The Grace of Giving (2)

“The Pattern for Giving”

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:5–9 (KJV) Series: The Grace of Giving – Part 2

Introduction:

In our last message, we considered how the Macedonian believers gave in the midst of hardship—not out of wealth, but out of grace.

Their generosity wasn’t produced by circumstance but by spiritual transformation.

We saw the conditions for grace giving

They did not let their trials deter them from giving

scarce resources did not defeat them

They allowed the supernatural joy define them

Then we saw the character of grace giving

It is sacrificial

self initiated

and it was Sincere

The Cause of their grace giving

They Expericed grace themselves

They embraced the Gospel

They exemplified God’s Goodness

In today's text, Paul takes the lesson even further.

Not only does he highlight the Macedonians’ generosity, but he reveals the supreme example of giving:

—our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christian giving is not a mere financial transaction

—it is a spiritual demonstration.

And nothing displays that better than Jesus Himself.

He who was rich became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich.

As we continue our series on grace giving, we move from the practice of the Macedonians to the pattern after the Messiah.

I. Their Devotion in Giving (v. 5)

“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

The foundation of grace giving is not found in your pocketbook

—but in your personal surrender.

Christ surrendered

He became obediant unto death even the death of the cross

He said, not my will but thy will be done

Christ surrendered himself to His father.

So just like Christ, the maxedonians…

A. Surrender to the Master

“...first gave their own selves to the Lord…”

Before they gave their money, they gave their hearts.

Maybe you have a hard time giving to missions, because you have yet to give yourself to the Lord?

When a person belongs to the Lord, everything they possess follows suit.

This echoes Romans 12:1 – “present your bodies a living sacrifice...”

Your frame ie body

Your finiances

your family

your future

It all becomes for the masters use.

B. Service to the Ministry

“...and unto us by the will of God.”

Their giving was not only to God but also toward His servants and His work.

They surrendered to the master which in turn allowed them to be of service to the ministry

They were no longer set on pleaseing their own flesh,

They sought to care for others

True love for Christ expresses itself in care for His people.

Galatians 5:13 – “by love serve one another.”

Application: The best stewardship begins with surrender.

You cannot give grace-filled gifts until you’ve given yourself.

II. Their Development in Giving (vv. 6–7)

“...that as ye abound in every thing... see that ye abound in this grace also.”

Paul moves from example to exhortation,

urging the Corinthians to grow in the grace of giving just as they had grown in other areas.

A. Excelling in Spiritual Gifts

“...in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us…”

The Corinthians were not lacking in giftedness.

1 Corinthians 1:5 reminds us they were enriched in all knowledge and utterance.

Yet gifts without grace can become hollow and hypocritical.

Just like our speech is to be filled with grace, seasond with salt,

we should be using our gifts with grace

Paul tells them you have some good things, but having these things without grace is useless.

B. Expanding in Spiritual Graces

“...see that ye abound in this grace also.”

Paul challenged them:

Don’t settle for selective spirituality.

When we abound in this grace,

Giving will not be an optional thing, it will become essential.

When you are giving by grace and through grace, you wont give just because some person gives a heart wrenching testimony.

It’s not merely emotional; it’s devotional.

You will give because it is showing your true devotion to God

Your giving shows your maturity

Application: Spiritual growth includes financial generosity.

Maturity is not measured merely by what we know, but by what we’re willing to let go.

Grace giving is a grace to be pursued, not postponed.

III. Their Demonstration of Giving (v. 8)

“I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.”

Paul did not coerce the Corinthians—he challenged them.

True grace giving flows from love, not legalism.

A. Prompted by Example

“...by occasion of the forwardness of others…”

The Macedonians had stirred Paul’s heart

—and now he hoped to stir theirs.

He uses the zeal of one group to challenge the complacency of another.

B. Proven by Expression

“...to prove the sincerity of your love.”

Love is not just something we say; it must be something we show.

1 John 3:17 – “whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need... how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

Christ showed his love for us by what he did.

We can say we love people and dont want to see anyone go to hell, but yet you wont give to missions

You are proving you are all talk and no action.

Application: Talk is cheap. True love gives. The heart that has been touched by grace will always be generous toward others.

IV. The Divine Example of Giving (v. 9)

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

This verse is the summit of Paul’s teaching on grace giving.

The Macedonians modeled it

—but Christ perfected it.

A. His Majestic Riches

“...though he was rich…”

Christ was rich in every way

—eternally, positionally, and gloriously.

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

– He dwelt in unapproachable splendor from eternity past.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills

He was rich

He is rich

B. His Merciful Renunciation

“...yet for your sakes he became poor…”

He stepped out of heaven and into humanity.

He was born in a borrowed manger, lived without a home, and died on a criminal’s cross.

Philippians 2:6–7 – He “made himself of no reputation…”

He became poor for us

He gave up everything so we could have everything found in Him.

C. His Marvelous Redemption

“...that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

He traded His crown for a cross so we could trade our rags for righteousness.

Romans 8:17 – We are now “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”

Application: If Christ gave up all to make us spiritually rich, how can we withhold from others? Grace received must become grace released.

Conclusion:

The Macedonians gave sacrificially, sincerely, and spiritually—but they were only reflecting the greater example of Jesus Christ.

He became poor for us.

He gave not just His riches—but His life.

Let us not be content with talking about grace—let us abound in it.

Giving is not about money; it’s about love.

It is not about obligation; it’s about opportunity.

As we continue to grow in our faith, may we grow in this grace also—the grace of giving.

does your life reflect the pattern of Christ in your giving? If He has made you rich in grace, why not share that grace with others?

Let us follow His example—not out of guilt, but out of gratitude.