Down to Earth Advice for Jesus Followers

I lived in Germany for a number of years in the 1970s. In fact, Chris and I spent the first year of our marriage there. Most of the people I served and served with were state church members – something we can hardly imagine here in the US. There are two official churches in Germany, the Catholic and the Protestant (mostly Lutheran). I had many discussions with my German friends over the years. And, one of them was over the “Kirchensteuer” -- the church tax. Talking about it forced me to search the Scriptures on the issue of how the church should talk about stewardship.

Some pastors find it challenging to talk about people’s use of their time, talents – and especially about treasure, i.e., money. It really shouldn’t be that way. I’m grateful to the many of you here at LAC who have written me to thank me for this particular series on our stewardship. My German friends always warned me that engaging in church life the way we do it at LAC, i.e., calling each of us to serve and to give, would lead to church power groups. They said that when the church is led and financed through freewill stewardship, the danger is that the proverb will come true: “The one who gives the pay has the say!” The church would be in danger, they said, of doing and saying what would please the wealthy.

And, let’s face it – that danger is there. However, those of us who know the holy and omnipotent God as our Father know that we have a greater accountability to him than to people. Any amens? I will tell you that I will seek to please him by proclaiming his Word even if it convicts us – and even if some with financial resources get angry and stop giving. The Bible declares on several occasions, “The fear of the Lord (not of people) is the beginning of wisdom.” And, when I visited numerous state churches in Europe over the years with thousands of seats attended by 15 people on a Sunday – and no one young – but the church still muddling on without a clear call to repentance and faith in Jesus (because they had the church tax to fall back on whether the gospel was preached or not), I knew would rather engage in stewardship like we do it.

My personal conviction is that giving to God’s work should not be a matter of a governmental tax. It’s a matter of our hearts. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there too is your heart.” When we give to something we believe in, we deepen in our love for the receiver. Jesus said our heart becomes connected to the person or to the ministry we give to. We are made to be stewards. We are energized when we give of our time, talents and treasures. Today, in my last message in this particular series, I’m going to summarize a lot of what I used to say to my German friends about living life as stewards of God’s resources.

PART 1: Our Most Basic Convictions: Stewardship is central to:

#1: Our Identity – as creatures made in God’s image

We did not make ourselves but the uncreated eternal God made us when he created the world. However, we are not the same as the rest of his creation either. Only of us did he say, “Let us make man – male and female man – in our image and let him rule (over the rest of what we have created) (Gen. 1:26-28).” Then, in Gen. 2:15, God told us to “work in the world and take care of the world he had made.” God made us specifically to be productive in this world as he was productive in creating it. He told us to oversee and care for the world as God oversees and cares for the universe. The result is that God created us not simply to consume things selfishly and not merely to exist or survive – but to make a difference in this world. We are to use all we are and all he gives us to be his stewards.

All we are and all we have belong to God. As those made in his image, we have the honor of being stewards of His provisions to us. This includes finances of course ‑‑ but also other temporary gifts such as our time and giftedness. When we give, we know joy – we know what we were made for.

#2: Our Discipleship – as followers (imitators) of Jesus Christ

We know that in Gen. 3, people made in God’s image walked away from God so now we all “fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23).” We do not fully reflect the image of God that we are intended to reflect. But, the one who is in very nature God came into this world and lived the life we should have lived (though we have not) and he died the death we should have to die in our place. So, what do we see in Jesus when we look at his life? He lived a life of stewardship – of service. Mk. 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He showed us what stewardship is all about as he gave his physical body to bring about our eternal salvation.” And he taught us that we should be wise enough to be able to use what is temporary in this world to “make friends in eternal places” (Luke 16:9-13). It’s from looking at the life of Jesus that I came up with the basic definition of wise stewardship that I refer to often, i.e.: “Using what doesn’t last long to bring about what lasts longer.” Jesus’ point in the parable in Luke 16 is that even a full-blown atheist is smart enough to know that. But those of us alive to eternal things know that we can use what is in this world to further God’s eternal kingdom.

We know that temporary possessions can be used to bring about lasting benefits such as leading people to Christ, providing places to worship, and relieving poverty and suffering. So, Jesus is the one we fix our eyes on. He is the one we follow when it comes to stewardship: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame… Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2-3). This kind of stewardship is central to following Jesus.

#3: Our Worship: As those made to live in response to God’s grace.

Let’s me take us back (once again) to the way I define worship:

Worship is the proper response of the whole of our lives to our Triune God. When we worship, we ascribe all honor, praise, and worth to God precisely because he is worthy. True worship results in God being at the center both of our adoration and our action; both in our personal lives and in our corporate gatherings.

This point brings me to the text I want us to look at briefly as we bring this series on Don’t Waste Your Life to a close, i.e., 2 Cor. 8-9. In that passage, Paul is seeking to tell people who have been blessed in countless ways how they should be good stewards. He tells affluent people about a rather poor group of people who had become joy-filled stewards. Over and over, Paul called stewardship a “grace”. I want you to know about the grace God has given the Macedonian churches… (8:1). He told the much wealthier Corinthians, “I want you to continue with your own giving, your own act of grace… (8:6).” He said, “I want you to excel in this grace of giving… (8:7).” And, then he drove it home in 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

So, I’ll ask as simply as I can, “Do you believe that God has “graced” you?” If so, the proper response to his grace is to ask him how to use whatever he has entrusted to you for his eternal work. I want to say very seriously that, God almost always does his eternal work through the stewardship of his people. This is his plan. This is what this series has been about, i.e., our lives are not wasted when we invest our limited time, talents and treasures into God’s eternal work. This is what we were made for – to have our lives make a difference in the world God created.

In January, 2001, I was invited by President Bush to join a few other Christian university presidents to discuss the founding of what is now called the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. President Bush set before us undeniable evidence that churches do the same neighborhood work of compassion and care that government or secular agencies try to do but we do it much more effectively and cost-efficiently. This is why President Obama has continued with this office. We told President Bush what I know he already believed: that this record of giving is because we who follow Jesus have seen what Jesus did. Jesus gave his physical life for our eternal souls. So, we give our lives – our time, talents and treasures – to bring blessing to others. When we do, we overflow with joy ourselves. This kind of stewardship is central to our identity as those made in God’s image, our discipleship as followers of Jesus, and our worship as those who respond to God’s grace.

PART 2: Practical Advice for Our Financial Stewardship

In machinegun-like fashion, I want to pass on to you the counsel Paul gave to the believers about their stewardship in 1 & 2 Corinthians. Let me give you a bit of background first. When Paul was in Ephesus, he told the Corinthians that he was collecting money to help the poor in Jerusalem. He said in 1 Cor. 16: Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

Later, when we come to 2 Cor. 8-9, we find Paul on his way to Corinth to pick up the money. But, he knew the poor believers in places like Philippi had given generously and joyfully while the wealthy believers in Corinth had stopped giving! Paul devoted two whole chapters to the collection he hoped would be ready for him when he arrived. In other words, 1 Cor. 16 lays down a strategy for a church's giving, and 2 Cor. 8‑9 is a model stewardship sermon. From Paul’s words, we can learn at least seven very simple but helpful guidelines for Christian giving.

Seven Guidelines for Giving

1. Giving should be regular. On the first day of the week... (16:2)

This sort of statement in the Bible is consistent with us thinking about stewardship in terms of rhythms of life. With regard to the use of our time, we should identify the work God has given us and work 6 days and stop for 1. Do you remember my message about that rhythm? 6 and 1…

The rhythm taught in the Old Testament about financial giving is called tithing. God told his people to look at their income and set aside 10% for God – 9 and 1… In the New Testament, many believers felt their giving should go beyond that. Tithing as a rhythm was advocated – but many thought the example of Jesus called for more than that – they gave tithes AND offerings (giving above the tithe).

I see the tithe as a good guideline for establishing a rhythm. I urge you to consider it prayerfully. And, I urge you to consider this rhythm of giving each week. It’s not a command – but a good piece of biblical wisdom. I am fully aware of the fact that our income flows are very different here at LAC. There are some whose patterns of income are quite sporadic so you must give more spontaneously. However, most people can establish a regularity in giving depending on the particular pay periods of their jobs.

Regular giving encourages consistency. It also enables the church to plan for kingdom ministry. It might even prevent the unending begging and appeals. Note the "so that" at the end of the verse: "so that when I come no appeals will have to be made." Regular giving kept begging from happening. So, pray about a tithe given in a regular pattern to the Lord.

2. Giving should be proportionate. ...in keeping with his income... (16:2)

This striking little phrase is talked about too rarely. The 10% figure of the tithe has seemed to be a good guideline for people to follow. However, who gives more: the family of five with a combined income of $30,000 which donates $3,000 to God's work, or the couple with the combined income of $100,000 which donates $10,000? This week, I read the testimony of Fred Smith, president of Fred Smith Associates in Dallas. He said that when he started out giving 10% when he worked for $6.00 a week. But he said, "I'm not sure that God is all that impressed when I give only 10% of my seven figure income." And he said, "Begin to give in a disciplined way when you are young and poor. I would imagine that those who do are the ones who are generous when they are old and rich."

I imagine it would be in keeping with Paul's teaching if the percentage of our giving would increase as our income increases. John Wesley certainly practiced this. He found in his days of poverty that he could live on 28 pounds per year. As he grew ever richer, he saw no reason to use more for himself so he kept living on 28 pounds a year and gave the rest away. By the end of his life, he was giving thousands of pounds a year away to the church and to the poor. If you have little to give, never forget Jesus’s praise of the widow who brought a penny to give to God’s work. Biblical giving should be proportionate to God’s provision.

3. Giving should be done wisely. …taking pains to do what is right… (16:3‑4; 2 Cor. 8: 16‑21)

I’d better explain what I mean by “wisely”. I mean stewards should take care that money given is not simply an emotional response to a passionate appeal. Specifically, we should check in to whether the money given is properly distributed. Paul urges that careful steps should be taken to make sure that the money donated gets to its appropriate place. This, of course, is the beauty of giving to a local church. You are closer to the action generated by your giving in a neighborhood church setting like LAC. Each of us here has a much better opportunity to watch personally how the money is utilized. For over 100 years, God’s people here at LAC set up some good checks and balances about how money is collected and then distributed. Paul told the Corinthians in his letters about the accountability he operated under. To ignore this admonition is pure foolishness as history has so frequently documented.

Look at Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 8:16‑21. Notice what Paul said they should do to insure the ethical distribution of the funds being collected: The various churches chose Titus to accompany Paul to make sure that all was done in an honorable fashion. Why: because Paul was dishonest? No, because distribution of money has always been a matter that draws criticism. See especially v. 20. And, Paul adds, any man can make an error in judgment (v. 21). Be wise in these ways in your own stewardship.

4. Giving should be generous. Whoever sows generously will reap generously. (2 Cor. 9:6)

The language is figurative but Paul's point is quite clear: God had been generous to the Corinthian church. Now, they were to pass on some of that blessing generously to another impoverished church. Generous giving leads to generous blessing ‑‑ though God’s blessing according to 2 Corinthians 9:10 may be spiritual rather than material. Clearly, the Bible’s teaching is not, "Give more just so that God has to give you more." For us, giving is a response of gratitude to what God has done. The greater the gratitude, the greater the generosity. I'd like us all to ask, "If everyone knew how much I give to God's work, would they say I am generous?” If not, what would be generous?"

5. Giving should be purposeful. What he has decided in his heart to give… (2 Cor. 9:7)

The phrase, "decided in his heart", implies careful deliberation. In other words, good stewardship involves more than a last minute pulling of a dollar bill out of the wallet when the plate is passed. Christian giving isn't impulsive or casual. It's a matter of thoughtful prayer. God has given us the ability to earn resources. They can be easily squandered. The wise Christian steward should prayerfully consider "in his heart" how God would have His resources to be used. So pray carefully and purposefully – then give.

6. Giving should be done willingly. …not reluctantly or under compulsion… (2 Cor. 9:7)

Have you noticed that fundraisers generally begin rather gently: "Your gift to us will show your love." Then there is financial expansion and a tight budget leading to a heightened appeal: "Give us money or you won't get God's blessing." When the inevitable crisis comes, the pressure is greater: "Give us money to save the ministry. Don't let God down." Eventually, there are visions of grandeur: "My ministry is winning the world. Give or the kingdom of God may fail." Finally, it sometimes reaches the absurd: Give or God will take my life." People rightly wonder what kind of God this is who is so concerned about money.

It’s important to notice that compulsion is to play no role in Christian giving. In light of that, it is clear that the motive for giving is important in God's eyes. Again and again, the main point is this: Jesus-followers do not give out of guilt or out of a greedy desire to get more. We give as a response of gratitude to God who graciously gives to us. We belong to a family in which the Father gives willingly and freely. Grateful response to His giving is, therefore, the motivation for our own giving.

7. Giving brings blessing. God is able to make all grace abound to you… (2 Cor. 9:8‑9)

The Bible’s point is not that we give to get. It is that giving results in blessing for the giver as well as for the one to whom something is given. Real Christian giving, according to the Bible, is an exhilarating experience. How did David Podley put it last week? “Melanie and I have never stopped to ask, ‘What great stuff are we missing out on by giving to God’s work?’” To give sacrificially and see that out of that sacrifice something happens that helps and lasts ‑‑ that brings joy. There is, though, no lasting joy in consuming everything that comes our way upon ourselves.

God uses our giving to bring blessing to others. He then finds ways to continue to bless not only the gift but also the giver. To use Paul's language: he "graces" us. Sometimes that "grace" will be material when it is needed. Always, giving in the name of Christ results in cheerfulness. This is the truth that those who have learned to give regularly, wisely, generously, purposefully, and willingly have learned.

Christian stewardship is not the grudging giving of an Ebenezer Scrooge. It is not the foolish impulsiveness of a spendthrift. But if we here will learn and apply and teach to our children these directives from God's Word, I may never have to speak about stewardship – except that you’ll ask me to remind you. I think God is honored when it becomes clear to our world that his people are not obsessed with our time, talent and treasures but are generous, sacrificial, cheerful stewards of all that God has given. Christian stewardship is the joyous, thankful, prayerful giving of people who are wholly given to the Lord – of people still amazed by the amazing grace of God.