• “What do you want for Christmas?”
• Bible talks about money about 800 times… Jesus talks about money about 25%

 
You have no idea how many times I hear…

• We come to Leavener because they don’t ask for money.
• You don’t take an offering. Do you have another job?
• Doesn’t God command/expect us to tithe?
• Aren’t you robbing the attender of an opportunity?
• Tithe was an OT Law – for the Levitical Preisthood
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
• You don’t give to get back.

7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

• “Give until it hurts”

8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.[1]

• You can’t find a command to tithe in any NT

 
APPRECIATION OF SUPPORT
PHILIPPIANS 4
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.

• Are you content? (phone upgrades, TV’s, stuff)
• Content – Understanding needs vs wants.
• This is not prosperity Gospel.
• What is it that causes us to move from “I want” to an “I need” mentality?
• A child cannot discern between want and need.

12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

• It was the power of Christ within him that gave him spiritual contentment.[2]
• When you get to the end of “yourself”… He’s there!
• Amplified - “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency”
• Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.[3]

14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

• Paul is broke and in prison.
• Philippians is one of the most generous and giving churches.

 

• Leavener’s plan for giving… none/God…
• budget… none/God.

 

• How has Leavener, the community, ministered to people this past year?
• Our God is a giver… we are stewards
• Leavener – 77 givers in 2022 (26 families gave 80%) (33% of givers give 80%)
• Leavener gives to our community first – Then outside the community (other believers) and then even to the world (as the Spirit leads)
• This not boasting for me or Leavener
• Counseling for individuals
• Support for Jeff Pokone in general
• Scott Mescher – Missionary training around the world
• Support for former family who lost their wife/mother
• Youth for Christ Needs
• National Network of Youth Ministers for Indiana Lunch
• FUMC Food Pantry
• Car for Pinheads Employee
• Supported Pinheads employees (back surgery, mother, dining room table, gift cards)
• Meals for police / groceries for firemen
• 2 Kids who lost their father
• Friend in Ohio who had a liver transplant
• Friend in Texas who is homebound and dependent on machines to keep her alive
• FPU and coffee for Police
• Meals for Hamilton County Chaplains
• Lunches for Holio Road Pastors
• Helped our own families that are struggling
• Sticks & Stones
• Building a Refuge
• $3,600 database and App
• $900 Trailer Storage
• $180/wk for meals
• $35k – Camp expenses (53% is paid by Leavener)
• $3,500 – Sound Board & Monitor
• $1,300 - Camera

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.

• (NLT) [17] I don't say this because I want a gift from you. What I want is for you to receive a well-earned reward because of your kindness.  (Message) [17] Not that I'm looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.

18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus (a good steward) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

• My family is well taken care of.
• Not by you… but by God.
• It may come through you… but it is all His in the first place.
• History of personal provision – Elder Meeting
• “How much do you need?”
• “Error on the side of generosity”
• I don’t have another job… at least a paying job.
• I rarely take additional income from speaking opportunities, weddings or funerals, etc.
• I have never been in need.
• I have no debt.
• I receive a salary; it includes a housing allowance.
• I have medical insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
• I have life insurance.
• The elders are helping me catch up on my retirement.
• You care for us well in other ways.
• Gifts to travel
• Take care of my car when it breaks down.
• Wedding food…etc

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
 
FINAL GREETINGS
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

• Roman citizens, Roman guard… those guarding Paul?

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[4]

[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 9:6–8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 98). Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 1:3). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Php 4:10–23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

God Gave
·      John 3:16 For God So Loved He gave
·      2 Corinthians 1:22 Sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
·      1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God
·      James 1:17  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.
·      2 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
·      2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness

Preference to the Saints
·      1 Thes. 3:12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you
·      1 Thes. 4:9  Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
·      1 Thes. 5:15 See to it that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
·      1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.
·      1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
·      Philemon 4, 5 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints

Preference to the Poor
·      Matt. 25:35, 36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you visited me…to the extent that you did to one of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me!
·      Proverbs 19:17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord; and He will repay him for his good deed.
·      Proverbs 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed; for he gives some of his food to the poor.
·      God loves the poor, Jesus called them His brothers.
·      Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make [a]more for himself
Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
·      Proverbs 22:22,23 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their case and take the life of those who rob them.
·      Proverbs 28:8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

God’s Currency is Love
·      John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
·      1 Thes. 2:8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
·      1 Thes. 2:19,20 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?  For you are our glory and joy.
·      1 Timothy 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

What is your Ambition?
·      1 Thes. 4:11 make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands.
·      1 Timothy 2:2 Pray for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
·      1 Timothy 6:6-8  But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.