Glad Giving Part 2

Big Idea: God has given us Resources that make up the commonwealth of the body of Christ, so we willingly give our share trusting that the Lord will take care of us, now and in the future.

The Lord is the Owner and Giver of Your Resources v. 15

What does it look like to manage what he has given you?

2 Corinthians 8:15 ESV

15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Exodus 16:18 ESV

18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.

Manna is falling from heaven. The wealth needed to take care of their community was given to them by the Lord.

The Lord Has Given Us the Resources to Take Care of One Another.

2 Corinthians 8:13–14 NLT

13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV

28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Illustration: Concord Baptist Church, Gardner Taylor, Credit Union.

We Can Give Our Fair Share

2 Corinthians 8:12 NLT

12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

A generous heart is one that joyously (this is the example of the Macedonians), proactively, aggressively is looking for ways to give away your money, and you don’t stop at some five percent, three percent, ten percent. You don’t stop until it’s made a measurable difference in the way you’re able to live your life, where you’re able to eat, where you’re able to go on vacation, how you live. You don’t stop until then, and you like it because until that is the way your heart operates, you can’t be sure you’re not greedy or materialistic because it’s a matter of the heart.

Willingly

Joyfully

Proportionately

Trustingly