WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.799 6 is essentially the kind of the heart of the book and it's a detail of all the different laws 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:15.140 and commands that God gave to his people that they were to follow as they lived in the promised 00:00:15.140 --> 00:00:22.260 land and we're going to be looking at one of them in particular today but let's pray and ask for 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:36.320 God's help. Father we thank you for your word. We thank you that it is good for us. We thank you that 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:44.780 it teaches us how to live in relationship with you but also how it drives us towards you 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:53.299 and therefore we ask that as we look at your word together that you would be speaking to us by your 00:00:53.299 --> 00:01:04.500 Holy Spirit renewing us giving us a heart to love and obey you and to follow your commands 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:13.140 and we pray that as we live this kind of life that in turn we would be reflecting the very nature 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:23.480 and the very character of God to all those around us. We pray Father for your help as we do this 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:37.640 together in Jesus name. Amen. Well would you describe yourself as a generous person or if somebody was to 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:45.939 fill out a little kind of a little kind of a little kind of a little kind of description of you, your best friend, would they describe you as being generous? 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:55.480 Well if we're followers of Jesus Christ then generosity ought to be one of our defining marks. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:01:58.299 Here's the principle. 00:01:58.299 --> 00:02:06.000 God in his grace has been overwhelmingly generous to us. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:11.060 Therefore we are to be generous to others. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:15.280 God has been so gracious to us. 00:02:16.359 --> 00:02:20.019 Therefore we are to be generous to others. 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:28.560 That essentially sums up the message of this text here in Deuteronomy chapter 14. 00:02:29.320 --> 00:02:35.700 God has been so gracious to his people in bringing them into the promised land. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:38.820 A good land flowing with milk and honey. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:42.219 In other words it was fruitful and plentiful. 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:47.439 And now as they go into this land they have to live in a certain way. 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:56.060 And in particular they are to give special attention to those who are needy. 00:02:56.800 --> 00:02:59.659 Look at verse 28 of chapter 14. 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:09.180 At the end of every three years bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns. 00:03:09.180 --> 00:03:16.020 So that the Levites, they were the priests who have no allotment or inheritance of their own. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:28.100 And the aliens, that's the refugee or the outsider, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied. 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:38.240 You see, out of their plenty that they have received, they are to give generously to those who are needy. 00:03:38.919 --> 00:03:43.459 In fact, God commands them to be generous givers. 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:48.919 We're going to look at three things from this section. 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:51.620 First, God's gracious commands. 00:03:51.620 --> 00:04:02.620 As you read through Deuteronomy, you'll discover that many of the commands have to do with what you own and the needs of other people. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:11.819 Basically, the laws were put in place to prevent people from becoming too rich or too poor. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:20.860 Or as Craig Blomberg, in a very helpful book which was called Neither Poverty Nor Riches, puts it like this. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:30.420 The laws established safeguards so that people do not needlessly accumulate possessions at others' expense. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:35.819 So let me give you an example of this through the laws. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:38.740 Look at chapter 15, verse 1. 00:04:38.740 --> 00:04:44.560 We're actually going to be looking at chapter 15 next week, but chapter 15, verse 1. 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:50.300 At the end of every seven years, you must cancel debts. 00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:53.560 Or verse 7. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:05:01.660 If there is a poor person among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God has given you, 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:06.780 do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your poor brother. 00:05:06.779 --> 00:05:12.019 Rather, be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs. 00:05:14.019 --> 00:05:17.639 Or chapter 19, verse 14. 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:26.560 Chapter 19, verse 14. 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:34.819 Do not move your neighbour's boundary stones set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:37.800 in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess. 00:05:38.219 --> 00:05:42.560 In other words, don't be taking what does not belong to you. 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:48.639 Let me give you a contemporary application of it. 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:54.879 When you're putting in for your expenses, if you didn't do a certain mileage, don't claim for it. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:58.280 Don't be taking what isn't rightfully yours. 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:03.319 Because you're actually robbing from somebody else when you do that. 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:06.379 Or look at chapter 23, verse 19. 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:06.480 Verse 19. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:06.519 Verse 19. 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:06.540 Verse 19. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:06.579 Verse 19. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:22.600 Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:27.780 You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:35.879 And in case we think this is total discrimination, look at chapter 24, verse 14. 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:48.619 Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien, 00:06:48.839 --> 00:06:52.319 somebody from outside living in one of your towns. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:07:00.899 Do not pay him his wages each day before sunset because he is poor and is counting on it. 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:10.000 Now I think we've got many examples today of companies that fail to pay wages and then all of a sudden go bust. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:12.719 We've seen that in the news. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:17.300 Or look at chapter 24, verse 19. 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:27.199 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back and get it. 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:32.280 Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:35.920 They were what were called the gleaning laws. 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:42.180 A certain amount was to be left round the edges so that the poor people or those who didn't have land 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:45.620 could actually collect some food for themselves. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:49.100 Or chapter 25, verse 13. 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:55.639 Do not have two differing weights in your bag. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.879 One heavy, one light. 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:02.160 Do not have two differing measures in your house. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:04.280 One large, one small. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:08.540 It's talking about honest business transactions. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:15.060 In other words, if you were to sell something, sell it for what its true value is. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:18.660 Don't be putting a value above and beyond what it actually is. 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.959 Be honest in your dealings with one another. 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:27.680 And we could go through many more. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:35.000 But you see, what we have here is an idea of how God treats those who do not have 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:38.559 and how those who do have, how they should treat their possessions. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:45.500 And in spite of what so many people say, God's laws are actually good laws. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:49.220 The laws that we've just read are good for you. 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:51.000 They're good for society. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:57.299 They promote fairness and justice, equality and generosity. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:02.799 They make sure that those who have plenty do not get more. 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:07.279 And those in poverty do get more. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:12.159 So God's commands are not to spoil our fun or to take away our freedom. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:18.199 God's laws are a gift to us, as we saw this morning in the Ten Commandments. 00:09:18.339 --> 00:09:19.819 They are to do us good. 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:25.360 They are a sign of God's grace towards his people. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:34.620 Now, if our coalition government were to implement the laws that we've just read just now 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:37.940 and they were to put them into law tomorrow or enforce them, 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:44.480 we'd be a long way down the road to solving our economic and financial worries. 00:09:45.680 --> 00:09:51.139 And more importantly, if we, the citizens of the country, kept to these laws, 00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:56.139 we would all have what we need and nobody would be in want. 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:58.799 So the point is very simple. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:01.919 These are God's gracious commands to his people. 00:10:02.319 --> 00:10:04.840 These are laws that are good for us. 00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:08.199 We have to work out how they apply, of course, 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:14.100 but very simply, they are a sign of his grace to his people to do us good. 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:19.460 Secondly, then, God's command to give. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:24.620 And we're going to look at one of those specific laws that he has given to us. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:26.680 It's outlined in chapter 14. 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:32.920 And as we'll see, it's repeated in a little bit more detail in chapter 26. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:36.340 Let's read chapter 14, verse 22. 00:10:37.280 --> 00:10:43.440 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:47.120 This is what we often refer to as the tithe. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:54.799 It's a tenth of all your income and produce was to be given away at appointed times in the year. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:11:01.379 Now, before we move into the detail of this, let me correct a misunderstanding about tithing. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:11.120 First, the tithe that is mentioned here is actually one of three tithes that the people had to make. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:14.179 There was one that would go to the temple. 00:11:14.299 --> 00:11:17.899 That was 10% of your income. 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:21.159 There was another one that was also 10%. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:27.740 That went at festival time for sacrifices and for upkeep of other things. 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:32.199 And a three and a third percent went to the poor. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:40.299 So tithing was not, as many of us often think, 10% of what is left over after you've spent everything. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:45.279 But it was actually 23 and a third percent of all that you had. 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:48.419 That's what a true tithing person looks like. 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:56.620 But second, by the time we get to the New Testament, the idea of tithing is completely dropped. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:00.059 No actual figure is given. 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:06.639 In fact, the emphasis is now on regular generosity. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:13.099 In other words, they're saying there's actually no limit to how much you can give. 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:17.099 You can give 3%, you can give 10%, but you know what? 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:20.759 You don't even have to stop at 23 and a third percent. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.519 It's regular generosity. 00:12:26.119 --> 00:12:28.559 Well, let's look at two aspects of this giving. 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:32.099 First, why we are to give. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:34.859 Let's read from verse 22 again. 00:12:36.359 --> 00:12:40.500 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:47.579 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and your flocks 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:52.659 in the presence of the Lord your God at the place you will choose as a dwelling for his name, 00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:56.839 so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. 00:12:56.840 --> 00:13:04.379 Now, this might be a little bit foreign to us if we kind of don't have land and we don't have animals and all that sort of thing, 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.920 but let's try and picture it here. 00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:10.899 We can imagine the family going out and gathering all of their produce together, 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:16.620 digging up a few spuds and cutting a few cabbage and getting the odd lamb or the calf or whatever it was, 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.280 and heading off for this great big celebration. 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:27.139 It was a communal feast at a particular place that God would decide that they were all to meet there 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:30.279 and they were all going to eat of their produce together. 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:38.679 And so this act of gathering all the food together and sitting down and preparing the food 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:45.720 and then eating it all together was to remind them of who God is. 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:49.860 So that, look at the end of verse 23, 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:55.180 that they may learn to revere the Lord your God always. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.320 To honour him. 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:01.940 To be in awe of God's generosity. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:06.300 To be humbled at his amazing grace towards his people. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:14.019 And of course, as we read, if the journey was too far and it was too much to bring all your vegetables 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:18.179 and to carry your lambs all that distance, well, you could sell them at home. 00:14:18.859 --> 00:14:21.339 And then when they arrived in the place, verse 26, 00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:25.159 you could use silver to buy whatever you like. 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:31.419 Cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink or anything you wish. 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:36.939 Then you and your household, your family and everybody who belong to your house 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:41.939 shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice. 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:45.259 So this was a celebration feast. 00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:46.199 We could imagine it. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.039 I would love to have been there. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:56.839 All that roast lamb, steak, wine, bowl fruits or a fruit salad or whatever they did, I don't know. 00:14:57.099 --> 00:14:58.159 Lots of vegetables. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:07.039 And as they were tucking into this great big feast, it would cause them to stop and reflect 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:16.100 on God's amazing generosity and his provision to them throughout the whole year. 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:21.860 Every bite of food that they had, every drink to wash it down, 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:28.399 was reason to rejoice at the generosity of God. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:35.879 Now, I don't know about you or what your practice is within your own home and family, 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:41.560 but I think there's just one very simple principle that we could take from that. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:46.979 To take time at some point in the day when we sit down together to have food, 00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:52.759 to acknowledge where it all comes from and give thanks to God. 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:55.639 We are so blessed. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.539 We have so much. 00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:01.259 Stop, reflect. 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:07.519 Teach our children the need to give thanks to God and where it all comes from. 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:14.240 But primarily, I think here, the big point that I want us to see is that our giving, 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:17.980 in all of this, because this was part of their tithing, 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:24.519 is to be done not to earn God's blessing or to try and find favour from him. 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:31.439 No, our giving is in response to God's generous grace towards us. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:36.680 It's all because of what we've received that we are able to give. 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:39.540 So that's why we give. 00:16:39.900 --> 00:16:41.320 Second, how we give. 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:48.040 And for this, we need to go to the parallel passage in chapter 26. 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:52.540 So flick over to chapter 26 of Deuteronomy. 00:16:52.539 --> 00:17:04.960 More detail is given here, but it's essentially the same command. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:09.680 So how do we give? 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:15.839 Well, in chapter 26, we see that the tithing was done in two stages. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:18.500 Firstly, chapter 26, verse 1. 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:48.480 He said, 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:50.140 It was like a confessional. 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:52.019 This is what they were to say. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:18:01.880 I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the land that the Lord swore to our forefathers to give us. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:09.579 Now again, this short confessional in verse 3 was to be a reminder of all that God had given them. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:15.500 The very place that they stood was the beautiful gift that God had given them. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:17.140 God had given them this land. 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:25.839 And the first thing they were to do was to acknowledge that where they stood and where they were was a wonderful gift from God to his people. 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:29.240 A land of prosperity and plenty. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:37.559 And as they reflected on that, that in turn became the motivation to give to others. 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:41.359 This is the second part of the giving. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.079 Verse 4. 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:54.939 And here's the second confessional. 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:58.440 My father was a wandering Aramean. 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.580 It's referring there to Jacob. 00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:04.259 And he went down into Egypt with a few people. 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:08.460 And he lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:15.039 But the Egyptians ill-treated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labour. 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:19.100 Then we cried out to the Lord, to the God of our fathers. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:24.480 And the Lord heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:30.720 So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:34.579 with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:44.720 You see, the second part of the confessional recalls or retells the whole story of God's redemption. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:52.539 From way back to the very beginning, to their rescue from Egypt and the provision of the good land. 00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:56.619 This is their salvation story that they're retelling. 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.119 Verse 9. 00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:04.399 He brought us to this place and gave us this land. 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:06.859 A land flowing with milk and honey. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:13.059 And now I bring the first fruits of the soil that you, O Lord, have given me. 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:16.139 Place the basket before the Lord your God. 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.819 Bow down before him. 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:22.480 And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:30.740 in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your households. 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:40.620 You see, it was only by retelling the gospel story that we can be motivated to be able to give. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:45.779 Without that continuous recalling of God's salvation, 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:50.339 unless we remember everything that God has done for us, 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:55.539 our basket, as it were, would always be empty. 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:59.039 We will always be tight-fisted. 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:02.480 We will be greedy instead of generous. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:10.420 We are to recall the story of what God has done to help us to be generous. 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:16.200 You see, our giving is not to be done begrudgingly or out of sense of a duty 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:19.740 or do I have to do this or, you know. 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:26.980 No, our giving is to be spurred on to be motivated by the amazing grace of God. 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:31.460 And that principle is seen very clearly for us. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.680 Have a look. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:35.900 Keep your finger in Deuteronomy 26 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:43.620 and go to 2 Corinthians 8, verse 9. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:47.299 2 Corinthians 8, verse 9. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:56.480 We started with this this morning. 00:21:57.480 --> 00:22:00.860 2 Corinthians 8, verse 9. 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:10.380 He says, 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:13.740 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:16.039 that though he was rich, 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:19.140 yet for your sakes he became poor, 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:23.140 so that you through his poverty might become rich. 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:25.220 That's the good news of the gospel, 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:27.620 really tightly put together. 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:32.119 The story that we need to retell over and over again. 00:22:32.479 --> 00:22:34.139 The story we must recall. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:36.539 The story that we must tell to our children. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:40.779 That Christ took on our poverty. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:43.200 That he took on our sin. 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:45.639 That he took my guilt and my shame. 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:48.579 That he took the punishment that we deserve 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:50.559 through his death on the cross. 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:53.240 But much more than that. 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:54.599 Look at the end of verse 9. 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:58.819 So that you through his poverty might become rich. 00:22:58.819 --> 00:23:01.619 Christ has given us his riches. 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:04.000 We have his righteousness. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:06.159 We are clothed in his righteousness. 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:09.720 We are now accepted through faith as God's children. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:13.019 Treated and treasured as his own son. 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:17.859 And God has given us the promise of eternal life in heaven. 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:21.480 The ultimate promised land. 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:27.720 We have been given all of this by his grace. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:30.360 This is our salvation story. 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.860 And how are we to respond to it? 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:36.140 Well it motivates us to be generous. 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:40.519 Look at chapter 9 verse 11 of 2 Corinthians. 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:42.019 Chapter 9 verse 11. 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:51.359 You will be made rich in every way. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:57.879 So that you can be generous on every occasion. 00:23:59.139 --> 00:24:04.160 And through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:09.379 So that's how we give. 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:11.500 Motivated by God's grace. 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:20.420 Recalling the story of God's salvation to enable us to freely give to those who are in need. 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:24.519 So those are some of the principles that we want to have in place. 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:28.259 Now go back to Deuteronomy 26. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:35.379 And the results of our generous giving are incredible. 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:39.319 God's grace in giving. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.379 There's three things here. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:44.980 The results of our generous giving. 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.460 First. 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.960 When we give. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:51.720 It fills our life with joy. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:54.619 Chapter 26 verse 11. 00:24:54.619 --> 00:25:06.459 And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household. 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.279 Do you see that? 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:14.459 The giver is filled with joy as they are reminded of all that God has given them. 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:17.220 And that's exactly the same for us. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:21.680 Our giving actually produces a joyful life. 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.680 As we reflect on all that God has given to us. 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:25.460 As we reflect on all that God has given to us. 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:27.580 Of all that God has provided. 00:25:27.580 --> 00:25:30.700 Of everything that we have received from his hands. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:32.759 The homes that we live in. 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:35.080 The fact that we've got a roof over our head. 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:38.000 The work that we have during the week. 00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:39.779 The food that we enjoy. 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.580 The cars that we drive. 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:45.380 The finances to do everything else that we want to do. 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:49.280 And as we are able to give from our plenty. 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:54.580 The blessing is we are filled with joy. 00:25:55.760 --> 00:25:57.780 God gives us that joy. 00:25:58.780 --> 00:26:00.460 But not only to us. 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:05.380 Notice also the receiver is also filled with joy. 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.800 Look at verse 11 again. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:11.019 And you and the Levites. 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:13.819 And the aliens among you. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:18.099 Shall rejoice in all the good things that the Lord has given to you. 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.980 Because they get to share in it. 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:24.059 They get to share in what you have been able to give. 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:27.740 So they also are filled with joy. 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:32.399 So the results of giving is not kind of like misery. 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:36.779 A lot of rich people are the most miserable looking kind of people. 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:39.480 Why are they miserable? 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.659 Because they hold on to it. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.659 But if we give. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:43.500 It fills our life with joy. 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.399 Second. 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:50.259 It's the means of welcoming others in. 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:54.039 Welcoming others in to the community. 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:56.419 Chapter 26 verse 12. 00:26:57.419 --> 00:27:02.440 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.399 The year of the tithes. 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:06.920 You shall give it to the Levites. 00:27:07.060 --> 00:27:07.880 They were the priests. 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:10.800 And they weren't allowed to own land or property. 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.280 The alien. 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:14.140 That was the refugee or the outsider. 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.220 The fatherless. 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.880 And the widow. 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:20.259 So that they may eat in your towns. 00:27:20.780 --> 00:27:22.019 And be satisfied. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:26.340 Or the parallel verse that we read in chapter 14. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.439 says the aliens. 00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:27.720 The fatherless. 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.299 The fatherless. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:28.899 And the widows. 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:30.179 Who live in your towns. 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.480 May come. 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.539 And eat. 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.279 And be satisfied. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.240 Do you see there? 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.679 The outsider. 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.399 The isolated. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:42.359 The person who is excluded. 00:27:43.199 --> 00:27:44.919 The person who doesn't have anything. 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:48.000 And who wouldn't be able to be involved in the feasts. 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.240 Unless somebody gave. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.460 Is invited. 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:52.059 And welcomed in. 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.559 To share in it. 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.720 In fact in chapter 14. 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.200 We're told. 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:58.759 They were to store it up in their towns. 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.559 For a year. 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:01.660 For those who didn't have anything. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:04.539 So that they may benefit from others. 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.339 Generosity. 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:08.420 And that's what God's grace does. 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:10.920 It's always about welcoming. 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.460 The outsider. 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.380 In. 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:16.980 And it's the same through our generous giving. 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:20.680 That we are able to reach out beyond our own boundaries. 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:23.360 And welcome people in. 00:28:24.060 --> 00:28:26.840 To welcome those who do not have. 00:28:27.820 --> 00:28:28.900 To the refugee. 00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:33.140 Who comes from another place of difficult circumstances. 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:38.160 It enables us to include the financially broken. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:42.820 So much in our society is done on the basis of how much you own. 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.899 And what you're able to do. 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:46.939 Some people can't do those things because they don't have enough. 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:52.119 Maybe somebody isn't able to go to the church weekend. 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.399 Because they haven't got enough. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:57.500 We are to be able to welcome in. 00:28:57.919 --> 00:29:00.179 Everybody on the basis of our generosity. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:03.059 To open the door to the marginalized. 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:06.119 So that they might come in. 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.899 And you see this kind of welcome. 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:11.899 That we are able to give to people through our giving. 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.560 Welcome. 00:29:13.040 --> 00:29:14.640 Becomes a bridge. 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:17.620 To the greatest welcome of all. 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:20.640 The welcome of Jesus Christ. 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:23.400 Because as people see. 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.640 Generous people. 00:29:26.780 --> 00:29:28.180 They begin to see. 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:30.400 What God's grace is about. 00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:32.540 People don't just need. 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.620 They do need. 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:36.660 And I want to stress that they need to hear the grace of God. 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:40.340 But they also need to see the grace of God. 00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:43.120 What's the point in talking about a generous God. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:45.500 And God who freely wants to give forgiveness. 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.840 If we're tight-fisted. 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:52.960 So it enables people to be welcomed in. 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.360 To the community. 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.759 And third. 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.820 The result of our giving. 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:01.380 It brings a blessing. 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:03.660 The conclusion. 00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:07.440 To these instructions about giving. 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.620 Ends like this. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:11.540 In chapter 14 verse 29. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.120 It says. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:15.600 So that the Lord your God may bless you. 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:17.800 In all the works of your hands. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:20.680 In chapter 26 verse 15. 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.680 It says. 00:30:22.780 --> 00:30:24.000 Look down from heaven. 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.620 From your holy dwelling. 00:30:26.280 --> 00:30:28.280 And bless your people. 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:32.319 Now we have to be careful how we apply this. 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:34.319 This does not mean. 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:37.220 That when we give to God. 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.960 Or if I dig into my pocket. 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:41.019 And I give a tenner into the collection. 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.819 Or something like that. 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:45.500 That God is going to miraculously give me a hundred euro in return. 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:48.539 That's the prosperity gospel. 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:51.539 The kind of nonsense that you'll see on the God channel. 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:53.180 Stay away from it. 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.039 Unhealthy. 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.099 Not good. 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:57.139 No. 00:30:57.219 --> 00:30:58.539 This is simply telling us here. 00:30:58.659 --> 00:31:00.359 That when we give. 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:03.240 There is blessing from God. 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.539 In return. 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:05.980 Again. 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:08.579 Let's go to 2 Corinthians chapter 9. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:11.059 To see how this gets worked out. 00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:13.019 In the life of the church. 00:31:13.699 --> 00:31:14.699 And the people. 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:18.639 2 Corinthians chapter 9. 00:31:22.699 --> 00:31:24.000 And verse 10. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:30.440 Actually chapters 8 and 9. 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.180 Are a great. 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:34.400 Text on the whole thing of giving. 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:36.960 We're going to read chapter 9. 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.779 Verse 10. 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.619 And 11. 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.039 Verse 10. 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:42.380 Now. 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.500 Talking about God. 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:45.500 He who supplies seed. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:46.920 To the sower. 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:49.480 And bread for food. 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:53.880 This is talking about those who give. 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:55.380 It will also supply. 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:57.800 And increase your store of seed. 00:31:58.300 --> 00:32:00.360 And will enlarge the harvest. 00:32:00.360 --> 00:32:01.620 Of your righteousness. 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:03.860 What does that mean? 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:05.060 Well look again at verse 11. 00:32:05.540 --> 00:32:08.100 You will be made rich in every way. 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:09.880 Why? 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:13.020 So that you can be generous. 00:32:13.780 --> 00:32:16.400 On every occasion. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:19.620 This is the blessing. 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:23.460 As we give generously to God. 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:25.920 God will enrich us. 00:32:26.800 --> 00:32:28.160 In every way. 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.600 Spiritually. 00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:31.519 Meeting our needs. 00:32:32.060 --> 00:32:32.620 Materially. 00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:33.920 So that. 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.900 And here's the purpose. 00:32:35.320 --> 00:32:37.040 So that we can go on. 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:39.060 Being generous to others. 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:42.339 It's not so that we can store it up for ourselves. 00:32:42.619 --> 00:32:44.399 And keep it for ourselves. 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:47.079 The blessing is for those who give. 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:49.139 God will meet your needs. 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:51.879 And above your needs. 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:53.480 So that you are able to give. 00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:55.119 To others. 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:57.460 That is the blessing. 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:58.919 For those. 00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.740 Who will trust God. 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:04.480 So let's go back to our original question. 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:05.960 That we asked at the very beginning. 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:09.079 Would you describe yourself. 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:11.319 As being generous. 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:15.740 If you were to write a report on me. 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.099 Would you say. 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.819 I'm generous. 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.779 That is the challenge. 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.980 And that is the question. 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.759 Being asked of us. 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:27.759 We must continually look back. 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:29.180 To the grace of God. 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:31.880 For the way in which he has brought us in. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.980 To so much. 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.640 Given us so much. 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:35.860 Materially. 00:33:36.060 --> 00:33:37.019 Given us so much. 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:37.960 Spiritually. 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:41.019 And the fruit of somebody. 00:33:41.340 --> 00:33:43.600 Who has received and experienced. 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.620 The grace of God. 00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:46.840 Will be a heart. 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.320 Of generosity. 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.700 Let's pray. 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:51.480 Together. 00:33:59.180 --> 00:34:02.000 Our Father God. 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:03.960 We do thank you so much. 00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:04.720 That you. 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:06.380 Have been. 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.799 Incredibly. 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:09.119 Generous to us. 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:13.880 Materially. 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.260 For all that we have. 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:19.619 We thank you so much. 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:21.920 Forgive us. 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:24.180 For complaining. 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.880 About the state of our country. 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:29.039 Forgive us. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.900 For complaining. 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.980 About new taxes. 00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:36.119 Forgive us. 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:37.000 For complaining. 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:40.099 Of when we are asked to give. 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.320 Father help us. 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.059 To remember. 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.800 To retell. 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.440 And to recall. 00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:50.599 Your story of redemption. 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.940 Of Christ. 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.280 Who gave up his riches. 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:56.800 Took on our poverty. 00:34:58.040 --> 00:34:59.519 So that we might become. 00:34:59.700 --> 00:35:00.019 Rich. 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.460 In Christ. 00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:06.400 Father teach us. 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:07.980 To be generous. 00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:10.400 Show us how we can do that. 00:35:10.540 --> 00:35:11.220 Not just with. 00:35:11.680 --> 00:35:11.920 Money. 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.840 But with our time. 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:16.580 And with all of our resources. 00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:19.239 We thank you. 00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:20.199 For the generosity. 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:21.940 Of this church. 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:24.279 For people's giving. 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.880 In so many different ways. 00:35:27.779 --> 00:35:29.460 And for all that give. 00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:33.079 We pray that you will fill their life with joy. 00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:37.940 We pray that it will be a means of welcoming. 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:38.940 The outsider. 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.659 The outsider. 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:40.619 In. 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:43.679 And we pray that in turn. 00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:45.559 You would bless us. 00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:47.760 So that we can go on. 00:35:48.240 --> 00:35:49.099 Being generous. 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.019 To others. 00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:52.220 We ask this. 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:54.000 For your glory. 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:56.159 And for your honour. 00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:56.740 Alone. 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.559 In Jesus name. 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.079 Amen. 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:06.239 Well we're going to sing.