November 12, 2006 pm  From Rags to Riches   Mark 12:28-44

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

What in the world does God want?  He wants you and your worship.  But He wants us to give of ourselves for Him and His glory, not our own.  God wants us to serve him not ourselves.  God wants us to give of our time, talents, and treasures to his honor and glory not our own.  God wants to bless and reward his servants.

Mark 12:38 (NIV) As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

God is watching our service.  Scribes like to be seen and recognized.  The best seats and given the honor.  They are hypocrites.  Keeping up appearances.  But really hurt people for their gain.  Makes long prayers for show.

• Be careful how we treat others:  particularly,  the lost the lonely, and the least.  Widows were treated poorly by the teachers of the law. 

• Examine our motives for why we do, what we do for the Lord.  Is this for the Lord or is this for a show?  Are we making a name for ourselves or are we making a name for the Lord? 

God is watching our giving.  God is watching.  What you give does matter.  God not only looks at what you but He also looks at what you keep.  How much does God want me to give?

• God measures how you give, by how much you have left.  Many rich people put in large sums.  Many gave out of their abundance. 

• God will reward those who give out of faith.  Poor widow put in two copper coins.  Gave it all out of her poverty.  Gave all she had to live on. The widow put in more than the rich?  But didn’t she just give a few cents and they gave large amounts of money.   The widow trusted God to provide.  She had no money but she did what she could and she

• God wants us to give out of our own heart.  

• God loves a cheerful giver. 

2Cor 9:6 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

• God will reward His servants.  God makes grace abound to you who give to him.  God will reward his servants to everyone according to what he has done. 

Rev. 22:11 (NIV) Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy." 12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Should we expect to get rewards for the amounts we give.  God loves a cheerful giver.  Ten percent in the old testament.  What about the new testament?