Giving Biblically Pt. 2 • 2 Cor 8:13-24

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

Last time together we began the 2nd section of the book: Money or Giving: chp.8-9 it involves 3 things:

1. Power for Giving: chp.8:

2. Principles about Giving: chp.9:1-7

3. Promises in Giving: chp.9:8-15

As we began chp.8: we mentioned that the Power for Giving was the Grace of God look at vs.1.

Context deals with Paul’s 3rd Missionary journey as he wanted to bring relief to the poor saints in Jerusalem...

And Paul uses the churches in Macedonia, who very poor themselves as an example of the Grace of God working in their lives to give.

We said that if we are giving by the Grace of God it will be seen in 7 ways: it will manifest itself in a tangible way...

God’s Grace Enables Us To Give:

in Poverty

Willingly

Eagerly

with Priority

Bountifully

Diligently

Sacrificially

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to vs.13-24 as we continue to look at the Grace of God as the Power for Giving… Read...

If your taking notes, there are 4 things about Giving by the Grace of God we want to look at…

1. God’s Grace Enables Us To Give With Equality Vs. 13-14

Equality: ee-so-tas, 3, twice in vs.14 & once in Col.4:1 Masters give to your servants what is just & equal.

It means that which is Fair... that which is Equitable...

giving with Equality involves 2 things:

1.1 Sharing in the Responsibility Vs. 13

Paul is not telling the Corinthians to give so much that the people they are giving to are now in the surplus and the Corinthians the negative...

Even though the Corinthians were richer then the Macedonians, Paul didn’t want to burden the Corinthians…

or to relieve those in Macedonians of their responsibility... but there should be Equality.

Look at, Rom.15:25-28. Paul wanted them to Share in the Responsibility. Paul was encouraging them to give according to their means... so that the entire burden didn’t fall on one group... & they did, read...

Romans 15:25–26 NKJV

25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

Romans 15:27–28 NKJV

27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.

Giving w/ equality involves Sharing in the Responsibility #2...

1.2 Supplying for the Lack of Others Vs. 14

If God has blessed us it is so we can bless others & supply for the lack of others to ease their burden. .

Its not to hoard it or pill it up somewhere… because one day we might be in need...

2. God’s Grace Enables Us To Give By Faith Vs. 15

turn Ex.16:13-31… As the children of Israel were wandering it the wilderness for 40 years they were totally Dependent upon God for the manna…

it was the Lord who provided for their daily needs… Read...

Exodus 16:13–31 NKJV

13 So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. 14 And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’ ” 17 Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. 18 So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. 19 And Moses said, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.” 20 Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. 22 And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’ ” 24 So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. 25 Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.” 27 Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. 28 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? 29 See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. 31 And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

So the Children of Israel needed Faith for every day… because they couldn’t store the manna...

Matthew 6:11 NKJV

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

APPLICATION: We always want a reservoir, leftovers of materials and money. Because it gives us a sense of security.

But when we have just enough, well man, it causes us to have faith in God. And that’s ok...

It’s ok to have just enough because we are trusting in God - We are having our faith in the Lord...

APPLICATION: If we give by the Grace of the Lord... we’ll give by our Faith in the Lord...

So it’s not about a certain percentage or a set amount, it’s about Faith… 2 Cor.5:7 we walk by faith...

We all have faith, Rom.12:3 God has dealt... so we all have a choice to make...

We can put our faith in our ability to give... or in the Grace of God which enables us to give by Faith...

3. God’s Grace Enables Us To Give With Wisdom Vs. 16-23

When we give by Grace of God we’ll give cautiously, carefully, prudently… we won’t give carelessly or aimlessly,

We’re careful where we give & to whom we give it to... Because the fact of the matter is there are a lot of groups out there today who are ripping off God’s people…

We need the Grace of God to enable us to be Prudent & Wise in our Giving...

Giving with Wisdom involves 4 things.

3.1 The Example of Titus Vs. 16-17

He Cared for People Vs. 16 - he had the same heart as Paul… he cared for people... he loved the people...

If the organization you are giving to has no love I would questions it...

He Went Voluntarily Vs. 17 - Titus wasn’t appointed by a committee or nominated by man...

Chuck: man appoints but God anoints...

So there is wisdom in giving to men like Titus…

Giving with wisdom involves...

3.2 The Preaching of the Gospel Vs. 18

We don’t know who this brother is... but we do know he had a heart for the lost...

Because he went throughout all the churches preaching the Gospel... telling people about Jesus...

Now obviously there is nothing wrong with humanitarian aid... helping people physically... practically...

But the greatest need for mankind is salvation... & that comes through Preaching the Gospel...

We try to find the balance in that... helping out people physically through humanitarian aid... but also providing the Good News of salvation with that aid...

We have a food pantry... & benevolence in helping those in need… But it’s always accompanied by the Gospel...

Giving with wisdom involves...

3.3 The Glory of the Lord Vs. 19

Some people give to bring glory to themselves… getting their name on building, picture on bill board.

They get their information on a donor wall...

If the glory of a ministry is going to a man rather than God... it might not be wise to give to it...

Isaiah 48:11 NKJV

11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.

Giving with wisdom involves...

3.4 The Diligence that’s Needed Vs. 20-23

They weren’t going to spend this gift on: Dishonorable things… but Honorable things...

They were Diligent, active, earnest, zealous in doing the right thing so that God & Man could see it - Not cutting corners...

It’s a blessing to see the diligence here at the barn in... missions, outreaches, buildings, the grounds...

Every where we look we can clearly see the diligence of those here at the Barn…

Let’s come to the 4th and final thing that’s involved in Giving by the Grace of God:

1. Equality. 2. Faith. 3. Wisdom

4. God Enables Us To Give With Love Vs. 24

Show everyone the proof of your love for them… by your giving to them...

When we give by Grace of God... we will give lovingly… affectionately… kindly...

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 NKJV

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

1 John 3:18 NKJV

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

1 Peter 5:5 NKJV

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

So as we humble ourselves we receive the Grace of God... which is the Power for Giving...