"The Sacrifice of the Gift" - 34m:18s

Scott McFarland
12/16/18 - Sun AM Worship

Scripture Reading:  Romans 3:16-21

The Sacrifice of Giving

There’s a preacher story told about a man by the name of August Francke.  Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know, but it does teach a good lesson about the important connection between giving and sacrifice.

In the latter part of the 17th century, German preacher August H. Francke founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of Halle. One day when Francke desperately needed funds to carry on his work, a destitute Christian widow came to his door begging for a ducat--a gold coin. Because of his financial situation, he politely but regretfully told her he couldn't help her. Disheartened, the woman began to weep. Moved by her tears, Francke asked her to wait while he went to his room to pray. After seeking God's guidance, he felt that the Holy Spirit wanted him to change his mind. So, trusting the Lord to meet his own needs, he gave her the money. Two mornings later, he received a letter of thanks from the widow. She explained that because of his generosity she had asked the Lord to shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day Francke received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady and 2 more from a friend in Sweden. He thought he had been amply rewarded for helping the widow, but he was soon informed that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of Prince Lodewyk Van Wurtenburg. When he heard this, Francke wept in gratitude. In sacrificially providing for that needy widow, he had been enriched, not impoverished.*

Whether or not the story is true, the principle is.  Jesus says in Luke 6:38—"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”  In many regards, the way in which we give is the way in which we will receive. This morning, we continue our series on THE GIFT with, “The Sacrifice of the Gift.”

—Scott

*Story taken from http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/g/giving.htm

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