cover of episode Grace and Money
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K
Kathy Keller
T
Timothy Keller
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Timothy Keller: 本次布道探讨上帝恩典如何影响人们对金钱的实际运用，特别是如何改变人们对金钱的态度、理解和使用方式。他以早期教会为例，指出早期基督徒的极度慷慨源于对上帝恩典的体验，这种慷慨与周围文化形成鲜明对比，并成为基督教传播的重要动力。他认为，体验过上帝恩典的基督徒会以一种全新的方式看待金钱，不再认为金钱是自己的，而是上帝的恩赐。面对金钱请求时，感受更多的是悲伤而非恼怒。他进一步指出，上帝的恩典会改变人们的捐赠方式，从被动的、自发的转变为主动的、有计划性的。他建议以什一奉献为参考，制定捐赠比例，并强调这种主动的捐赠并非出于罪恶感，而是源于对上帝恩典的感恩。最后，他指出，体验过上帝恩典后，捐赠的益处不仅在于帮助他人，也在于使自己获得自由和恩典，摆脱金钱的束缚。 Kathy Keller: 简短介绍了Giving Tuesday活动，并强调了对Gospel in Life的捐赠将用于支持其四个主要方面的工作，这些工作具有持久的价值，包括：将布道转化为书籍和新内容开发、通过网站和广播传播信息、支持纽约市的福音运动以及帮助在世界各地发展福音运动。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why were the early Christians so radically generous with their money?

Their generosity stemmed from an experience of God's grace, which transformed their attitude toward possessions and wealth, making them visibly different from the surrounding culture.

How did the early church's generosity impact their community?

Their drastic generosity created a cycle of influence, fostering deep fellowship and attracting outsiders, ultimately transforming the surrounding society into a more compassionate and charitable one.

What role did the Holy Spirit play in the early church's generosity?

The Holy Spirit filled the believers, leading them to share everything they had, demonstrating a radical shift in their economic mindset as a result of their spiritual experience.

How does experiencing God's grace change one's attitude toward money?

Grace shifts the perspective on money from ownership to stewardship, leading believers to see their possessions as not truly their own and to give generously without resentment.

What historical examples demonstrate the early Christians' radical generosity?

During a plague in Carthage in 252 A.D., Christians stayed to care for the sick, regardless of whether they were believers or enemies. Additionally, Roman Emperor Julian acknowledged the Christians' charity as a key factor in their success.

How does the grace of Jesus Christ differ from a second chance?

Christ's grace is not just a second chance to redeem oneself through good deeds, but a complete transformation where Jesus' perfect life and death replace the need for self-effort, offering eternal life through faith.

What is the biblical guideline for giving, and why is it important?

The biblical guideline is the tithe, or 10% of income, which serves as a minimum standard for giving. It encourages intentional and proactive generosity, ensuring that God receives the first fruits of one's wealth.

What are the benefits of giving generously as a result of experiencing God's grace?

Generosity fosters lasting impact, awakening and fostering glory in others' lives, and brings freedom from the grip of money, allowing believers to experience great grace and joy in giving.

How does the story of the rich young ruler illustrate the importance of a transformed attitude toward money?

Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to give away his possessions, not to earn salvation, but to reveal his misplaced trust in wealth. True salvation comes from recognizing Jesus as the ultimate treasure.

What does the Bible say about the lasting value of giving to the cause of Jesus?

Luke 16 teaches that giving to the cause of Jesus can create eternal wealth, as it may lead to people being brought to Christ, resulting in gratitude and glory in heaven.

Shownotes Transcript

If we’ve experienced God as a God of grace, how does that change our attitude toward money?

The early church was an economic subculture that was radically different from the culture around it. In fact wherever the early church is described, we see the Christians’ drastic generosity—so drastic that it seemed unreasonable to those outside the church. Why were they so different? The answer is an experience of God’s grace.

Grace revolutionizes 1) our attitude toward money, 2) our procedure, and 3) the benefits of giving. 

This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on November 8, 1992. Series: The Attributes of God. Scripture: Acts 4:32-37.

Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to make a gift to Gospel in Life this Giving Tuesday, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/tuesday).