescribable gift. 231 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:20,560 Did you realise that you could give grace to God? 232 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,200 I've always assumed that grace was one way from God to us, but 233 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,960 Paul wants us to grasp that we afford grace to God in our 234 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:32,000 Thanksgiving and worship for his indescribable gift. 235 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:36,320 And then in chapter 8, verse 9, Paul writes for, you know, the 236 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:40,840 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for 237 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:44,880 your sake he became poor so that you through his poverty might 238 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:48,640 become rich. Paul is clearly talking here 239 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:51,640 about grace in terms of spiritual richness and poverty, 240 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,720 but in addition, he's making a very clear connection to 241 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:59,600 physical riches and poverty. How do I know that? 242 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:03,560 Well, we need to look at the themes throughout chapters 8:00 243 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,080 and 9:00, which are all about giving. 244 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,280 Now, we don't have time to read both chapters this morning, but 245 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:14,240 I urge you to do so later today. In place of that, I've made a 246 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:17,880 summary of these chapters, which includes the 10 instances of the 247 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:20,920 word Claris. We want you to know about the 248 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:24,440 grace that God gave the Macedonian churches who urgently 249 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:29,920 pleaded for the opportunity and privilege of giving thanks be to 250 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:34,280 God for the completion of an act of grace which Titus started, 251 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:40,960 grace in which you should excel. You have chosen Titus to carry 252 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:45,880 this offering and God is able to bless you abundantly so that you 253 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,160 have everything you need and more. 254 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:51,640 This is a surpassing grace that God has given you. 255 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,240 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 256 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:58,800 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though 257 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:03,160 he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor so that you 258 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:05,880 through his poverty might become rich. 259 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:09,960 You see, Paul uses the exact same word not only to describe 260 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:14,560 God's grace in sending us Jesus, but in eight of these instances 261 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:19,760 Paul uses carries to identify monetary giving, saying that 262 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,520 that is a surpassing grace from God to be able to give. 263 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:27,000 It's an opportunity and privilege for us to give. 264 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,720 Offerings are an act of grace in which we are called to excel. 265 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:36,120 And when we act in the grace of giving, God blesses us 266 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:40,320 abundantly. Paul's context for giving here 267 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:43,120 is the grace which we've received in Jesus, the 268 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:47,040 indescribable gift which is way beyond anything that we could 269 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:51,440 think or imagine. So when it comes to giving, the 270 00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:55,520 grace with which we are called to demonstrate is beyond tithing 271 00:16:55,840 --> 00:17:00,440 and even beyond generosity. The Macedonian Church gave 272 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:04,880 beyond their means in the midst of a very severe trial. 273 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:08,520 Their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in 274 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:11,920 rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as 275 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:15,480 much as they were able and even beyond their ability. 276 00:17:16,839 --> 00:17:20,520 So the very least we can do is give beyond our tithe, but 277 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:25,280 sometimes God will call us to give in faith beyond our means. 278 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,600 As we have seen, there is a real grace in giving, but there's 279 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,760 also a very real blessing in giving to be discovered. 280 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:35,080 There are many verses which speak of blessing that we 281 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,760 receive when we give our lives and our money back to God. 282 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:42,040 They're both His already. These Scriptures speak of the 283 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,920 riches we receive when we act in faith, and these riches may 284 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,720 relate to money and the meeting of our physical needs, or to 285 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:53,800 eternal riches, some of which we receive now and some of which we 286 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:58,560 will receive in times to come. We're called to trust God's Word 287 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,520 and obey, not to seek the benefits that come from giving. 288 00:18:03,360 --> 00:18:07,760 So, as we saw at the outset, our heart posture is all important. 289 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:13,440 Let's take a look at 3 verses. In Luke 638 we read give and it 290 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:16,240 will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, 291 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:19,440 shaken together, and running over will be poured into your 292 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:23,120 lap, For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 293 00:18:23,120 --> 00:18:28,520 And then in Malachi 3, verse 10, bring the whole tithe into the 294 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:31,040 storehouse, that there may be food in my house. 295 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:35,360 Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not 296 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:39,120 throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much 297 00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:41,800 blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 298 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:46,680 And finally, in Matthew 6, verse 33, we have a great promise, 299 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:49,640 which from the verses which precede it, refer to our 300 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:53,640 clothing, to our food and drink, the things that we need to live. 301 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:58,520 But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these 302 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:03,520 things will be given to you in each of these verses that we see 303 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:07,440 that we have to act first. In Luke, we're called to give 304 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:10,240 first. In Malachi we're called to tithe 305 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:13,640 first, and in Matthew we're called to seek first His 306 00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:17,080 Kingdom. So how do we go about responding 307 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:21,040 to God's indescribable gift? Well, let's look at the practise 308 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,720 of giving and I want to share with you 5 quick thoughts and 309 00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:28,160 some personal testimony here. We've just talked about the 310 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:32,800 first Proverbs 39 reads Honour the Lord with your wealth and 311 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,160 with the first fruits of all, your produce. 312 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:40,840 This verse emphasises the importance of giving God the 1st 313 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:44,240 and the best of what we have. As an act of worship and in 314 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:48,720 recognition of His provision, I've chosen to set up a standing 315 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:52,000 order to pay my tithe as soon as my pension comes in every month. 316 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:55,680 If you give your first fruits to God before you do anything else 317 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:58,920 with your money, you'll soon find that you don't notice the 318 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:02,040 outgoing payment because it becomes like you never have it. 319 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:05,600 Secondly, a story on seeking first His Kingdom. 320 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:11,160 Listen carefully to what God did in response When I prioritised 321 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:15,920 His Kingdom over my career. After seven years in business 322 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:19,080 with four promotions in as many years, I was on a great track. 323 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:24,120 However, God called me to be an administrator for the Navigator 324 00:20:24,120 --> 00:20:25,880 Student Ministry in the Midlands. 325 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:30,600 My parents, my director, and the group Human Resources Director 326 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,840 of the company that I was working in were all concerned I 327 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:36,880 was being LED astray and ruining my career. 328 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,680 Nevertheless, I believed it was God's leading and so I went 329 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:44,520 ahead. After five years serving this 330 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,920 way, I thought it was right to move back into a business role. 331 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:52,840 17 years later, I found myself as a Treasury Director for Mars 332 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:58,640 in my final year of work before retiring, I earned 100 times as 333 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:01,400 much as I had as a graduate trainee in my first year of 334 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,640 work. Furthermore, I'd spent 30 years 335 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:09,280 in finance in a global blue chip company without a single finance 336 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,480 qualification. The career break that I had 337 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:17,000 taken had had absolutely no negative impact whatsoever. 338 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:22,000 I had sought His Kingdom and God had kept His promises. 339 00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:26,240 Now as an aside, some of you may be thinking, well Phil, you've 340 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:28,680 been given plenty, so it's easy for you to give. 341 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:30,720 But you see, I don't have what you have. 342 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:34,240 Well, remember this. Jesus taught that when someone 343 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:38,520 has been given much, much will be required in return. 344 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:43,040 The biblical principle of giving is about proportion rather than 345 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:47,640 specific amounts. Thirdly, a story which I've 346 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,320 never told anybody, not even my wife. 347 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:53,360 Why? Because Matthew 6 verse 3 and 4 348 00:21:53,360 --> 00:21:56,880 calls for giving in secret. When you give to the needy, 349 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:59,480 don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so 350 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:01,400 that your giving may be in secret. 351 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:04,600 And then your Father who sees what is done in secret will 352 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:08,280 reward you. I decided that I would share it 353 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:11,640 with you today as it illustrates what God can do when you sow a 354 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:16,040 small seed in His Kingdom. Back in my 20s, I was saving to 355 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:19,480 buy my first house and eventually had enough of the 356 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:22,240 deposit which was required by the building society. 357 00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:26,960 And no sooner had I achieved this goal, but God prompted 358 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:30,880 prompted me to give these savings anonymously to a friend 359 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,800 as a deposit for his house that he would use as a student 360 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:38,280 ministry base. My friend ministered to students 361 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:41,960 for decades in three different places, and he and his wife 362 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:44,720 still connect with people across the world who they led to 363 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:47,800 Christ. Discipled, equipped, counselled, 364 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:51,840 unloved. We reconnected recently after 35 365 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:55,360 years apart and spent the day explaining God's faithfulness to 366 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,240 us. My friend acknowledged God's 367 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:01,960 provision throughout his life and cited the story of how it 368 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:05,800 all began when he received an anonymous gift to help buy a 369 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:11,120 ministry house. 40 years on and he still had no idea where the 370 00:23:11,120 --> 00:23:14,360 gift had come from. My heart let with joy as I 371 00:23:14,360 --> 00:23:18,320 listened. Acts 20 verse 35 proved true 372 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:21,920 again in my life. It truly is more blessed to give 373 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:24,440 than to receive, just as Jesus taught. 374 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:27,760 And doing it in secret is so much fun. 375 00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:33,320 It means all the focus is on God the real giver, and not on the 376 00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:36,800 Courier. Here's another story about 377 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:40,520 sowing a seed in God's Kingdom. Recently I wanted to sow into a 378 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:44,240 children's summer mission camp abroad, and I wrote and asked 379 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:48,200 the leader how I could do this. The reply came back as follows. 380 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:53,400 If you would like to send money, I cannot withhold your blessing. 381 00:23:54,040 --> 00:23:58,120 These are the bank details. And then after a number of days, 382 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:01,480 I heard back on how things were going at the camp. 383 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:06,120 Fantastic children experience many miracles. 384 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:10,360 There's an extraordinary divine presence, something amazing. 385 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:14,400 Hearing God's voice is really important when giving in John 386 00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:19,040 10, Jesus says my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they 387 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:22,360 follow me. For the last few years I've been 388 00:24:22,360 --> 00:24:26,560 recording audio messages about one church finances and one day 389 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:29,880 I ordered a drink at Wake Coffee and I didn't know the person who 390 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:32,240 will serve me, so I inquired after her name. 391 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:37,240 She told me and then said, but I know who you are by your voice. 392 00:24:38,280 --> 00:24:40,840 And then at a prayer meeting during one of our fasting times, 393 00:24:40,840 --> 00:24:42,840 I sat next to somebody else that I didn't know. 394 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:47,240 I asked their name and they told me and then added, but I don't 395 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:49,920 know your name. I do know your voice. 396 00:24:51,400 --> 00:24:54,080 And a few minutes later, after I'd read a verse out loud in the 397 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:56,280 meeting, someone else came running across the room and 398 00:24:56,280 --> 00:25:00,360 said, I didn't realise that you were here, but I recognised your 399 00:25:00,360 --> 00:25:03,560 voice. You see, we can hear God 400 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:05,880 speaking to us. He's speaking all the time. 401 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:10,760 We can recognise His voice. He may prompt us to make a gift. 402 00:25:11,120 --> 00:25:13,400 He will also guide us on how much to give. 403 00:25:14,360 --> 00:25:18,120 When I believe God is stirring my heart to make a gift, I ask 404 00:25:18,120 --> 00:25:21,360 Him how much. I often have an amount straight 405 00:25:21,360 --> 00:25:25,880 away, but if I'm unsure, I decide on an amount and wait and 406 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:28,320 pray for a few days to see if I hear differently. 407 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:33,560 It's always an act of faith and as Hebrews tells us, without 408 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:35,560 faith it's impossible to please God. 409 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:40,040 I sent a couple of friends a gift last year when God moved my 410 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:42,160 heart to. I got this message back. 411 00:25:43,360 --> 00:25:48,160 Hello Phil Blessings, blessings, blessings you here God, thank 412 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:51,880 you so much. Our roof has a hole in it and 413 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:55,120 the quote for repairs is just under the amount that you sent. 414 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:58,440 Wow. As I finish, let me recap 415 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:01,560 quickly. Firstly, the heart of giving. 416 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:07,960 Decide in your heart whose money it is, yours or God's determined 417 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:12,000 to be a steward, not an owner. Check the condition of your 418 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,280 heart and renew your mind as necessary. 419 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:18,000 We eagerly say He's worthy of it all. 420 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:21,240 If so, surrender it all to Him now. 421 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:25,720 Remember, God doesn't respond to those who seek the benefits of 422 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,960 giving, but to those who seek His Kingdom as they give. 423 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:34,400 On the extent of giving, if you're already tithing, review. 424 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,400 If it's all going to those who serve you week in week out, 425 00:26:38,120 --> 00:26:41,560 check the amount is equal to or greater than 10% of your current 426 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:45,080 income. And if you're not tithing yet, I 427 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:48,440 urge you to get started as an act of worship and discipleship. 428 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:53,600 Seek His Kingdom 1st and He promises you will have all you 429 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:57,120 need. Thirdly, the grace of giving. 430 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:00,960 It's out of God's grace that you give with a heart of gratitude. 431 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:03,960 It's an opportunity and a privilege. 432 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:07,840 Go beyond the minimum of tithing and be generous. 433 00:27:09,440 --> 00:27:11,120 Fourthly, the blessing of giving. 434 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:14,440 Don't miss out on His blessing. If you haven't already 435 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:18,360 discovered the truth of Acts 20, verse 35, that it's more blessed 436 00:27:18,360 --> 00:27:21,000 to give than to receive, then you're missing out. 437 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:25,920 This divine principle always delivers when our hearts are 438 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:29,160 right. And finally, the practise of 439 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:32,160 giving. Observe the principle of first 440 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:35,320 fruits. Give first, spend later. 441 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:40,400 Seek first His Kingdom, give wherever possible in secret. 442 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:45,840 Sow into His eternal Kingdom and see what he grows from a small 443 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:48,800 seed. Listen to the Holy Spirit and 444 00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:51,520 obey Him. When He prompts you to give, ask 445 00:27:51,520 --> 00:27:54,680 Him how much and obey even when it costs. 446 00:27:56,400 --> 00:27:59,600 In closing, I'll leave you with a quote from John Mark Comer. 447 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:06,600 Is giving something that you do or is it someone you are or who 448 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:23,950 you are becoming? The Lord bless you and keep you. 449 00:28:24,150 --> 00:28:27,790 The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. 450 00:28:28,190 --> 00:28:31,670 The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.