Enriched in every way to be generous in every way

Intro

Money has the potential of being an awkward subject from the pulpit. Pastors don’t want to appear self serving. Yet, how we deal with resources (including money) is an clear picture of how we are growing in Christ.

NT is full of teaching about the use of money. 40% of Jesus’s parables are about money.

Paul addresses a financial situation in a way that all parties involved are glorifying God in their use of money.

Details of specific situation 1-5

Matters of the Heart

2 Corinthians 9:1–5 “Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.”

This was a previously agreed to gift

Willing gift vs exaction (exaction defined as a gift expecting something in return, or greed)

KJV as a matter of bounty and not as of covetousness, Holman extortion, NASB not affected by covetousness

No numbers! Note the way that the heart of the giving was put at the forefront. Paul didn’t want to appear to be pulling money from them against their will. (though he had the authority) The ‘brothers’ that he sent were put in a position that they were able to serve joyfully a prepared gift. The church at Corinth was allowed to prepare for giving a gift that they were to give joyfully. Paul was able to rejoice that a church was able to help a sister church.

Consistent theme in talking about giving in the NT. Giving is a fruit of a life that is being sanctified. Our example is Christ who willing humbled himself. Our use of money is a heart issue.

Widow with two mites. Her money was demonstrably less than the money put in by others. Yet Jesus said what she gave was greater. The heart was the issue.

We are giving out of God’s blessings with the mindset of eternal investment.Reference to Psalm 112:9–10 “He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!”

Note that the generous has enduring righteousness and the wicked persons desire is perishing

Purpose of generosity

2 Corinthians 9:8–10 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 9:11 “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

1.God blesses us to be generous to give thanks to God. Ultimate goal is giving glory to God

Ephesians 1:7–14 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

God has given us so much. In him we have redemption, forgiveness, and will be united in Him. We receive an eternal inheritance, sealed with the Holy spirit, and all of this to the ‘praise of His glory’

This passage ends with ‘will produce thanksgiving to God’

2.God is able

A God that is sovereign over his creation is able to make all of this happen.

Note the “in every way” this includes everything

Look at the abounds, he has given us an overabundance…

*sowing bountifully, reaping bountifully, grace abounds, we abound in every good work, seed is multiplied, harvest is increased, enriched in every way, generous in every way, overflowing in thanksgivings, surpassing grace, inexpressible gift.

He has lavished grace upon us (Eph 1:7-10)

All of these show the overwhelming nature of God’s abundance. We must be careful to understand and appreciate his grace and the purpose for which it is given

3.God provides so that you can accomplish every good work

Ultimately, we are fulfilling God’s designs in honor and service to Him as we do every good work.

When we look at how we use God’s provision, we are clearly seeing a life transformed by Christ and growing to be more like him. We are seeing our use of money coming from a place of a heart transformed. The heart is what matters.

Means of our generosity

2 Corinthians 9:6–10 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the G; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”

Minimal explanation of details of how much to give in NT. Old testament was much cleared. NT has few passages detailing it. This is the closest we have. The focus is on generosity, on trusting on God’s provision, and focusing on giving God glory. There is no mention in the NT of a rigid structure of tithing like in the OT. The focus is different. It is about the heart

v6 Giving generously results in generous rewards, this thought is applied to finances of course. Also to time, energy, etc

v7 forethought and planning

v7 give according to your convictions

v7 give joyfully

dangers of distorting this thought--- prosperity gospel (examples) Focus is wrong. Gain of finances is the goal. Greed is the goal. Goal of Christian is to give God glory.

Blessing for others

2 Corinthians 9:12–15 “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 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, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”

v13-14 Others are blessed by your faithfulness.

Application

Give with joy

Give with forethought

Give to bring praise to God