February 1, 2023 – “How Much Do We Sacrifice?”

“I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:8-12

“Readiness speaks of how large a man’s heart is, his heart attitude, not how large his bank account is! God always looks at the heart (quality), not the amount (quantity)! In context Paul is clearly referring to the collection Titus was to oversee (2Co 8:4–7). Obviously God does not expect one to give what he does not have! Give out of what you have, not out of what you do not have. When a person gives according to what he has, such giving is acceptable or well-pleasing to the Lord (2Co 5:9+).(Precept Austin)

Most mainline churches today are struggling – struggling for people, struggling for money, and struggling for relevancy in their communities. We are facing a nation, and dare I say a world that is becoming more and more secular. Many persons spend willingly and even lavishly on themselves, and if they do belong to a church, they give sparingly and reluctantly to G-d. They spend more for their goods than they goods they give to charities and their neighbors in need. Some spend more for candy than they give to the poor, the homeless, and the hurting. Some spend more for gasoline than they give to all causes.

Giving to G-d does not need to be painful – but it can be proportional. Just as it is beneficial to eat proportionally, and to exercise proportionally, and to rest proportionally, it is also beneficial to see your way to give to G-d in the proportion of what G-d has given to you – and I am not just talking about money. We waste just as much talent and time on ourselves as we do money on ourselves. G-d simply asks that we consider G-d and our neighbor in need when it comes to portioning out all that we have – time, talent, and of course, our treasure.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, you are the Lord of abundance. Help me to count my blessings every day, to recognize the abundance you have given to me, and to share out of the love I have for you. Amen.

Pastor Dave