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We are studying these opening verses of Matthew Chapter 6 and they are so refreshingly challenging – are they not? This is basic fundamental teaching for disciples of Jesus Christ from the Sermon on the Mount.

There is no choice about serving. We will either serve Almighty God or Mammon the God of money! It is not whether we serve, but who!

Where your heart goes, your money will follow. People will pay two or three thousand pounds, or dollars, a year to follow their football team, or some other sport or interest, and we have to consider our time too. I understand that those called Jehovah Witnesses give around 100 hours a month. Would that not shock some who regard themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God the Son? Yes, Chapter 6 might prove to be as challenging as Chapter 5!

When you give, do not announce it, or as I have illustrated it – do not be photographed in the Press with one of these big cheques displaying what you have given.

When you give do it underhand, in such a manner as no-one sees! There are some things in the Christian life we have to do underhand! Is that shocking too?

When some of these people gave they were ostentatious and that is what Jesus is dealing with here. We are to give to the glory of God. Jesus puts this first in His teaching regarding how we act and serve in private.

The rabbis actually forbade ostentatious giving. It was the practice of the Pharisees which fell short.

What do we give, and how much? The Bible’s guideline is a tenth, but we are not to be legalistic. Jesus did not come to bring us under another set of laws.

We are free, and surely that freedom means freedom to give more. If we get into percentages then we have lost the whole point of Jesus’ teaching.

The law is external, but GRACE is internal.

But for a moment consider this – if God gave you ten times what you give God could you live on it? I found that most helpful when it comes to giving.

Some people have problems with this word ‘reward’ – not outside, but inside the religious setting. “O, we should just give and not look for anything in return.” That is why we always need to check what Jesus actually says and teaches.

Giving is sowing – Jesus said that – Luke Chapter 6 verse 38.

Give in £5 notes it will be returned to you in £5 notes – give in £20 notes it will be returned to you in £20 notes. This is a biblical principle. God takes your measure. First we give, and then we receive. And – God does not need our tips. God is not to be treated like the waiter, or the hotel porter.

But also – you must not throw seed in the gutter. Give wisely and prayerfully – the right type of soil receiving the right type of seed will produce a harvest in season. Invest in places which will bring forth the best harvest.

Sow where there will be fruit – and that goes for time and prayer and talents as well as money.

Have a vision of eternal issues – give – sow – invest – open your hand – let it go – and cover it. There is gap between sowing and reaping.

Giving is part of worship. See it in the context of worship, as we pay into the Bank of Heaven, through the local branch where we worship week by week, and where we are committed, and seek to remain faithful.

There is always someone who asks about the widow’s mite! The mites – “the widow’s mite” – like mother nature – does not exist. She gave two mites and it was all she had. Mark Chapter 12:41 – will we just omit and miss out that verse? Jesus is watching as we give, and what we give. She gave all – 100%.

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 40,41 – Jesus wants to reward His people. Some question this – surely you do not expect a reward.

We must be careful not to try to be more spiritual than Jesus.

Matthew Chapter 11 verse 28 – I will give you or Chapter 13 verse 8 – 100,60, 30 times – not percent but times.

Malachi 3:8f – where the same word is used as in the Flood for “open the floodgates”. They were a bunch of robbers at that time – thieves – stealing from God – and they were very religious. Do look at these verses in Malachi Chapter 3

God had kept a record, as they kept for themselves what belonged to God, and they were under a curse.

What causes God’s curse to come upon God’s people – meanness and stingyness! Do not be mean and stingy, when it comes to giving.

How do we move from curse to bless? Bring. This is not highfaluting theology. It is so challengingly simple. This is a topic all on its own – how to move from curse to blessing, because many are living under a curse and they are unaware of it.

And the storehouse – where is that? It is the place where you get the food to eat. We do not shop in Sainsbury’s and pay in the Co-op. We do not eat in McDonald’s and pay in Burger King.

We are investing in the future.

We are reflecting God’s love.

Giving can free us from financial worry – but not financial responsibility. Giving can release us from any worrying burden – which burdens so many in these present times.

We can experience a transformed character, as we reap a harvest of righteousness. Read again II Corinthians Chapter 9 verse 10, to which I referred last week. Let that bless you – and may you be richly blessed as you give and give generously and give wisely and responsibly.

We have the joy of seeing others giving thanks and praise to God as a result of what we have given. It has been such a joy to see people in Kenya drinking from the wells recently drilled and sunk, by the money given by local people.

We are like cups filled from a spring. Others drink from us, and praise not the cup, but the spring!

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Comfort in Isaiah II (12-14-10)