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A Disciple's Generous Response:
Sermon Helps

Danny A. Belrose

Telling You What You Already Know

How do you prepare preaching helps for experienced preachers? “Experience” is of course a relative term. The fact is--everyone needs help--copies of the annual Minister’s Manual and similar preaching aids line the library shelves of the most seasoned speakers. The question is, “How much is too much and how much is too little?” The following “Sermon Seeds,” “Scripture Helps,” and “Sermon Outlines” fall somewhere in between. Before looking at these modest offerings, let me tell you what you may already know.

A sermon is not a paper, a talk, a lecture, or a presentation; it is a proclamation of the good news—a personal witness. Dr. Philips Brooks said, “Preaching is the sharing of truth through personality.” A sermon void of personal testimony is impotent. The foundation of good preaching is the Holy Spirit—which doesn’t show up for twenty minutes on Sunday morning, but is invested in the discovery, shaping, delivery, and receiving of the message shared.

Effective sermons take listeners on a journey. The trick is to get them to hop on board, stay with you for the entire trip, and to make the final destination worth their while. However, it’s more than that. If the journey does not in some way actualize an encounter with the Holy, it will be just a pleasant (or unpleasant) excursion. “All sermons ask for nothing and for everything.” That is, they do not ask for a specific, “Now you must do such and such or give so and so.” They ask for a change of heart.¹

The journey can be direct or indirect. Sermons are either deductive or inductive. Deductive sermons announce the destination of the journey near the beginning and proceed to establish reasons for going there, while inductive sermons hint at the final destination. In other words, the indirect model invites listeners on an exploration. They’re not sure where you are going--BUT they know you know and are willing to travel with you. Either model can be equally effective as long as the trip has some healthy tension and suspense—some unexpected twists and turns. In other words, (pardon the change in simile) a sermon should preach like a mystery novel.

Obviously, you cannot build anticipation if you begin with your strongest argument. Build toward it. Arrange your ideas and points so they escalate toward a climax in thought and feeling, remembering that your material will be secondary to the witness you bear. Enough of Homiletics 101!

The sermon outlines provided in this resource use the basic “propositional” model, that is, they have a thesis or main message supported by three or more major arguments or “points.” If used they will need your fingerprint—your imaginative and suspenseful input.

SERMON SEEDS

1. Some Thoughts on Generosity

• Generosity lives in the heart not in the pocketbook. It asks, “How much tithing can I hope to give?” rather than “How much tithing should I give?” In other words, generosity is our joyful response to God’s generosity toward us. Its governing spirit is not formulas but thankfulness. Rich or poor, we yearn to give to One who has given all to us! Whether our tithe is “two mites” or “two million” it is given with a joyful heart, saddened only by the desire to do more.

• Generous financial response begins with a desire to meet our obligations. We tithe. We give to God who has given to us. It begins there, but is not content to reside there. Generosity always wants to do more! It moves us from minimums to maximums, from law to life, from obligation to opportunity. Generosity happens when choice surpasses obedience. The spirit of giving overrides the rule of giving. “Have to” becomes “want to.” Each gift, small or large, is of equal measure when offered generously.

• Generosity spills out of the heart not the pocketbook.

• God’s unconditional love invites each disciple to respond generously to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Financial response, while unique to individual circumstance, expresses love of God, neighbor, self, and life.

• God’s unconditional love prompts joyful response in each disciple. God’s generosity becomes our generosity in sharing the ministry of Jesus Christ.

• Generosity is the disciple’s natural response to God’s unconditional love revealed in the ministry of Jesus

• How can we “do more”? We can do more and give more through wise planning and accountability. Some people exercise accountability by filing a tithing statement; others use different methods and account accordingly. Regardless of the method used, a generous financial response is served by principles of good money management. The following, often referred to as the “ten-ten-eighty principle,” has proven to be an effective guideline: Ten percent of income for mission and community tithes (i.e., all funds contributed to God’s work: congregational and world ministries, church affiliates, and community and charitable causes, etc.) Ten percent of income for savings. Eighty percent of income for living expenses.

• “The English word [generous] comes most directly from the Latin generosus (“of noble birth, excellent, magnanimous”) which in turn comes from the Latin genus (“birth, race, kind”). Going back further, the Latin words derive from the Greek root geno-, meaning “to become, to happen, to be.” This is the root of the word “genesis” [which] means “beginnings.” Put all this together and you can see that the idea of generous giving has something to do with our very being. . . . Generous giving flows not from a demand placed on us, but from the core of our being. To be other than a giver not only makes us ungenerous, but denies part of our natural being.”²

Keeping Things in Balance

“We have to keep three aspects of faithful life in balance: worship, mission and stewardship. Mission is not stewardship; stewardship is not mission. They are related to the third element, worship, but though the faith can be defined by any one of the three terms the definition must include the other two as part of the definition.”³

Living is the art of loving.
Loving is the art of caring.
Caring is the art of sharing.
Sharing is the art of living.

--Unknown⁴

2. Our Wealth--The Most Sensitive Nerve

“The gospel message is that all of us have been bought with a great price as we are, even wealthy people and wealthy congregations. It is uncomfortable to accept such grace. We would rather do it ourselves. Stewardship is the one place that churches touch the most sensitive nerve in each of us—our wealth. That is the one place, more than any other, at that we are in deepest spiritual poverty. The real work of stewardship is to help us grow spiritually. The problem is that it too easily becomes a way for us to avoid the fearful helplessness that opens us to grace and forgiveness.”⁵

SOME SCRIPTURE HELPS

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7 NRSV

You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us. —2 Corinthians 9:11 NRSV

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. —2 Corinthians 9:6 NRSV

For during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints. —2 Corinthians 8:2-4 NRSV

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. —1 Timothy 6:18-19 NRSV

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. —James 1:17 NRSV

As soon as the word spread, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been consecrated to the Lord their God, and laid them in heaps. —2 Chronicles 31:5-6 NRSV

In the third month, they began to pile up the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and his people Israel. —2 Chronicles 31:7-8 NRSV

Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. —Proverbs 3:9-10 NRSV

Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and you that earn wages to put them into a bag with holes. —Haggai 1:5-6 NRSV

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. —Malachi 3:10 NRSV

Let my word be preached to the bruised and the brokenhearted as well as those who are enmeshed in sin, longing to repent and follow me. Let the truths of my gospel be proclaimed as widely and as far as the dedication of the Saints, especially through the exercise of their temporal stewardship, will allow. --Doctrine and Covenants 153:9a

And all should consecrate of their talents, abilities, and substance for the prosecution of the great work intrusted to us. —Doctrine and Covenants 132:3b

Think of your brethren as being like yourselves, and be familiar with all, and free with your substance, that they may be rich like you. But before you seek for riches, seek you for the kingdom of God. And after you have obtained a hope in Christ, you shall obtain riches, if you seek them; and you will seek them, for the intent to do good; to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry. —Jacob 2:22-24 RAV

And, behold, I tell you these things that you may learn wisdom, that you may learn that when you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God. —Mosiah 1:49 RAV

For, behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same being, even God, for all the substance which we have. —Mosiah 2:32 RAV

I would that you should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he has, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. —Mosiah 2:43 RAV

Thus in their prosperous circumstances they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished. And they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need. Thus they prospered and became far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church. —Alma 1:45-47 RAV

Stewardship is the response of my people to the ministry of my Son and is required alike of all those who seek to build the kingdom. The spiritual authorities are urged to so teach with renewed vigor in recognition of the great need, and let nothing separate them from those who have more specific responsibilities in the temporal affairs of the church. —Doctrine and Covenants 147:5a

The Presiding Bishop and his counselors are encouraged to continue to seek ways of effecting a greater understanding of the meaning of the stewardship of temporalities as a response to my grace and love so that the understanding of the principle may stir the hearts of the people as never before. Redefinition of terms within the basic law of temporalities, for clarification and to meet the needs of a growing church, is in harmony with my will. However, let this be done with due deliberation and with full consent of the body after sufficient study and discussion, all to the end that the people may come to provide more fully and joyfully for the great work to which all are called. —Doctrine and Covenants 154:5a-b

TWO SERMON OUTLINES

These skeletal outlines should be fleshed-out with story, scripture, and/or personal illustrations. “Tithing Is More Than the Number Ten” is a deductive sermon. “The Power to Receive Great Things” is an example of an inductive model.

Tithing Is More Than the Number Ten
A Sermon by Albert C. Winn⁶

Major Points

1. The number ten is inescapable when considering tithing. The word “tithe” means one-tenth. Is 10 percent a floor or a ceiling? If we say no one is righteous who does not give 10 percent and everyone who gives 10 percent is automatically righteous, we breed the worst kind of moral blindness and self-righteousness. Can we put brackets around the number ten and talk about deep principles imbedded in the very idea of tithing?

2. The Principle of Regularity: Parting with money can be painful, but a decision to give regularly takes a lot of that pain away.

3. The Principle of Proportionality: The question is not, “What’s my share?” The question is, “What proportion can I return to God’s work that symbolizes that all I am and all I have comes from God?”

4. The Principle of Priority: God’s share comes off the top, not off the bottom. When you do that, it reorganizes your life.

5. The Principle of Risk: Giving 5, 10, or 15 percent to God’s work can be risky. Sometimes people say you will get back, plus interest every time. Possibly, but the truth is you may have to simplify life. Tithing is not gilt-edged investment with a 100 percent guarantee. A gift that does not reorganize your life and make you step out on faith is hardly a gift at all.

 

The Power to Receive Great Things
A Sermon by Danny A. Belrose

The sermon’s thesis statement (an encapsulation of the main message) is “Generosity is taking life for gratitude and not for granted.” The text is the story of the woman who anoints Jesus with costly perfume recorded in Matthew 26. Note the use of the recurring phrase (a homiletic litany), “could do no other,” which serves to knit the points together and to call the listener to action.

Major Points

1. Introduction: God has a hard time giving! Why? Because God would give us what is best and we are poor receivers. We do not fully appreciate what we have. We lack the power to receive great things. (This is an inductive beginning, hinting that a giving heart is in direct ratio with a receiving heart, i.e., generosity is a response).

2. Generous people are righteously reckless. We tend to want to play things safe. Faith is not a security system. (Reference the story of the rich young ruler whose desire for eternal life was motivated by self-concern and mechanical obedience to religious law—Matthew19:16-22). Generosity releases us from stringent formulas and careful calculations that bind our giving. We give with joyful abandonment stirred by a spirit that says one cannot do enough for Jesus! This point can be made by re-telling the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with costly ointment (equal to a year’s annual wage)—Matthew 26:7-13. When criticized for her apparent reckless behavior, Jesus replies that she has done a beautiful thing. Hers was a righteously reckless act—she gave all in a spirit of abandonment. She could do no other.

3. It is more blessed to receive than to give. This is an intentional twist of phrase to emphasize that we cannot give what we have not received. All life is gift. Everything abides in God’s grace. When grasped by the magnitude of God’s blessings—we can do no other than to respond generously.

4. We need to rediscover “awe.” We are myopic—shortsighted of life’s blessings. We need awakening. We need to open our eyes wide to God’s generosity. We need to rediscover the enormity of God’s grace. We need to be surprised by what we already know and constantly forget, that we are receivers of God’s unconditional love and generosity.

5. Generosity is seeing “the more” of life—it spills out of a renewed appreciation of what we have received and are receiving. This point contrasts the gift of the woman who gave two mites (Mark 12:42-44) with the woman who gave the costly ointment and sees both gifts as being equal. Both women gave all they had! Both women had the power to receive a great thing—a lively awareness of God’s generosity—and their giving was a natural response. They could do no other.

6. Conclusion: Share a personal testimony of God’s generosity in your life and conclude with an appeal to action: We are called to take life for gratitude instead of for granted. We can do no other!

 

Can We Calculate Our Giving?
Danny A. Belrose

8.7.8.7.D.

1.	Can we calculate our giving, placing limits on our praise. When the blessings we are given multiply and grace our days? Let us share from life’s abundance. God provides enough to spare— Shaken down and pressed together, overflowing everywhere.
2.	Great or small the treasure offered, each is equal in your sight; Fragrance poured from alabaster valued as a widow’s mite. Bless our giving and receiving. Rich or poor can do their part— Giving for the sake of giving, flowing from a generous heart.
3.	God’s community is living far beyond our walls of faith. Every tithe that serves creation will be valued in its place. Be it home or global mission, any cause that strengthens worth Will be honored in our giving as a blessing for God’s earth.
4.	Take the meager gifts we offer. Wrap them in abundant grace So that they who shall receive them look past us and see Your face. May the object of our giving strip itself from rules that bind ’Til the measure of our sharing spills beyond what law confines.

Text Ó 2002, Danny A. Belrose
Suggested tunes: Nettleton (“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” HS 31)
Others options: Hymn to Joy (“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” HS 20), slower tempo
Beach Spring (“Holy Spirit, Come with Power” HS 287)
Decatur (“Let Us Pray for One Another” HS 312)

Endnotes

1. “Introduction from the Back Seat,” Journal of Stewardship 47, Elizabeth Muir and Vincent Alfano, editors (Ecumenical Center for Stewardship Studies, printed in Canada, 1995): 3.

2. Bradley G. Call, “Generous Giving,” Journal of Stewardship 46, Ronald E. Vallet and Rose Marie Vallet, editors (Ecumenical Center for Stewardship Studies, printed in Canada, 1994): 55-57.

3. “Introduction from the Back Seat,” 3-9.

4. Ibid., 9.

5. Loren B. Mead, “Wealth and Stewardship and Interactive Exploration of Law and Grace,” Journal of Stewardship 49, Norma Wimberly and Sue Whitesel, editors (Ecumenical Center for Stewardship Studies, printed in Canada, 1997): 40.

6. Albert C. Winn, retired pastor of North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia. Sermon reproduced for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by Congregational Ministries Division, Stewardship Education, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396. (DMS-918-87-526)

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