Excel in Giving

1. (V1) The churches of Macedonia

Churches of Macedonia:

The northern part of Greece was called Macedonia.

Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea

a) Paul was raising money to help the Christians in Jerusalem, who were very poor. He had previously mentioned

Greek churches giving to the Jewish church (Jews & Gentiles former enemies)

1.1 (V2) Their trial and deep poverty

a) These people were deep in poverty, yet they still gave generously because of their joy in the Lord

Mark 12:44 “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

#1 Giving to the Lord is really about the condition of your heart

1.2 (V3) They gave freely (Willing)

a) They cared more about the struggling Christian than about their own wealth

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

2. (V8) Testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others

James 2:14 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”

James 2:15 “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,”

James 2:16 “and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”

#2 Love is action and Paul testing their love and diligence. Reminding that Christ is the example of giving

2.1 (V9) Christ is the example of giving of His life

a) For our sakes He became poor

He left Heaven where He was a king, to come live as a servant

#3 Christ is the example of sacrificial giving, as He gave Himself for us