Generosity 101

Automatically generated from the video captions and lightly tidied, so expect the odd misheard word.

All right. So, guys, could you do me a favor? Could you pull out your phone? You all have smartphones. If you've got smartphones, could you just pull out your phone? And keep this to yourself, by the way.

So, if you pull out your phone, could you go to your banking app? So, pull out your phone, go to your banking app, and I want you to look at the balance. So for instance if you have AIB you just have to press the button and it will show you the balance. Don't show anybody else. This is for you. This is for your eyes only.

So have we got the balance? Have we got the balance? All right. Now is there any brave soul in the room that wants to share with everybody how much they have in their bank accounts? Yeah, Micah You know the reason and you know the reason I did that exercise is normally except for Micah but normally we don't talk about finances. We don't talk about money like we have grown up with this idea of never talk about money to other people.

The only reason we talk about money is if you're forced to. Do you know like forces? Let's say you're drowning in debt and you're in trouble. That's where you might go maybe to friends and family and talk about money. And even in that context, it's in a context of shame and guilt. But we have just been taught not to talk about money.

But today in this sermon, we are going to talk about money. So we are I'm calling this sermon money talks. So money talks. So I'm calling you money talks because we are going to be talking about money but it's also a play on words because money talks. So what I mean is money reveals what's in our heart. It reveals what we love.

So for instance, if we were to look into my bank statement, you will see a lot of receipts for Amazon. Amazon books cuz I love buying books, not reading books. I love buying books. You will see loads of receipts about the cinema because I love going to the cinema to watch films, right? I love movies. So when you look at my bank statement, it shows what I love.

So money talks in that sense. I love this these verses in Psalm. So Psalm 19, I think it's on the next slide. Psalm it says this, the heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech.

Night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech. They use no words. No sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth. Their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a hand for the son. So it's this idea of the heavens declare the glory of God. They use no words, no speech. This is the same when it comes to our money. It declares, it reveals our heart. It reveals what we love.

Like, so for instance, you have to think of money as a thermometer. Like money is a thermometer. It reveals what we love. So just look at your bank statement and what is there is what you love. But not only does money reveal what we love. It also shapes what we love.

So money kind of talks both ways. So it talks by revealing what you love, but it also talks back to you, telling you what to love. So I'll give an example. So you might not know anything about horses. You might not have interest in horses whatsoever. But I guarantee you when the goey races are happening this summer, if you put a tenner on Scottsdale, right?

If you put a tener on the horsedale, you might not know anything about Scottsdale, but because you have put your money on Scottsdale, the horse, you're going to want that horse to win. Why? Because your money is behind it. And the Bible puts it this way in Matthew in Matthew chapter 6. It says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be." So where your money is, there your heart will be also. So you can think of money as a thermostat.

So it reshapes your heart. So money is both a thermometer and is a thermostat. So it reveals what you love and it also reshapes what you love. So then you might be wondering why you talk about money. First of all, it's because it's in the passage. Like I didn't set out to talk about money.

I set out to study the book of Phil Philippians, right? We set out together to study it and then it's in the passage. So, we have to preach the passage because we're a Bible believing church. But not only that, did you know that the Bible speaks about a lot? And to give you context, verses about money relating to money, there's about 2,350. That's a lot of verses.

That's more than the Bible talks about prayer. That's more than the Bible talks about faith. That's more than the Bible talks about heaven and hell. That's more than the Bible talks about evangelism. That should tell you that there is something about money that we love so much that the Bible has to say so much about it. So rather because right now maybe you might be thinking to yourself, "Oh, here we go I knew it.

It took 16 weeks, but it was coming. It was coming. Now they go talking about money. So for instance, we put out a lot of our content right on social media and most of the engagement is positive. You know, it's hearts, it's likes, it's everything. A lot of it is positive.

But anytime there's anything negative, guess what? It has to do with money. It's a scam. You want to steal people's money. You're a fraudster. Go back where you came from cuz you're just in it for money.

So, I know you guys are so polite. You wouldn't say you're in it for the money. But I think it's just important that I address it, that I just address this idea because in your mind you might be going, I knew it. 16 weeks. Here we go. It's about money and it's going be about money from now on.

So, this is not a new issue. The apostle Paul had to deal with this issue as well. And this is where I want to say clearly like on the next slide. L15 is not after your money. But that's what I would say, right? If I'm after your money.

So it's it's a catch 22, right? That's what I'll say. But genuinely, I'm not after your money. And let's go to Apostle Paul. So in verse 11, this is what he says. Because let me just give you context.

He is in prison and the Philippians have sent him aid and this is not the first time they've done it. They've done they've always sent him aid. So now he's sending back this letter which is a thank you letter. So Philippians is really a big thank you letter. This is what he's always wanted to say. So from the beginning he hints at it and now at the end he's now saying what he really wanted to say in the letter.

And because this was an oral tradition, these letters would have been read. So the last thing that is mentioned is the thing that the apostle really wants them to understand, you know, but he has that issue as well because as people are hearing that letter, guess what? There'll be somebody in that church going that guy, he wants more money, right? He's sending what? He's sending a thank you letter because he wants what? More money.

So the apostle Paul's like, "Okay, I've got to deal with this." So this is what we go. So now listen to what he says. I'm not saying this because I am in Right? So it's just saying he's just saying it clearly. I'm not doing this because I need more money. I'm not saying this because I need your money.

No, I don't need your money. He's just saying I don't need your money. And then he actually gives him the reason for why he doesn't need their money. He goes, "Because I've learned to be content in whatever the circumstances, right? I'm in need or whether I have plenty, I have learned to be content." A and when we go in verse 13 and the reason why he's learned to be content so he's not being boastful like he's not trying to be look at me I'm a big shot no but he's saying I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength like a lot of people love that verse like it's a favorite of people but actually the all things is talking about there is whether I have a lot or whether I have not a lot Whether you guys send me money or whether you guys don't send me money, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. He's saying Christ has got me.

So I don't need your money. So I'm going to channel the Apostle Paul and also say it in his L15 doesn't need your money. Like in the sense of if you do not want to give, do not give money. So if there's anything in you that is feeling forced to give, please don't give. That's why even today, if you've noticed, we didn't take an offering because I didn't want you guys thinking, ah, he's preaching because he wants more money. No, no, it's not that.

God's got us. It's not because I've got a little money. No, I don't. But God has. So God's got L15. You know, God will take care of L15.

As somebody reminded me this morning, if it's God's will, it's God's bill, right? So in the sense of if L15 is in God's will, God will provide. So we will never use underhanded tactics to take your money. So please you know, we're not after your money. We're not scammers. So just like the Apostle Paul, I hope you believe this.

But now I want to talk about something. Have you ever heard a concept called like a zero sum game? Like a zero sum game. This is this is where for instance in the football match in the World Cup, I think Paraguay were playing France. That's a zero- sum game because only one team can win. You can't have two people winning, right?

So, and I wonder when it comes to do we think of generosity as a zero someum game, right? So, what I mean by this is I give my money, I lose, and whomever I'm giving that money to win. Right? So if I give money to I lose and the church win. Like it's in our thinking. Sometimes we think it's a it's a zero sum game.

But I want to challenge that sort of thinking and say to you, what if generosity is not a zero- sum game? What about if it's a win-win? What about if generosity to the church is a win-win? I'll give an example of what a win-win is. Like if you ever watch the Late Show or if you watch you know the Graham Norton show who's who's hosting the Late is the Late Show? Patrick.

So Patrick, right? So Patrick, think about it. Patrick, when he's hosting his late Show on RTE, he wants people to watch. He wants to have more viewers. He wants to have more clicks, right? And then a movie star like Tom Cruz, let's say he's got a Mission Impossible 20 or something like that, like those Mission Impossible keeps coming, right?

If he wants people to watch his movie, guess what he's going to go? He's going to ring Patrick. Hey Patrick, can I come on your show? And when he comes on the show, the show is going to have a lot of viewers because Tom Cruz is on the show. So Patrick wins. But also because Tom Cruz is on the show.

A lot of people are going to go watch the movie, it's a Patrick and Tom win. So, I want to say to you, what if is a win-win? All right. So, so I'm going to I'm going to now start just going through the verses. So for instance in verse 10, I'm just going to assure you people winning as we are going along. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.

Indeed you were concerned but you had no opportunity to show it. In 14 yet it was good to share in my troubles. So that's an obvious one, right? When the Philippian church Paul wins or Paul's needs are supported. So for instance, when you give to L15, L15 are supported. So that's a win for L15 church.

So I want to take this opportunity to actually say thank you so much for faithfully giving to church. Like I know some of you have been really faithful in giving to the church and the church is winning because of that. We able to do ministry because of that. Like yesterday we had sortill and we were doing stuff. We would not have been doing that stuff without the funds that come from people here. So thank you for your generosity because when you give our 15 wins but that's not the only win.

In 17 it tells us this. Not that I desire your gifts. So he's he's just going back again. It's not about that I need more money. It's not that I need more money. But here what he says.

What I desire is that more be credited to your account. So now he's saying by you giving you're winning. And what he has in mind there is this idea of every time you give, you're depositing something in heaven. There is an account that God has opened for you in heaven. And when you give on earth in heaven, there is an account that's in acrewing towards you. There are rewards that await you because you gave.

You hear the same idea in Matthew chapter 6 verse 20 it says this but store up your treasures in heaven where mort and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal I have no idea how the rewards work I have no idea how it's all going to look but the Bible is clear that when you use your earthly resources your money here for God's kingdom Om that in heaven you are storing up these rewards. So that's a win for you. And then in verse 18 there's another one. So Paul is saying yeah I've received full payment and have more than enough and I'm amply supplied what I received because this guyitis is the one who brought the gifts the money. And then now listen to the spot. They are a frequent offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God.

So now again he's saying by giving you're winning. How you winning? Because you're pleasing God. I don't know about you, but I want to please God. Just like as any child wants their parents to be proud of them, right? You want to make your parents proud.

And this is the whole idea that by giving there this sweet smelling aroma like I don't know any of you if you like those kind of candles like in my house there these kind of candles to put like a nice smell in the house and they're saying that you're giving does that God is pleased. So now you're winning. And then another one when we go to 19, he goes, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Let me explain this one again. Again, Paul is saying, "By your giving, you're winning." Again, because I don't know about you, but there's this principle in life it's unwritten, but we all know it. It's called re reciprocity. That's what right basically that's when you do something the other person reciprocates, right?

As Irish people, we know this, right? Like if you have ever I know maybe you guys are very holy and over, but if you've ever been to the pub with friends, let's say you go to the pub with friends, there's five of you at the pub. Guess what? One person buys a round of pints for everyone. Guess what's going to go next? Another person buys the next round and another person buys the next round.

Right? Because you're reciprocating. Yeah. Maybe if the pub thing doesn't work for you, if you go for coffee with a friend. If today a friend takes you out for coffee, guess what? Next time you must reciprocate.

I know some of y'all don't reciprocate and that's why people don't take you to coffee. You have to reciprocate. It has to be mutual. I remember one time somebody complaining to me it's like I know I'm not going to coffee with that person anymore. I was like why? Every single time I have to pay.

They don't even pretend to pay. They don't reciprocate. So I don't want to take them out anymore. It's not about the money but it's just the idea of like they don't even have a notion of reciprocating. But now here's what the apostle Paul is saying. The apostle Paul for is now pulling out the big guns.

He's saying if we just go back to 19, sorry, it's not that Paul is going to reciprocate. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. He says my God. So it's like Paul's God is the one who's going to reciprocate. It's like it's like it's like a kid doing a favor for a billionaire. When the billionaire reciprocates, it's going to be good.

So this is what the Apostle Paul was saying. You see, you win because is going to meet your needs. And this is very important to just understand. This is this is not to say you're guaranteed to be wealthy. This is not what this verse is saying. This is just saying what you need God will supply.

And that includes the material things that you need. Because some of the reason sometimes the reason people don't give is because they think that they will not have enough. But the apostle Paul is actually saying, "No, you don't have enough because you don't give. Because if you give, you will never be in want because God will supply what you need." So that's another win for you. And then in verse 20, there's another win as well. To our God and father be glory forever and ever.

Amen. So this is a win for God. So this is a win for God. When you are generous, there is a win for God. I'll give you an example, but a couple weeks ago, maybe four weeks ago or something, and you know, this kind of email just came through about kind of like a sizable amount of money that had come into the church. I'm like, "Oh, wow." I'm just like, "Praise God.

Praise God." You know, he supplied for his church, right? And then when I when I look through to just go say thank you, I see that it was you know somebody I knew that had kind of sold their business and they were giving part of their tithes to the church. But do you see what happened? Because they gave there was praise in me to God. All right? So God wins.

So it's not a zero sum gain. It's a win-win. I think on the next slide I'm going to try and explain. It's this cycle you know because some of you maybe are visual but I just want to say it's this kind of generosity cycle right so the Philippians are generous so you're generous up there then Paul is supported or L15 is supported and because L15 is supported the mission advances right the mission in go advances you know we're helping their church find and follow Jesus and because the missionary advice is God is pleased, right? And because God is pleased, there are rewards in heaven and God will meet your earthly needs. And then I'll get to this like at the end of the sermon, but because of that, there is joy, right?

Some of your grand, right? Like if you just give a little, there will be joy, right? So, so you've got this cycle. Now I want to go I want you to understand that the biggest winner in your generosity is you. The biggest winner in your generosity is you. Just count it for me.

So you gave but listen, God's pleased. That's you winning. The rewards in here, that's you winning over there. That's you winning. So the biggest reward of your generosity is you know so it's a win-win and know we can go to the next slide. So maybe you're not convinced with that you know that the biggest winner of generosity is you.

But I just now want to appeal to the God whom you follow. If you're a Christian, the God whom you follow, is the God whom you follow, is he a generous God or is he a stingy God? What do you think God is? Is he generous? Is he tightfisted? And listen what James 1 says, if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives to all without finding fault.

It will be given to him. God is generous. And even in Titus, you read this. But when the but when the kindness and the love of God our savior appeared, he saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy, he saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the spirit whom he poured on us. How did he do it? Generously through Christ Jesus our savior.

You see the God whom we follow is a generous God. So I just want to finish with like two stories and I hope it doesn't come across as boasting because I only have my story and Pastor Caroline's story of generosity. I don't know other people's stories. I don't have concern to share other people's stories. Right? So I can share my story.

So myself and pastor Caroline we have tithed for many years. So tithe just means give a 10 of anything that we have coming in. I mean for years and years and even in that period we started reading a lot about it and even got so like challenged to this idea that the tithe is not even the ceiling. The tithe is not the ceiling like you know to go beyond the tithe. So then each year or something like that we just increase from that 10 we increase it one we increase it by half a percent we so now we are at 15% of what we get in we give you know to the church and this is not because we work in the church this is just something that we do as Christians and we were doing this before we were even in ministry and here's the thing that promise that my God will supply what you need has rang true through those years. So, so, so listen how mad this is.

The 85% that we have now, right? The 85% that we keep is way more than the 100% from all these other years. Do you see how just I'm not saying that's what's going to happen to you, but I'm just trying to say this just in our lives. This is just evidence of how God our needs. What we need, God has supplied. Not even in ways that we envisioned.

God has supplied. So what I want to say to you is on the next slide. I don't I don't know where you are is journey because remember God doesn't need your money. L15 doesn't need your money. Remember, you're the biggest benefactor of generosity. But I want to say if L15 is your to look to go up this steps ladder or if L15 is not your church whatever church that you're part of or if you're not a Christian I would advise you to choose a charity.

And then this idea is if you have never given at all start by giving something you know on a once of basis you know just start by giving something on a once basis to just you know because giving is a muscle and if you use it gets stronger but if you don't use it kind of wastes away and it becomes harder to give. So giving is a muscle. But if you have been giving on once off occasions, why don't you start by giving a regular amount? You know, depending on how you get paid. If you get paid each month, you can start by giving a regular amount. And then after that, why don't you go to percentage giving?

So percentage giving, this is where you go, I'm going to give 2% of my income. Whatever that income is, whether I get a lot or I get little, whether I'm on benefits, social welfare, I'm going to give a little. Whether I win the lottery, I'm not saying play the Lord, by the way, but I'm just saying you're just saying percentage giving of what I give. And then aim you know the next step after that is to hit a tithe which is 10%. You know you know so move your percentage giving to tithing and I mean we can we can talk all about that about because after actually let me say this after our service today I'm going to do a Q&A where you can ask questions about giving. Anything that you have about giving.

Does the tithe still apply? Do you tithe on the 10% on the on the cross? Do you tithe on the net? Any questions you have about giving? You know and then after that look to go beyond the tithe, right? So the tithe is not a ceiling.

Like if you look at some of the examples in the New Testament, you know, you got some people selling houses and bring him, you know, to the church. I'm not saying sell houses, by the way. Remember, the church doesn't need your money. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that you know, just look to ascend that ladder. And then just on the next slide, I genuinely believe that the biggest winner of your generosity is you.

And I believe the Bible when he says this in everything I did, I show you that by this kind of hard work, we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord himself said. So this I have found to be true. It is more blessed to give than to receive. It is genuinely more blessed to give. I'll just finish off with this story. When I finished my leaving search I got my points that I needed to go to university but because I had come from Zimbabwe I was considered a non-EU student.

So that meant I had to pay a lot of money and I didn't have this money. So I remember one time and this was a really difficult decision. And I remember going to UCD going to the administrative building and saying I'm sorry I'm going to have to defer because I don't have the money you know to go to university. And somebody there had you know kind of you know mercy me like okay it's okay we won't consider you a non-EU student. We'll consider you an EU student right so not Irish but an EU student. But that still meant I had to pay a whole lot of money.

Not like in nanu, but it was still a lot of money back then and I didn't have the money. And I remember just talking to my guidance counselor about this issue I have and that I was going to have to like u defer you know college and perhaps try to do some work and get the money to pay. And she went off and she talked to somebody And this person said, "You know what? I will generously pay for his fees." And they paid for my fees. I've never met this person before. And I never even met them after.

They did not want to be known, but they were generous. And I was so happy. I was so happy. Like I can't describe the happiness that I had. But I want to fast forward like more than a decade. We came into some money as a family and a friend of mine was looking to buy a house and as a family we decided you know what we'll help a little bit of that with the deposit which was equivalent to the money that had been actually given for my school fees and we paid for that and I tell you the joy from that was more compared to to joy of when I received the money.

So when the Bible says it is truly more blessed to give than to receive, it is true. So the church isn't after your money. You're the biggest winner of your