2 Cor 8:16-24 Integrity and Generosity

Integrity & Generosity

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Generous giving comes with responsibility. Responsibility of the giver to trust the resources to a wise steward. Responsibility of the steward(church or ministry) to manage and administer those funds with integrity and accountability.

Main Idea: The stewardship of generosity requires integrity and accountability before God and man.

How do you seek to rightly handle the resources entrusted to you? Or How do you avoid mishandling resources?

Illus: Since COVID, I have learned of two churches devastated because of mismanagement. Churches that are large and small.

The stewardship of generosity requires integrity and accountability before God.

21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight…

“we aim at” take thought of, provide for, what is honorable--morally right, beautiful, good.

“in the Lord’s sight” before the Lord, in the sight of the Lord

Hebrews 4:13 ESV

13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Integrity (good character, honest) God sees who we are. We should be thoughtful and intentional to live with integrity in the sight of God. He will not be fooled.

Coram Deo

Who you, are translates into what you do.

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

God not only sees and knows who we are, we will give an account

Accountability (answer to, responsible to) keep moving let parable serve as an illustration.

Matthew 25:14-30

We will give and individual account for how we handle the resources entrusted to us.

We will give a shared account for how we handled the Lord’s resources together. Budget matters.

The stewardship of generosity requires integrity and accountability before man.

21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

“we aim at” take thought of, provide for, what is honorable--morally right, beautiful, good.

“sight of man”

1. Congregation of believers.

2. Watching world. (more of an issue today as things become public quickly and widely.

Integrity (good character, honest) Paul explains 3 people of integrity that he is sending to take care of the offering--this act of grace(v. 19).

Titus-the soul brother

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus God is the source, act of grace. It is noteworthy that the Greek term for “thanks” (charis) is the same as that for “grace” and “giving.” (Seifrid 341)

“earnest care” eagerness, diligence, fervor to accomplish some end.

Illus: When you care deeply about something--you throw yourself into it. As you see in v. 17...

17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.

Resulted in Titus going on his own accord.

Leads to personal action instead of being told what to do.

Illus: COVID consequences…hard to get started back, not simply concern over virus, being home and less of schedule. The ministry of the local church requires earnestness. Thank the Lord for those who have committed to serve today and bless children and their families. Challenge of recruiting people to serve in the kids area. I trust that you have earnest hearts and that you will respond.

2 other people of integrity being sent with Titus

The famous brother (ironic that he is unnamed)

18 With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us

His integrity has shown up in the preaching of the gospel, resulting in him being appointed by the churches to travel with Paul and the team…Why?

as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

take the gift to Jerusalem....carry out the “act of grace” God remains the final, unconditioned Giver, from whom not only all gifts but all giving flows. In giving, we receive. Only in this way can it be that the collection is for the Lord’s glory, and not that of the human participants. (Seifrid 343)

The final words of verse 19 indicate the purposes for which Paul accepted responsibility for administering the collection. It was in order to honour the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. The collection, taken up among Gentile converts and given to Jewish believers, was a tangible expression of the reconciliation which God had effected through Christ (Kruse 210)

The earnest brother

22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.

Tested and found earnest in many matters. Saw a need, he met the need. He stood ready to help.

Earnest because of his great confidence in the Corinthians.

To carry out the offering, people of integrity were chosen and accountability was put into place.

Accountability (answer to, responsible to) Culturally people want you to stop at integrity. People often bristle when steps of accountability are put into place.

People of integrity still need accountability. Money can lead to trouble.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

For the sake of accountability. Some need to avoid the handling of resources completely...Illus: I do not handle money, nor do I see giving records.

see Paul’s wisdom and motivation in v. 20.

20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,

The team of 3 created accountability--they were not previously friends or from the same church.

The selection by others created accountability.

The team kept Paul and his team from being responsible.

21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. aim make it out goal, direction they are headed. present active indicative.

Proverbs 3:3–4 ESV

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Means of grace results in integrity which results in the right thing before God and man.

So What?

Are we practicing stewardship of generosity with integrity and accountability before God and man?

23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

He sums up the checks and balances and states the purpose.

Checks and balances Parkwood has in place as it relates to the handling of generous giving.

Handling of money or the counting is never left to one person on Sunday.

We have 3 people present in the same room responsible for the counting, recording and depositing of all funds given in every form: cash, checks, and digital giving.

All spending is monitored by the finance office which has 3 people involved.

All financials are reviewed by the Elders and Finance Committee monthly.

All of the above and the staff are included in the preparation of the budget, which guides all spending.

We are audited or have a financial review by an outside firm every year.

Why? the glory of Christ.

What should integrity and accountability help encourage?

24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

Let’s be a generous people who give out of joyful and loving hearts for the sake of the gospel.

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.

Prayer for giving and accountability.

Encourage last Sunday and getting kids back today.

Members’ Meeting today at 4 pm to decide on the 2020/21 budget and to decide on moving forward with the building of the lobby.