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1. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 1 One of the features is:
Instant, Where am I?One of the features is:
Instant, Where am I?
2. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 2 Giving
A Satellite Navigation System If God has given you a posh modern car you may have a satellite navigation system installed. I hired a car with one last year. It drove me nuts cos it kept telling me to go somewhere I did not want to go.
The only thing I managed to work out was a function that told me where I was at any particular point in time. Not much use to me cos I knew.
But if I had wanted to know how I was doing, it may have been helpful to press the button and have the disembodied voice say, You are here and it will take you about 2 hours to get to your destination.
If you are learning to follow Jesus, as I am, your attitude to and the handling of your money and your giving is the equivalent of the Satellite Navigation System.
It can help you find where you are on your journey.If God has given you a posh modern car you may have a satellite navigation system installed. I hired a car with one last year. It drove me nuts cos it kept telling me to go somewhere I did not want to go.
The only thing I managed to work out was a function that told me where I was at any particular point in time. Not much use to me cos I knew.
But if I had wanted to know how I was doing, it may have been helpful to press the button and have the disembodied voice say, You are here and it will take you about 2 hours to get to your destination.
If you are learning to follow Jesus, as I am, your attitude to and the handling of your money and your giving is the equivalent of the Satellite Navigation System.
It can help you find where you are on your journey.
3. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 3 Giving
Why give? People talk a lot about giving
TV evangelists are always asking you to give your money.
Churches are always asking you to give your money.
Television appeals by Lenny Henry are asking you to give your money.
Clive Anderson is always on Classic FM asking you to give your money.
The tax system favours giving making it tax free and sometimes even tax enhanced.
Most of the world religions have prioritised the practice of giving.
This is not about me asking for your money.People talk a lot about giving
TV evangelists are always asking you to give your money.
Churches are always asking you to give your money.
Television appeals by Lenny Henry are asking you to give your money.
Clive Anderson is always on Classic FM asking you to give your money.
The tax system favours giving making it tax free and sometimes even tax enhanced.
Most of the world religions have prioritised the practice of giving.
This is not about me asking for your money.
4. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 4 Giving Why give?
Not because:
It is an economic deal with God
Someone persuades you
You are feeling guilty
You want to look good But for followers of Jesus we do not give because:
We will profit if we give if we give 100 we will get back 1,000. Gods economic policy does not work like that! Although He is perfectly capable and willing to give us 1,000, He cant be bounced into it by us giving Him 100.
Someone tells us togive us a hard timemanipulates our emotions.
Because we feel guilty either for having so much money or because we have done something wrong.
We will get credit with other people for being a generous person.
But for followers of Jesus we do not give because:
We will profit if we give if we give 100 we will get back 1,000. Gods economic policy does not work like that! Although He is perfectly capable and willing to give us 1,000, He cant be bounced into it by us giving Him 100.
Someone tells us togive us a hard timemanipulates our emotions.
Because we feel guilty either for having so much money or because we have done something wrong.
We will get credit with other people for being a generous person.
5. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 5 Giving
Why do we give?
Because it makes us feel better. The focus of giving is nearly always the potential recipient of the giving the needy, the homeless, the poor and dispossessed.
But:
The Big Issue campaigns on behalf of homeless and socially excluded people. John Bird, the co-founder (with Gordon Roddick of Body Shop) however says, Dont give money to people begging on the street. It may make you feel better but it does not help.
He goes onto say that if you want to help the homeless get involved campaign, go into politics, help out at refuges, at least buy the Big Issuedont just give to beggars on the street.
Is that what giving is all about? Just a way of making us feel better a bit like comfort eating or going shopping?The focus of giving is nearly always the potential recipient of the giving the needy, the homeless, the poor and dispossessed.
But:
The Big Issue campaigns on behalf of homeless and socially excluded people. John Bird, the co-founder (with Gordon Roddick of Body Shop) however says, Dont give money to people begging on the street. It may make you feel better but it does not help.
He goes onto say that if you want to help the homeless get involved campaign, go into politics, help out at refuges, at least buy the Big Issuedont just give to beggars on the street.
Is that what giving is all about? Just a way of making us feel better a bit like comfort eating or going shopping?
6. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 6 Giving
Why do we give?
Because it makes us better. Giving is for our benefit
not to make us feel better, like a pain killer.
but to actually make us better
Giving is for our benefit because it cuts through to the very essence of who we are and what we believe.
If we sort out our giving we will have made enormous progress in sorting out our lives as we seek to follow Jesus.
It keeps us on track as we pursue our spiritual journey.Giving is for our benefit
not to make us feel better, like a pain killer.
but to actually make us better
Giving is for our benefit because it cuts through to the very essence of who we are and what we believe.
If we sort out our giving we will have made enormous progress in sorting out our lives as we seek to follow Jesus.
It keeps us on track as we pursue our spiritual journey.
7. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 7 Giving
God is a giver
and He has made us in His likeness. The greatest giver of all is God.
Giving is a reflection of what God is like he is endlessly generous.
The person who becomes a generous giver is disclosing that likeness is becoming more like God the ultimate giver.
Luther said that there had to be a 3 conversions. 1 of the heart, 1 of the mind and 1 of the wallet.
When we get a handle on this we are able to understand a key part of what God is like and what He wants to call us to.
Gods greatest gift to us is Jesus.
What was Jesus attitude to giving?The greatest giver of all is God.
Giving is a reflection of what God is like he is endlessly generous.
The person who becomes a generous giver is disclosing that likeness is becoming more like God the ultimate giver.
Luther said that there had to be a 3 conversions. 1 of the heart, 1 of the mind and 1 of the wallet.
When we get a handle on this we are able to understand a key part of what God is like and what He wants to call us to.
Gods greatest gift to us is Jesus.
What was Jesus attitude to giving?
8. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 8 Giving Acts 20:35
Jesus said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive. Jesus said an awful lot about money and work and possessions but He did not say much about the actual subject of giving.
This is a quote by the Apostle Paul it is not even recorded in the gospels.
Jesus taught about and modelled a sacrificial life, but he did not seem to add or subtract much from His cultures understanding of giving.
Therefore it is important that we understand the prevailing attitude to giving at Jesus time.
Jesus was a Jew and the Jewish tradition had a comprehensive doctrine and understanding of giving. Let us have a quick look.Jesus said an awful lot about money and work and possessions but He did not say much about the actual subject of giving.
This is a quote by the Apostle Paul it is not even recorded in the gospels.
Jesus taught about and modelled a sacrificial life, but he did not seem to add or subtract much from His cultures understanding of giving.
Therefore it is important that we understand the prevailing attitude to giving at Jesus time.
Jesus was a Jew and the Jewish tradition had a comprehensive doctrine and understanding of giving. Let us have a quick look.
9. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 9 Giving
Offerings
Tithes Giving fell into two mechanism which we call offerings and tithes.
There was also the sacrificial offerings. But they fall into a different category and are not so much to do with giving but more to do with an understanding of salvation for the Jews.Giving fell into two mechanism which we call offerings and tithes.
There was also the sacrificial offerings. But they fall into a different category and are not so much to do with giving but more to do with an understanding of salvation for the Jews.
10. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 10 Offerings Genesis 4 Cain and Abels offering.
The principle of a willing offering to God.
Exodus 35 the practice of a willing offering.
Of money
Of materials
Of skills
Of time The concept of offerings emerges first in Genesis with the Cain and Abel story (although there is also an account of Abraham giving a tenth of his loot to Melchizedek).
Cains and Abel take an offering of worship to God. Cain is a market gardener and brings some of his produce. Abel is a shepherd and cattleman and brings the fat from the first born of his herds.
Abels offering was more willing and as a result Cain ended up cursed.
In Exodus, Moses was constructing the first tabernacle, a place of worship for God. Under Gods instruction he calls to the people and says, All those who are willing, out of what you have, bring your gold and silver, cloths and materials, skills and time.
In the end he had to restrain the people from their offerings because there was too much.
The main focus of offerings is to enable and enhance the worship of God. The offerings are given to the temple and are used to re-stock it, provide for celebration and distribution to the poor and needy.
The main characteristic was that the people were only to bring offerings if they were willing.The concept of offerings emerges first in Genesis with the Cain and Abel story (although there is also an account of Abraham giving a tenth of his loot to Melchizedek).
Cains and Abel take an offering of worship to God. Cain is a market gardener and brings some of his produce. Abel is a shepherd and cattleman and brings the fat from the first born of his herds.
Abels offering was more willing and as a result Cain ended up cursed.
In Exodus, Moses was constructing the first tabernacle, a place of worship for God. Under Gods instruction he calls to the people and says, All those who are willing, out of what you have, bring your gold and silver, cloths and materials, skills and time.
In the end he had to restrain the people from their offerings because there was too much.
The main focus of offerings is to enable and enhance the worship of God. The offerings are given to the temple and are used to re-stock it, provide for celebration and distribution to the poor and needy.
The main characteristic was that the people were only to bring offerings if they were willing.
11. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 11 Tithing Genesis 28 Jacobs vow of the tithe.
The principle of giving one tenth of everything.
Leviticus 27 the practice of the tithe.
One in ten of the cattle and the harvest.
Given to the temple/church
For upkeep, wages, poor and needy and for celebration. The purpose of the tithe is similar to the purpose for offerings:
The upkeep and maintenance of the temple or church. The priests/staff had no land or earning rights and were dependent upon the temple for their income.
To be a distribution point for the poor and needy (although caring for the poor and needy is also a personal responsibility).
To provide resources for celebration.
The reason for the tithe starts with Jacobs encounter with God where He acknowledges God as God and that his safekeeping and possessions come from God.
It then becomes a way of remembering and thanking God for His rescue and provision. (Deut 26).
It is re-enforced as a religious practice in the establishment of the laws of the Jewish religion (much as it is in many major religions).The purpose of the tithe is similar to the purpose for offerings:
The upkeep and maintenance of the temple or church. The priests/staff had no land or earning rights and were dependent upon the temple for their income.
To be a distribution point for the poor and needy (although caring for the poor and needy is also a personal responsibility).
To provide resources for celebration.
The reason for the tithe starts with Jacobs encounter with God where He acknowledges God as God and that his safekeeping and possessions come from God.
It then becomes a way of remembering and thanking God for His rescue and provision. (Deut 26).
It is re-enforced as a religious practice in the establishment of the laws of the Jewish religion (much as it is in many major religions).
12. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 12 Giving I Chronicles 29:14
David said, But 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
All this abundance that we have providedcomes from your hand, and all of it belongs to youI have seen how willingly your people have given to you Here is another occasion when the people have given generously to build the temple and provide food and drink for celebration.
David acknowledges that it all comes from God anyway.
God does not need our gifts it is all His anyway.
E.g. My children give me gifts at Christmas with money I gave them.
I dont need the gifts but I am grateful that they recognise me as their Dad and want to give to me.
When we give it says to Him that we, like Jacob and the Jews, are acknowledging that it is all His and that we are really grateful for all He has given us and for the fact that He has rescued us.
Giving therefore is all about us and our attitude which brings us back to Jesus and one of the stories where He does say something about giving.
Remember the background to tithes and offerings I have just described to you. Well it was a public thing then and Jesus went to watch.Here is another occasion when the people have given generously to build the temple and provide food and drink for celebration.
David acknowledges that it all comes from God anyway.
God does not need our gifts it is all His anyway.
E.g. My children give me gifts at Christmas with money I gave them.
I dont need the gifts but I am grateful that they recognise me as their Dad and want to give to me.
When we give it says to Him that we, like Jacob and the Jews, are acknowledging that it is all His and that we are really grateful for all He has given us and for the fact that He has rescued us.
Giving therefore is all about us and our attitude which brings us back to Jesus and one of the stories where He does say something about giving.
Remember the background to tithes and offerings I have just described to you. Well it was a public thing then and Jesus went to watch.
13. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 13 Jesus visits the temple
14. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 14 Giving Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything all she had to live on. We dont have a public way of giving at TWV. We think that if you would like to give you can ask us how to do so.
Kingdom maths is always difficult to fathom.
How are 2 small copper coins worth more than large amounts of gold?
Because the giving is all about the giver not the amount, nor the recipient.
Lets look at this story a bit morethe woman, lets call her Doris, is the focus of Jesus statement.
We dont have a public way of giving at TWV. We think that if you would like to give you can ask us how to do so.
Kingdom maths is always difficult to fathom.
How are 2 small copper coins worth more than large amounts of gold?
Because the giving is all about the giver not the amount, nor the recipient.
Lets look at this story a bit morethe woman, lets call her Doris, is the focus of Jesus statement.
15. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 15 Doris Doris is a giver against the odds:
Doris is a woman
Doris is a poor woman
Doris is a poor widowed woman a single mum perhaps
She could have many hang ups about givingDoris is a giver against the odds:
Doris is a woman
Doris is a poor woman
Doris is a poor widowed woman a single mum perhaps
She could have many hang ups about giving
16. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 16 Doris Too poor to give.
Embarrassed by others wealth.
Not wanting to support the better off.
Probably exploited anyway.
Unsuccessful. She could have many hang ups about giving.
In fact of all the people who one would expect to give, she is the least likely candidate. She would have every reason not to give.She could have many hang ups about giving.
In fact of all the people who one would expect to give, she is the least likely candidate. She would have every reason not to give.
17. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 17 Doris Gift of giving, not just the ability.
Faithful although not successful.
Faithfulness more than faith.
Understood the temple as Gods place.
Without control or influence. It revealed an enormous amount about her worship of God.
Statistically people give less as they earn more proportionately.
Jesus said that she had given the most not because of the amount but because of the proportion and what it said about her.
It revealed an enormous amount about her worship of God.
Statistically people give less as they earn more proportionately.
Jesus said that she had given the most not because of the amount but because of the proportion and what it said about her.
18. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 18 Giving Matthew 6:20
Jesus said,
Store up for yourself treasures in heavenfor where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. One other point at which Jesus comments directly on giving is where He describes giving as building treasures in heaven because your heart is where your treasure is.
We are back to the issue of giving saying much about us.
The Satellite Navigation System tells us where our car is.
Giving tells us where our heart is.One other point at which Jesus comments directly on giving is where He describes giving as building treasures in heaven because your heart is where your treasure is.
We are back to the issue of giving saying much about us.
The Satellite Navigation System tells us where our car is.
Giving tells us where our heart is.
19. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 19 Doris goes to the temple to give
20. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 20 Doris Understood eschatology.
Thanks and acknowledgement.
Reaching into heaven.
Relationship with the King. Doris revealed that she understood something that the theologians call the eschatological dimension.
Her giving was something that connected her to God and God to her.
Doris private acknowledgement of Him and thanks to Him.
Her reaching out to the reality of Heaven and investing in it.
Her giving reflected a heart and soul that was given over to the King whose Kingdom she knew in part now despite her poverty and alienation but that she would one day she would know in the whole.
One of her main forms of relationship with God and His Kingdom was through her giving to the temple despite all the very good reasons for not doing so.
Doris focus was who she was, who God was and how she could express her followership, he thanks and her acknowledgement to Him not anyone else.
So I think that Jesus stands squarely in the Jewish tradition and understanding of giving and He re-enforces it through this story.
Doris revealed that she understood something that the theologians call the eschatological dimension.
Her giving was something that connected her to God and God to her.
Doris private acknowledgement of Him and thanks to Him.
Her reaching out to the reality of Heaven and investing in it.
Her giving reflected a heart and soul that was given over to the King whose Kingdom she knew in part now despite her poverty and alienation but that she would one day she would know in the whole.
One of her main forms of relationship with God and His Kingdom was through her giving to the temple despite all the very good reasons for not doing so.
Doris focus was who she was, who God was and how she could express her followership, he thanks and her acknowledgement to Him not anyone else.
So I think that Jesus stands squarely in the Jewish tradition and understanding of giving and He re-enforces it through this story.
21. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 21 Doris faith
Everything belongs to God.
He has rescued me. I think that Jesus stands squarely in the Jewish tradition of giving.
In making this observation about Doris he is re-stating the fundamental Kingdom orientated view of giving.
Everything we have comes from God
we have been rescued by God
We acknowledge this and say thank you by giving of our tithes and offerings
This is a recognition of the Kingdom of God operating in our world.
It is as though when we give we create an umbilical cord between us and God and between our everyday lives and the Kingdom of God.I think that Jesus stands squarely in the Jewish tradition of giving.
In making this observation about Doris he is re-stating the fundamental Kingdom orientated view of giving.
Everything we have comes from God
we have been rescued by God
We acknowledge this and say thank you by giving of our tithes and offerings
This is a recognition of the Kingdom of God operating in our world.
It is as though when we give we create an umbilical cord between us and God and between our everyday lives and the Kingdom of God.
22. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 22 Giving
Gods Kingdom has come and is
resident mainly in the church (the temple),
so we give mainly to the church. This is a recognition of the Kingdom of God operating in our world.
The Kingdom of God resides mainly (although not exclusively) in the church.
Our giving is therefore mainly to the church.
Speaking in theological terms the church is an eschatological statement of the Kingdom of God.
When we give willingly we demonstrate that we understand that God has come to us now and that our gifts serve Him and are also treasures in heaven.This is a recognition of the Kingdom of God operating in our world.
The Kingdom of God resides mainly (although not exclusively) in the church.
Our giving is therefore mainly to the church.
Speaking in theological terms the church is an eschatological statement of the Kingdom of God.
When we give willingly we demonstrate that we understand that God has come to us now and that our gifts serve Him and are also treasures in heaven.
23. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 23 Giving When we give willingly we are saying,
Thank you.
I acknowledge it all belongs to you.
And we show that we understand
That the Kingdom is here.
The Kingdom is to come. The reason I speak about this (although I havent done for quite a while) is because it in todays climate it is the painfully obvious way for you to work out how you are doing with God.
Press the button on your Satellite Navigation System. Where are you?
As you walk up to the temple treasury, what does Jesus see in you?The reason I speak about this (although I havent done for quite a while) is because it in todays climate it is the painfully obvious way for you to work out how you are doing with God.
Press the button on your Satellite Navigation System. Where are you?
As you walk up to the temple treasury, what does Jesus see in you?
24. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 24 Giving Acts 20:35
Jesus said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive. What I am NOT saying:
You have to give because I say so
God does not love you if you dont give
You are going to hell if you dont give
I dont want to try and give you a guilt trip.
What I am saying is:
Go to God on this with your spouse if married, or with a close friend or mentor if single
Go to God and say thank you for all He has given you
Go to God and say thank you for rescuing you
Seriously consider giving 10% to TWV of income, gains and time.
Check with God that the tithe applies to you. Be careful because he may well say that your tithe should be more than a tenth. Its certainly what He has said to me!
Ask God to show you how much He wants you to give in offerings of money, materials, time and skills. Let Him set the amount.What I am NOT saying:
You have to give because I say so
God does not love you if you dont give
You are going to hell if you dont give
I dont want to try and give you a guilt trip.
What I am saying is:
Go to God on this with your spouse if married, or with a close friend or mentor if single
Go to God and say thank you for all He has given you
Go to God and say thank you for rescuing you
Seriously consider giving 10% to TWV of income, gains and time.
Check with God that the tithe applies to you. Be careful because he may well say that your tithe should be more than a tenth. Its certainly what He has said to me!
Ask God to show you how much He wants you to give in offerings of money, materials, time and skills. Let Him set the amount.
25. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 25 Giving Plan your giving with your spouse or a friend.
Give willingly, with a smile on your face.
Give without trying to control what happens to your gift.
Give expecting God to bless you though not necessarily in cash.
Plan your lifestyle and spending around what remains. Plan your giving with your spouse or a friend
Give willingly, with a smile on your face
Give without trying to control what happens to your gift
Give expecting God to bless you though not necessarily in cash
Plan your lifestyle and spending around what remains
If you are determinedly walking away from Jesus then any amount of giving wont really help much.
But otherwise, if your giving is in good order, be encouraged, because you are likely to be close to the path that follows Jesus. It will be that much easier to make it to the centre of the path!
Plan your giving with your spouse or a friend
Give willingly, with a smile on your face
Give without trying to control what happens to your gift
Give expecting God to bless you though not necessarily in cash
Plan your lifestyle and spending around what remains
If you are determinedly walking away from Jesus then any amount of giving wont really help much.
But otherwise, if your giving is in good order, be encouraged, because you are likely to be close to the path that follows Jesus. It will be that much easier to make it to the centre of the path!
26. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 26 Giving When we give willingly we are saying,
Thank you.
I acknowledge it all belongs to you. A willingness to give and to give mainly to the church says:
Thank you.
I acknowledge it all comes from you.A willingness to give and to give mainly to the church says:
Thank you.
I acknowledge it all comes from you.
27. Sunday Church 05/01/2003 27 Giving This presentation was authored by David Flowers, a director of Ron Blue & Co North Ltd (a fee only financial planning and asset management firm) and senior pastor of the Wharfedale Vineyard Church. Authored & Presented by David Flowers, a director of Ron Blue & Co North Ltd (a fee only financial planning and asset management firm) and senior pastor of the Wharfedale Vineyard Church.Authored & Presented by David Flowers, a director of Ron Blue & Co North Ltd (a fee only financial planning and asset management firm) and senior pastor of the Wharfedale Vineyard Church.
