Episode Transcript
[00:00:02] Welcome to the Crema Chaj podcast.
[00:00:05] Thank you.
[00:00:07] Take a seat.
[00:00:09] Take a seat.
[00:00:14] I never get tired of hearing all the stories.
[00:00:17] It's wonderful. Okay. Over the last few weeks, we've been talking about sowing and reaping, and to me, it's very important you understand that it is God who sows in his field, us. God is the great sower. And when he sows in our lives, there is a return and some 100, some 60, and some 30. And God always sows abundantly in our lives, and he requires us to sow into his kingdom. And we often summarize that with our time, energy, and money.
[00:01:02] Now, why is this so important to us? Well, at the start of the journey that the Lord took this church on, he said, you are to go after my presence. He said, you are to go after salvation, people giving their lives to the Lord Jesus and also healing. But he also said, I want you to get your thinking about money right.
[00:01:26] And so I'm going to talk a little bit about that today, and I'm going to speak very plainly, because one of the things I love about this church is I can.
[00:01:35] I don't have many regrets in my life, but as I.
[00:01:42] As I look back, there are a few things that I wish people had spoken a bit more clearly to me. And I remember I was a young man. I was working up in the Northwest. I was working as a youth worker, but I was also an engineer, and I was starting to earn some money. You know, I don't know, you know what it's like. You know, you. You're young and there's never anything in your bank account, and you kind of get a real job and suddenly there's some money in there. So I. And I understood that. I didn't really understand that much. I knew there was tithes and I knew there was offerings. And we were in the Methodist church. So the bag kind of went past, and I didn't know, so I wrote my check out. There's checks in those days, you couldn't contact us. And I went to the minister and I said, I've got my tithe. What do I do with it? And he said, I don't really know.
[00:02:33] I said, what do you mean? He says, well, the treasurer deals with all of that.
[00:02:37] And so he sent me down the road to the treasurer. So I banged on their door and I said, I've got my tithe, and I want to know what to do with it.
[00:02:44] And I remember her saying, she went, well, do you know what the church has Got plenty of money. We don't really need it. Why don't you spend it on yourself?
[00:02:54] That was the worst advice I was ever given.
[00:03:00] And, you know, I sowed it in ministry and I did bits. But it was later on that I started to understand the importance of the tithe and offering and what I want to say here. And, you know, I'm just checking because somebody might have snuck in. Is there anyone here who doesn't want God to bless them because you're in the wrong place if that's you, right?
[00:03:31] You know, we've been going after a building for the last couple of years, and it has been frustrating. And, you know, all of us have been on the journey and, you know, we're saying, lord, where is the miracle?
[00:03:44] And again and again he said, get your thinking about money right, Lord. You know, we have.
[00:03:54] But understanding your thinking cannot be right without action.
[00:04:00] And so what I want to do is talk a little bit, sowing our money today. Now, some of you have given faithfully over the years. Thank you so much.
[00:04:10] But today I want to talk to the people that haven't yet learned to tithe and also those who are stealing from God. Oh, sorry, did that come out loud?
[00:04:20] Malachi. Malachi 3.
[00:04:22] You see, money is a big deal in the UK.
[00:04:27] The Lord says, get your thinking about money, right? So we started doing declarations. We started taking time over the offering, you know, and the truth is, I've never upset so many people. You want to upset people in England talk about money. You can talk about anything else, but if you talk about money, they get upset. So we were doing the declarations over the offering, and people were cross. They would leave the church, they would write to me because we were declaring for better jobs. And I'm like, you want a worse job?
[00:04:56] But it was like something you shouldn't do, you know, checks in the post.
[00:05:01] I love it when I get a check in the post. I don't care if it's for thousands of pounds or 2 pounds 50. I think I just got blessed. Okay? Expenses decrease, blessings increase.
[00:05:12] What was going on? Why were they so cross? Poverty.
[00:05:17] But, you know, the moment we started to think about money and to pray, blessings started to happen. People would come with testimony after testimony. You know, God's provided me a house. God paid this bill, this unexpected money came through. Miracles started to happen, and he has started to bless us financially.
[00:05:39] But here we are now, you know, we've broken through, and I believe we've taken a lot of ground, but it's time to move into abundance.
[00:05:52] You know, we're a larger church and our income is all right, you know, many. I said, many give sacrificially. But, you know, each Sunday there's about 1200 people here across the services.
[00:06:05] You take out the children, the people that couldn't get up that morning, the ones that were on holiday, all that. And we're probably about a thousand thousand adults overall at the moment. Now, I talked to ChatGPT, so this must be right.
[00:06:21] I said, you know, what's the minimum wage? And suppose. And it says, apparently the minimum wage is around 23,000.
[00:06:27] And so if you times that by a thousand people, that's 23 million pounds. And you divide it by 10%, that's 2.3 million.
[00:06:37] And you know the interesting. If you check our accounts of what comes in 1.2 million, somebody has stolen a million pounds.
[00:06:46] Ushers, lock the doors, don't let them out. Someone's got a million pounds in their pocket, you know, someone. But don't let them get out until we find out who it. I'm joking, but, you know, we've been on this journey for eight years now.
[00:07:03] That means there's £8 million short. And that's what we're after for the building the Lord has provided.
[00:07:12] He's already done it. It's just we didn't understand how. And you go, oh, no, it's God's cross. Thank God. It's. God is so merciful, but he wants to teach us and he wants to lead us into his blessing. So are you up to the challenge? Okay, well, I'm going to read and find your Bibles. Well, actually, no, don't find your Bible. Get your bible and find 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6.
[00:07:40] Okay. Oh, look, I normally have my little dongle in, but it's actually. Come on. 2 Corinthians, there you go. Why don't you stand while we read 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6. Apparently the first service, because I knew we were short of time, I read really quick, and I'm not going to read quite as quick because we've got a few hours before the next service, so I can just keep. No, I'm not going to. Don't worry.
[00:08:09] But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.
[00:08:16] And he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So each one gives as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity.
[00:08:28] For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written, he is dispersed abroad, he is given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever.
[00:08:52] Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
[00:09:12] For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while through the proof of this ministry they glorify God. For the obedience of your confession to the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
[00:09:41] Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.
[00:09:46] Amen. Take a seat.
[00:09:49] What is Paul saying?
[00:09:51] He's saying you get what you sow.
[00:09:53] He's saying if you sow sparingly, you'll reap sparingly. If you sow bountifully, you also reap bountifully. Well, I mean, it's not rocket science, right? If you sow in a pot, you'll get a pot. If you sow in a field, you'll get a field. So what Paul is saying is think, start to sow bigger, believe for more.
[00:10:15] You see, when we come to Jesus, he breaks the spirit of lack and he wants to teach us about heaven's resources.
[00:10:28] I knew I was going to do the sowing and reaping last week. And God has a sense of humor.
[00:10:34] So one of the girls, she's got a really nice car and she was in a little.
[00:10:41] It had a little scratch and the insurance company gave her a little Corsa.
[00:10:47] Now there's nothing wrong with having a little Corsa, unless you've had been driving a really big car. So I was mocking her and I called her Corsa girl.
[00:10:55] Anyway, we were laughing. The next day, I'm in a Skoda, my car breaks down again and I'm in a Skoda. Now there's nothing wrong with Skodas if you've got a Skoda, they're very good. But you have to understand, when I was a young man, Skodas were just coming into the country, okay? And they were not very good.
[00:11:17] And in fact, people would say, you know, what do you call a Skoda? That's a soft top. And the answer would Be a skip.
[00:11:27] So that's where I grew up. All right. And God blessed me with a Skoda. Okay, well, mine's getting fixed because I sowed something. And the Lord said, I'm going to bless you with what you sowed. I learned very quickly. I've repented. I got onto the insurance company and they have restored a higher car to me. So we're all good again. But one day I may get my car back. Look, whatever you sow, you reap.
[00:11:55] It's a law of the kingdom.
[00:11:58] So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity. For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that you always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work.
[00:12:14] You see, your giving should be how you have decided.
[00:12:20] Think about your giving. Don't just give.
[00:12:22] That's what Paul is saying. Because thinking, I think, equates to Thanksgiving.
[00:12:29] So what has God given you?
[00:12:33] And then the Bible says start at 10%. So God has given you 10.
[00:12:39] And the Bible says give back one, sow back in Thanksgiving a part of what God has given you. You, you do the maths and then you honor God.
[00:12:52] So, you know, again, chatting to chatgpt. I do have friends, just so you know, but.
[00:12:58] And you know, I said, give me some examples. And so, you know, this month you may, you know, basically the minimum salary take home at the moment if you're working full time. And that would be about £1,780, which so, so if, so if that comes in, I need to give 178 pounds each month or I need to give 44 pounds, 50 each week. And you go, yeah, but should I give before or after tax? Well, it just depends if you want God to bless you before or after tax. You know, that's immaterial.
[00:13:33] We've just got to start somewhere. You know, you may not be on the minimum wage. God has blessed you. How marvelous. Consider your giving because you can now sow more.
[00:13:43] Don't do it grudgingly or out of necessity.
[00:13:49] I'm not picking on you this time.
[00:13:52] Okay.
[00:13:53] Was there anyone serving in kids work this morning that's not on the staff that's here that you've stayed for the second service?
[00:14:00] Oh, there's a hand. There you go, look, you see.
[00:14:04] Thank you so much for working on our kids work. All right, stand up a moment. Go on, stand. We appreciate you so much all your service.
[00:14:14] Here's £10 go and buy yourself coffee.
[00:14:17] And we're just so grateful. Sorry, sorry. No, we really love you and we're thankful. You're gonna have to hold tight here this time, but thank you so much. And you see, it's like.
[00:14:30] And it's a grudge, you know, I want to bless her. I want to bless her. I am blessing you. Go and buy yourself coffee.
[00:14:37] But that's what Paul said. Don't do where you give it. And you're trying to hold it back. But he also says, don't give out of necessity.
[00:14:53] You know, we had a church in Southend. Lots of them were unemployed. You know, when we started, you know, we'd take up offerings. It was in the days where you. I don't know, you know, they would get money from the government and it would be like in cash in envelopes.
[00:15:09] And so they'd come to church, they'd just tip it all in the offering bag. And you think, oh, that's so sweet. Apart from when Monday came, they didn't have any money and they're banging on the door going, we put it all in the offering. Now we need food, okay? Because it was like, well, I haven't got anything. I might as well put it all in. No thought, no.
[00:15:32] You see now, interesting enough, I look back and God has blessed them all.
[00:15:38] But you see, one of the purposes of giving is God is teaching us and wants to lead us into prosperity.
[00:15:48] You see, that's why getting people out of debt is so important to us here. You know, we had seven people get out of debt last year and you go, well, that's not many for a church like this. No, you don't understand what it's like to be in debt and not to be able to have people banging on your door and not to be able to be free to go somewhere and spend or do this or whatever it is.
[00:16:11] It's what the devil does to people, and it's his plan.
[00:16:15] And so we put resources into getting people out of debt. So that's why laquinda's story is so wonderful. I was here, but now I'm here. And the blessing of God has come.
[00:16:27] You see, the gospel is for the poor. That's what Paul just said.
[00:16:31] You see, Paul is describing the journey that leads us to prosperity. When the hand of God comes upon us, so does his favor. And so we learn to have blessed lives. So we get our giving right. You know, we give our money, you know, we give by bank transfer.
[00:16:50] And I, you know, I just realized, you know, whenever the basket comes There, you know, we just pass it on. That's not because we're not giving. I've started. Actually, we started just doing it on the phone. Just not because we care what you think, but we want to set the example. We've done this all our life.
[00:17:09] That we just give to the Lord out of gratitude, whatever comes in. Then Paul says, we need to move. God loves. I'm going to go about 10 minutes over, so don't worry, we'll be all right. And it all ends as well. God loves a cheerful giver.
[00:17:24] Agapeo this Christian love, He loves a much joyous giver. How do you know if you're a joyous giver? Well, it's simple. You're in a restaurant, you get terrible service, terrible food. And the Holy Spirit says, tip well and your heart will tell you if you're a joyous giver. Well, they don't deserve it. They don't. No, no. The Holy Spirit says, be generous.
[00:17:53] Then you become a joyous giver. And this is the promise.
[00:17:58] And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written, he has dispersed abroad. He is given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. This is why King David says, I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread. Psalm 37. You see, the blessing comes upon your seed when you sow. When you give, it comes upon your children and your children's children and your children's children's children.
[00:18:38] What you sow now comes upon them because the favor of God and blessing. It's a biblical principle.
[00:18:46] Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food supply and multiply the seeds you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberity, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
[00:19:03] Firstly, you should note that God does not give the same to everyone.
[00:19:09] Power, talents, five, two, one. The issue is what we do with what he has given us. And do you know what? This often upsets people. Jesus says, the one who has more will be given all the socialists. Well, that's not fair.
[00:19:25] Everybody should be equal. Jesus goes, not in the kingdom.
[00:19:29] Why don't I give five? Why don't I give two? Why don't I give one?
[00:19:33] Why? Because he gives according to ability and heart.
[00:19:38] It's very important.
[00:19:39] Jesus is clear. He gives to those who have the ability to invest and to handle money and Also to those that have the heart, thanksgiving.
[00:19:51] That's what the Bible says, that whatever, you know, whatever comes to them, they're just grateful.
[00:19:57] It's a thankful heart. Secondly, it's not about getting rich.
[00:20:03] He gives you seed to sow, he multiplies it. He increases the fruit of righteousness, and you are enriched. For what generosity you are enriched. We are becoming more generous, which causes thanksgiving to God. You see, it's not how rich you get, it's how generous you become.
[00:20:28] That is the mark of the kingdom of God.
[00:20:34] And thirdly, you sow into administration.
[00:20:40] You go, well, that's not very exciting.
[00:20:43] You know, I thought we sowed in the vision, Paul. That's not what Paul says. He says you sow into for the administration of this service. He says, and this word administration means this of those who by the command of God, proclaim and promote religion among men, of the office of Moses, of the office of the apostles, and its administration, of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders, etc. That's the definition of. Of that word, administration.
[00:21:12] So you are sowing into the finances of the church, the church that Jesus Christ is building and which the gates of hell will not prevail against. And whether it's the tabernacle, the temple or the church, it is financed through the offerings of the people, through their worship, where they build a dwelling place of God. And as Juliet said a few weeks ago, it's beautiful.
[00:21:40] Whenever God builds, he builds something beautiful. You know, not a carpet with dirty marks everywhere. He builds something that brings glory.
[00:21:53] You see the tithes of God's people finance this church. We pay the rent, which incidentally is doubling at the moment. That's one of the issues we're trying to deal with.
[00:22:05] To pay the electricity, gas and water so that God is worshipped. You go, well, he doesn't need gas, electricity and water. No, but you do.
[00:22:13] Especially in this weather.
[00:22:16] Some of you are very fussy where you worship. And the car park isn't good enough.
[00:22:21] We tried that in Covid to pay staff and pastors so people are built up and encouraged and challenged.
[00:22:32] All the different people that have given their life to serving Jesus, the scriptures say, pay them a real salary.
[00:22:40] This is a good call. You know, we pay some of the musicians, just like David did. I think Jacob was on base today. I don't pay them to lead you into worship. I pay them to worship God day in, day out. Worship is going on in this place all the time, just like in David's time now, because they're worshiping all the time they're getting really good, but it's because they do it. There's worship every single day in this place. People worshiping the Lord. Not in front of crowds, in front of him.
[00:23:16] To finance the children and youth.
[00:23:19] You know, I often wander around, I'm here when not everyone's here.
[00:23:26] It's very rare that I come in and I don't find someone sleeping somewhere on a couch. The young are just in here all the time. This is a place of refuge, It's a place of safety for our children, Just raising them in a good, wholesome way. A place where they can have friends.
[00:23:46] We want to raise healthy children and young people.
[00:23:50] And you say, yeah, but you must have loads of money because you bought a big LED screen that's just so people can see.
[00:23:56] It's just so on the live stream, it doesn't look like we're all in a dark little hole.
[00:24:02] It's just so. It's clear. Then all the big speakers, it's just so you can hear.
[00:24:07] Do you know, sometimes we had to buy new microphones because people were singing so loud here, the worship band couldn't hear themselves and they've got noise cancelling earphones. The worship was so loud we had to get microphones that couldn't pick it up, that only picked up that way because they were just getting deafened buildings to meet in. Sometimes people say, well, I just think we should all meet in homes. Wonderful. See you next Sunday will be at your house.
[00:24:43] You know, we would all like a cup of coffee, we'll see how it goes. And suddenly, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[00:24:52] To be a revival centre for the uk, one of the greatest privilege, the second greatest privilege, the first greatest privilege is to see people healed and saved, which we'll see in a minute.
[00:25:06] The next greatest privilege is to be able to minister to the body of Christ, to men and women, some of them who are in very difficult situations, some of them who want to give up, some of them who are in all sorts of trials that they can come here and we can bless them. And you can bless them because that's what happens. And they sit in the rows and you bless them and you pray for them and they go out of this place ready to, to do it again.
[00:25:34] I think that's one of the most incredible privileges we have as a church. Last week we had, I don't know, 500 leaders from all over Europe here you were able to bless them. This is what Paul says, not only supplies the needs of the saints, but Also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God while through the proof of this ministry they glorify God. For the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and all the men and by their prayers for you and who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you, thanks be to God for his incredible gift. Paul says your giving is two things. It is proof of this ministry and it's confession of the gospel when you give, it's a proof of what God is doing and it's also a confession of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am saved, therefore I give.
[00:26:25] What am I saying to you today? We have seen Jesus do so much over the last few years, but as Juliet said a few weeks ago, there is a final push.
[00:26:34] And I just want to say to you, if you haven't yet learned to tithe, would you start, you know, next week or the week after? I can't remember. I'll talk about do not covet and how we step into blessing. Look, if you give an I get rich, that's no benefit to anyone.
[00:26:56] If we sow into the church and we are all blessed. That is the kingdom of God.
[00:27:04] That was the mark of the kingdom under Solomon and David. They were kings and the whole nation was blessed.
[00:27:15] That is my prayer for this church that the Laquindas would, would get out of debt, would have a home and would come under the favor of God and he would bless them. And I tell you, it's infectious because he is for us and he wants to move amongst us.
[00:27:35] Malachi says, bring in. Yeah, go on.
[00:27:42] Malachi says, bring in all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be food in my house and try me now in this the end of it. He says, test me, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it on Easter Sunday. We're going to take up an offering for building and the ongoing ministry because one of the reasons we've struggled on a few buildings is we don't have the cash to put prove them that we can raise it. So we're going to take up an offering for what God is doing. But today I'm asking you to put the tithe in place.
[00:28:24] Consider, pray, do the maths and commit. And then one final thing.
[00:28:29] If you're a taxpayer, you can gift aid and some of you are young and you don't even know what this is, but if you Scan that code now. Listen to me. You have to pay tax. So if you're a student, you can't do this unless you do pay tax and you fill a form out online. We're trying to move completely online and tick a box. The government give us 25% back extra onto your giving.
[00:28:58] You know, what's the chance? I can't even remember her name.
[00:29:04] God.
[00:29:05] Rachel. Rachel. Not that Rachel, the one down in London, God bless her.
[00:29:10] Wasn't her idea, but we'll take it.
[00:29:12] And so it doesn't cost you anything. And in fact, if you are a high taxpayer, you'll get some back. She'll send you some as well. If you give to a charity, that is the church and all you need to do is fill this line. And we estimate that only about 20% of the people that give have gift aided, which even on our current giving would mean an extra hundred thousand pounds coming into the work of the kingdom. So if that's you and you've never done it and you're a bit worried, you can scan that QR code, you can just fill in the form and tick the box and we can then claim, on top of your giving, 25% back. So that's a really good deal.
[00:29:56] God bless the government. Why don't you stand?
[00:30:00] Thanks for listening to the Cromer Church podcast. If you enjoyed this message, you can like and subscribe. You can also join us in person or online every Sunday at Cromer Church. For more information about us, including our ministries, events, worship and how to donate, visit our website at Cromer Church.
