Your Giving is God's Glory

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever tried to get your umbrella into the plastic bag putting the handle in first?

It is like trying to walk around in the dark or trying to spend time with somebody that you don’t know and you both speak different languages.

Our Scripture passage today tells us to cheerfully and generously give away things (that you don’t need) to others (because you have Jesus).

1. Verse 6 begins with the principle:

2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Image of corn: It is a simple principle. Imagine that you have a kernel of corn and you plant it. What comes out of the ground? It isn’t a one for one principle. God in his wisdom has a law of reproduction. If you plant a few kernels of corn in the ground then several stalks of corn comes up and they have about two ears of corn on each stalk and each ear of corn has many kernels of corn on each ear. What a blessing.

The worldly philosophy is:

Get all you can,

Can all you get and then

Sit on the can.

2. Verse 7 shows us the manner in which to give:

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Give cheerfully from the heart. God loves a cheerful giver.

3. Verse 8-10 tells us about the divine-action.

2 Corinthians 9:8–10 ESV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 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.

Have you seen how parents teach their children how to give, how to share and how to do good things.

4. Verse 12 shows us that our happiness brings more happiness.

5. Verse 13 shows us the basis for being big givers.

2 Corinthians 9:13 ESV

13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

Our allegiance (submission) that comes from our confession of the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 6:7–8 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

CONCLUSION:

Three weeks ago, there was a first-time visitor.

Realize what you have?

Remember who gave it to you?

Reap what you sow!

APPLICATION:

The Holy Spirit wants to speak to you about doing good.

Listen, look and live according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

What Jesus did for you is what you have been empowered to do for us.