Prioritizing Faith: Generosity Over Legalism in Giving
Summary
In my sermon, I began by addressing the discomfort that often arises when discussing money, especially in a church setting. I acknowledged that this might not be what visitors expect to hear on a Sunday morning, but I emphasized the importance of understanding where money fits into our lives as a priority and an act of worship. I clarified that this was not a message about legalistic tithing or specific dollar amounts, but rather about the context of money in our lives and its relationship to our faith.
I then provided a historical backdrop from the Old Testament, starting with the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and the subsequent Babylonian exile that lasted approximately 70 years. I explained how the Jewish people were eventually allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, a task that was initially started but then halted due to opposition, leading to a 17-year delay.
I delved into the book of Haggai, where the prophet chastises the returned exiles for neglecting the temple's reconstruction while focusing on their own homes. I highlighted the consequences of their misplaced priorities, as described in Haggai, where despite their efforts, they experienced a lack of fulfillment and prosperity. I pointed out that God directly intervened, causing their resources to dwindle as a way to redirect their focus back to Him and the work He had commanded them to do.
I also touched on the concept of descriptive versus prescriptive readings of Scripture, cautioning against the assumption that financial prosperity is always a sign of God's favor. I shared the story of the Israelites' eventual obedience and the resumption of temple construction, emphasizing God's presence and support in their endeavors.
Transitioning to the New Testament, I discussed the concept of tithing, explaining its origins with Abraham and Jacob, and its evolution into a command in the Mosaic Law. I clarified that in the New Testament, tithing is mentioned in the context of rebuking the Pharisees' legalism and that our attitude towards giving should be shaped by a spirit of generosity rather than a strict percentage.
I concluded by encouraging the congregation to examine their own priorities and to consider how they might be called to act in faith, even when it's challenging or when it doesn't make financial sense. I urged them to trust in God's provision and to live generously, reflecting God's love through their financial decisions.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our focus on personal comfort and material gain can often lead to a neglect of our spiritual duties and communal worship. When we prioritize our own desires over God's commands, we may find that our efforts to secure personal wealth and comfort are ultimately unfulfilling. ([10:40])
2. The historical context of the Jewish exile and return provides a powerful lesson in obedience and the consequences of neglecting God's work. Even when faced with opposition, we are called to trust in God's plan and to persevere in the tasks He has set before us. ([06:09])
3. The story of the Israelites' response to Haggai's message is a testament to the power of repentance and obedience. When we listen to God's call and act upon it, we invite His presence and blessing into our work, no matter how daunting the task may seem. ([13:59])
4. The principle of tithing in the Old Testament was not just about giving a portion of one's income but was part of a broader system of support for communal worship and those who ministered in the temple. In the New Testament, the focus shifts to the heart behind the giving, emphasizing generosity over legalistic adherence to a specific percentage. ([23:05])
5. Our relationship with money should reflect our trust in God's provision and our commitment to using our resources for His glory. This means being willing to give generously, not just to the church but also to those in need, and to do so joyfully as an act of worship and gratitude for what God has given us. ([29:09])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Haggai 1:1-15
2. Malachi 3:10-12
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the Jewish people doing instead of rebuilding the temple according to Haggai 1:4? How did God respond to their actions? ([09:14])
2. In Haggai 1:6, what were the consequences faced by the people for neglecting the temple? How does this reflect their priorities? ([10:40])
3. According to Malachi 3:10, what does God promise if the people bring the full tithe into the storehouse? ([21:26])
4. How did the Israelites respond to Haggai's message, and what was the result of their obedience? (Haggai 1:12-14) ([13:59])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God allowed the resources of the Israelites to dwindle when they neglected the temple? What does this teach us about God's priorities? ([11:34])
2. How does the concept of tithing in the Old Testament differ from the New Testament understanding of giving? What is the significance of the heart behind the giving? ([24:42])
3. What can we learn from the Israelites' eventual obedience to Haggai's message about repentance and realigning our priorities with God's commands? ([13:59])
4. How does the promise in Malachi 3:10-12 challenge our understanding of God's provision and our trust in Him? ([21:26])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current financial priorities. Are there areas where you might be prioritizing personal comfort over spiritual duties or communal worship? How can you realign these priorities? ([09:14])
2. Have you ever experienced a time when your efforts seemed unfruitful, similar to the Israelites in Haggai 1:6? How might this be related to your spiritual focus and priorities? ([10:40])
3. The sermon mentioned that our attitude towards giving should be shaped by a spirit of generosity rather than a strict percentage. How can you cultivate a generous heart in your financial decisions? ([24:42])
4. Think about a time when you felt called to act in faith, even when it didn't make financial sense. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you trust in God's provision more fully in similar situations? ([16:40])
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of using our resources for God's glory. Identify one specific way you can use your financial resources this week to reflect God's love and generosity. ([29:09])
6. How can you support communal worship and those who minister in your church, not just through tithing but also through other acts of generosity and service? ([23:05])
7. Consider the concept of descriptive versus prescriptive readings of Scripture. How can you discern when a passage is describing a specific historical context versus prescribing a principle for your life today? ([12:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritizing Spiritual Over Material
When one's focus shifts to personal comfort and material gain, it can lead to a neglect of spiritual duties and communal worship. This misplaced priority often results in a sense of unfulfillment, as efforts to secure wealth and comfort do not yield the deep satisfaction that comes from living in accordance with God's commands. The pursuit of personal desires over divine directives can leave one feeling empty, despite the accumulation of material possessions. It is a reminder that true contentment and prosperity come from aligning one's life with God's purposes and being part of a community that worships and serves together.
"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless." - Ecclesiastes 5:10
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where material desires may be taking precedence over spiritual growth. How can you begin to realign your priorities to focus more on God and less on material wealth? [10:40]
Day 2: Obedience Amidst Opposition
The historical context of the Jewish exile and return to Jerusalem serves as a powerful lesson in obedience and the consequences of neglecting God's work. When faced with opposition and challenges, it is crucial to trust in God's plan and persevere in the tasks He has set before us. The delay in rebuilding the temple due to external opposition and internal neglect teaches that God's work must not be sidelined, even when difficulties arise. By placing trust in God and committing to the work He has ordained, one can overcome obstacles and fulfill divine purposes.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33
Reflection: Consider a time when you faced opposition or challenges in fulfilling a task you believed God had set before you. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to strengthen your obedience to God's calling? [06:09]
Day 3: The Power of Repentance and Obedience
The response of the Israelites to Haggai's message underscores the transformative power of repentance and obedience. When God's people heed His call and act upon it, they invite His presence and blessing into their work, regardless of how daunting the task may seem. This act of turning back to God and prioritizing His will can lead to a renewed sense of purpose and divine support in one's endeavors. It is a testament to the fact that God honors the obedience of His people and is faithful to guide and provide for them when they align their actions with His will.
"Then they said, 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work." - Nehemiah 2:18b
Reflection: What is an area in your life where you need to turn back to God and prioritize His will? How can you take a step today towards obedience and invite God's presence into that aspect of your life? [13:59]
Day 4: Generosity Over Legalism
The principle of tithing in the Old Testament was not solely about giving a portion of one's income; it was part of a broader system that supported communal worship and those who ministered in the temple. In the New Testament, the focus shifts from a legalistic adherence to a specific percentage to the heart behind the giving. Generosity should stem from a spirit of love and willingness to support God's work, rather than from a sense of obligation. This shift emphasizes the importance of the attitude and intention behind giving, encouraging believers to give joyfully and generously in response to God's abundant grace.
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7
Reflection: How does your current approach to giving reflect a spirit of generosity rather than obligation? What is one step you can take to cultivate a more cheerful and willing heart towards giving? [23:05]
Day 5: Trusting in God's Provision
Our relationship with money should be a reflection of our trust in God's provision and our commitment to using our resources for His glory. This means being willing to give generously, not just to the church but also to those in need, and to do so joyfully as an act of worship and gratitude for what God has given us. Living generously is a tangible expression of God's love and a demonstration of trust in His ability to provide for our needs. It challenges us to look beyond our own security and to invest in the kingdom of God, where true treasure is found.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." - Matthew 6:19-20
Reflection: In what ways can you live more generously, reflecting God's love through your financial decisions? Identify one practical step you can take this week to use your resources for God's glory. [29:09]
Quotes
"You've been busy building your own house... You put a lot of time and money and effort into your own place, but you don't even have a place to worship. You're not gathering to worship and you've neglected what I've specifically told you to do. So the Lord showed them that by focusing on that, there were consequences though." [10:40]
"The Lord of army says this, think carefully about your ways, go up into the hills, bring down lumber and build the house. And I'll be pleased with it and be glorified... you expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined it... because my house still lies in ruins while each of you is busy with his own house." [11:34]
"Then Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, the high priest, Joshua, son of. And the entire remnant of the people obeyed the Lord, their God... so the people feared the Lord... then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, delivered the Lord's message to the people. I am with you. This is the Lord's declaration." [13:59]
"But defined by Jesus's prescriptions and Paul's exhortations in the New Testament... if everything we own including our finances is God's, is a blessing from God... when we steward God's money well, here's a few things you're going to do." [30:52]
"How well are we really modeling generosity? How well are we looking at our checkbook, looking at the money we have? Are we cringing more at giving towards the ministry, or are we cringing more at our unhealthy spending habits?" [34:18]
"Has God ever called you to do something, asked you to do something, and you started and then put it off because either it was uncomfortable, it caused issues with relationships, or... Maybe there was even opposition from other people that told you not to do this, or else you would face those consequences, whatever they are." [16:40]
"Sometimes God will actually cause issues, according to Haggai, that brings us back and says, look, you've tried, your money has been wasted, your crops are failing. You need to return back to me because I want to be glorified. I want to be pleased with the house." [19:52]
"The tithe in the Old Testament... was a 10% of your crops. It was a 10% of your finances. And then there was also another tithe that was a part of it. So all in all, if you would add up all of the commands to tithe, it was between 23 and 30%." [23:05]
"What the New Testament does say... really it's a lifestyle of generosity... lord, everything that I have is because of you, you've given me everything that I have... I'm not going to hold on to it as if I'm in control of everything that happens on earth." [29:09]
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