An Act of Sacrifice

An Act of Sacrifice

(Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

Theme Title:  “Peace is…”

Series Title:  “Peace in Giving”

October 31^st, 2021

Something to think about:

Mother Teresa was known as saying, “If you give what you do not need, it isn't giving.”

Giving is not as complicated a thing as we make it.  In the New Testament, Jesus and Paul addressed money and the giving of it with relative clarity.  Jesus’ found significance in the heart of the one giving, and so did Paul; the point being that the standard for giving was the heart of the individual.  Let’s take a look…

Luke 21:1-4 (NLT)

¹  While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. ²  Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

³  “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. ⁴  For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT)

⁶  Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷  You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Here's the takeaway from these two passages this morning:

Key Point:  “God doesn’t need our money; He desires our hearts.  However, giving to God sacrificially from our resources is a great reminder to us from where all good gifts come.”

According to William Barclay[1], the value of giving is determined by a couple of things:

1. The  with which the gift is given.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT), You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

2. The  with which it involves.

Luke 21:3-4 (NLT), ³  “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. ⁴  For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Something to take home:

Jesus and Paul wanted once and for all to put into perspective what a heart of giving really looked like and should look like for everyone who are followers of Christ.  For Jesus, the widow who gave everything she had showed faith and hope that the One who gave even the little she had would be blessed by what she gave.  For Paul, giving wasn’t something to be done under compulsion or coercion, but rather with a heart of cheerfulness and joy.  Giving in these ways show evidence of a life lived in Christ.

So, today, are you giving?  If not, why not?  If so, is your giving done with a heart of cheerfulness and joy?  Are you reluctant to give, or do you feel pressured to give?  Is your giving sacrificial or superficial?  What’s in your heart?  Remember…

Key Point:  “God doesn’t need our money; He desires our hearts.  However, giving to God sacrificially from our resources is a great reminder to us from where all good gifts come.”

[1] William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke, Rev. Ed., (Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville, Kentucky; 1975), 254-256.