Give in a way that counts

2 cor 9:6-10 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” Now 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 everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Intro: In high school I’d often leave class to get a snack in the vending machine. There was one vending machine on campus with the good stuff, blue gatorade, baked hot Cheetos and most importantly sour gummy worms. I remember using the quarters I had been saving for a long time to get theses snacks BUT a major issue occured. The machine swallowed up my coins and then did nothing. I pressed a few buttons, shook the machine and nothing. Then of course I figured, it must need more money. I proceeded to put the rest of my quarters in the machine and still nothing. The money I gave it JUST didn’t count.

I came to found out that the machine didn’t accept quarters and didn’t give them back either. Whats the point of a coin slot that doesn't accept quarters?

But tonight as we look at 2 Cor 9 we are taught what makes GIVING COUNT - not practically what makes the money move BUT what type of giving does God look at and smile upon, what does he accept as a good deed?

Does your giving count?

Prop: In order for your giving to count, you MUST Give on God’s terms

Give Expectantly v. 6

2 Cor 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

Paul gives an axiom a obviously true statement with major implications look at verse 10 as he applies this illustration of sowing - God will repay you dividends. He is the safest investment.

This isn’t a Word Faith - Osteen plea to give more and see your bank account shoot up and a Benz in the driveway

But it is a plea to give expectantly and sacrificially to be blessed

Some may say “Isn’t that the wrong reason to give?” I’d argue that God promises reward for believers OFTEN and we do it dependently and expectantly for His glory which is always our good

Maybe the real reason some struggle with this is actually do to a lack of faith - in our money driven materialistic culture we are afraid that if we give God will not or cannot return. But 2 Cor 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”

When we give our money to a website we have faith they will ship the product, when we give our money to sinful men’s organization we have faith it will be used for good purposes - Why then when we give to the Lord we hold back because we don’t have faith that he will return - HE IS ABLE - So give expectantly

Give Purposefully v.7a

2 Cor 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart,

Explain - The bible actually doesn’t explicitly command NT believers to give 10%

Illustrate - This is why I have newly determined that automatic giving is wrong - you set a number and then you forget about - it eliminates you from even thinking about the topic

Applicate

Give Generously v.7b

2 cor 9:7 ...not grudgingly

Explain - Giving is not giving if you do it because you feel bad

Illustrate

Applicate

Give Freely

2 cor 9:7 under compulsion,

Explain - don’t give because someone told you to, because everyone else gives that much because of a rule

Illustrate - could you imagine if you get a birthday gift and when they hand it to you, you pry it out of your hands and they say I got this because I had too - I felt like I couldn’t come if I didn’t bring a gift here ugh - I’d say IDC take it back

Applicate - If you are going to give because you think you have to, just keep the money God doesn’t need it, He is able

Conclusion

How do you know then if you have succeeded and that your giving counts? Well look at the end of verse 7 “for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Scripture seldom says that God loves certain people more or specially - we know he loves the world enough to offer his sacrifice on the cross, he loves his Children in a unique way and he love