2 Corinthians 8
Book of 2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Paul brings in the example of the church in Macedonia, using them as an example. Let me emphasis GOD DOES NOT EXPECT EVERYONE TO DO THE SAME THING! many times this passage is used to pressure people to give money they can not afford, that is not the purpose of this example. That church determined in themselves that they wanted God to use them in a great way so they urged Paul to take this great gift that actually went above and beyond what they could afford. Paul tells us in Verse 8 he is not telling this story because he is commanding anyone else to do this, this gift was between the church in Macedonia and God.
Paul is sharing with us the great love the church in Macedonia had for God and how much they desired to be part of something great.
Now this may seem like an odd story to tell, before we know what Paul is trying to get at we must read the verses that follow. He already said he did not share this to command us to do the same, so why tell us this story?
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Now he uses the example of Christ giving himself and living in poverty before death, to provide salvation to us, the most important richness one can think of. Paul is comparing the church in Macedonia’s perspective of giving up earthly possessions to help bring salvation to the lost to the vary act of Christ.
There is a statement we say “put your money where your mouth is”. Now Paul is still not commanding or even trying to manipulate people to give. that is still not the intent of this passage. but what we are seeing is people spend money on what is important to them. the Gospel is important to the church in Macedonia so that is what they spent their money on. But why is Paul Telling us this?
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Finally we are getting to the main point! The year before the church in Corinth had apparently willingly made a commitement financially to help spread the gospel. Paul is simply asking the church to follow through with what they willingly said they would do!
Notice how in verse 11 he says to perform this “ACCORDING TO THEIR MEANS” He is not asking them to give like the church in Macedonia, He is asking them to follow through with their word as much as they can afford to do.
verse 12 makes it directly applicable to ONLY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD. meaning take into account your current financial obligations and give based on
What you are willing to give.
Don’t give based on what someone says your should give
Don’t give so people are impressed
Give on what you desire to see God use for His glory!
What you committed to give.
If you commit follow through
If financial situation changes thats ok, be open and honest and give based on what you can afford.
What you can afford to give.
Only commit what you can afford to give.
God does not command us to put our family in need so we can help someone else.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
Out of our excess or extra, we help those who are in need and when we are in need others can help me from their extra. we work and provide first for our own home and if there is anything left we can help others fill in the gaps where they have need.
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
Titus was given a heart for the church in Corinth and willingly and eagerly traveled to them to be a part of this gift giving. His desire was to bring praise to God and share the gospel and just be a part of God’s work.
Paul and Timothy were chosen by the church to be part of this traveling gift bearing team to make sure the needs of the church were met!
Now lets look at verse 20 and 21
2 cor 8:20-21
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Why was there a group traveling together? To make sure there were multiple witnesses that the money was spent as it was intended.
To keep temptation from creeping up on someone. (flesh is week)
To make sure no accusations could be made because there were several witnesses.
Transparency is the only protection against accusations. If we feel we are trustworthy in ourselves we are setting ourselves up for many problems. every aspect of the church, especially financially, should be an open book. anyone can follow the money no one can bring accusations because everyone can see where the money is and make sure it is being used as intended.
Even Paul the Apostle set up transparency to protect himself, and the same should be for all of us, we should all set up transparency to help KEEP us honest.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
if anyone asks anything tell them Titus is helping and these other church members are messengers of the church for the Glory of Christ, in Verse 24 he says so if anyone asks.... SHOW THEM! let everyone see and follow the money, then they will see the love of the church and praise God on your behalf.
When people question us many times our pride wells up inside us and we get defensive, Pauls says, show them the proof, we have nothing to hide. the gifts were given willingly, to help those in need and we have a group of people making sure everything is honest a done in a right manner, here is the proof, now praise God for the generosity of the church!