This is the manuscript of the second sermon in the "Thanksgiving to God and Thanksgiving for God" series leading up to the Thanksgiving Day holiday, preached at Christ Church in November 12, 2023.
Scripture Reading
Acts 3:1-10 NIV [1] One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” [5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. [6] Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Introduction
Last week our text was
Exodus 4:2 NIV [2] Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.
Last week we said that Moses’ rod is a symbol. Like David’s small sling, and the 5 loaves and 2 fish that fed more than 5000. The symbolism is that what we have, little as it may be or seem, can be used tremendously if we will freely and willingly give it to the Lord.
The book of Acts takes up the story of Christianity where the Gospels leave off. AfterJesus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit came in a unique way, and the apostles moved forward dynamically and daringly to tell the story of the risen Christ.
Of course, the book of Acts tells only a few of the many wonderful events that must have occurred. The Holy Spirit led Luke to record the visit of Peter and John to the temple, where they healed a man who had been lame from birth. This man was a beggar who came to the temple everyday to beg for money so that he could survive.
Acts 3:1-3 NIV [1] One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
Peter’s response, which is our text for today must have sounded pretty strange.
Text:
Acts 3:6 NIV [6] Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Then Peter reached down and helped the man up and a miracle happened. Not only did the man learn to walk, remember he was lame from birth, but he also learned to leap.
We learn a powerful lesson from this event. We learn that we are to do “what we can with what we have, where we are, and we learn that we never have to wait for the perfect time or perfect opportunity or for greater abilities or resources. We just need to use what we have and rely on God for the result.
I. Money isn’t everything.
Too often when we talk about stewardship, we think of money. It is thrilling to see a story where money is not the most important thing. In fact, Peter came close to minimizing money. He said plainly, “Silver and gold have I none” and then he proceeded to do what he needed to do to see the miracle in this man’s life.
There may come a time in the life of a church or a religious organization when money can actually be a stumbling block.
Thomas Aquinas, who was a priest in the 18th century, once visited the pope and was shown all the treasures of the Roman Church. The pope said to Thomas, “Well, Thomas, no longer can the church say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’ ” Thomas replied, “Yes, Holy Father, but have you ever thought that the church is in danger of also not being able to say, ‘In the name ofJesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk’?”
We must be careful today not to evaluate our churches in terms of budgets alone. We have to be careful, very careful, to keep our priorities correct!
II. However, we must never forget that money is important.
What Thomas Acquinis said is true, but something else is also true. It takes money—cold, hard cash—to carry on God’s work in today’s world.
God’s Word says a lot about how we should be stewards or managers of material possession including money. Chapters 8 and 9 of Paul’s second letter to the Corithians are devoted to the matter of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV [7] But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
He pointed out that our supreme example in giving is the Lord Jesus Christ who, though rich, became poor so that through his poverty we might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV [9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
God has given some people the ability to make “big money.” Their duty is to set a significant part of that money for the work of the gospel.
There is a spiritual gift of giving which is;
The divine enablement and ability to contribute money and material resources to the work of the Lord with cheerfulness and liberality. People with this gift give generously, freely, and joyfully. They don't just give money, but they are free with all of their possessions. They are not always the "rich" among us but they are often given the ability for making money and increasing wealth even though they have no interest in possessions themselves. They give above and beyond their normal tithe in order to support Christ's Church. They see themselves as caretakers and stewards of their resources and they usually prefer anonymity when they give.
Beyond the regular response of gratitude to God that all believers make, those with the gift of giving can discern the best ways to put money and talents to work.
A perfect scriptural example of the gift of giving is the story of The Good Samaritan. In this story, not only is the Samaritan generous with his money, time, and resources – but he also knows exactly how to use his resources in a way that best helps the beaten man with a short-term care plan and long-term care plan.
Luke 10:33-35 NIV [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
In Old Testament days, the tithe or the tenth was the minimum. In fact, counting all of the special offerings and supplementary tithes, the Old Testament Israelites were commanded to give far more than a tithe.
Make no mistake about it, money is important! We live in a world far different from that of Peter, John, and Paul. There was, of course, a monetary system in that day, but money is far more essential as a means of exchange than it has ever been before in the world.
III. What do you have?
Some people get uptight in church when you talk about money . Yet the Bible promises God’s blessing if we will give to the Lord.
Here's what Paul wrote
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NIV [6] Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [9] As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” [10] Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
We cannot outgive God. Giving to God is a privilege. Giving to God is a joy. And it pleases God when we invest in His kingdom.
It also pleases God when we are witnesses for Him. Every Christian is a witness. But before we can effectively witness for God, we must first walk with God. It is the overflow of our lives.
Whether we use the terms talents and abilities or gifts when we speak of what we have to offer God in service, we must answer the question “What do I have to offer my Lord?”The next question is: “Am I willing to give myself—including my talents, abilities, gifts and money—to be used anyway God sees fit?”
For some Christians, it’s a big deal to talk about their faith. But if we’re walking with God and our lives are pleasing to Him, we will find that Jesus overflows into our lives. One of the greatest compliments a nonbeliever can pay a believer is when they say, “I don’t know what you believe. I don’t know what it is about you that makes you the way that you are. And I don’t know where you get this special something. But whatever it is, I want it.”
That is when we can say, “Let me tell you about my faith in Jesus Christ.”
Conclusion
Everyone who believes in Christ and is dedicated to him has great possessions. They are, however, spiritual resources. We should find our greatest joy in sharing the gospel with others by our lives as well as our testimony. However, this does not relieve us from the responsibility of supporting God’s work financially. We cannot avoid our responsibility in financial things by rationalizing that we are “spiritual” and therefore are not required to bring financial gifts.
In the Old Testament, even the Levites gave tithes of the tithes.
Numbers 18:21-26 NIV [21] “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. [22] From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. [23] It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. [24] Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’ ” [25] The Lord said to Moses, [26] “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering.
On the other hand, giving money does not release us from the duty of serving in other ways. Stewardship involves both finances and lifestyle. It is not a case of “either/or.” Time, talent, tithe, influence—all that we have belongs to God, and such as I have I should give.
Let’s pray:
Holy God,
We stand in awe before you because you are so willing to take us as we are. Forgive us for holding ourselves apart because we have believed the falsehood that we need to be strong before we come to you. You sent your son Jesus to intercede for us and because of that we can come with confidence before you. Here we are, Lord. Broken, bruised, and looking for belonging. We find everything we need in you and such as we have we give to you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
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