6. It’s supported by God’s people.
Here he’s specifically talking about
financial support. But I think it’s talking about financial support in every
way. He says, “For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution.
Indeed, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” I
look out at Saddleback Valley and see guys and ladies in their 20’s and 30’s at
an economic level that it took their parents 60 or 70 years to get to. Some of
their parents never got to that level. You’d probably agree that it’s easier to
climb the ladder of success faster than it used to be. Many people in this area
are living at an economic level that was a lifetime goal in the last generation
to eventually get to and they’re already there and they’re still at a young
age. Now you say, “What am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?” If
there’s anything I want to say to this Valley is, It’s time to give something
back. “To whom much is given, much is required.” We give back of our time, back
of our money, back of our energy and our service.
That
makes me think of a story of one time a pastor was preaching down in the south.
He was getting all wired up and says, “This church has got to get up and walk!”
And all the people said, “Amen, pastor! It’s got to walk!” Then he said,
“Folks, our church has got to get up and run. We’ve got to run with the
Gospel.” And everybody said, “Amen, the church has got to get up and run! Run with the
Gospel.” Then he said, “I tell you, brothers, the church has got to get up and
fly! It’s got to fly with the good news all over.” They said, “Yes, it’s got to
fly! Let it fly.” Then he said, “It takes money to fly.” And they said, “Let it
walk, pastor. Let it walk!”
It takes money to have a ministry. It
takes our money and it takes other people’s money. You don’t have to be afraid
of that. When you teach people how to give you’re doing one of the greatest
blessing you can do for them. You’re teaching them to be like God because God
is a giver. I used to be nervous about sharing teaching on giving. But I’m not
at all any more. In fact, I love to teach on it. I know what it’s going to do
for that person. There are more promises regarding giving than any other thing
in the Bible. When I’m not being generous, I’m just hurting myself.
Pastor Rick Warren
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