Caring and sharing in the 21st century (Part 2)
Welcome to the 100 Fold Ministry’s blog we call Backyard Conversations. Pull up a chair here on the patio and let’s have a robust conversation about things that matter. That is always fun!
We have set off on a brief two week series here at Backyard Conversations which we are calling the Caring and Sharing series. We took care of caring last time, so let’s share about sharing this time out! (I’m so clever!)
I have heard it said that caring and sharing are two sides of the same coin. I don’t see it that way. I think that the relationship between caring and sharing isn’t additive but multiplicative if that makes sense at all. As we studied last week, to be caring is to be like Christ. Or said inversely, to be like Christ is to be caring. In reading the Gospels, I am regularly struck by the kindness of Christ. The way I see it, if Caring is the character of Christ, then Sharing is the evidence of Christ. I like that! Let me say that again!
If Caring is the character, Sharing is the evidence.
I think the word picture for me is the fruit tree. Remember what Jesus said about trees?
Very early on the badge of the Christian, those made new by Jesus, was the caring as evidenced not by mere words but by sacrificial deeds of sharing.
Of course, there is sharing and then there is . . .SHARING!
What I mean by this is the kind of selfless sharing that defies reason and manifests great faith. Do you member the gift of the widow’s mite. The woman who gave all that she had. Isn’t it interesting that we don’t read of Jesus jumping out of his seat and imploring the woman to keep some for herself.
Jesus did not say:
Nope, He didn’t say anything even remotely like that. He let her give her gift. All of it. We do not know that he had any conversation with her at all. The biblical standard of lifestyle giving isn’t based on what others are giving or what is comfortable or what feels possible. but is based on the character and example of Christ. Based on Christ’s giving and sacrifice alone. He is our template for sharing.
John put it this way:
I think this is important – God is not tasking us to be generous with our money and possessions for sake of the Kingdom. Let me say that again as you may be thinking I misspoke.
“God is not tasking us to be generous with our money and possessions for sake of the Kingdom.”
Rather, he would have you understand that nothing is yours! It already belongs to the Kingdom! God would have you understand that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, not you. You have been placed as steward over His money and possessions. Everything you think you have is on loan and you must account for the spiritual profit of His investment in your life. If you say to yourself “God would never ask me to give in a way that would put me or my family at risk” – You are wrong! God has rightful demands on our very lives and that includes all the things that we think of as possessions.
Let me press my point from Scripture. The first time we meet the prophet Elijah he pops up out of nowhere in 1 Kings 17 . . .
He went on to tell her
So, it seems God is quite willing to say to us “Give what I tell you to give regardless of how it feels or how it may seemingly put your possessions or family at risk.”God is interested – let me say it more pointedly – God demands -our disciplined and sacrificial sharing, just as Christ, our Rabbi and our mentor modeled for us living that was disciplined and obedient and sacrificial.
If you are tracking with me and you are not fully out of fellowship by what I am saying, here is a test concerning what I’m saying. Let me ask you . . .
“What is the difference between a gift and a sacrifice . . .?
Of course, a gift I can give out of abundance. It makes no impact on my lifestyle. A sacrifice is, by definition, a sacrifice. It necessarily means that our lifestyle changes because of our generosity.
And because we understand that it is God’s, not ours, that makes it easy to be a hilarious giver, and we know that God loves a hilarious giver.
I have friends, even family members who have said, “God didn’t give me my money, I worked hard for it. I earned it fair and square, by the blood and sweat of my brow. I got up early and stayed up late and earned every dime. If I have something left by the end of the day, God can have some. After all, God doesn’t need my help to get things done; He’s all powerful, right??” That is pretty close to a direct quote. And sadly, it is never the end of the day in this type of living. There is always a need for more.
So, in the hopes that you long to share more but perhaps you still have a way to go on your generosity, let’s break it down a bit;
So, here is the bottom line on sharing: Acknowledge the primacy of Christ over all things. If materialism and greed are the sicknesses of our age, then sacrificial generosity is the cure. Sometimes there are things we want so badly that we’d sooner decrease our giving than go without them. Sacrificial giving restores generosity to its rightful place atop the priority list. It helps keep the first fruits truly first.
Depend on Christ as the source of all things. As I look ahead to the remaining years of my life and my career, it is easy to dream about the day when money will no longer be a source of fear or anxiety, when I can say I have enough to get by on in my old age. In short, to the day when I won’t have to depend on God to provide for my family’s needs. But, of course, this day will never (and should never!) arrive. “Feeling the pinch” of my giving reminds me of this, and forces me into gratitude and supplication, regardless of my income level.
Respect Jesus’ call to generosity – like so many of his more challenging teachings – His teaching here leaves no room for half measures. The Bible makes no mention of “better than nothing” giving. Jesus desires authority over all our finances, and there’s no better way to grant him that authority than to give more than we can spare.
This is the kind of life Christ intended for us all along – a sharing lifestyle that is not a whimsical or emotional ‘go –no go’,one time decision, but one that comes from the heart and the will.
We have set off on a brief two week series here at Backyard Conversations which we are calling the Caring and Sharing series. We took care of caring last time, so let’s share about sharing this time out! (I’m so clever!)
I have heard it said that caring and sharing are two sides of the same coin. I don’t see it that way. I think that the relationship between caring and sharing isn’t additive but multiplicative if that makes sense at all. As we studied last week, to be caring is to be like Christ. Or said inversely, to be like Christ is to be caring. In reading the Gospels, I am regularly struck by the kindness of Christ. The way I see it, if Caring is the character of Christ, then Sharing is the evidence of Christ. I like that! Let me say that again!
If Caring is the character, Sharing is the evidence.
I think the word picture for me is the fruit tree. Remember what Jesus said about trees?
-
Luke 6:43-45
“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit . . . A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.”
Very early on the badge of the Christian, those made new by Jesus, was the caring as evidenced not by mere words but by sacrificial deeds of sharing.
-
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Of course, there is sharing and then there is . . .SHARING!
What I mean by this is the kind of selfless sharing that defies reason and manifests great faith. Do you member the gift of the widow’s mite. The woman who gave all that she had. Isn’t it interesting that we don’t read of Jesus jumping out of his seat and imploring the woman to keep some for herself.
Jesus did not say:
-
“You don’t need to do this. God knows your heart. If you don’t have ten percent, five percent is okay. You don’t have that? That’s okay, give what feels right and don’t feel bad. Some seasons are hard. You can give to God when your luck turns around. When you get back on your feet. He will understand . . .”
Nope, He didn’t say anything even remotely like that. He let her give her gift. All of it. We do not know that he had any conversation with her at all. The biblical standard of lifestyle giving isn’t based on what others are giving or what is comfortable or what feels possible. but is based on the character and example of Christ. Based on Christ’s giving and sacrifice alone. He is our template for sharing.
John put it this way:
-
1 John3:16-17
By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
I think this is important – God is not tasking us to be generous with our money and possessions for sake of the Kingdom. Let me say that again as you may be thinking I misspoke.
“God is not tasking us to be generous with our money and possessions for sake of the Kingdom.”
Rather, he would have you understand that nothing is yours! It already belongs to the Kingdom! God would have you understand that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, not you. You have been placed as steward over His money and possessions. Everything you think you have is on loan and you must account for the spiritual profit of His investment in your life. If you say to yourself “God would never ask me to give in a way that would put me or my family at risk” – You are wrong! God has rightful demands on our very lives and that includes all the things that we think of as possessions.
Let me press my point from Scripture. The first time we meet the prophet Elijah he pops up out of nowhere in 1 Kings 17 . . .
-
1 Kings 17:8-16
Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear . . .
He went on to tell her
-
“Do as you have said but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oilbe empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.’” 15 So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke through.”
So, it seems God is quite willing to say to us “Give what I tell you to give regardless of how it feels or how it may seemingly put your possessions or family at risk.”God is interested – let me say it more pointedly – God demands -our disciplined and sacrificial sharing, just as Christ, our Rabbi and our mentor modeled for us living that was disciplined and obedient and sacrificial.
If you are tracking with me and you are not fully out of fellowship by what I am saying, here is a test concerning what I’m saying. Let me ask you . . .
“What is the difference between a gift and a sacrifice . . .?
Of course, a gift I can give out of abundance. It makes no impact on my lifestyle. A sacrifice is, by definition, a sacrifice. It necessarily means that our lifestyle changes because of our generosity.
And because we understand that it is God’s, not ours, that makes it easy to be a hilarious giver, and we know that God loves a hilarious giver.
I have friends, even family members who have said, “God didn’t give me my money, I worked hard for it. I earned it fair and square, by the blood and sweat of my brow. I got up early and stayed up late and earned every dime. If I have something left by the end of the day, God can have some. After all, God doesn’t need my help to get things done; He’s all powerful, right??” That is pretty close to a direct quote. And sadly, it is never the end of the day in this type of living. There is always a need for more.
So, in the hopes that you long to share more but perhaps you still have a way to go on your generosity, let’s break it down a bit;
So, here is the bottom line on sharing: Acknowledge the primacy of Christ over all things. If materialism and greed are the sicknesses of our age, then sacrificial generosity is the cure. Sometimes there are things we want so badly that we’d sooner decrease our giving than go without them. Sacrificial giving restores generosity to its rightful place atop the priority list. It helps keep the first fruits truly first.
Depend on Christ as the source of all things. As I look ahead to the remaining years of my life and my career, it is easy to dream about the day when money will no longer be a source of fear or anxiety, when I can say I have enough to get by on in my old age. In short, to the day when I won’t have to depend on God to provide for my family’s needs. But, of course, this day will never (and should never!) arrive. “Feeling the pinch” of my giving reminds me of this, and forces me into gratitude and supplication, regardless of my income level.
Respect Jesus’ call to generosity – like so many of his more challenging teachings – His teaching here leaves no room for half measures. The Bible makes no mention of “better than nothing” giving. Jesus desires authority over all our finances, and there’s no better way to grant him that authority than to give more than we can spare.
This is the kind of life Christ intended for us all along – a sharing lifestyle that is not a whimsical or emotional ‘go –no go’,one time decision, but one that comes from the heart and the will.
-
God is always trying to give good things to us,
but our hands are too full to receive them.
– St. Augustine