Our Turning Point

Background to passage: The Corinthian church had been corrected for disunity, pride, immorality, suing each other, their understanding of marriage, their understanding of love, their understanding of spiritual gifts, and their understanding of the resurrection. There was also a “severe letter” that Paul referenced. Now the church, more pure and sound, was very poor by worldly standards, but rich in their relationship to Christ. Therefore their generosity was affected for a needed ministry.

Remind them of the three focuses of our new year: 1) for God’s glory, 2) through the gospel, 3) by his church, which we see in this passage in 9:13.

2 Corinthians 9:13 (ESV)

13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

Opening illustration: The Battle of Kursk, “never had a problem asking people to do what God asks them to do,” individual resolutions, team or group ones, or large group resolutions

Main thought: We must determine what our commitment will be financially in a time of scarcity in view of the ministry we seek to have. Guests, we rarely discuss church business like this, or drive the point of giving, but Jesus spoke clearly about it very often. His main theme was to hold loosely to things, but to focus on the kingdom. Biblical principles apply to you too.

1) Where We Are (v. 2-3)

2 Corinthians 8:2–3 ESV

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

1) Where We Are (v. 2-3)

Explanation: This is somewhat discouraging, but we must take stock. We approved a budget that started last week at $20K more than we took in this year. We are believing God for his provision. God has gifted us with certain resources: financial assets, people power, and the gospel. We have been on a slow decline in members, attendance, and giving since 2004 due to recessions, death, people moving, ministry changing, church division, and people changing churches.

Therefore, we have cut funding to ministries, reduced staff, and become internally focused. There are fixed costs. The building is a ministry, but it costs a lot! Electricity is $42K/year, ins is $18K/year, maintenance and repairs are $17K/year. With the other costs related to building, just for the use of it and the ministry through it (emphasize this), we have to allocate $89K. Fixed staffing costs exceed that for Dianne and I, Blair and the contract laborers. With the economy what it is now with inflation, things cost more. You feel that in your own budgets. If you have the same income as last year, you have to cut spending because it is just not there.

Argumentation:

Illustration: “Forced obedience,” the exception of reasons is COVID,

Application: I believe in the absolute sovereignty of God. Nothing happens apart from his watchful eye. I also know that he is good and wise. I do not pretend to know what God is doing, but I do know that his purpose includes further conforming us to the image of his Son, sanctifying us in every aspect of our lives.

I know that God is beginning to bless in obvious ways - from Mission Serve to the Methodists, from Little Lions to little children in VBS, from hundreds in line at the food ministry to dozens of kids in worship at Camp Viola, from new members to new believers, God is moving. We continue to give either financially or through the building or through volunteer hours to the Cooperative Program, OCC, Gideons, Truth in Nature, PCC, Wellroot Family Services, Circles of Troup Co, Red Cross, LA or LCS. I believe that we are on the cusp of a turn around. I believe we are coming through Kursk advancing on the position of the enemy.

Where we are not only includes poverty, but like the churches of Macedonia includes an abundance of joy and generosity. Jesus became poor so we can be rich. Let our poverty display the richness Jesus has given this year.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

2) Biblical Principles (v. 2-4, 9:7)

2 Corinthians 8:2–4 ESV

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2) Biblical Principles (v. 2-4, 9:7)

How to give: I am going to give you a quick reminder of the NT instructions for giving

joyfully, cheerfully, willingly (v. 2, 4)

sacrificially (v. 3)

proportionately (v. 3)

first to the Lord (v. 4)

what God has put on your heart (v. 9:7)

Promises for good stewardship: I am also going to remind you of the blessings for giving faithfully

sow bountifully and you will reap bountifully (v. 9:6)

increase your holiness, “harvest of righteousness” (v. 9:10)

you will be empowered to be more generous (v. 9:11)

Illustration:

Application: be honest in your evaluation of your own giving. Read the list again slowly, give yourself a 1-10 valuation. It is not prideful to give yourself a 10. The widow was praised by Jesus, but the rich young ruler went away from Jesus sorrowful. You can’t serve God and money, but it is not that Christians can’t be rich. One of the reasons that the globe can receive missionaries is often because of “rich” Americans. The sin is not to be wealthy, but to be disobedient, or greedy, or too attached to material things.

I want you to know that I am not calling those of you who are giving both of your mites to give more, just for obedience for us all.

3) What Must Happen (v. 10-11)

2 Corinthians 8:10–11 ESV

10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

3) What Must Happen (v. 10-11)

Explanation: We must decide what we want with this church? Are we going to continue to look for more baptisms, train disciples, handle the blessing of the growth of the Children’s ministry? Are we going to continue to minister to the community through the use of this building? We must be faithful. That’s what I am calling you to.

Argumentation:

Illustration: I have increased my giving, and will continue to. Some of our leaders have already committed to increasing theirs.

Application: $5,100/week is what is required to do the bare minimum. Last year we averaged $4,273. I counted in our database how many families/households that come here regularly (at least 2x/mo) - 50. Avg household income in Troup Co is about $49K. I would say that we are above avg. Some of our congregation is well above that, and some not far below. I have no idea what any of you make or give, but let’s say the avg income of this church is $70K. If 10% was the giving rate per family, about $350,000 would be our giving alone.

Let me challenge you to give more so that more than the minimum is reached. If you are an inconsistent giver, maybe it’s time that you set up a draft on your giving. Maybe you stick it in your pocket on payday. Maybe you put the pink envelop in the box with regularity. What is God calling you to give?

Stewardship is not limited to money. As I mentioned last week, Trish needs cleaners, security team needs securers, youth need people to come help on Wed night, could also use people to go with them on Mission Serve this year, children’s ministry needs the one-on-ones. I mention these because I know that some of you are giving all you can give, and I do not want to burden you beyond what you can bare (although Paul noted the Macedonian churches gave more than their ability). Stewardship is about your time and effort.

I am calling us to a heart examination. I am calling us to believe Jesus when he says “where your money is your heart will be also.” I am calling for us to call out to God like never before — and not just to provide money for the budget. Call out to him for souls. Call out to him for brokenness. Call out to him for fresh eyes to see the needs of this community. Call out to him to have fresh eyes for the needs of the world. This church used to have it. Call out to God to grant us repentance from sluggishness and apathy. Call out to God to reveal himself to us and revive us again. This is the iceberg underneath the surface. Giving is only what sticks out above the water. This is the heart of the matter — our hearts.

Closing illustration: The Remarkable We

You hear a lot about me these days, but here at the University of South Carolina it's all about the “we.”

The curious we, the compassionate we, the lend a hand we, the bending ear we, the Rhodes Scholar winning, 80 000 head spinning, united, unstoppable, undeniable we.

Because when you stand for something bigger than yourself, you can create something that benefits all.

Behold the remarkable we!

Recap