Ministers of Generosity (2)

A Study in II Corinthians

Ministers of Generosity

II Cor. 11:7-12

Theme: God gives us marks of generosity here in this passage.

Introduction: Someone has said, “you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” If that is the case, you cannot help but ask yourself, what are you giving to God? If you love Him, you will give to Him.

The ministry is a service to Christ by serving others. A Godly full time Christian worker understands that he serves the Lord Jesus Christ because of the His call to the ministry. The Apostle Paul reveals a very generous spirt in his service for the Lord. He recognized that God would supply His need.

However, it was the responsibility of the church to care for those who minister to them. MVBC is very generous in caring for us. We are extremely grateful for your love, your generosity, and your care. I know I am preaching to the choir tonight.

As a loving parent provides for the needs of his family, Paul sacrificed his needs that he might provide what the church needed in Corinth. Strangely, because of that he was criticized by the Judaizers who said he was not an apostle. They tried to use his financial policy as proof that he was not an apostle.

Notice the marks of generosity in the ministry.

I. The cost of his service vv. 7-9

A. The motive v. 7

1. Paul had already explained in chapter 9 that he refused financial support from the churches.

2. He was a true apostle because he had been an eyewitness of Christ

“Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:22)

3. He has given the right of financial support so that he would not be charged with peddling the Word of God for profit 2:17

4. Hie motive was to do nothing to hinder the spread of the Gospel.

5. The greatest thing we can do for anyone is to give them the gospel.

B. The manner v. 8

1. He cared for his financial needs by tentmaking while in Corinth

“After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” (Acts 18:1–3)

2. He was making a play on words that just as the Judaizers were robbing the church of Corinth which is true, he was a missionary from other churches which appeared to them to be “robbing.”

3. This means he received support from these churches so he could preach the gospel to them—this is why we support missions worldwide.

4. A loving father does not lay his burdens on his children but sacrifices so that his children might have what they need.

C. The message v. 9

1. Paul did not bring up the matter of money but they were accusing him.

2. He was proving to them that his love for them was so great, that he cared for their needs above his own.

3. Macedonian churches supplied his need so that he would not be a burden on the Corinthians.

Reminds me the story of a couple returning form years of service in the field of Africa. Teddy Roosevelt was on the same ship. Many reporters and photographers were there to greet the Roosevelt and get pictures with him. Later in that modest motel room, the discouraged missionary said to his wife, “It is not fair, President Roosevelt returns from a hunting trip and the whole country is there to greet him. We come home from years of faithful service and nobody greets us.” His wife said, “Honey, we are not home yet.”

II. The cause of his service 10-12

A. Love of the truth v. 10

1. Paul said his motivation for serving them with his policy was backed by the truth of Christ.

2. He was a defender of the faith.

3. God wants us to see that our service is for the truth and cause of Christ.

4. David stood for a cause and we must stand for the cause of Christ.

B. Love of the ministry vv. 11-12

1. God knows that Paul loves them in the Lord.

2. It is God who has called him and worked in his heart for the ministry.

3. There needs to be a revival in the pulpits of love for the ministry.

4. Paul believes he was led of the Lord to serve in the ministry this way and they could not accuse him of not doing right.

5. We will not be understood when we get real serious about serving in the ministry.

Conclusion: Paul is generous of his time and of his calling.