July 19, 2015
Evening Service

In each of his two letters to the church at Corinth, Paul gives instructions on giving.  As the church was still in its infancy stages, this area had not really been addressed yet.  The Jewish people, who all previously under the Law, were commanded to give according strict criteria; it was usually at least a tenth of what they made was required of them to be given as an offering.  The difference now for the church was that they did not have to follow the strict rules and regulations of the Law to regulate their giving; they now simply were to follow their heart.  As we will see tonight, our faith and giving are to be motivated by our love for the Lord, not out of obligation or duty to Him.  It really is true to the old saying, “We don’t have to give, but we get to give.”

This morning Paul was using the Macedonian church as a good example of this.  In verses 1-4 he explains their generous liberality in their giving, but in verse 5 he gives the reason for it.

2Co 8:5 And not as we hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God,

·         Their willingness to give was not based on duty, but it was simply a result of the surrendering of their heart to God.  When God owns your heart, he owns your wallet also.  He is first in all facets of your life; including your relationships, job, and your time. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”

·         Paul said it was through their giving that they provided proof of their love.  In James we are told:

Jas 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from my works.”

·         If God owns our heart our works, actions, and giving will prove it.

 

Does God own all of your heart tonight, or do you hold certain pieces back from His control?

 

Paul explained in chapter eight that we give to bring equality to all; one who prospers gives so the one who lacks can have.  We, here at the Bride, try to use the resources you entrust to us to help those in our fellowship and community that are experiencing need.  Your love translates into your giving, which translates into our Fellowship helping someone in need in the Name of Jesus.  All is done for the glory of God.

 

In chapter 9, Paul now explains the readiness to give, the principles of giving and the promises from giving.

 

 

 

  2Co 9:1-5  For indeed regarding the ministry to the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you.  (2)  For I know your eagerness, of which I boast to Macedonia on your behalf, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has aroused the greater number.  (3)  Yet I sent the brothers, lest our boasting (which is on your behalf) should not be in vain, that, as I said, you may be ready.  (4)  I say this lest perhaps Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared. We (not to say you) would then be put to shame in this confident boasting.  (5)  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers that they would go forward to you, and make up beforehand your blessing, it having been promised that this would be ready, thus as a matter of generosity, and not as of grudging obligation.

·         Paul is simply reminding the church here to follow through with their promise to collect a gift and have it ready upon his arrival.  Their willingness needed to be turned into action.  In planning and preparing to give, it would be given in generosity and not as an obligation or out of guilt.

·         I have been blessed to never be a part of any such services where I feel pressured to give of pledge my money towards a cause.  In making someone feel guilty enough to give, the true purpose of the gift is violated and I do not believe God is glorified.  In fact the opposite is true.

 

2Co 9:6-7  But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.  (7)  Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

·         Here we see the principle of giving.  It is we only reap what we sow; if we sow bountifully, we will also reap bountifully.  It is our faith we are truly acting upon.

·           There are some fellowships that use this principle exclusively to preach “give more so you can get more.”  The principle is true, but the key is verse 7. (read)

·         The gift must be given with the right attitude.  It will not work if we give with the attitude that now we are owed something in return.  It must come from a cheerful and humble heart.  A true gift is never given with expectations of return; “not of grief or of necessity,” but with a cheerful heart.

·         Now we see the promise of giving.

 

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;

·         If our generosity is backed with the right attitude, God promises us that His “grace will abound towards you.”  The fruit we reap from our bountiful sowing will not always be monetary, but will also be spiritual. By giving what we can, we can then trust God to bless what we have left to be sufficient for our needs.

 

2Co 9:9-11  As it is written, "He scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever."  (10)  Now He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, may He supply and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness  (11)  you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us.

 

·         It is God who gives the seed to the sower.  It is He who gives to us all that we have. He will  give liberally to those who are generous, not to build their wealth, but to increase their giving!  Through the whole process it is up to us to be sure it is God who receives the glory, not us.

 

2Co 9:12-15  For the ministry of this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God,  (13)  through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for your freely expressed submission to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the fellowship toward them and toward all,  (14)  and in their prayer for you, who long after you, because of the exceeding grace of God on you.  (15)  Thanks be to God for His unspeakable free gift.

·         Paul says through their generous gift a divine cycle is set into motion..  The saints will be aided in Jerusalem and they will in turn give thanks to God. They then will pray for you with deep love and appreciation because of your faithfulness to Him. 

·         Needs are met and God is glorified, we all win.  It is a cycle we endeavor to repeat with each gift we are able to give.

 

Pray about your giving and ask God to “purpose in your heart” what He would have you give; then be faithful with it.  God will bless you with much more than you give.

 

Lord may our giving reflect our heart.