The Gift of Giving
Sermon: The Gift of Giving Apr. 6, 2008
God the Father is giving (John 3:16)
God the Son is giving (John 6:51)
God the Holy Spirit is Giving (1 Corinthians 12:11)
The early church was giving (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37)
QUESTION #1: Are we a giving church? QUESTION #2: Are you a giving person?
Be Generous with God
Be Generous with God’s people (Galatians 6:10)
Be Generous with God’s people “to be” (Matthew 5:16)
THE GIFT (the Holy Spirit) GIVES GIFTS to us (to each born again believer)
The Spiritual Gift of Giving (1 Corinthians 12:11; Romans 12:6, 8)
PRINCIPLES OF GIVING:
1 Chronicles 29:14
Matthew 25:21
2 Corinthians 9:7
Proverbs 3:9
1 Corinthians 16:2
Mark 12:44; Deuteronomy 12:6
2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:6
2 Corinthians 9:11-15
2 Corinthians 8:9
Luke 19:8; Malachi 3:9-10
Matthew 6:20
Sermón: El Don de Dar
Dios el Padre es dadivoso (Juan 3:16)
Dios el Hijo es dadivoso (Juan 6:51)
Dios el Espíritu Santo es dadivoso (1 Corintios 12:11)
La Primer Iglesia era dadivosa (Hechos 2:44-45; 4:32-37)
PREGUNTA #1: ¿Somos una iglesia dadivosa? PREGUNTA #2: ¿Soy una persona dadivosa?
Se dadivoso con Dios
Se dadivoso con la familia de Dios (Gálatas 6:10)
Se dadivoso con los que serán parte de la familia de Dios (Mateo 5:16)
El Don de Dar (1 Corintios 12:11; Romanos 12:6, 8)
PRINCIPIOS DE COMO DAR:
1 Crónicas 29:14
Mateo 25:21
2 Corintios 9:7
Proverbios 3:9
1 Corintios 16:2
Marcos 12:44; Deuteronomio 12:6
2 Corintios 8:12; 9:6
2 Corintios 9:11-15
2 Corintios 8:9
Lucas 19:8; Malaquías 3:9-10
Mateo 6:20
Sermon: The Gift of Giving Apr. 6, 2008
God the Father is giving
(Jn 3:16) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… (RVR) Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su único Hijo
God the Son is giving
(Jn 6:51) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (RVR) Yo soy el pan vivo que descendió del cielo; si alguno comiere de este pan, vivirá para siempre; y el pan que yo daré es mi carne, la cual yo daré por la vida del mundo.
God the Holy Spirit is Giving
(1Cor 12:11) All these are the work of one & the same Spirit & he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (NLT)…He alone decides which gift each person should have. (RVR) Pero todas estas cosas las hace uno y el mismo Espíritu, repartiendo a cada uno en particular como él quiere. (VP) Pero todas estas cosas las hace con su poder el único y mismo Espíritu, dando a cada persona lo que a él mejor le parece
God has been giving to our church
2002 = $15,000 (jumped from paying $350 to 2800)
2003 = $11,500 India missions trip (3 went)
2004 = $8,000 India missions trip (2 went)
2005 = $11,500 Peru missions trip (3 went)
2006 = $11,500 Rwanda missions trip (3 went)
2007= $13,000 Rwanda missions trip (3 went)
$70,500 provided by God to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth
The early church was a giving church
Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together & had everything in common. Selling their possessions & goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. (VP) Todos los creyentes estaban muy unidos y compartían sus bienes entre sí; 45 vendían sus propiedades y todo lo que tenían, y repartían el dinero según las necesidades de cada uno.
Act 4:32-37 All the believers were one in heart & mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. …34 There were no needy persons among them. For from X to X those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 & put it at the apostles’ feet & it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 …Barnabas…37 sold a field he owned & brought the money & put it at the apostles’ feet. (VP)32 Todos los creyentes, que eran muchos, pensaban y sentían de la misma manera. Ninguno decía que sus cosas fueran solamente suyas, sino que eran de todos. …34 No había entre ellos ningún necesitado, porque quienes tenían terrenos o casas, los vendían, y el dinero
Are we a giving church? Are you a giving person?
The Macedonian churches (2 Cor 8:1-5); Philippian Church (Philippians 4:15-16)
A Widow (Mark 12:41-44) A young boy (John 6:9)
Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37)
The nation of Israel’s special building project (1 Chronicles 29:1-20)
BEFORE MAKING A MAJOR PURCHASE (OVER $300) Focus on the Family- Dave Ramsey
1. Wait overnight (don’t be impulsive)…Prov.14:29
2. If you can’t pay for it, don’t buy it! (credit doesn’t count!)
3. Answer this question: Is this a need or a want?
4. Always consider the counsel of your spouse (be in agreement) Prov.31
5. Consider your options (how else could you use these funds?)
6. Don’t buy what you don’t understand
Be Generous with God (Luke 12:21 “rich toward God” / rico para con Dios
$7427 per month in expenses in 2007…….HOW MUCH IS YOUR PART?
$3120 = 12 jovenes missionary at 260 per for Ensenada in June
Be Generous with God’s people (Gal.6:10)
Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. RVR Así que, según tengamos oportunidad, hagamos bien a todos, y mayormente a los de la familia de la fe
Be Generous with God’s people “to be”
Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (NBLH) “Así brille la luz de ustedes delante de los hombres, para que vean sus buenas acciones (obras) y glorifiquen (alaben) a su Padre que está en los cielos.
THE GIFT (Holy Spirit) GIVES GIFTS (to each born again believer)
1 Cor 12:11 All these are the work of one & the same Spirit & he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (NLT) It is the one & only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (RVR) Pero todas estas cosas las hace uno y el mismo Espíritu, repartiendo a cada uno en particular como él quiere. (VP) Pero todas estas cosas las hace con su poder el único y mismo Espíritu, dando a cada persona lo que a él mejor le parece
Rom 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us 8 if it is “contributing” (giving) to the needs of others, let him give generously. (RVR) De manera que, teniendo diferentes dones, según la gracia que nos es dada…(VP) Dios nos ha dado diferentes dones, según lo que él quiso dar a cada uno…8 el que reparte, con liberalidad….(VP) El que da, hágalo con sencillez
PNEUMATIKOS – 22+ DIFFERENT “GIFTS”
Eph.4-11 = #1 Apostle #2. Prophet #3. Evangelist #4. Pastor / teacher
Romans 12:3-8
#5 Prophesying #6 Serving (diakonia)
#7 Teaching #8 Encouraging (exhort, parakaleo) exortar, animar,
#9 Giving (contributing NIV) dar, repartir
#10 Leadership preside,dirige, #11 Mercy
1 Corinthians 12:7-11,28
#12 Word of Wisdom palabra de sabiduria; #13 Word of Knowledge palabra de ciencia, conocimiento
#14 Faith #15 giftS of healingS
#16 Miracles #17 Discernment of spirits
#18 speak in diff kindS of tongues/diversos géneros de lenguas; #19 Interpretation of tongues
#20 Helps (antilepsis) ayudar #21 Administration (kubernesis, kjv-govern) administrar
1 Peter 4:7-11 - #22 Hospitality; 1 Cor 7:7 - #23 Celebacy (possibly marriage is also a gift?)
OT (Possibly) # Craftsman (Ex 28:3; 31:1-6; 36:1-2)# Music (1 Samuel 16:14-18, 23)
Not all have gift of giving BUT ALL ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE
PRINCIPLES OF GIVING: Which ones are you practicing?
OWNER – (1 Chron 29:14) "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” (NBLH) “Pero ¿quién soy yo y quién es mi pueblo para que podamos ofrecer tan generosamente todo esto? Porque de Ti proceden todas las cosas, y de lo recibido de Tu mano Te damos
MANAGER – (Mt 25:21) "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (RVR) Y su señor le dijo: Bien, buen siervo y fiel; sobre poco has sido fiel, sobre mucho te pondré; entra en el gozo de tu señor.
CHEERFUL GIVING. (2 Cor 9:7) “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful [hilaros] giver.” (RVR) Cada uno dé como propuso en su corazón: no con tristeza, ni por necesidad, (no de mala gana o a la fuerza) porque Dios ama al dador alegre.
HONOR GIVING. (Prov 3:9) “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (VP) Honra al Señor con tus riquezas y con los primeros frutos de tus cosechas;
WEEKLY GIVING. - 1 Cor 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (VP) Los domingos, cada uno de ustedes debe apartar algo, según lo que haya ganado, y guardarlo para que cuando yo llegue no se tengan que hacer colectas (ofrendas)
FAITH GIVING. (Mark 12:44) “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything‑‑all she had to live on." (NBLH) porque todos ellos echaron de lo que les sobra, pero ella, de su pobreza, echó todo lo que poseía, todo lo que tenía para vivir.”
Ex 23:15 No one is to appear before me empty-handed. (NBLH) Y nadie se presentará ante Mí con las manos vacías. Ex.34:20; Dt.16:16
Dt.12:6 there bring your burnt offerings & sacrifices, your tithes & special gifts, (contributions of your hand, heave offerings) what you have vowed to give & your freewill offerings & the firstborn of your herds & flocks. (NBLH) Allí llevarán sus holocaustos, sus sacrificios, sus diezmos, la contribución (ofrenda elevada) de su mano, sus ofrendas votivas (de sus votos), sus ofrendas voluntarias, y el primogénito (las primicias) de sus vacas y de sus ovejas
PROPORTIONAL GIVING 2 Cor 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. (VP) Porque si alguien de veras quiere dar, Dios le acepta la ofrenda que él dé conforme a sus posibilidades. Dios no pide lo que uno no tiene
2 Cor 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (VP) Acuérdense de esto: El que siembra poco, poco cosecha; el que siembra mucho, mucho cosecha
THANKFUL GIVING.(2 Cor 9:11-15 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion & thru us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, & for your generosity in sharing with them & with everyone else. 14 in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (VP) Así tendrán ustedes toda clase de riquezas y podrán dar generosamente. Y la colecta que ustedes envíen por medio de nosotros, será motivo de que los hermanos den gracias a Dios. 12 Porque al llevar esta ayuda a los hermanos, no solamente les llevamos lo que les haga falta, sino que también los movemos a dar muchas gracias a Dios. 13 Y ellos alabarán a Dios, pues esta ayuda les demostrará que ustedes obedecen al evangelio que profesan, al evangelio de Cristo. También ellos honrarán a Dios por la generosa contribución de ustedes para ellos y para todos. 14 Y además orarán por ustedes con mucho cariño, por la gran bondad que Dios les ha mostrado a ustedes. 15 ¡Gracias a Dios, porque nos ha hecho un regalo tan grande que no tenemos palabras para expresarlo!
GRACE GIVING (2 Cor 8:9) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich
RESTITUION GIVING (Luke 19:8) But Zacchaeus stood up & said to the Lord, Look, Lord! Here & now I give half of my possessions to the poor, & if I have cheated anybody out of any thing, I will pay back 4XS the amount." (VP) Zaqueo se levantó entonces y le dijo al Señor: Mira, Señor, voy a dar a los pobres la mitad de todo lo que tengo; y si le he [defraudado) robado algo a alguien, le devolveré cuatro veces más.
(Mal 3:8-9) Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, How do we rob you? In tithes & offerings. You are under a curse‑‑the whole nation of you‑‑because you are robbing me. (NBLH)
8 “¿Robará el hombre a Dios? Pues ustedes Me están robando. Pero dicen: ‘¿En qué Te hemos robado?’ En los diezmos y en las ofrendas. 9 “Con maldición están malditos, porque ustedes, la nación entera, Me están robando.
INVESTMENT GIVING (Matt 6:20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (VP) Más bien amontonen riquezas en el cielo, donde la polilla no destruye ni las cosas se echan a perder ni los ladrones entran a robar.
ENVELOPE SYSTEM As soon as you receive your paycheck, 1st thing set aside Lords $, Put in envelope, seal it, give it to God on Sun. Then trust God to meet your needs with what’s left
Not all have gift of giving BUT all are expected by God to give
1Cor.12:1
4152 πνευματικός [pneumatikos /pnyoo·mat·ik·os/] adj. From 4151; TDNT 6:332; TDNTA 876; GK 4461; 26 occurrences; AV translates as “spiritual” 26 times. 1 relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ. 1a that which possesses the nature of the rational soul. 2 belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God. 3 belonging to the Divine Spirit. 3a of God the Holy Spirit. 3b one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God. 4 pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing. 4152. πνευματικός pneumatikós; fem. pneumatiké̄, neut. pneumatikón, adj. from pneúma (4151), spirit. Spiritual. (I) Pertaining to the nature of spirits. “A spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:44) means a body dominated by the Spirit, in contrast to a natural or soulish body (só̄ma psuchikón [só̄ma {4983}, body; psuchikón {5591}, pertaining to soul]) which obeys one’s natural instincts or soul. In Eph. 6:12, tá pneumatiká té̄s ponērías ([4189], iniquity) means the evil spirits. (II) Pertaining to or proceeding from the Holy Spirit, tó pneúma tó hágion (see pneúma 3, D). (A) Of persons who are spiritual, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, enjoying the influences, graces, gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13, 15; 3:1; 14:37; Gal. 6:1).
(B) Of things spiritual, communicated or imparted by the Holy Spirit: Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 2:13, meaning those things pertaining to the Spirit (tá toú Pneúmatos [as in 2:14]); 1 Cor. 9:11; 12:1; 14:1, the things pertaining to the Spirit; Eph. 1:3; 5:19; Col. 1:9; 3:16, “spiritual songs,” meaning those composed in the Spirit on spiritual and instructive subjects. In Rom. 7:14 “the law is spiritual” means it is according to the mind and will of the Spirit. In Rom. 1:11 chárisma pneumatikón (chárisma [5486], gift), “a spiritual gift,” means a gift relating to the mind or spirit of Christians as enlightened and quickened by the Holy Spirit (cf. in 1:12, and see pneúma, III, D, 2, e). Also spoken of things in a higher and spiritual sense, not literal or corporeal, including also a reference to the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 10:3, 4, they ate spiritual food and drank spiritual drink; 1 Pet. 2:5 “a spiritual house” Adjective - PNEUMATIKOS (πνευματικός , (4152)) “always connotes the ideas of invisibility and of power. It does not occur in the Sept. nor in the Gospels; it is in fact an after–Pentecost word. In the N.T. it is used as follows: (a) the angelic hosts, lower than God but higher in the scale of being than man in his natural state, are ‘spiritual hosts,’ Eph. 6:12; (b) things that have their origin with God, and which, therefore, are in harmony with His character, as His law is, are ‘spiritual,’ Rom. 7:14; (c) ‘spiritual’ is prefixed to the material type in order to indicate that what the type sets forth, not the type itself, is intended, 1Cor. 10:3, 4; (d) the purposes of God revealed in the gospel by the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 2:13a, and the words in which that revelation is expressed, are ‘spiritual,’ 13b, matching, or combining, spiritual things with spiritual words [or, alternatively, ‘interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men,’ see (e) below]; ‘spiritual songs’ are songs of which the burden is the things revealed by the Spirit, Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; ‘spiritual wisdom and understanding’ is wisdom in, and understanding of, those things, Col. 1:9; (e) men in Christ who walk so as to please God are ‘spiritual,’ Gal. 6:1; 1 Cor. 2:13b [but see (d) above], 15; 3:1; 14:37; (f) the whole company of those who believe in Christ is a ‘spiritual house,’ 1 Pet. 2:5a; (g) the blessings that accrue to regenerate men at this present time are called ‘spiritualities,’ Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11; ‘spiritual blessings,’ Eph. 1:3; ‘spiritual gifts,’ Rom. 1:11; (h) the activities Godward of regenerate men are ‘spiritual sacrifices,’ 1 Pet. 2:5b; their appointed activities in the churches are also called ‘spiritual gifts,’ lit., ‘spiritualities,’ 1 Cor. 12:1; 14:1; (i) the resurrection body of the dead in Christ is ‘spiritual,’ i.e., such as is suited to the heavenly environment, 1 Cor. 15:44; (j) all that is produced and maintained among men by the operations of the Spirit of God is ‘spiritual,’ Cor. 15:46…“The spiritual man is one who walks by the Spirit both in the sense of Gal. 5:16 and in that of 5:25, and who himself manifests the fruit of the Spirit in his own ways…
“According to the Scriptures, the ‘spiritual’ state of soul is normal for the believer, but to this state all believers do not attain, nor when it is attained is it always maintained. Thus the Apostle, in 1 Cor. 3:1-3, suggests a contrast between this spiritual state and that of the babe in Christ, i.e., of the man who because of immaturity and inexperience has not yet reached spirituality, and that of the man who by permitting jealousy, and the strife to which jealousy always leads, has lost it. The spiritual state is reached by diligence in the Word of God and in prayer; it is maintained by obedience and self–judgment. Such as are led by the Spirit are spiritual, but, of course, spirituality is not a fixed or absolute condition, it admits of growth; indeed growth in ‘the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,’ 2 Pet. 3:18, is evidence of true spirituality
Adverb. PNEUMATIKŌS (πνευματικῶς , (4153)), spiritually, occurs in 1 Cor. 2:14, with the meaning as (j) above, and Rev. 11:8, with the meaning as in (c). Some mss. have it in 1 Cor. 2:13.¶ Notes: (1) In Rom. 8:6, the R.V. rightly renders the noun pneuma “(the mind) of the spirit,” A.V., “spiritual (mind).” (2) In 1 Cor. 14:12 the plural of pneuma, “spirits,” R.V., marg., stands for “spiritual gifts” (text). (3) In 1 Pet. 2:2, the R.V. renders iogikos “spiritual.”
GreekStrongs in G4152
29 hits in 21 verses
Rom 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong
Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
Romans 15:27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
1 Corinthians 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:
1 Cor 3:1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
1 Corinthians 10:3 They all ate the same spiritual food
1 Corinthians 10:4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.
1 Cor 14:1 Follow the way of love & eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy
1 Corinthians 14:37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
1 Corinthians 15:44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
1 Corinthians 15:46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Colossians 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
4153 πνευματικῶς [pneumatikos /pnyoo·mat·ik·oce/] adverb
1Cor.2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned [appraised]
“generously” vv
Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
2 Cor 8:2 Out of the most severe trial, their (the Macedonian churches) overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
2 Cor 9:11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Cor 9:13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
2 Cor 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Eph 6:5 Slaves obey your earthly masters with respect & fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ
Cols 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
572. ἁπλότης haplótēs; gen. haplótētōs, fem. noun from haplóos contracted haploús (573), single, not having an ulterior or double motive. Simplicity, purity, sincerity, faithfulness, plenitude (Rom. 12:8; Sept.: 2 Sam. 15:11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite “innocently”, knowing nothing about the matter; Prov. 19:1Better a poor man whose walk is “blameless” than a fool whose lips are perverse). In the NT used only in a moral sense as the opposite of duplicity meaning sincerity, faithfulness toward others, manifest in helpfulness and giving assistance to others. Equivalent to being faithful and benevolent. Although in some portions (2 Cor. 8:2; 9:11, 13) translated liberality or bountifulness, it is not exactly so. It is rather faithful benevolence out of proper motivation. Eph. 6:5, “in singleness of your heart” means in sincerity; Col. 3:22; Sept.: 1 Chr. 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with “honest intent”. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. In 2 Cor. 11:3, “the simplicity that is in Christ” means frankness, integrity, fidelity. A) Sencillez, rectitud, franqueza, lealtad: 2 Co. 1:12; 2 Co. 11:3; Ef. 6:5; Col. 3:22. B) Generosidad, liberalidad: Ro. 12:8; 2 Co.8:2; 2 Co. 9:11; 2 Co. 9:13
John Stott Book:
Paul organized a collection from the Greek churches of Achaia and Macedonia for the benefit of the impoverished churches of Judea. He refered to it in Romans 15, 1 Cor.16, 2 Cor.8-9.
10 PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN GIVING FROM 2 COR.8-9
#1 Christian giving is an expression of the grace of God (2 Cor.8:1-6)
2 Corinthians 8:1-6 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part
Notice that Paul does not begin by referring to the generosity of the churches of Macedonia in No. Greece. He refers instead to the generosity of God. (Grace is a ref to the generosity of God) Behind the generosity of the Macedonian churches was the grace (generosity) of God. Three tributaries came together in the river of Maceonian generosity – their severe trial, their overwhelming joy and their extreme proverty. Consequently, the Macedonians gave even beyond their ability and they pleaded for the privilege of doing so.
#2 Christian giving can be a gift of the Spirit
2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is “contributing” (giving) to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
#3 Christian giving is inspired by the cross of Christ
2 Corinthians 8:8-9 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Notice the two references to poverty and two references to wealth. Poverty = his incarnation and death; riches = salvation and spiritual blessings.
#4 Christian giving is proportionate giving
2 Corinthians 8:10-12 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Acts 11:29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.
#5 Christian giving contributes to equality
2 Corinthians 8:13-15 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little
#6 Christian giving must be carefully supervised
2 Corinthians 8:16-24 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
First,Paul didn’t handle the financial arrangement himself, he put Titus in charge. Second, he sent along another brother with Titus. Third, these workers had been chosen by the church (1Cor.16:3). We need multiple counters and regular written reports.
#7 Christian giving can be stimulated by a friendly competition (Motivation for giving)
2 Corinthians 9:1-5 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Paul had been boasting to the churches of No. Greece (e.g. Philippi) about the eagerness of the churches of southern Greece (e.g. Corinth) to give and this enthusiasm had stirred the northerners to action. Now Paul is sending some brothers to Corinth to ensure that his boasting about the southerners will not prove hollow and that they will be ready as he said they would be. First Paul boasted of southern generosity so that the northerners will give generously. Now he urges the southerners to give generously so that the northerners will not be disappointed in them.
#8 Christian giving resembles a harvest.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Two harvest principles: First, we reap what we sow. Earlier Paul had exhorted the church to systmatic giving (1 Cor.16:1-3 Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem). Question: when do you decide how much to give? Second, what we repeat has a double purpose. It provides for the present immediate consumption (bread for food) and for the future, to plant when the next season comes (seed for the sower).
#9 Christian giving has symbolic significance
2 Corinthians 9:12-13 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
The transfer of the cash has significance geographically (from Greece to Judea), economic (from the rich to the poor), theological (from Gentile Christians to Jewish Christians). It was a striking illustration and declaration of Christian fellowship. Romans 15:27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
#10 Christian giving promotes thanksgiving to God
2 Corinthians 9:11-15 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Authentic Christian giving leads people to thank God and see our gift to them in the light of God’s grace as seen in his Son.
FOUR DIFFERENT WORKDS FOR “GIFT”
DOREA Initial Gift is the Holy Spirit himself (Acts 2:38; 10:45) 11xs
DOMA Gifted men (Eph.4:8) 4xs
Eph 4:7-13 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train & gave gifts to men.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, & some to be pastors & teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith & in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ
MERISMOS Miraculous Deeds (Heb.2:4) 2xs
Heb 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
