There’s a story about a young pastor - fresh out of seminary - who began his first pastorate in a small rural town - small church of about 60 people or so.

The day he preached his first sermon everyone showed up for the service - dressed in their best clothes - filling in the pews - remember pews? - filling in the pews from the front and then towards the back.  People checking out the new preacher.

The sermon was a good one.  There were nods of approval.  On the way out the preacher was congratulated on preaching a fine sermon.  After which everyone headed off to the rubber chicken welcoming luncheon.

Sunday number two came and the church was moderately filled.  There was more space in the front pews.  The young pastor preached the same sermon as the Sunday before.  All of which led to a few looks of concern.

Sunday number three the young pastor preaches the same sermon.  Sunday number four he preaches the same sermon one more time.  So, after services there’s an impromptu meeting of the elected and not-elected church leadership - know what I mean?  A committee is appointed to speak with the preacher about his selection of sermons.

So the Ad-hoc Committee On Pastoral Sermon Topics meets with the young pastor.  The spokesperson for the group asks, “Preacher, we’ve noticed you’ve preached the same sermon now four Sundays in a row.  And it’s a fine sermon.  But, uh, do you know any other sermons?”  To which this young pastor replied.  “Well, before I preach another sermon I thought I’d wait until you all were doing what I said in the first sermon.”

Now that’s pretty arrogant.  Right?  It may be true.  But arrogant.  This morning we’re coming back to two sermons that we looked at previously in the Spring.  I want to be really careful here.  The reason we’re coming back to these sermons is not because I’m trying to tell all of you to shape up and live right and do what I told you to do in the first place.  That would be pretty arrogant.  Yes?

What a number of us have been experiencing around here - as we’ve been going through our financial campaign for the Building Fund - and looking at the budget and our weekly giving - there is a growing awareness that God is continuing to teach us about stewardship - especially stewardship of financial resources.  Would you agree with that?

Repetition is the key to what?  Learning.  The point of looking at this teaching again is for us to keep learning - and to live by what God is teaching us.  At the least - this is a time for comparison - to think about where we were 7 or 8 months ago and to see how we’ve grown in our stewardship.

One request:  Try to laugh at the jokes like you’ve never heard them before.  Nod with great interest at the illustrations.

There’s a story about a Baptist pastor who was trying to increase donations to the church.  One Saturday afternoon he wired each seat in the sanctuary up to a switch located behind the pulpit.  So this pastor could zap each seat with electricity and control the strength of the current going through each seat.

During the Sunday morning service the pastor talked about stewardship - challenging the congregation to increase their donations.  He started off pretty low.  “Who will stand and make a commitment of a $10 donation?”  He put some current through some of the seats and people jumped to their feet.  He went on that way - $50 - $100.  Each time increasing the current going through the seats.  People who were initially resistant finally having to stand for the increasingly larger donations.  When he got to $1,000.  He electrocuted the entire Deacons Board.

This morning our goal is not to make a pitch for money or try to make us all feel guilty about what we give.  One of the top 5 reasons people give for not coming to a church is the impression - sometimes deserved - the impression that, “The church isn’t interested in me.  The church is only interested in my money.”  That’s not what this is about - guilt and giving.  We’ve already taken the offering.

Hear this:  Giving to the Lord is never intended by God to be a guilt thing.  Giving is suppose to help us grow closer to God - to experience His blessings - to live in a deepening - dependent - relationship with Him.

Our purpose statement as a congregation is what?  Say it with me, ”Leading people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and equipping them to serve God.”  That’s what we’ve felt God calling us to do right here.

After a whole lot of prayer and a lot of conversation this congregation made the decision to sell the Yosemite Avenue property.  After a whole lot of prayer and exploration of a number of different options and more prayer and more conversation together and more prayer we’ve felt God’s leading us to remain right here on G street.

As we’ve making those decisions - to stay here and build - God has been revealing to us the importance of this location - little glimpses of potential.  It helps to be reminded of these - especially while the building is being built and we’re sitting here in this room.

There’s a strategic importance to this neighborhood that this church is here.  New Hope Merced Youth - ministry to gangs and at risk youth - this being the only neutral site in Merced.  Right around us is a cross-section of people needing Jesus.  The lifestyles of the rich and famous crammed up against the lifestyles of the poor an infamous.  Maybe, the rich and infamous.

Single parent homes.  Hurting men and women.  Kids in trouble.  We’re strategically located in the middle of a spiritual battle zone.  There’s huge spiritual needs right outside our door.  100,000 plus people in the greater Merced metroplex who need Jesus.  And, we’re right in the middle of it.  Praise God.

Its exciting - when people ask me what congregation I’m a part of - we’re no longer identified with the old Mormon building.  Now were the place under construction on G Street.  Have you experienced that?  Praise God.  The community around us is noticing something happening here.  Here in the congregation there’s a feeling of newness - of expectation - of God at work.

The new youth room is huge.  What an awesome place of ministry - a destination point for the youth of this neighborhood where they can hear about Jesus.  The sanctuary is immense - a worship and outreach center - that’s a tool for inviting the community to hear the Gospel - a place of refuge for the hurting and those seeking God - where we can grow in His grace together.  There’s a prayer room where people will pray to accept Jesus as their Savior.  Where parents can care for their babies and still participate in the Service of Worship.  An inviting entrance that isn’t claustrophobic - scary.  Don’t you love the way the new entrance kind of reaches out to G Street and invites people in?

Back in May when we talked about tearing down the old sanctuary - remember what the old sanctuary?  Back in May we emphasized that building new facilities is not about steel and stucco.  The first thing on our minds must be the ministry God has called us to - leading people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  That’s why we’re here.  That’s why we exist as a congregation.  Leading people into a relationship with Jesus Christ - and the second part - helping them - equipping them - to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Its important for us - when we’re talking about money - financial stewardship - its important for us to see the connection between financial giving and fulfilling God’s calling for us here on G street - on making the greatest impact we can for the Kingdom of God between now and eternity.

Too often - when we get involved in the nitty gritty stuff of financial campaigns and meeting budgets - too often we loose sight of that reality - what God may be teaching us about stewardship - the life transformation importance - of our giving.  That’s why we need to hear this teaching again this morning.  Financial stewardship isn’t about guilt.  Its not sales pitches.  Not,  we’re building this building so we have to cough up the money.  But expanding ministry - on moving forward into God’s purposes for us as individuals and as a congregation.

Please turn with me to 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.  You’ll also find these verses on your Sermon Notes.  As you’re going there - let me share some background that’ll be helpful to have in mind.

You’ll see in these verses - that we’re about to read - you’ll see Paul refer to a collection for the saints.  At the time that Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church he had also been instructing the churches in Galatia, Macedonia, Asia, and now Corinth - instructing the churches there to take up a collection for the church in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem at the time was a fairly poor city.  There’d been a famine that had decimated the economy.   The church in Jerusalem - whether because of the economy or persecution - the church was very poverty stricken.    Paul is instructing the churches to take up a collection to help the Jerusalem Church take care of the needy there.  For the Corinthian church this a real financial ministry opportunity of great importance.

If you’ve got your sermon notes in front of you - let’s read these verses out loud together.  “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.  On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.  When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.”

There are three principles of financial stewardship that Paul touches on here - that we need to think about this morning.  The first is The Principle of Regularity.  Let’s say that together.  “The principle of regularity.”

In verse 2 Paul writes:  “On the first day of every week.”   

The Jewish day of worship began when? on Friday evening and went until Saturday evening - the seventh day.  What Paul writes here is one of the first indications we have that the early Christians had begun to regularly come together on Sunday - the first day of the week - for worship and prayer.

If you back up one chapter to 1 Corinthians 15 - what Paul writes there - in that chapter - is one of the most powerful passages dealing with Jesus’ resurrection.  Which connects beautifully with why we worship on Sunday - and Paul’s comments here in chapter 16.

The first day is the day Jesus rose from death.  Its the beginning of life on a totally different level.  Every Sunday we celebrate that resurrection and that life.  Paul writes, with that reality in mind - that life in Jesus - give.  Every first day of every week - week in and week out - give.  That’s regularity.

Some of us get paid bi-weekly or monthly - giving each Sunday isn’t a practical reality.  Let’s not get lost in that.  Grab the principle - regularity.

Two thoughts about regularity.  First:  Regularity takes a lot of pain out of giving.

It's been said that, “When we tell people to give until they hurt, we discover that the pain threshold of many people is very low.” (1)  There’s good reason for that.  Let’s be honest - money represents days and hours of sweat and tears.  The reason we call work - work - is because its what?  work.  So, there’s a certain amount of pain in giving.  We’re giving a part of ourselves.

When we come to the altar to make the commitment of marriage - when we say, “I do” it means we now have a permanent date.  Come Saturday night, we don’t have to think real hard - get all stressed out - about who we’re going to take out.  We’re just following through on the decision that’s already been made.   

Regularity is following through on the commitment we made to follow Jesus.  Make the decision to follow Jesus and when the time comes to give the question of, “To give or not to give” - its already settled.  Its what followers in Jesus Christ do.  There’s no reason to debate or question whether we should or shouldn’t give.  Prayerfully - before God - we make one basic decision.  Then it’s simply a matter of carrying out that decision regularly and systematically.  On this day we give to God.

Second Truth:  Regularity also helps to save us from self-deception.   

A man called the church and asked if he could speak to the Head Hog at the Trough.  The secretary said, “Who?”

The man replied, “I want to speak to the Head Hog at the Trough!”

Sure now that she had heard correctly, the secretary said, “Sir, if you mean our pastor, you’ll have to treat him with more respect and ask for, ‘The Reverend’ or ‘The Pastor.’  But certainly you cannot refer to him as the Head Hog at the Trough!”

At this, the man came back, “Oh, I see.  Well, I have ten thousand dollars I was thinking of donating to the Building Fund.”

The secretary said:  “Hold the line.  I think the Big Pig just walked in the door.” (2)

Too often we’re impressed with large donations.  That’s a major reason we don’t publicize who gives what around here.  I have no idea what people give.  And that’s a good thing.  Too often we get entangled in our own egos when we make donations.  All the things that we’re able to do with our money - what we’re able to support - what we’re able to give.  Regularity restrains that possibility.

When we give only because of a special appeal or make some large donation - neglecting regular giving we can deceive ourselves into thinking that we’re being really generous.  $500 sounds impressive as a one time gift.  But, $500 divided by 52 weeks - $10 doesn’t really sound all that impressive.

But $10 - given regularly - week in and week out - is less about our egos - and more about being committed to daily living out our relationship with Jesus.

Regularity.  Second - The Principle of Priority.  Let’s say that together, “The principle of priority.”

Paul writes, “Each one of you is to put aside and save” - so that when I come what you’ve already prepared to give will be taken to Jerusalem.  That means that God’s part is set aside first - set aside before the rest of it gets spent.  God’s part gets saved up for the collection coming on Sunday.

There’s a story about a farmer who went into the house one day to tell his wife and family some good news.  He said, “The cow just gave birth to twin calves, one black and one white.  We need to dedicate one of these calves to the Lord.  We’ll bring them up together, and when the time comes, we’ll sell one and keep the proceeds and we’ll sell the other and give the proceeds to the Lord’s work.”

When his wife asked him which one he was going to dedicate to the Lord.  The farmer said, “There’s no need to think about that now.  We’ll treat them both the same way, and when the time comes, we’ll do as I say.”

A few days later, the farmer came into the kitchen looking very unhappy.  His wife asked, “What happened?”  The farmer replied, “I have bad news.  The Lord’s calf is dead.”

His wife said, “Wait, you didn’t decide which calf was the Lord’s.”

The farmer said, “Yes, I decided it was the white one, and the white one died.  The Lord’s calf is dead.”  (3)  Gratuitous laugh please.  Thank you.

It may seem intelligent to take care of all our necessities - especially when we're living right on the line financially - seems intelligent to take care of our necessities and then to look around to see if something is left over for God.  But honestly - it’s amazing how many “necessities” we have that can eat up our resources.  Isn’t it?  While we’re piling up debt and financial obligations - its amazing how easy God’s portion gets squeezed.

Something I’ve found from my own life.  When God comes second its amazing how the necessities never seem to really get taken care of.  And this - the reverse is also true.  When we give to God first its amazing how all the real necessities get taken care of.  Amen?

Priority is setting aside God’s share first - off the top - the gross - the net - whatever - not the bottom.  All that spiritual talk about “God first, others are second, and I’m third” becomes concrete and actual.  Giving God financial priority reorganizes our life - which is what financial stewardship should do - reorganize our life.  Draw us closer to God - to experience His blessings - to live in a deepening - dependent - relationship with Him.

Regularity.  Priority.  Third - The Principle of Proportionality.  Let’s say that together, “The principle of proportionality.”

Paul writes, “as he may prosper.”

The best example of this that I’ve ever run across - we’re familiar with.    John Wesley.  Remember this?  When John Wesley began his career as a teacher at Oxford University back in the 1700’s - he was paid 30 pounds per year.  His living expenses were 28 pounds - so he gave away how much?  2 pounds.

The next year his income doubled.  But he still managed to live on 28 pounds.  So he gave away 32 pounds.  The third year he earned 90 pounds - lived on 28 - gave away 62.  That went on year after year.   One year his income was a little over 1,400 pounds - he lived on 30 and gave away nearly all of the 1,400 pounds.

Wesley felt that the Christian should not merely tithe but give away all extra income once the family and creditors were taken care of.  He believed that with increasing income, what should rise is not the Christian’s standard of living but the Christian’s what?  standard of giving.  That’s a challenge for us.

Two thoughts about proportional giving.  First:  Proportional giving helps us to evaluate how we’re using God given resources.

God blesses us not so we can spend more on ourselves - better cars - bigger houses - more toys.  We fall into this trap and its so important that we think clearly about how we’re spending our money.  Five Venti’s a week adds up to $455 per year.  Five Venti Carmel Frappuccinos comes out to $1,092.  I realize I’m on thin ice here.  But, balance even a portion of that with how many people might come to salvation if that money was invested in reaching people with the Gospel. 

Wesley said, “When the possessor of heaven and earth brought you into being and placed you in this world, He placed you here not as owner but as steward.” (4)

Let’s not just pick on Starbucks.  Ministry couldn’t happen in this town if it wasn’t for Starbucks.  Proportional giving should make us think about what we’re spending money on.  Are we spending money on things God would have us spend money on?  Does our spending advance the Kingdom of God?  Does it bring people to salvation?  Equip them to serve God?

Second thought:  Proportional giving should take us out of the driver seat. 

When Star Wars III premiered up in Modesto - for $250 a ticket you could get your picture taken with Chewbacca.  That’s my goal in life - get my picture taken with a walking carpet.  That has about as much significance as being married to Brittney Spears.

If we were selling tickets - like a theater - it costs an average of $38 per Sunday - per person sitting in one these white chairs - to keep the doors open.  So, if you’re an attender here, your obligation per week - bottom line - is $38.  That’s all that’s required.  There are churches that look at ministry that way.  God doesn’t. 

When we start totaling up a church budget and dividing it by the number of giving units to determine “what’s my share” or what’s expected of every member - it puts us in the driver seat.  When we look at the church’s income - or lack of it - or what’s in the bank - or think about what parts of the church’s ministry interest us - are our priority to give to - and base our giving on that rather than simple obedience to God - we’re forgetting that God has a purpose in blessing us.

God blesses us materially because He wants to use those resources according to His will - for His glory - in His work of redeeming mankind from sin.  The issue of proportionality is the examining of our real needs - to consider our income - our resources - our blessings - in order to determine - in obedience - what share God would have us give.  The bottom line question is not, “How much do I have to give?” but, “How much can I give for God’s work?”

Three principles - say these with me, “Regularity, Priority, Proportionality.”

Last thought - very brief.  Looking at the church budget - we know that our giving lags behind our expenses - and we’ve trimmed every place we know to trim.  This is not a wealthy congregation.  We’re not flush with multi-millionaires.  Some are barely making it.  And yet, giving per month is up.  The assumption we’re making here is that that’s a God thing - a reflection of what He’s doing in our hearts.

I want to encourage you to keep going.  Stewardship isn’t about money.  Right?  Its about deepening our relationship with God - about obedience and trust - and moving forward into His purposes for us as individuals and as a congregation.  Giving is only a measurement of that.  But, seeing what we’re seeing.  Keep going.  Let God keep doing His work in your life. Trust Him and keep going. 

The Church of Corinth had a tremendous opportunity to financially support crucial life changing ministry in Jerusalem.  God gives us that kind of opportunity around here every day.  Using God given resources to enable the ministry of leading people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and equipping them to serve God.  Expanding ministry that impacts lives for Jesus.  

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