The Monetary Gift

Intro:

TS: A special offering was being collected for the saints at Jerusalem. Paul takes this importunity to continue reminding them of principles of giving.

The Review

Paul’s Confidence

2 Corinthians 9:1–2 ESV

Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.

Paul brags about their enthusiasm to collect an offering

He is reminding them o what we saw last week.

They had asked for the opportunity to give

Though poor, they had given sacrificially

Their willingness to give had been an example and encouraged churches throughout Macedonia to do the same.

AP: Our lives can also be an example

People watch us

They see our lifestyle

Is it encouraging them to do the right things?

Most importantly: is it pointing them to Jesus

Paul’s Charge

2 Corinthians 9:3–5 ESV

But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

He urges them to complete the task

Apparently, they had committed to a large offering freely and now Paul urged them to finish it.

Integrity was at stake!

Some were coming soon to receive the gift.

The Reminder

2 Corinthians 9:6–9 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

The Principle

9:6, 8-9

Sowing and Reaping

You plant in expectation of reaping what you have sown.

You reap more because the seed multiples to be many.

Yet, if you sow just a little, there will be a smaller harvest

We see this in nature, on the farm and in our spiritual lives as well.

The harvest is directly proportional to the amount of seed sown

Proverbs 11:24 ESV

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

When we give, we also receive

That IS NOT the point of giving

But it is God’s grace that brings about a bountiful harvest.

John MacArthur says it this way:

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

When a generous believer gives by faith and trust in God, with a desire to produce the greatest possible blessing, that person will receive that kind of a harvest of blessing

Not only is this a principle, this is the rare area in which God says test Him!

Malachi 3:10 ESV

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

When we give, we are making a statement of faith.

The Participant

9:7

Each person should determine the amount of his or her gift

Purposed:

a premeditated and predetermined plan of action which is done voluntarily from the heart.

This isn’t an impulsive gift

This is a planned gift

Freely

Not in response to pressure

Nobody is coercing them and putting them under obligation.

Nobody is tugging heartstrings to guilt them-

We should cheerfully give what God has led us to give

Cheerful- Greek word is the same word from which we get “hilarious”

Dave Ramsey says the most fun you will ever have with money is through giving!

I view 10% of income as the starting place and a good guideline

proportionate- if we get a bonus, our giving goes up

Planned: We know when we will give (every paycheck)

Many are led to give more:

10% is a starting point, perhaps God leads us to go higher! He leads us to give additional to JBC, Gideons, etc.

The Rewards

2 Corinthians 9:10–14 ESV

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. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 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, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

Giver will be blessed by the Lord

9:10, 13

This comes from Is 55:10

God is faithful to supply our needs

He is kind to all people

He is uniquely gracious to us

God blesses the cheerful giver:

Hosea 10:12 ESV

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

God will be praised and thanked

Giving is an act of worship and God is glorified by worship

Giver will be blessed by the recipient

9:11-12 and vs 14

The recipient also is moved

They are moved to worship and thank God

They are moved by the generosity of the Corinthians.

v. 14: They will pray for them

Conclusion: