#2 Building Blocks of Stewardship - ABC's & 123's (2)

Building Blocks of Stewardship

#2 ABC's & 123's - Spirit of Generosity

Psalm 24:1–5 KJV 1900

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

In this midweek bible study, we are looking at the building blocks of stewardship. Tithes, offerings and generosity. On Sunday’s we are looking at the interrogatives (questions) of stewardship.

This year in our stewardship month, the goal has been to not as much to give you the “how’s” of stewardship, but more on the “Why’s”...

Though budget’s, savings and financial plans are vital, there are very few who really chose to embrace these practices…

they choose to live in the moment… instant gratification of whatever is desired… credit cards, debt, uncontrolled spending is putting people and our nation into financial crisis.

We will still look at some of these area’s, but we are looking more at the attitudes of stewardship...

Psalm 24:1 KJV 1900

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.

#2 ABC's & 123's - Spirit of Generosity

Pray:

What should the attitude of giving be?

Let’s look at several things concerning our giving to the Lord and to others (which is to the Lord)

As stewards, we recognize that everything is the Lord’s - The earth and the fulness thereof… the world and those who dwell on it… everyone and everything…

In this stewardship, we have a responsibility to the Lord… But if I am going to be a good steward, I have to have a proper attitude toward this area of giving and generosity..

Spirit of Generosity...

2 Corinthians 9:1–5 KJV 1900

1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

There were great needs in Jerusalem and Judea, and the churches of Macedonia:

Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and others in Macedonia

He now presses the believers in Achaia & Corinth to be like minded - and to follow through with their own testimony of giving and generosity.

So, chapters 8-9 of 2 Corinthians is dealing with this area of generosity and giving...

Several Attitudes and Observations:

Eagerness

2 Corinthians 9:2 KJV 1900

2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

Froward mind

Zealous

John 2:17 KJV 1900

17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Challenging - Provoked very many -vs 2b

Er-eth-i-zo - to stir someone to action, as if by challenging them to a contest; sometimes negative -

Positive pressure - their testimony of generosity challenged other to be generous as well...

it wasn’t an attitude of “look at what I am doing” in an effort to self glorify -

it was attitude that was so exemplary that others were challenged to be like minded...

I am reading a book entitled - “I like giving”

In this book, there are so many illustrations of people’s generosity, that I have been challenged and encouraged to want to be more generous… Ways to encourage, assist, help, just showing love and care...

Prepared -

2 Corinthians 9:3–5 KJV 1900

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

these believers had a testimony of being

ready to give

prepared to give

The Apostle wanted to make sure that they were ready when the time came for the offerings to be received.

We can only be prepared to give when we budget our expenses...

if your expenses consume your income, then giving and generosity will never be an option - the desire may be there, but the resources will not

Blessing

2 Corinthians 9:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Bounty - used 5x’s in this chapter -

Eu-lo-gia = generous gift

a present - given as a sign of gracious kindness to promote the livelihood of the recipient;

Especially with a giver characterized by joyful generosity

Sacrificial

These were not wealthy people -

2 Corinthians 8:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

They had their own troubles:

great trial of affliction - vs 2

deep poverty - vs 2

To their power - ability

beyond their power - ability

Earnest

2 Corinthians 8:4 KJV 1900

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

These believers longed to be a part

intreaty: earnest or urgent request...

They did not want to be left out...

Paul saw their needy condition and had to be convinced to allow them to be a part -

The offerings were for the Lord and his people - the need wasn’t born out of covetousness of Paul and his co-laborers...

2 Corinthians 9:5 KJV 1900

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

Godly

2 Corinthians 8:5 KJV 1900

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Following the will of God

God’s will leads us beyond our own ability...

Illustration:

Bear hunting - I wasn’t in a position to do anything with my bear…

head mount

cost of rug

cost of full mount

I was going to have to pray in the $ for the rug, so what was the difference of praying in the $ for the full mount...

Sowing

2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV 1900

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Giving -

The floor of giving is 10% - that’s the baseline that has been set in the OT - and of course there were many who gave well above that - David - in preparation for the temple...

10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 27, 30… up

our giving statement caused me to wonder how in the world we were able to give what we gave… The percentage of our income…

You can’t pencil it out - but God’s math works...

I don’t know how -

I don’t know why it works - but 1 thing I know - it works!!!!

Sparingly

Bountifully

Luke 6:38 KJV 1900

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Purposefully

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 KJV 1900

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Is our giving purposefully?

from our heart?

purposes of our heart reveal our will / desires

giving / not giving reveals our heart

Cheerfully - vs 7

Not grudgingly - emotional pain experienced when sorrowful or unhappy

Not of necessity - state of being absolutely required

illustr:

husband and wife talking -

Wife - do you love me?

husband - yes, i love you...

Wife: Why do you love me

husband: The bible commands me to “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

The action of love is always required, but the motives do make a difference...

Our giving to the Lord - should be out of a thankful heart of love and gratitude...

Spirit of Generosity