"The Hilarious Giver"
November 20, 2005

The Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 100
The New Testament Lesson: II Corinthians 9: 6 - 15

The act of giving is meant to be filled with Joy!  Are you Laughing?

I.  Giving to God is part of our joy.
    A. We don’t often enjoy parting with our money.
        1. During our Kirkin’ celebration I was reminded of a joke.
            a. young man went to Scotland as tourist.
            b. He went into a shop to buy some trinkets.
            c. dickered over the price and finally got to the place to pay.
            d. He pulled out his nylon wallet with its Velcro closure and paid.
            e. Shop keeper: “Ach!  Now that’s a real Scottish wallet.  It even screams when you open it!”
        2. The truth is, it’s not just Scots who are reluctant to part with funds.
            a. Very few of us like to see your money leave us.
            b. There are some specific times when we are really reluctant.
            c. I bet I can name a few…Taxes!
            d. Tuition!   Traffic Tickets! Taxes!  (I mentioned that, didn’t I?)
        3. Just a few examples of the many times we hate paying up.
        4. Even when we’re getting a good value, we’re not fond of paying.
            a. We are simply satisfied customers.
            b. It they’d offered it for free, we wouldn’t have argued.
        5. When it comes to our giving, these attitudes aren’t what God wants.
            a. God does not want us to bring our gifts in reluctant duty.
            b. God isn’t even happy with satisfied customers.
            c. God wants a different attitude all together.
            d. God wants our giving to Him to be filled with Joy.
            e. Now that’s asking an awful lot of us.
            f. We’re willing to shell out, but being happy with it.
    B. The scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver.
        1. That translation doesn’t get it.
            a. The word translated “cheerful” is hilarios.  Sound familiar?
            b. God wants hilarious givers!  Wants us out of our minds!
            c. God wants givers who are out of control!
        2. Have you ever been out of control with laughter?
            a. It happens at my house and usually they’re laughing a me.
            b. We get to giggling.  Then total gawffas.  Carly starts to snort.
            c. Robby starts to wheeze and now we’re laughing at our laughing.
            d. Just about the time we stop, Someone giggles and it starts all over.
        3. That’s what God wants us to feel about our giving.
            a. God wants us so happy over it, that we can’t stop ourselves.
            b. Have you ever felt that way about your giving?
            c. Not so guilty you couldn’t stop…so happy you can’t stop.
        4. Friends, that’s a tall order, but it’s worth it.
            a. Look at the effect on God: God loves a cheerful giver!
            b. Our joy in giving is what makes God happy.
            c. because it means that we’re like God, who is happy to give to us!

II.  So How do we get there?  Here’s my prescription to make your giving fun!
   A. Remember the reasons you are giving.
        1. The first and foremost is that we are responding to God’s gift.
            a. I said that’s part of what makes us stewards.
            b. Knowing God’s so generously given to us helps us be generous
        2. Second, you’re giving in imitation of God.
            a. The goal of every Christian is to be like Jesus.
            b. Like the song says, “What more could he give?”
        3. And you’re giving to fulfill your purpose.
            a. We are here to spread the love of God.
            b. Our gifts to the church and other charitable institutions do that
   B. Praise God for the resources of which you are steward
        1. I am grateful when I look in my check book and see I’ve got extra
        2. I am in the privileged position of being able to give to others.
            a. That goes for the time I can spend with people in service.
            b. It also goes for the talents I’ve got to share.
        3. God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others.
        4. That is a great source.
        5. You ought to be singing as you write your check
   C. Set goals for your Stewardship
        1. I learned this secret some time ago.
        2. We all feel like we have limitations.
            a. There is uncertainty about the future.
            b. even the present can get kind of tight.
        3.  But, when you pray and agree with God on a goal, you’ve got something to shoot for.
        4. It feels so good when you get there. You’ve accomplished something.
        5. The Renovation campaign was an example of that.
            a. I know of a man who really took the idea of sacrifice to heart.
            b. Gave up tow very important things from his budget in order to make a sizable pledge.
            c. Now, as we near the end of that campaign, he feels great about making his goal.  Feels like he’s done something for God!

     I wonder how that sounds to you.  It sounds pretty good to me.  My experience as a steward is that I have received far more from my gifts and service than I’ve ever given out.  I believe you can too.  Some years ago, I heard a well known preacher tell his congregation, “Don’t give till it hurts.  God doesn’t want you to hurt.  Give till it feels good!”  It might take a real struggle to get to that point, but that’s what transforms you into the kind of giver God is looking for.  Not a reluctant giver.  Not even a satisfied customer.  God calls you to be a hilarious giver, one who keeps giving because they can’t help it.  It just feels so good!

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!