Ministering to the Saints

2 Cor. 8-9

After commending the church in Corinth for their repentant response to his letter of rebuke, Paul goes on to challenge them regarding another aspect of ministry.

The ministry is about evangelism. The ministry is about discipleship. Local churches are to be involved in these things. Sharing the gospel, training people to share the gospel, and helping believer grow in their knowledge of the Scriptures. Incorporated in all this is the importance of living holy lives where believers are being Christlike in all they do and avoiding that which would bring defilement. Separation from ungodly people and sinful behaviors.

The next aspect of ministry covered in this letter is another essential part of any ministry. It is a part of discipleship. It is about financial giving in the life of the believer and in the life of the local church.

In the fourth verse of this eighth chapter of second Corinthians, we see how Paul is teaching the people about ministering to the saints. The context here, as will be plainly seen, is ministering by giving financially to meet the needs of others.

Let us consider this topic of ministering to the saints and see the powerful motivation to give, the committed promise to give, the proportional amounts of giving, the careful handling of gifts, and the powerful demonstration of love that giving can be.

I. Powerful Motivation to Give (vv. 1-9)

The power of an example!

To point to a present-day example that people can see for themselves as being a pattern to follow.

Could we be pointed out as an example?

The churches pointed out by Paul were the church of Thessalonica and Philippi.

They were giving in a great trial of affliction.

They were facing hard times!

But that never served as an excuse to stop giving.

Deep poverty

These churches were not filled with wealthy members who were giving of their abundance.

Rather, they gave what they could from what little they had.

Paul said this was because of the grace of God bestowed on the churches.

Grace is the motivation to give, and it is also the enabler to give.

It is all by grace!

God’s grace enables and equips us to serve in sacrificial ways.

These believers were what we would call “surrendered” Christians.

First gave their own selves to the Lord

They applied what we read in Romans 12:1-2.

They insisted upon participating in this offering.

Most believe it was the offering mentioned elsewhere in Scripture (Acts 11:29-30) which was to help the believers in Jerusalem who were suffering the results of a famine and persecution.

So he [Titus] would also finish in you the same grace also

Giving is a grace that is to be a part of every believer’s walk.

We can abound in all the other areas of our life, but still fail in this one.

See that ye abound in this grace also.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

We have the most-powerful example of all in Christ.

Though He was rich…..in eternity past.

He became poor….in His incarnation.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5).

II. Committed Promise to Give (vv. 10-11)

When you say you are going to do something, you need to do it.

What got the Corinthian church off track? Why did they fail to keep their commitment?

Likely distracted by the false teachers.

Beware of that which distracts you from your priorities and commitments.

Now therefore perform the doing of it.

Don’t just talk about things.

2 Cor. 9:1-4

III. Proportional Amounts of Giving (vv. 12-15)

We can only give from what we have.

It is not a contest to see who can give the largest amount.

And it all ends up being just what is needed to ease the burdens of others.

And many times the tables turn and the direction of the giving and receiving is reversed.

The good news, is that we can never out-give God and He meets our needs.

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).

He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

2 Cor. 9:7-8

And we will blessed by God accordingly.

2 Cor. 9:6

IV. Careful Handling of Gifts (vv. 16-23)

Paul explains the plan regarding the transporting of the funds collected.

It would be placed under the care of multiple men who had great character.

How important for church offerings to be handled with integrity.

That no man should blame us in this abundance.

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, BUT ALSO IN THE SIGHT OF MEN.

It matters how things appear in the sight of man.

We want to be “above board” in all matters, including financial integrity.

V. Powerful Demonstration of Love (v. 24)

When we practice this grace of giving, following the example of the churches of Macedonia and the example of Christ, we are demonstrating love in a powerful way.

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE.

Anyone can say the right words.

But true love is proven by giving.

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Giving.

It is important.

It is a key part of the ministry.

It is Christlike.

Christ gave everything for us.

He gave His life.

He shed His blood for your salvation.

He gave up everything and became poor so you could receive His riches.