Sermon on the Amount

By Pastor Alex Ruelo

Matthew 5:1-12 tells of the sermon on  the mount. But we are going to talk about the Acts church. Acts 4:32-35 says, “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.” Thr poor will always be there so generosity should always be applied in life. If there are people who will take advantage of your goodness, let God deal with them. As long as your heart is pure, then let God reward you too. 2 Corinthians 9:1-12 says, “I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. “But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.”

Some principles in giving that we need to learn are:

1. The ripple effect of generosity - Acts 4:34 says, “There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them.” When you give without expecting anything in return, it goes a long way even if you do not see it. 2 Corinthoans 9:12 says, “So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.” When people are the recepients of one’s generosity, God is the one who is glorified.

2. The sowing and the reaping principle - 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” You reap what you sow.

3. The mind set

WHO OWNS EVERYTHING

All the believers were united in heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32)

WHO PROVIDES

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

THE REWARD

Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.””

GENEROSITY BREAKS THE GRIP OF FEAR. “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭38‬ ‭God does not need our money. What He needs is our faith.

GENEROSITY BUILDS ETERNAL IMPACT. Matthew 6:20 says, “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” God will reward you when you get to heaven. If God is generous, why can’t you be generous? The little things you do for other people have a big impact.

What can we do?

1. Continue to do good and don’t regret it. Galatians 6:9-10 says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” We do not own anything. Everything is God’s so if you are abused, let God deal eith them.

2. Plan on the amount but not your generosity. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”” It’s not the amount but the heart.

3. Be ready to be blessed. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 says, “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.” Sometimes, when people are blessed by God, they are not ready. They might not know how to handle it or just keep if for themselves. Be ready for God to bless you.