The Christian and His Gifts

2 Corinthians 8 (NLT)

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.

2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.

11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.

14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have.

17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you.

18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News.

19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.

21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you.

23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ.

24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

Introduction:

A- Background

1-Chapters 8 and 9 deal with the missionary offering Paul was receiving for the believers in Judea (Romans 15:25–28).

(Romans 15:25–28)

25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there.

26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.

27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.

28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain.

TS: Notice some principles about Christian giving that are in this chapter:

I. Gifts Should Be Brought to the Church (2 Corinthians 8:1)

2 Corinthians 8:1 (NLT)

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.

8:1 Γνωρίζομεν δὲ ὑμῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δεδομένην ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Μακεδονίας,

2 Corinthians 8:2

2

A- Specific directions had been given for the offering.

(1 Corinthians 16:1–3)

1 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.

2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.

1- The offerings were given at the local church.

a- The church at Corinth ‘

b- The churches in Galatia

c- The churches of Macedonia

2- The believers were to give on the first day of the week (the Lord’s Day), when the church met, the believers were to bring their offerings to the church meeting.

3- Giving was to be proportionate. Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.

a- Note the scriptural teaching on tithing. (Malachi 3:10) (Deuteronomy 14:23)

(Malachi 3:10)

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

(Deuteronomy 14:23)

23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.

b- Jesus did not do away with the tithe. (Matthew 23:23)

Matthew 23:23 (NLT)

23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

B- Spiritual giving is a work of God.

1- God works in the life of the individual changing them by his grace.

2 Corinthians 8:1 (NLT)

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness ( χάριν) has done through the churches in Macedonia (ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Μακεδονίας).

II. Gifts Should Come from the Heart (2 Corinthians 8:2–9)

2 Corinthians 8:2–9 (NLT)

2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

A- Christian giving does not depend on material circumstances so much as spiritual convictions. (2 Corinthians 8:2-5)

2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

1- The believers in Macedonia were poor and going through suffering; yet because they loved Christ, they wanted to share in the offering.

a- They did not say, “We must keep this for ourselves!” They were willing to give that others might be helped.

b- They looked upon their giving as a grace (note vv. 1, 6, 7, 9, 19, and 9:8).

B- Christian giving flows from the heart, the spontaneous expression of love to Christ for His full and free salvation. (2 Corinthians 8:6-9)

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

1- The Corinthians were enriched with many spiritual blessings (v. 7), and Paul urged them to have also the grace of giving.

2- For us to profess to be spiritual, and yet not give faithfully to the Lord, is to deny what we profess. Faith, preaching, witnessing, studying the Bible—none of these is a substitute for the grace of giving.

3- Paul uses not only the example of the Macedonian churches, but also the example of Christ Himself. How rich He was—and how poor He became! Read Phil. 2 for the details. To give is to be Christ-like, for His whole life was spent in giving.

III. Gifts Should Be Measured Proportionately (2 Corinthians 8:10–15)

2 Corinthians 8:10–15 (NLT)

10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.

11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.

14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

A- We need to complete what we start. (2 Corinthians 8:10-11a)

10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.

11 Now you should finish what you started...

1- A year before, the Corinthian church had suggested the offering and announced its willingness to share in it.

2- Paul was exhorting them to finish what they had started.

3- How easy it is to make promises and then fail to keep them!

B- We each need to do our part. (2 Corinthians 8:11b-15)

“... Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.

14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

1- Paul then laid down ,in v. 11b-12, the principle of proportionate giving, as he did in 1 Cor. 16:2 .

a- Tithing is the only fair way to give. Tithing robs no man; it is fair to rich and poor alike. It permits all men to give and receive God’s blessing. It is not the portion but the proportion that God seeks.

2- The attitude of giving makes a difference. (2 Corinthians 8:2-4, 13)

(2 Corinthians 8:2–4)

2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

(2 Corinthians 8:12)

2 Corinthians 8:12 (NLT)

12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly (προθυμία). And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

a- eagerly (προθυμία= eagerness to engage in some activity or event—‘eagerness, desire.’)

b- joy (χαρᾶς= a state of joy and gladness—‘joy, gladness, great happiness.)

c- generosity (ἁπλότητος = generosity, liberality)

3- Giving self is the beginning point of stewardship. (2 Corinthians 8:5)

2 Corinthians 8:5 (NLT)

5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

IV. Gifts Should Be Handled Honestly (2 Corinthians 8:16–24)

2 Corinthians 8:16–24 (NLT)

16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have.

17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you.

18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News.

19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.

21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you.

23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ.

24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

Paul was anxious that nobody accuse him of misusing these missionary funds, so he had the churches appoint three messengers to handle the money. They were Titus (vv. 16–17), another brother (vv. 18–19), and a third associate (v. 22). This is a good business practice. It is sad to see churches and Christian organizations handle funds in an unbusinesslike manner. All money should be receipted and recorded. Funds should be counted by more than one person. Many a Christian worker has lost his power and testimony because of a misuse of funds or because of carelessness in handling the Lord’s money.

Verses 20–21 are the key: there should be no opportunity for accusation, either from God or men. It isn’t enough for the Christian worker to say “God knows my heart.” We must remember that others are watching us, and we dare not give the enemy any opportunity to accuse us of dishonesty.

No Christian or local church should send money to works that are not financially sound. The fact that “there is a need” is not reason enough for giving; there must be proof that the money is handled honestly and spent wisely. We are not obligated to pay a debt we never incurred.