November 7, 2004

Money Still Matters

300 Gallons of Grace

Genesis 24:15-25

Introduction

If you show me a person who knows they are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, then I will show you a person who lives a generous life! If you show me a person who believes they are earned their salvation in some way then I will show you a person who lives for themselves. Let me say that again. If you show me a person who knows they are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, then I will show you a person who lives a generous life. If you show me a person who feels like they have earned their salvation in some way, then I will show you a person who lives for themselves. With this theological statement let me ask you this question. Are you living a generous life?

Down on Calla Road stands small church building. It is the Calla Community Church. It is not a new building. The present building was constructed in 1888. However, the congregation began in 1864. They worshipped in a log cabin. The founding members of that church were the Paulin family. They started this congregation with a pure heart. Family members had returned home from the Civil War. It was an emotional moment. On the one hand, they were thankful their loved ones had returned. On the other hand, they were sad that so many good people would never return home from that tragic war. Their response to those basic emotions was to start turn to God. They would start a church to celebrate the present and to remember the past.

Thanking God daily the Paulin family gave land for the new church. They gave money to the new church. They gave leadership to the new church. They gave their resources generously because they knew the foundation of their life had to be God. The theme of their lives was Jesus! He was their only hope of salvation! Jesus is the only hope of our salvation. If you show me a generous person then I will show a person who has experienced God’s grace. That is Rebekah’s story.

Body

We are instructed this morning from the twenty-fourth chapter of Genesis. Abraham was advanced in age. He still had some unfinished business. He wanted to see his son, Isaac, married. He prayed that God would provide a wife. God did. You remember the story. Abraham’s servant was sent to Mesopotamia in search of the perfect woman. The servant stops at the well near the end of the day. A group of women were there filling their five gallon pots. There were several women but only one woman caught his eye. The Bible says she was beautiful and pure! Her name is Rebekah. The servant asks her for a drink from her five gallon pot. He has a five gallon thirst.

As he is drinking the water she notices his ten camels. She asks if she could water them. Now don’t just run over that statement. This is a statement of true generosity. She goes beyond the simple request for a glass of water. She knew what she was offering. The average camel consumes thirty gallons of water! She has a five gallon pot. That means she has to dip her five gallon pot into the well six times for one camel. There are ten camels. That is 300 gallons of water! You do the math. She had to drip her five gallon pot into the well sixty times. It took her more then six hours to water those camels. She was asked for a simple glass of water but she gave much more! She was a generous woman because at sometime in her past she had been touched by God. People who have experienced God’s grace are always generous.

Let me ask you the question one more time. Are you a generous person or are you living for yourself. My goal this morning is help you discover if you are generous person. That is important because it is one of the true marks of discipleship. I Timothy 6:18 Paul is instructing the young pastor. He says, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." True disciples understand they are saved by the acts of Jesus. So are you a generous person? In order to help you answer that question I am going to ask you three more questions. The key word in each question begins with the letter "T." The statements I will make are based on things I have seen during my time in the ministry. Let me ask you question number one.

Question Number One: Are you generous with your TIME? Time is a complex thing. One of the most difficult things about the ministry today is that every generation handles their time differently. Generally speaking, younger people have an easier time spending their money then their time. Their time is limited so they will hire someone to do that job. They spend their money so they can have more time with their families. That is one of the reasons that World War II generation people are frustrated with Baby Boomers. World War II generation people have the time. They are retired and many are looking for things to do. We all spend our time on what is important to us!

The other day one of the morning news shows interviewed a young woman who spent nine hours in line to vote. They tell me she handled it well because voting was important to her. Can anyone here question that young woman’s patriotism? If people looked at your calendar what would they find is important to you?

Rebekah spent six hour watering those camels. People who have experienced the grace of God are always generous with their time. If you will try to be a little more generous with your time then say, "Amen!"

Question Number Two: Are you generous with your TALENTS? There was a young man who came to church one day. He came alone because his wife was busy on Sunday mornings. I like him and felt sorry for him. He was new to our area. When I visited him in his home I was impressed with his large piano that sat in his living room. He was more then impressed when he played. He told me he wanted to get involved in music ministry. I thought him and us would be a great match. We needed one another. We reached out to him in friendship but he pulled away. He made his feeling clear. He didn’t like Youngstown and he didn’t think much of us. We reached out in friendship and he insulted us. We reached out in friendship and he left in anger. The young man, who came to this church alone, left the same way. ALONE! The reason for his frustration was money. He wanted to be paid. The only thing bigger then his talent was his ego. When I think of him I am sad. We should have been friends. We needed us and we needed him. We lost out because he refused to share his talent and his heart with us.

Rebekah spent six hours filling up five gallons jugs with water. She had the ability to do it and she did it. You are gifted people. We all have the ability to do something. People who have experienced God’s grace are generous with those God given talents. They want to help the church because they understand that the church is offering the world Jesus! If you are going to be a little more generous with your talent then say, "Amen!"

 

Question Number Three: Are you generous with your TREASURE? When it comes to money most churches have a problem. Money is misunderstood. Jesus said, "Where your money is there your heart is also." There is a reason why Jesus spoke those words. Like it or not money is important. There are many good people who will come to church today around the world who are confused about money.

In the life of the church we have people who have confused their financial support to the church as an insurance premium. They may need the church down the road to marry or bury a family member. Outside of those events they have very little use for the church. They are the most difficult people to work with during their time of need.

In the life of the church we have people who try to substitute money with something else. Some people feel that they can substitute their talent for a financial contribution. So if you sing in the choir, teach Sunday School or serve on an administrative committee, then you can cut back on your financial gift. Perhaps that is why 90% of the funds generated in most churches are given by 10% of the people. Many have just substituted their talent given to the church freely for our financial support. The problem is not our new $354,000 for 2005. The problem is that 90% of all church gives next to nothing. Substituters spend more at lunch after church then they gave to the church.

In the life of the church we have people who have confused money with a voting ballot. These people use their money as a way to express their opinion about the state of the church. If their opinions are not being heard then they give nothing at all or they designated to their special project. Aren’t you glad we don’t have that problem here? Disciples understand that money is not a voting ballot. Money is just another resource to give.

In a dry climate Rebekah gave something away that was valuable, WATER! She didn’t try to ration it out. She gave it freely but she was a generous person. People who have experienced God’s grace are generous with their treasure. If you are going to be little more generous with your treasure then say, "Amen!"

Conclusion

So let me end with the same old question. Are you a generous person? Are you generous with your time? We spend our time on what is important to us! Are you generous with your talents? God expects you to use your talent to improve your world. Are you generous with your treasure? Where your heart is there your money is also.

If you show me a person who knows they are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, then I will show you a person who lives a generous life. Are you living a generous life?