When I laid out the series based on the three gifts the wise men brought, I assumed the gift of gold would be a typical stewardship sermon, although in February, instead of in the fall. As I studied the text and reflected on the gift of gold, it did not seem to meet the criteria for a typical stewardship sermon. I also got a bit cross-wise when I was looking for texts that mentioned "gold," and found the story in Acts where they do not have gold to give. Ended up with probably two sermon ideas that I tried to put together in one sermon.
I found the gold rush info late in the sermon preparation. I think I could take that illustration in a future sermon and work with these ideas: 1. it took little capital investment to look for gold. 2. the news could not be kept secret 3. Everyone seemingly wanted to try and find gold. 4. lots of people went bankrupt in the process, including the owner of the place where the gold was first discovered. Might be a good stewardship sermon or series.
“Giving Gifts: Gold” SAPC, Denton; February 6, 2022; I Chronicles 29: 1-9; Acts 3: 1-10; Gift giving series
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[a] stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Introduction: We continue our preaching series on giving gifts that grows out of the story of the wise men bringing gifts to the Christ-child.
this morning, we reflect on their gift of gold. the wise men brought gold.
Move 1: Giving for the sake of giving.
a. The wise men giving their gifts do not fit into traditional stewardship sermon themes.
1. their giving gold is not the foundation for a stewardship sermon about giving for a particular need.
2. As I have mentioned previously, one of the traditions associated with the wise men’s gifts suggest that Mary and Joseph used the gold to pay off their bill at the stable.
2. I doubt the wise men chose to give gold to baby Jesus so they could pay a motel bill, so to speak
3. when they gathered up the gold touring in their chests, it was not about a particular need, but about giving an extravagant gift.
b. the wise men giving gold does not lead to a stewardship sermon on tithing.
1. they were not part of the Jewish tradition that taught giving 10%.
2. We have no idea how much gold they gave, nor how much of their wealth it was.
c. Not even possible to make the story of giving the gold a stewardship sermon on giving back to God because of what God has given to us.
1. the wise men did not know much about God.
2. they were outsiders to the faith.
3. The gift of gold was not in response to some appeal to give thanks to God
d. the wise men just gave a generous gift of gold because they wanted to give.
1. Gave because they want to honor Jesus.
2. Because they wanted to show this child who was told to them to be the King of the Jews that they valued him.
d. In some ways, their offering of gold is like king David’s offering of gold and a lot more.
4. David does not have to give gold to build the temple.
5. as we remember, David had been told he would not be the one to build God’s house.
6. But King David wants to participate.
Even though it will not be his project.
Even though he is not responsible for building the Temple.
7. King David wants to give because he wants to give.
8. Notice that David’s example of giving inspires others to make freewill offerings.
d. So too, we remember the wise men bringing the gift of gold to give to Jesus and are inspired to give of our gold.
1. Why? Because we want to give to honor Jesus.
2. because giving our gold seems like the appropriate response to make when turning to God and approaching our Lord and Savior.
3. We may not have a chest of gold to give to Jesus like the wise men, but we hear the call to give of our resources.
4. If you want some creative ways you can give your gold, so to speak, pay special attention when Stefanie Marsden, our guest in worship from Texas Presbyterian Foundation, shares with us in a little bit about different ways we can give of our gold.
no obligation - just the opportunity to join with the wise men and give the gift of our gold.
Move 2: But even as we give our gold, we recognize that God asks for even more from us.
a. Not instead of our gold, but more than our gold.
1. God calls us to use our gold so that ministry can be done and lives changed.
God also sends us into the world to give Jesus Christ so that ministry can be done and lives changed.
3. Another reminder that even as the wise men give their gift of gold, they receive the gift of Jesus Christ.
As we learn again each week, the gifts we give to God are more than met by the gifts God gives to us.
4. so we turn to the world with gifts of gold and the gift of Jesus Christ God has given to us.
b. Peter knows this.
1. the man Peter and John meet outside the gates of the Temple asks for alms.
2. He, no doubt, would love to receive some gold from Peter and John.
3. But Peter has something better than gold to offer.
4. “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you. Stand and walk in the name of Jesus Christ.”
5. Peter changes the man’s life by giving him the gift of Jesus Christ.
the power of Christ to transform lives.
6. We are sent to a world where people are hurting and need healing;
we are sent to a world where people are feeling helpless and are in need of hope;
we are sent to a world where people need to have their lives changed;
we are sent into the world to bring this life-changing gift of Jesus Christ.
c. Do you know much about the California gold rush?
Since I was preaching on gold this week, I did a little research about it.
1. The CA gold rush started in 1848 at a water-powered sawmill built along the American River in Coloma, California, approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of present-day Sacramento and owned by John Sutter.
On January 24 his carpenter, James W. Marshall, was inspecting a millrace and As he turned the water in his pan to clear the debris, he saw something glinting in the light. He later recalled that it made his heart thump, for he was certain he had found gold.
Sutter and Marshall agreed to become partners and tried to keep their find a secret, but they were unable to do so and the California gold rush had begun. Gold was irresistible because of the high value for such a little amount ($20.66 per ounce) and it took very little capital investment to begin looking for gold. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/California-Gold-Rush)
1. the gold rush took off because it took so little capital to look for gold.
2. As I read that story, I was reminded of Peter and John at the Temple.
3. they had little capital to offer the man, but they had this incredible gift of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: The wise men give the gift of gold and discover the gift of Christ.
We have been given the gift of Christ, so we give our gold and Christ to the world. Amen.
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