READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l There are different types of givers and reasons for giving. Some give for investment (to receive financial returns or the prosperity gospel, which we reject), atonement for wrongdoing, to bargain with God (transactional), as an obligation (to meet the 10 percent tithing mandated in the Old Testament), or out of a sense of entitlement that the church will do something for the giver.
Why do we give? How does giving impact discipleship?
Three Discipleship Principles on Giving
1) Purpose
-Giving reflects the generosity of God, who is spiritually rich but for our sake became poor, and through Christ’s poverty we become spiritually rich (v9). We are called to be generous because we have received the generous grace of God. Paul commended the Macedonian churches, who gave beyond their ability out of the most severe trial and extreme poverty. They pleaded for the privilege of sharing in this service for the saints. Paul calls us to excel in giving. Generosity is excelling in the grace of giving (v7). Mosaic laws mandated 10 percent tithing, though there were also other multiple tithes such as personal tithe and tithe for feasts. In the New Testament, tithing is not mandatory but calls for willing generosity, i.e. a gift is acceptable if given with willing hearts. God looks at the heart and attitude of the giver. Tithing is not about giving 10 percent and keeping the balance for ourselves. Rather, we are to use what we have to seek the poor and needy and help meet their needs.
-Sowing into the kingdom of God to reap a spiritual harvest. We offer our five loaves and two fishes and trust God to use them for His kingdom.
Every week, we are sowing into God’s kingdom through our onsite and online worship services, both here and overseas. Thousands have been blessed by our church outreach programmes such as mission trips and community projects in Jalan Besar and Jalan Berseh. We are conducting 40 mission trips this year to help and minister God’s truth and hope to the villagers. Pastor debunks speculation that Wesley Church is rich in terms of savings and resources, considering the upcoming projects we need to undertake. Our church building is old and we are running out of space for our children’s programme, Prayer and Praise services, and sanctuary. We need to renovate our basement and cover our rooftop to better steward our space. All these will cost millions of dollars. May Wesley Church be a generous church that is blessed to bless others.
2) Privilege
Everything we have belongs to God. We are giving what actually belongs to God. The Macedonian church considered it a privilege to give. David modelled this attitude when he led the people to give generously to the building of the temple – “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (1 Chron 29:14).
Billy Graham said, “We are not cisterns made for hoarding but channels made for sharing. If we fail to fulfil this divine duty and privilege, we have missed the meaning of Christianity.” To be willing and earnest givers, we need to grasp giving as a privilege. Like an earthly father who is delighted when his child uses part of his pocket money to buy a gift for him, our heavenly Father is pleased when we give to His kingdom.
3) Priority
-Treasure check
Our willingness to give rests on where our treasure is, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be (Mt 6:21). Giving is a process of sanctification so that money is not an idol.
-First fruits – the first and best of the harvest
We honour God with our first fruits (Prov 3:9) as God has given us so much. Jesus commended the widow who gave her two copper coins (Mk 12:41–44) as she gave God her first fruits, not the leftovers. Do we give God what is right or what is left?
A pledge is an expression of faith and priority. Do we trust God to provide for our needs as we seek God first (Mt 6:33)? Do we give out of convenience or give sacrificially, like David, who would not offer God anything that cost him nothing (2 Sam 24:24)?
May we sow generously and grow in discipleship as generous people, giving generously to our generous God who is faithful and provides for all our needs.
(Sermon notes by Woo Choi Yin)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- STUDY SCRIPTURE
- Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-12.
- What spoke to you from the passage?
- How does this passage help us understand the kind of giving that pleases God?
- RECALL SERMON
- Which of the points stood out most to you, and why?
- Was there a particular quote, story, or challenge in the sermon that impacted you?
- RELATE PERSONALLY
- What are the purposes of our giving? How can our giving reflect the generosity of God?
- Why is it important to regard giving as a privilege?
- Reflect on the priority of your giving. How can our giving be a check of what’s our true treasure?
- How can our pledging reflect the priority of giving God our first-fruits and not our leftovers?
- COMMIT TO ACTION
- What is one concrete action or prayer you want to take in response to this message?
- As we prepare our pledges or review our giving, how can we support each other in being obedient and joyful givers?
