Season of Giving 1

2 Corin 8:1-

2 Corinthians 8:1–9 ESV

1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 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. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 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. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 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.

Background:

The Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were suffering from famine and substantial religious persecution. Because of these layers of hardship and suffering, the apostles — including Paul — were taking offerings and sending them as relief to the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem. As Paul is writing to the Corinthian church about their opportunity to give graciously and generously to participate in this support of the Lord’s work, Paul is holding forward churches in the region of Macedonia — which would have included the church at Phillipi — as models for the Corinthian church in giving. And in this season of giving, these words of Paul can serve as models for us as well.

First sermon series on giving in 10 years...

Of all the areas of following Jesus and becoming like Jesus, giving financially is one the the easiest.

Sermon series on Anger coming up...

Sermon series on Forgiveness coming up...

Sermon series on the family (marriage, kids, parents)...

Those are hard. Giving is easy.

Christian giving is “in the midst” and never “in spite.”

Spite and In the midst

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 ESV

1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 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.

The New International Version Chapter 8

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

Severe trial

Overflowing joy

Extreme poverty

We are not commanded to give in spite of these realities in our lives, but rather the sacred opportunity to give in the midst of such realities.

2. The gave as they were able and “begged for the priviledge” to give.

2 corin 8:3-

2 Corinthians 8:3–6 ESV

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

Their giving transcended the legalisms to give and entered into the grace of giving.

They gave money… and they gave more than Paul expected… and in a manner beyond what Paul expected.

“Begging” — kid at the toy section...

What if we begged to give the way that kid begged to get.

Ben Baker Guatamala trip...

3. They excelled at giving like every other part of their discipleship.

2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV

7 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.

3. Giving and receiving should be from the sincerity of divine love.

2 Corin 8:

2 Corinthians 8:8–9 ESV

8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 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.

RJ’s Angry man…

Jesus’ generosity and the model of it should not spur resistance and resentment…

We come to the table to receive not only with gratitude… but with love… and his model of giving is what we get to emulate in every area of our lives.

Take Lord’s Supper