“Is It Suppose To Hurt?”

“Is It Suppose To Hurt?”
by Brian Reid
May 27, 2007

I have always had this ‘thing’ about Sunday morning offerings, the Collection; and giving to the church, in general. It’s not that I am against it, for I know it’s how the church survives, and how the church works in the community. I just feel that tithing is a very touchy subject.

How much do I give?
Did I give enough?
Have I given as much as the others?

Every Sunday morning, we are asking regular, common folk (like yourselves) to give up their hard earned money (to help the church operate). I feel, that in today’s world, a lot of people don’t have a lot to give. I feel, with the prices of food, gas and heating, there are a lot of working poor; those who work all week, making good money, but have so many bills and other responsibilities, taking, their take-home pay – that they are work all week, just to end up poor on Friday.

I have always had an offering introduction as part of my service; today this message is my offering introduction. I feel it’s quite important to try to show and tell, of the good your money is doing. I don’t think we need to be greedy, and it’s not the wants, but the needs, that we are trying to fill.



So for me, to ask you, to give, is not an easy thing. I respect all those who do give, and I know that some give more than others; and some weeks, we cannot give as much, as we would like to give; the important thing is that we give.

Even though the offering is suppose to be a sacrifice to God, it is a sensitive subject, none-the-less; so with my offering introduction, I do try and highlight the benefits, that our offerings and gifts make.

I feel people know that the church can’t survive or do things in the community, without that offering. You know that, and no matter how much is put into the collection plate, God provides, and somehow there is always enough.

The sermon, today, is not a message on titling your 10%, it is some practical advice on giving; it is a message on responsibility and practically.


In 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, we hear as Paul addresses the young church in Greece; he is writing this letter from Macedonia.

During his third missionary journey, which began in Antioch (on the north-eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea), he traveled along the bottom of Galatia, into and up along the coast of Asia.

Then he traveled by sea along the coast of Thrace, into Macedonia - stopping at various points along the way; and finally down the coast (again) into the region of Greece, stopping to meet with the Corinthian believers.
In his travels, Paul collected money for the impoverished Christian believers in Jerusalem. And many had given money, and they had even given more than Paul had expected. Although these churches (and their congregations) were poor themselves, they simply wanted to help – so they gave, and they gave generously.

As for the Corinthians, they excelled in everything; they could have been looked at, as leaders (in that region) - and examples to follow. They had strong faith, gifted speakers, had a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and love. But, Paul wanted them to become leaders…in giving. Paul did not order them to give; he simply encouraged them to prove that their love was real.

Giving is a natural response to love. When you love someone you want to give them your time and attention, and provide for their needs – if and when they are hurting. A lack of giving or helping, may suggest that your love is not as genuine as you say. Thus, was the case with the Corinthians. Paul wanted them to show the love they had for others – through giving.

The Corinthian church did have money, and they had planned to take up an offering for the church at Jerusalem, a year previous. Paul challenged them to act on their plan, and to show their love.

As Paul made contact with many churches; some were poor, and some had more. So, to those churches, whose finances were limited, or to those churches who didn’t know how to give, the Apostle Paul offers these 4 principles of responsible giving:


1. Paul states that; Your willingness to give enthusiastically, is more important than the amount you give.

If you give a large amount, which might put a financial strain on your family; and then you worry and wonder if you have done the right thing – then the very act of giving is diminished.

Your children should not go ‘without,’ because you have given too much to the church. God wants you to look after your children, God wants your family to be warm, God wants you to give the amount that you can give, and only that amount, but with much enthusiasm.

Paul says we should give according to our means, by what we have, not by what we don’t have. Sacrificial giving must be responsible giving. (x2) Paul is suggesting that believers should give generously, but not to the extent, that those who give must go without having their own basic needs met. The givers and their families should not have to suffer major hardships because of their giving. Give until it hurts, but don’t give so that your family is hurting all the time.

2. Paul then suggests; You should strive to fulfill your financial commitments.

God does not want you to give so much that you will not be able to meet your other responsibilities; that is not the way God wants you to give. Pay your bills, and make sure you have heat and lights for your family, make sure you have enough food in your house. God wants you to live life to the fullest and without suffering.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

3. Paul goes on to say; If you give to others in need, they, in turn, will help you, when you are in need.

Some times you may have “extra,” and can give more. Sometimes, God has blessed you with abundance. Some, Sundays, you know you can give, just a little bit more – and you should.

For, on that Sunday, you give so that the needy will have, and then - if and when, you fall on hard times; if and when, you find it difficult to meet your financial commitments; if and when, your family may need a helping hand - then those you have helped, those who see your need, those who have an abundance, will help you.

4. Lastly, Paul suggests; Give as a response to Christ, and not for anything you can get out of it.

If God blesses you, then show your thankfulness by giving generously, but giving in anticipation of getting something, is nothing more than manipulation. You should give in proportion to what has been given to you. Don’t ever give, thinking of your reward.




How do we decide how much to give?

Paul gives the Corinthian church these guidelines for giving:

Each person should follow through on any previous promises. Verses 10 & 11; “I suggest you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something amount it. Now you should carry this project through to completion – just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give what ever you can according to what you have.”

Paul was telling them to finish what they had started; collect the offering they suggested the previous year, and give that gift to the church at Jerusalem.

If you have made a commitment to give something– no matter how long that takes- you should live up to your responsibilities; then, consider other giving and commitments.

Paul then suggests that each person should give as much as he or she is able.
Verse 12; “If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have.”

Paul was suggesting that the Corinthians, give within their means, and not to stretch themselves too thin. He was saying to the people of the Corinthian church; “It’s not how much you give, but how you give – what is in your heart. The Lord loves a cheerful giver.
The Lord seeks a gift that is accompanied with the right attitude.”

The same goes for you, as well.

But, is it OK for us to give large amounts? Yes, it’s OK to do that. God (and the church) appreciate what you give, and if you give so much that it hurts, and it is a sacrifice or a hardship to you, God will acknowledge your gift and reward you for it. But, we should not give large amounts in, expectation, of that reward; for we are saved, not by our good works, but by the grace and mercy of God.

Give eagerly, but give a responsible gift, without any anticipation or incentive.

Next, in verse 13, Paul advises that each person must make up his or her own mind of how much to give;

“Of course, I don’t mean you should give, that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality.”

Paul was suggesting that the Corinthians follow through on their pledge, and give all they could. Then, he added that they need not short-change themselves, but there should be equality between churches; and the church at Jerusalem was hurting and suffering.

Today, some of our churches and congregations suffer financially – and they must close their doors.
As Christians, as members of the Family of God, we should try and help those churches – without creating for ourselves economic danger.

Also, Paul is suggesting there should be a balance between what you have and what you give. You should give enough to make a difference, but not too much that you bring poverty upon you and your family.

Finally, Paul recommends that each person should give in proportion to what God has given them.

Verse 14; “Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met.”

Here, Paul is reminding the Corinthians, that, right now, they have plenty and the church at Jerusalem does not. He is encouraging them to share what they have, and assuring them that the same would be done in their time of need.

God gives to us, so that we can give to others. Those who receive your gifts will be helped; they in turn will praise God and pray for you. As you bless others (by giving), you will also be blessed (by God).

If we share when we have much, then, when we do not have, much is shared with us. (x2)

The value of the gift is not determined by it’s amount, but by the spirit in which it is given.
A gift given reluctantly, or for recognition, loses its value. When you give, remember that gifts of any size are pleasing to God, when they are given out of gratitude, and with a spirit of generosity

Jesus told His disciples this, about the poor widow in Mark 12:43-44; “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Simply put, our attitude is more important than the amount we give. We don’t have to be embarrassed if we can only give a small gift; for it is a gift, a show of generosity, a show of love, none-the-less. God is concerned about how we give, from the recourses that we have. (x2)

The very last verse of our scriptures for today, verse 15, is a flask-back to Exodus 16:18, where God provided Manna to the Israelites. Paul says this:

“Do you remember what the scriptures say about this? Those who gather much, did not have too much, and those who gathered little, did not have too little. Each gathered as much as they needed.”

Need should never be about greed. If we are in need, we should only gather to supply that need.

Conclusion
I challenge you to think about this; Giving is all about need. (x2)
Sometimes we give, so those in need will have. Sometimes, we are given, for we need. We should give what we think is right; knowing that there are others in need, always. We should never give too much, so that our giving, causes great strain and financial hardships upon our selves.

Stewardship is all about responsible giving; even though it can include giving beyond your means. But, sacrificial giving has to be responsible, rational, and sensible as well. God wants your commitment, He wants you to help build His church, but He also wants you to have adequate means, to meet all your financial obligations.

Putting titling aside; all God really wants from us, is our hearts. He wants us to love Him as He loves us. Money or earthly processions are not important to God. Commitment, devotion, adoration, praise, appreciation, thankfulness, gratefulness, purity of heart and service to Him; is what He seeks.

And, part of that service to Him, is giving to those who are less fortunate than you.

Giving is saying thank you – to God. (x2)

Stewardship also includes giving in other ways. We can supplement our giving, by doing. Our titles and offerings, also include the giving of our time and talents. Therefore, we can give back in so many ways; monetarily, but also in what we do – for the church, and in the name of the Lord; giving of our time and talents.

Your offering is representative of your sacrifice and your thanks, to God. And, after exploring the letter from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, and after hearing these suggestions, God wants you to answer this question for yourself;

“Is giving suppose to hurt.”

As you make up your mind, as you ponder God’s word, through Paul’s teachings, I ask the ushers to come forward; as you can now, cheerfully, enthusiastically, and with much confidence, present your offerings, before God, this morning.

Let’s Pray;
Dear Lord,
All we are and all we have are because of You. We have heard what Paul says about responsible, sacrificial giving; and now we offer these gifts, to symbolize and signify, our love for you, and our thankfulness – for all you do in our lives.

May these gifts be pleasing to you; Amen.