Healthy Giving
Notes
Transcript
Last week:
Began talking about giving, and the gift that the Corinthians themselves had begun.
We see giving isn’t about making it hard for people, but to value one another as the same
With that, we are able to take care of the needs of others, and they take care of the needs we have in our time of trouble.
Today, we get to learn more about giving, specifically, the blessing of it
Illustration:
When I was a young kid, probably 6 or 7, we were in Mexico as missionaries. I had acquired this really cool toy that I thoroughly enjoyed. So one day, we went and visited a family that I hadn’t met before, and they had a child who was probably 4 or 5, but he really took a liking to my toy. He kept trying to take it from me so he could play with it, and I kept refusing. So I went to my mom and dad, looking for their help in getting this boy to stop trying to take my stuff. Instead, my parents words were, “Just give it to him Micah.” I was shocked, and saddened, because my mind, I heard them say that I must gift the toy to this kid. So without arguing, and probably a little bit pouty, I took the toy and handed it to this boy, and ran away to lament my separation. Only after we left, did I find out my parents didn’t mean for me to give it to him, but to just let him play with my toy. But when it comes to giving, this becomes the hardest lesson for us to learn, to give cheerfully and not out of compulsion. Once we take the freedom to give instead of giving grudgingly, we find a blessing that goes beyond our material possessions.
Finishing the Work (V.1-5)
V.1
O: For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;
I: It is unnecessary for me to write about this gift to you
A: Sometimes, issues come up that just shouldn’t. This is something Paul feels he should have never had to mention to them
V.2
O: 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
I: Paul knew they were prepared, and even boasted about it to those in Macedonia, even though Achaia had been ready for a year because the Corinths stirred them up for this work
A: Giving can be contagious.
Corinth was the capital of the region of Achaia, and their desire stirred the rest of their region to do the same thing
V.3
O: But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;
I: Paul wanted to make sure what he said about the Corinths was true and that they would be ready to complete this work they started
A: Here is accountability
Why is this so important??
People say they will do something to receive recognition, to be spoken of kindly, then not do it at all… SOund like a politician??
V.4
O: Otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we-not to speak of you- will be put to shame by this confidence.
I: If the Macedonians see you aren’t actually ready, we would be put to shame for saying something you are not
A: This is why we need to be careful of who we promote and endorse.
Think of this principle:
22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
When we lay hands of approval on someone too quick, we too can held responsible for their transgressions
Be careful
V.5
O: So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by coveoutesness
I: Paul thought it was important to send the brothers before he did so that the Corinthians would put aside the gift they had promised, so it would be a blessing and not changed by greedy desires
A: 2 things:
Giving should be planned and purposeful
When you set money aside, you are more prepared and reliable than giving randomly
This is also so you don’t become affected by your greediness
Talk is talk, but when we put it into action, it becomes a blessing
EX: People have promised money, I’ve learned not to rely on that, because probably 70% of time, they never follow through
The Benefit of Giving (V.6-11)
V.6
O: Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully
I: What you put in is what you will get back
A: If you want to have a great harvest, then you meed to sow bountifully. If you don’t, you’ll reap as much as you sow.
This isn’t something profound, but rather, a truth in all aspects
I remember what Jeremy Camp said one time in a video about practicing his guitar:
“When you practice, people can tell. The flip side is also true, when you don’t practice, people can tell.”
When we invest in the kingdom, if you expect a large harvest, then sow accordingly.
3 ways to sow/give:
Treasures
Time
Talent
In all of these, you will get what you put in
V.7
O: Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver
I: Paul is telling us to give as we have determined in our hearts, not with a sour heart or being forced to do it, because what pleases God is someone who gives freely and happily
A: When we give, it needs to be our decision, both that we would give and the amount
Our generosity is ours to choose
When we give, we need to check our hearts and make sure it is with the right attitude
God loves a cheerful giver
A giving litmus test: Am I giving cheerfully??
If not, don’t give. You may miss out on a blessing, but if it is grudgingly or under compulsion, the blessing is already lost anyway.
V.8
O: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything you may have an abundance for every good deed;
I: God is the one who gives you favor, being capable in all things through Christ who has provided so you can do all the things He has called you to do
A: God makes all grace (favor) abound to you… not what you give.
But why can we freely give? because God provides all we need for every good deed.
Chuck Smith: “Where God guides, God provides”
What you do is not limited by finances, it is only limited by your trust and faith in what the Lord is able to do.
V.9
O: as it is written, “He scattered abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.”
I: Paul uses a scripture from Psalm 112:9 to show how the Lord moved people and provided for the poor, because it is His righteousness that lasts forever.
A: The fact the Lord gives to the poor, it takes the pressure off of us. When the Lord provides, He provides, not us, and because of that, we can give freely
V.10
O: Now, He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness
I: Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that the Lord who has provided all we need will multiply what you need so your reaping of what is righteous will be plentiful
A: We don’t need to seek what to sow, He will provide that for us, and increase what we need to live in righteousness
When we give, it is a financial transaction, it is a spiritual one. A blessing no one can take away
V.11
O: you will be enriched in everything for all liberality which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
I: You will benefit greatly for your generosity, which is why Paul is so thankful to the Lord
A: Being generous will always be a blessing to us.
I think of what we read in Malachi 3:8-12
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.
9 “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!
10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.
11 “Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts.
12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.
The Lord says to test him in this, both the tithe and the offering, or your giving.
The Fruit of Giving (V.12-15)
V.12
O: For the ministry of this service is not only fully supporting the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God
I: This gift isn’t only taking care of the needs of the saints, but is causing may to be thankful in abundance to the Lord
A: Our giving brings thankfulness to God
When our needs are met, we become filled with gratitude, we thank the Lord for His wonderful provisions
Our generosity is a great reminder of God’s faithfulness to others
V.13
O: Because the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them all
I: The things that are evident through this gift encourage others in the Lord and brings Him glory because of your obedience to the gospel of Christ and for being generous
A: I look at it like this… be encouraged when people are obedient to the truth of the gospel, and it changes their lives.
Think of Ephesians 4:28
28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
When we become obedient to the gospel, it changes us from robbers and thieves to people who give. We go from crooks to sharers. Rejoice in this change we see in people
V.14
O: Why they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you
I: Because of this work, they pray for you and desire a relationship with you because of God’s grace they see in you
A: Generosity promotes relationships
Relationships are important, especially for missions work
Giving without relationship turns into entitlement
Relationship brings encouragement, brings accountability, brings prayer for one another.
Remember, from 2 Corinthians 8:13
13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality—
We would value one another the same, take care of the needs of each other
V.15
O: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!!
I: Praise the Lord for His faithfulness
A: (Put your application here)
Conclusion:
Giving should be something we decide to do because of the Lord moving in us, and it should be cheerfully, not under compulsion, knowing that what we sow, we will reap. And we want to reap a reward that is righteous, not material nor temporary, but bringing both glory and a heart of thanksgiving to the Lord. Be generous, be faithful, be a cheerful giver
