Profiles in Courageous Giving
1 Chronicles 21:22-26
Hey. Some of you may not remember me. My name is Frankie. Frankie Elledge. Pastor James had me preach two years ago about stewardship and money (I think that’s because it’s not his most favoritest thing to talk about). Back then I was a brand new Christian and I didn’t know much of anything. I embarrassed myself by calling the last book of the Old Testament, “Muh-lah-chee”...and by saying that giving 10% of your income to God is a “tith.” Well, I’m still no rocket surgeon, but I now know they are pronounced “Malachi” and “tithe,” so at least I don’t sound so dumb around you smart people.
Well, James asked me to talk to you about giving today—he said he’s resting up for a week of pie and Mizzou football. He suggested that I tell you some of the things I’ve learned about “sturdship.” Yes, I realize that it’s properly pronounced, “steew-ard-ship,” but that sounds too much like “sewership” to me...so for once, ol’ Frankie sounds like the intelligent one.
Figuring out what to talk about this morning was a little more challenging this time. I mean, James has done such an awesome job pointing us to Jesus as the ultimate Giver...showing us how love must be the reason behind all the giving we do, otherwise it’s pretty much worthless—kinda’ like a screen door on a submarine, as my old friend Rich used to say. Then last Sunday he was dancing on some thin air as he shared the biblical idea of tithing (ha!...you thought I was going to say ‘tith-ing’...but I’m more smarter than that now).
After those incredible sermons (that’s the word James used
to describe ‘em anyway), I felt a little imitated at first. Then I figured I could share a couple of
stories of people who have aspired me to love and to give like I mean it—well, ‘cause
I do.
Look in your Bible at the book of One Kings (which still doesn’t make sense to me—it should be One King, but I’m going to assume God knew what He was doing when He wrote this). Turn to chapter 17.
All this is taking place when there was a bad, evil king in Israel...and God is trying to get everyone’s attention by not allowing it to rain and by using a prophet named Elijah (that’s who the “he” is in this story).
Read 1 Kings 17:7-14
Tell you what I think—I think Elijah’s momma didn’t teach him any manners. I mean, it’s one thing to be rude, but it’s another thing to ask a dying woman to give you the food that’s going to be her last supper. If I were her, I think I’d have a few choice words for this so-called man of God.
But you want to guess what happens? She actually does it!
Read 1 Kings 17:15-16
Now, you might argue, “Frankie, if God promised He’d take care of my needs, I’d give everything, just like that widow did.”
Hmmm. Would you? Really?
‘Cause you see, I’m just learning the Bible—I know you know way more than I do—but doesn’t God make that promise to you, like over and over again?
Philippians 4:19 à God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 23:1 à The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Read Matthew 6:25-33
Now, you can come back with all your high-falootin’ doc-try-nal excuses why you still worry and are still stingy...but for me, I’m going to believe God means what He says.
There’s another widow, who lived about 900 years later (and about 2000 years ago), who also does something that’s simply amazing. Some of you know about her, even though you don’t know her name. Her story is found in Mark 12:41-44 (Read).
That’s a head-shakin’ story if I ever heard one. She didn’t give some. She didn’t give a tithe. She didn’t give a lot. She gave everything. And there was no prophet standing there reminding her of the promises of God. All she has is her two coins and her faith in God. And I reckon she figures that if she has to give up one of those, she could live without those coins...but she could not make it without her faith. And you know what? She’s absolutely right. It’s too bad that many of us would sacrifice our faith before we’d ever even dream of giving up our last dollar bill.
Two crazy widow women. ‘Just try to explain their actions. Give everything and then trust God? Surrender—just do it? Sacrifice—it’s not just for your parents’ generation anymore?
Those might make good bumper stickers, I suppose, but maybe it’s better just to allow their stories...and their silent, faith-filled, obedience to the talking.
Then there’s this guy in the book of Acts who does something along the lines of these women. It’s not as radical, but he sure does challenge my socks off (that is, if I were wearing socks).
Here’s what’s going on...to kinda’ set the table for you à Read Acts
4:32-35.
So there’s a bunch of people bein’ all generous and everything, but
this Luke guy—who wrote not only Luke but also Acts—names one guy as an example...Read Acts 4:36-37
This man doesn’t give everything he has...instead, what he does is sell some property and gives all of that money to the church. Maybe because of that, or probably because that’s just pretty typical of the kind of guy he is, the disciples nickname him “Mr. Encouragement.”
How sweet is that? I’ve had plenty of nicknames in my life—most of them I can’t repeat in church—but nothin’ as cool as that.
When I read Barney’s story, I decided right then and there that I want to give like that. Not to get a nickname and not to draw attention to myself...but because there are needs everywhere and if I can be a part of helping to meet those needs, well, then that’s what I want to do. Now, I’m not too smart, I’m smart enough to know I’m not smart enough to understand women, but I imagine that’s what those two widows would have done, too.
Oh, and later on in the New Testament, there’s the story of some entire churches who gave like crazy folk. We can even read a letter that a real-life missionary wrote to them.
Read Philippians 4:14-20
Did you hear that verse I read earlier about God taking care of our needs? Yeah, it seems this missionary guy, Paul, was reassuring them that God would take care of their needs even though they were giving a lot of money—money they didn’t really have—to take care of his needs.
The missionary uses this church as an example to another church to challenge them to give, too. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear just how bad off this “Philippino” church really was.
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Isn’t that something?
By the way, the “Philippino” church is in
These churches had extreme poverty...but they tackled that head-on with overflowing joy...and together those two swelled into rich generosity. They gave even more than they were able—which to me sounds like they gave more than what made logical sense—and they begged to have the privilege of giving even more.
That got me thinking a little—when’s the last time you saw anyone show overflowing joy when they put something in the offering plate? When’s the last time you begged God to let you give more? When’s the last time you wrote your check and thought of it as a privilege?
Yeah, these crazy churches didn’t have heat or air conditioning...they didn’t even have indoor plumbing...but they were thrilled to death to be a small part in reaching the world with the good news of Jesus.
Hmmm...perhaps we Baptists have something to learn from that funky Philippino church.
There’s one more story I want to tell you, but first let me explain that there were plenty of not-so-good examples I could have used today—stories like the rich young ruler (whose money was more important to him than Jesus) or Ananias & Sapphira (who sold some land like Barney did, but they lied about how much they were giving). I figured I’d stick with the good examples...like a Philippino widow named ‘Barney’, and leave those other guys for James to deal with.
So, turn back to 1 Chronicles, chapter 21. This is about David...of David and Goliath
fame...of David and Bathsheba shame...and
the king of
Read 1 Chronicles 21:22-23
Now, I don’t know about you (and I especially don’t know about you women-folk), but if I were David, I’d be sayin’, “Thank you, Araunah. You gots yourself one funny name, but you also gots yourself a generous heart. Thank you very much. Here’s your receipt for the IRS (Israeli Revenue Service).”
That’s what I’d say.
But I’m not the king of
Read 1 Chronicles 21:24-27.
I will not...sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.
Wow—that’s like using a jackhammer as an alarm clock. That’ll rock your knocked-off socks if you listen...and let it. I don’t know about you, and I still don’t know about you women, but that got me to thinking about all the times I’ve just sorta’ tossed God the leftovers... my leftover time, my leftover money, my leftover energy and abilities.
Kinda’ like that woman who called into the Butterball turkey hotline. You heard this one? Paul Harvey tells it. You know Paul Harvey. He’s like the Judge Judy of radio news. Anywho, this woman calls in to Butterball and says, “Hey, Butterball. I just found a turkey at the bottom of my freezer that’s been in there for 23 years. You think it’s safe to eat.” Mister Butterball on the other end of the line says, “Yes, if it’s been frozen the entire time it would be safe to eat, but the flavor is going to be so long gone it won’t be worth the effort.” The inquiring mind said, “That’s what I figured. I’ll just donate it to the church.”
I’m thinking, that’s how a lot of people probably approach their giving. They give as little as they can get away with. They give what doesn't cost them anything, whatever is left over after they've met their own needs and wants.
Ladies, how would you respond if your husband gave you a box of chocolates “just because you’re the pertiest thang he’s ever laid eyes on”...but when you opened it, 96% of those chocolates were gone... and you look in astonishment at your chubby hubby and he’s licking chocolate caramel nougat from his lips. How’d that make you feel?
Or men, what if for your next birthday your thoughtful daughter gave you a coupon for $5 off your next oil change...a coupon that looks strangely similar to the one the mailman brought you yesterday?
Children, how would you like to wake up on Christmas morning, rush to the tree only to find a pair of mostly-new underwear with a card that reads, “Instead of buying you presents this year, we gave $100 in your name to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Long live Bach! Love, Mom & Dad.”
I don’t know much (and I don’t know much about women), but I think I know that’s how God must feel when I give Him so little and keep so much. Yeah...I don’t know much...but I know God deserves a whole lot better than that.