Be a Generous Giver

Introduction

HARVEST DAY

Recap:

OT: Tithes and Offerings

NT: Tithes

Ex: Expectations - Chick-fil-a vs. other fast food.

2 Corinthians

Paul’s defense

Paul’s intentions

Affluence of Corinth

Famine in Jerusalem

Greeks giving to Jews

Generosity from the churches (Macedonia)

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

2 Corinthians 9:1–2 “1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.”

Superfluous=unnecessary

Be Ready to Give (vv. 3-7)

Our Example

Principle of sowing and reaping

Proverbs 22:8–9 NASB95

8 He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish. 9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.

Purposed = to choose for oneself

1 Corinthians 16:2–3 NASB95

2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. 3 When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;

Be Ridiculous in Giving (vv. 6-7)

cheerful (hilarious) - gracious, merciful

Acts 4:32–37 NASB95

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. 36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

(Ananias and Sapphira)

Mark 12:41–44 NASB95

41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Be Reliant on God (vv. 8-11)

v. 8

sufficiency

abundance

v. 9

Psalm 112.

v. 10-11a

“The supplier will supply

Liberality = simplicity, sincerity, unselfish giving.

Conclusion (vv. 11b-15)

Thanks-giving for the Gospel

“True Christianity is a subjection to the gospel, a yielding of ourselves to the commanding influence of its truths and laws.”