Generosity from the Overflow

INTRODUCTION

Dismiss Kids for Rise & Shine

Parents—Advent Devotionals available at the Kids Desk in front lobby.

READ TEXT

2 Corinthians 8:1–15 “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.””

ILLUSTRATION

Andy Griffith Show episode—Opie’s charity // underprivileged children’s drive

Why this message today?

Stats on charity

Generosity isn’t seasonal—it’s a disposition of the heart.

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

Relief offering for the persecuted believers in Jerusalem.

Paul had already told the Corinthian Church that he was going to come back and collect the offering.

The main theme of this passage is GENEROSITY.

What is biblical generosity? Is it different from charity or being a “giving” person?

The Greek word that Paul uses in verse 2 is “ἁπλότης.” Now, the interesting thing about this word is that, as best we can tell, it’s a word that is unique in the Bible to Paul! In fact, Paul uses it seven times throughout his various letters in the New Testament. It’s a word that was common in Greek vocabulary but Paul pumps it full of gospel meaning. The word ἁπλότης means “a simple-heartedness that prompts action that is full of integrity and not duplicitous (deceitful).”

Let me say it another way—Paul’s word describes a heart with no double-vision. It’s a heart that isn’t calculating how generosity might benefit self. It’s a heart that has been so gripped by the grace of Jesus that it gives freely, honestly, and joyfully—because the love of Christ is its single motive.

In this way, the concept of biblical generosity is uniquely Christian. It is something incomparable to anything in the world. It’s different from being a “charitable” person. Charity is what the world does. Generosity is a character trait of God’s people. Charity is an act. Generosity is a disposition of the heart.

Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity.

Albert Camus (Novelist)

What Camus is saying is that…“A lot of people have stopped being truly generous and instead settled for doing charitable acts that cost them nothing.”

And, the main point of what Paul is saying, is…

MAIN POINT

When God gets hold of our heart, He frees us to let go and live generously.

1) A heart of Grace produces generosity 

Notice how many times Paul uses the word “grace” in this passage—(vs. 1); (vs. 4—“favor”); (vs. 6); (vs. 7); (vs. 9). Grace literally runs through Paul’s teaching on generosity.

So, what is the connection between generosity and grace?

When we think about “grace” (God’s grace), one of the first things that typically comes to our minds is God’s free gift of salvation to those who believe. And, that’s absolutely true. But grace isn’t just something God GIVES us one time. Grace is also God’s power at work in us—changing us.

We are, because of our sinful nature, naturally inclined toward selfishness.

Take a look, again, at 2 Corinthians 8:1 “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia…”

Paul is saying that it is God’s grace/God’s power at work in the Macedonians that made their generosity possible. He’s saying, “apart from God’s grace, this mission offering will fail.” In fact, this grace of God isn’t just a one-time work. The phrase “has been given” in the Greek is a perfect participle—meaning “gives” or “keeps on giving.” God keeps on giving the Macedonians the grace they need to be generous.

In other words, the overwhelming generosity of the Macedonians was begun and sustained by the grace of God.

You know, this past Wednesday night we had a church business meeting. I wish I could say that (attendance) but at that meeting, we approved the largest budget in the history of our church. We also voted to take out a $800k loan to overhaul the lighting, sound, and video in this room…a much needed project.

We also celebrated, last Sunday, the fact that since January, our church has sent out over $310k to missions (and this will increase with Lottie Moon).

We celebrated the generosity of our church as you have given of your time and your talents this past year. I wish you could have seen from my perspective last Sunday.

ONLY BY GOD’S GRACE AT WORK AMONG US. That’s the testimony of this church and I’m praying that we depend on the Lord for it to CONTINUE being the testimony of our church…“look at God’s grace!”

2) A heart of Joy produces generosity 

Verse 2—Paul says that the Macedonian Christians were experiencing a severe test of affliction (we don’t know what this was but I doubt there are many people in this room that could say, “I’m experiencing a SEVERE test of AFFLICTION)…extreme poverty …(yeah, none of us, either)…BUT…abundance of joy.

I have sat in churches and homes in the poorest slum in Kenya…comparatively to us, these people had NOTHING and they joyfully prepared a feast for me…pastors even took up a love offering for me! I’ve been in the poorest villages of Romania…

This is incredible…almost even foreign to us. Like, if anybody had an excuse NOT to be generous, it’s them. Severe affliction. Extreme poverty.

What things do we find in our lives that we use as excuses? I can’t give/serve because…

I had to get new tires for the truck. My dryer’s broken. I have too much going on.

But, this isn’t what they did. In the midst of severe affliction and extreme poverty, the Macedonians had an abundance of joy that overflowed in a wealth of generosity.

Joy puts our circumstances in eternal perspective. Joy isn’t something, though, that we can manufacture. You can’t just power your way to joyfulness.

Joy is at the heart of satisfied living.

J. I. Packer

Remember, Paul is explaining something uniquely Christian…unique to the grace of God.

Here’s your second Greek lesson for the day. The word for “joy,” in Greek, is “chara” which comes from the root word “charis” which means “grace.”

Joy is completely dependent upon God’s grace at work in us/producing in us.

Challenge//Application

3) A heart of Mission produces generosity 

This mission offering was going to support believers in Jerusalem but it was also having the effect of being a testimony to those who didn’t know Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:12 “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”

You know, for 10 years, we have had one, clear, and intentional purpose statement that defines everything we do here—We exist to glorify God, introduce people to Jesus, and teach them to follow Him. That’s not some catchy and innovative statement we came up with 10 years ago. That’s the Great Commission!

The glory of God among the nations IS the purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ!

We give 10.25% to the CP.

Next year—Live Sent—PRAY, GIVE, GO.

Hearts fueled by the mission of God. We want to see God’s kingdom advanced, His fame spread, and His Lordship over the lives of all people.

Every ministry here matters.

Parable of talents (Matthew 25).

How are you using what God has allowed you to have to make much of Jesus and introduce people to Him? How are you using your time?

4) A heart of Faith produces generosity 

A heart that completely trusts God is a heart that overflows in generosity.

In chapter 9, Paul continues this theme of generosity…flip over a page and look at verses 10 & 11.

2 Corinthians 9:10–11 “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. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

There’s a lie that many Christians need to stop believing—“10% of my income belongs to God.” No. It ALL belongs to God. He just lets you steward what’s His. Everything you have belongs to God.

But I like to hold on…comfort…security.

One of the greatest businessmen of the 20th century, R.G. LeTourneau, decided early in life that God was the owner and he was the steward. He eventually lived on 10% and gave away 90%. When asked why, he said, “It’s not how much of my money I give to God, but how much of God’s money I keep for myself.”

I just want to testify to God’s faithfulness in my own life. Kristy and I, and I don’t say this out of pride or arrogance, but we have, from the very beginning of our marriage, made tithing and giving above and beyond our tithes to various ministries, a regular practice in our life. And, you know what? We’ve never gone without. We’ve never been forsaken.

Now, I know there are some who say, “Well…nowhere in the Bible does it say, ‘Thou shalt tithe/give 10% of your income.’”

You’re right. But, you know what God says?

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

I’ll tell you what God does want to do…He wants to deepen our faith and dependence on him and loosen the grip that the world, possessions, etc has on our heart. Money/possessions move into the control seat of our hearts quicker than anything else.

It may be that you haven’t been tithing…can I ask you—why? Do you trust God? It’s a recognition of His lordship over the 100%. Maybe you’ve given God whatever is left over. Can I challenge you? Pray. Ask the Lord what He would have you give—consistently—to the work of His kingdom through your church…maybe it’s more than what you’re giving more.

God wants to deepen your faith. God isn’t looking at total amounts of dollars given. He’s looking at the total amount of yourself that you give HIM.

Look at verse 5—they gave themselves FIRST to the Lord.

Commitment cards…Husbands & Wives—pray together about 2026.

5) A heart of Love produces generosity

Paul says, in verse 8, that the genuineness of our love is proven by our response to the grace of God toward others.

Darrell Bock says, “Generosity is a fundamental, concrete expression of love.”

Paul points us to the incarnation. The grace and love of God is the heart of the gospel. Jesus Christ, though he was rich—eternally seated at the right hand of the Father, all things belonging to Him—for our sake became poor.

John 3:16—God’s love is what drove Him to give the Son. The cross is the greatest demonstration of God’s love. God GAVE His Son so that we could, Paul says, “become rich.” We’ve become rich with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places as the adopted children of God.

Love is the hallmark virtue of the Christian life. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that we can have all of the spiritual gifts and all of the talents in the world but if we don’t have “love” then we are useless.

Our generosity is a response of our love for God—the one who first loved us and gave Himself up for us. It’s an act of worship.

Our generosity is also a response of our love for one another. Our love for the nations.

CONCLUSION

The Macedonians didn’t give because they had extra. They gave because grace got hold of them. And when grace takes hold of a heart, generosity follows like fruit from a tree.

So today, let me call you to three simple steps:

Surrender yourself to Christ fully. Generosity begins with worship, not wallets.

Take a practical step of obedience. Pray over your giving. Ask the Lord what faith looks like for you in this season. Commit to regular, joyful, sacrificial generosity.

Join the mission with open hands. Our giving is about the gospel going further. It’s about building up the body and sending the light of Christ to the nations.

Church—He gave Himself for us.

Let’s give ourselves to Him in return.