A Wealth Of Generosity
Lessons From 2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
Last week we finished up looking at 2 Corinthians 7 wherein Paul describes his great joy at the grief or sorrow their sin had caused in many’s life there in the church at Corinth because that grief led them to repentance.
9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
Today, we are going to pick up where we left off looking at 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.
Here Paul takes a moment to discuss a work that the church at Corinth had given their word to support the giving of financial help to the church in Jerusalem.
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
It had been a year since they gave their word but nothing had been collect for the saints in Jerusalem.
Thus, Paul takes this moment to remind them of “A Wealth Of Generosity” that had taken place by the churches in Macedonia, how the church in Corinth should be doing this as well, and the character of giving that comes forth from such.
So, with that in mind let’s examine our lesson for today.
Who Were The Macedonian Churches?
Who Were The Macedonian Churches?
The Philippian Church.
The Philippian Church.
We find the church at Philippi finding its beginning in Acts 16:11-40.
Here we find Lydia and her household obeying the gospel along with the jailer where Paul and Silas were being kept.
We learn a lot about Paul relationship with this congregation in the letter he wrote to them.
They had been supporting him in his ministry from the beginning.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
The other congregation Paul helps get its beginning was as we just read…
The Thessalonian Church.
The Thessalonian Church.
You can read of it’s beginning and tumultuous start in Acts 17:1-10.
I say tumultuous because a lot obeyed the gospel there (Acts 17:4) but soon after persecution arose requiring Paul to be kicked out of the city (Acts 17:5-10).
We again learn a lot of Paul’s relationship with this congregation he spent little time with in reality.
Their young but strong faith in the face of persecution was well known all over.
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
They were known for excelling in the matter of brotherly love.
1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 (ESV)
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more
Summary
Summary
It is no wonder, from what we have just discussed, that we find Paul’s great admiration for their brotherly love in their generosity.
They were, so to speak, the gold standard and pattern for which the church in Corinth could learn from.
So, let’s take a moment to examine that pattern then now.
The Traits Of Giving
The Traits Of Giving
Sacrificial Character.
Sacrificial Character.
As the apostle Paul sets forth these two congregations gave during a time when they were in a severe test of affliction.
2 Corinthians 8:1–2 (ESV)
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 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.
These two congregations were in the midst of “severe affliction and extreme poverty.
Yet, they sacrificed of themselves and what could have been used for them and their congregation to help their fellow brethren in Jerusalem.
As many have pointed out in the past they not only gave, they sacrificed and gave until it hurt “beyond their means.”
2 Corinthians 8:3 (ESV)
3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord
The reality is when we give back from that which we have prospered God wants us to have the sacrificial character.
Not that he wants us destitute but that he wants us to realize that he will provide for our needs if we rely on him more than money.
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Another character trait that Paul describes of the churches in Macedonia is a…
Joyful Character.
Joyful Character.
Again let’s look at 2 Corinthians 8:2 but lets focus there in the middle of the passage on what Paul points out here.
2 Corinthians 8:2 (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.
2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV84)
2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
The churches in Philippi and Thessalonica had discovered the “joy of giving.”
They had learned what it means to be a cheerful giver.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
When we give, to the point of needing to rely on God, we find ourselves having a joyful peace.
So many go through this life “grasping and holding on tightly” to what God has blessed them with and never learn the joy of giving back to the Lord and helping others too.
No doubt they took to heart Jesus words found in Acts 20:35…
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
No doubt they took to heart James’ teaching on the value of persecution.
James 1:2–4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
It is these two items specifically that create a cheerful giver.
One that understands the value of persecution and blessing of giving over receiving.
We also see Paul describe the churches in Macedonia as having a…
Voluntary Character.
Voluntary Character.
Again we read in our text for this evening 2 Corinthians 8:3…
2 Corinthians 8:3 (ESV)
3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord
2 Corinthians 8:3 (NKJV)
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing
Voluntarily giving of what we have been prospered is the attitude or character God wants from us.
God doesn’t want us to give begrudgingly or because we have to.
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.
God wants us to give voluntarily because it demonstrates our genuine love for others.
2 Corinthians 8:8 (ESV)
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
God wants us to give voluntarily because he wants it to be “our decision” and of a “willing and eager mindset.”
2 Corinthians 8:12 (NKJV)
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:12 (CSB)
12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
God wants us to give voluntarily because we can’t see ourselves “not doing it.”
2 Corinthians 8:3–4 (ESV)
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
These brethren wouldn’t take no for an answer and neither should we.
Lastly, we find Paul pointing out that the churches at Macedonia made it personal.
Personal Character.
Personal Character.
They gave of themselves.
2 Corinthians 8:5 (ESV)
5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
This right here explains how they were able to give as they did.
They put the Lord first.
It’s amazing what one realizes they can accomplish in this life and deal with in this life if they put God first no matter what.
27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
When we put God first and give so cheerfully and abundantly, we do so because we know God has our backs.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
If one puts the Lord first it is only natural to place a high priority on his creation and the souls he loves.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Summary
Summary
So what we should learn from the churches at Macedonia like the church at Corinth was supposed to learn is that when we give it should be…
Sacrificial
Joyful
Voluntary
Personal
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Philippian and Thessalonian church should motivate and inspire us in the art of giving.
Their example and spiritual character in giving is far greater than than any “tithing” or some arbitrary “quota” people have conjured up for the church today.
Brothers and sisters, what kind of givers are we?
Are we ones that give out of our left overs, begrudgingly, and out of obligation…
OR are we more like our brethren in Macedonia “begging” for the opportunity to give?
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
