Godly Giving

Intro:

Godly Giving Illustrations

The Macedonian Believers

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 ESV

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 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. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

The generosity of the churches of Macedonia was motivated by God’s grace. Paul did not merely commend those churches for a noble human work, but instead gave the credit to God for what He did through them. churches of Macedonia. Macedonia was the northern Roman province of Greece. Paul’s reference was to the churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (cf. Ac 17:11).

This wasn’t a wealthy area

Many wars had swept the area

Roman oppression and commerce had impoverished them.

In spite of their poverty, they gave generously.

1. They gave proportionately

each according to their ability

God expects us to follow His leadership

2. They gave sacrificially

They went beyond their ability

This was inspired by God’s grace and was an act of worship and display of faith

3. They gave Freely

This was a voluntary freewill offering.

We don’t give under compulsion, manipulation, or obligation

Giving should be from the heart and freely done.

The Lord Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

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.

1. He was very rich

King o Kings and Lord of Lords

He owns it all

2. He became very poor

He left the splendor of heaven

He became a helpless infant and grew to be a poor man.

Ultimately, He died on the cross

3. All to make spiritually poor people become rich

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Godly Giving Instructions

Give Knowingly

2 Corinthians 8:6–8 ESV

Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 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. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

Paul had instructed Titus to begin and now complete the collection for famine relief of the poor saints in Jerusalem.

Make a decision and with all knowledge of the situation give

Give knowingly-

b. Give willingly

2 Corinthians 8:10–11 ESV

And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

Paul didn’t command a specific ammount

this wasn’t a “church tax”

He urged them to give willingly and finish what they started.

Perhaps false teachers had led them to quit collecting

c. Give realistically

2 Corinthians 8:12 ESV

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

This text leaves no room for so called ministries which feed off people and squeeze them for money to their own peril.

Giving the last money you have leaving you with nothing to provide food isn’t what we are encouraging.

We should not fall for the human trap of judging each other on the size of one’s gifts.

In fact, I don’t know who gives what!

I don’t want to know!

For some, 10 may be a huge gift, and for others it is nothing.

You and God know what is realistic and acceptable in free will offerings.

God is concerned with the attitude, not the amount!

Also note: according to what he has, not what he does not have.

Believers have no need to go into debt to give.

Nor should they drive themselves into such poverty that they can no longer meet their basic needs.

Maxing out a credit card to give a tremendous size of offering not only doesn’t help, it actually hurts you!

You don’t earn God’s love

So more gifts or less won’t change His love

Since pr 22:7

The borrower is slave to the lender

Going in debt limits your ability to serve God

d. Give confidently

2 Corinthians 8:13–15 ESV

For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Balance, equilibrium is the key

IN fact, God lets some of us have more so that we may help others!

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

1 Timothy 6:18 ESV

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

Mana in OT is mentioned and demonstrates the principal of Christians sharing each others burdens.

Godly Giving Individuals

2 Corinthians 8:16–19 ESV

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us 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.

Titus and 2 not named

Local representation was carrying the gift to Jerusalem

They would accompany Paul

The need for the three

2 Corinthians 8:20–24 ESV

We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 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. 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. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

accountability

The 3 would hold Paul accountable and would be accountable to the church

We have similar safeguards in place

One counts offerings

One acts a treasurer

We have reports regularly

Guards against suspicion

It blocks accusations of mishandling funds before they can begin.

The gift was large and he wanted it handled well.

By doing this openly and urging Corinthians to come with him, there was less room for suspicions

Conclusion: