JESUS TEACHES ABOUT GIVING

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   When we teach about the subject of giving, we usually have a few passages that are key texts.

1.     We are to give upon the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2).

2.     We are to purpose what we will give; then, we are to give it cheerfully (II Cor. 9:7).

3.     Examples of givers:

a.     God (John 3:16)

b.    The poor widow (Mark 12:41-44)

c.    The Macedonians (II Cor. 8:1-5)

 

B.    This morning we want to look at some of the words that Jesus spoke about giving.

 

C.   One would think that we would start in the gospels, but we will begin in the book of Acts.

 

I.           ACTS 20:35

 

I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive.

 

A.   These words are not recorded in the gospels, but Paul said that Jesus spoke them.

 

B.    There are two participants in the benevolent system:  givers and receivers.

1.     Most enjoy being the recipients.

2.     Jesus, however, pronounces a blessing upon the giver.  In fact, He says it is “more blessed” to give.

a.     Definition of “more”

1)     More (in greater degree)

2)     Much, by far

b.    Definition of “blessed”:  supremely blest, extension fortunate, well off

 

C.   When we truly believe and trust Jesus’ words, all of us will become better, more generous givers.

 

II.         MATTHEW 10:8

 

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:  freely ye have received, freely give.

 

A.   In Matthew 10, Jesus selects His twelve apostles (vss. 2-4), and sends them out on the Limited Commission (vss. 5-6).

 

B.    These men were endowed with miraculous abilities (Matt. 10:1).

 

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

 

C.   This power was freely given to the apostles.  Thayer says that the word “freely” means “undeservedly.”

 

D.   Because of this, Jesus urges them to “freely give.”

 

E.    Question:  Haven’t we received freely from the Lord in the area of material benefits?  Our wealth and material goods come from Him (James 1:17).  With this in mind, we, too, should freely give.

 

III.       MATTHEW 10:42

 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

A.   If a small amount needs to be given, the Lord recognizes the one who contri-butes to the need.

 

B.    The dollar amount is not important.  The fact that we give, and the manner in which one gives is what matters to the Lord.

1.     A few dollars to a charity

2.     A box of food

3.     A box of cereal

4.     Water to a town devastated by a tornado

 

C.   NOTE:  Our giving is tied to our reward, “…he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

 

IV.        MATTHEW 19:21

 

Jesus saith unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:  and come and follow me.

 

A.   Some need to part with all their wealth because they are attached to it.  They trust in it too much.

 

B.    When Jesus told this rich young man to give all he had to the poor, he could not, and “he went away sorrowful.”

 

C.   QUESTION:  If asked to do what this rich man was asked to do, could we?

 

 

 

 

 

V.          LUKE 6:38

 

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into you bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 

A.   The process of giving causes a reciprocal action.  “Give, and it shall be given unto you.”

 

B.    In fact, the promise is a return of great abundance:  “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.”

 

C.   Two points:

1.     This should not be the motive of our giving, that is, giving to get (Ex., televangelists).

2.     Based upon your giving, how much would you get back?

 

VI.        LUKE 18:12

 

I fast twice in the week, and I give tithes of all that I possess.

 

A.   The speaker is the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and publican.

 

B.    He was proud and arrogant about his giving.  He tried to boast of it to God.

1.     God knew what the man had given.

2.     God did not need his money.

3.     God did not want his money with the attitude of heart that he had.

 

C.   Giving is to be a humble, silent act.  Those who give without pomp and ceremony will be rewarded openly by God (Matt. 6:3-4).

 

But when thou doest alms, let not they left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  that thine alms may be in secret:  and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Jesus’ teachings on giving are very sobering.

 

B.    Jesus understood giving.  He was the ultimate giver.  Four times the words “gave himself” are found in the New Testament in reference to Jesus (Gal. 1:4; 2:20; I Tim. 2:6; Tit. 2:14).

 

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.