2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (NASB)
1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
9 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 through His poverty might become rich.
10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality —
14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
15 as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”
Introduction:
Five Reasons God Grants a Surplus
1. To save up for times when we have a lack – Emergency Fund
2. To enjoy life – gifts, vacations, hobbies, etc. – Discretionary Spending
3. To give to the Lord’s work through church, missions and ministries – Tithes and Offerings
4. To generously give to other believers in need – Charity
5. To increase wealth so you can do the other four more generously – Investing
Theme: Five habits of a grace giving church and the reasons we should emulate them
I. They Did It: Five habits displayed in a grace giving church
1. They gave in the midst of their affliction vs 2a.
2. They gave joyfully and generously vv 2b-3a
3. They gave willingly and eagerly 3b-4
4. They gave themselves to the Lord first.
vs 5a.
5. They gave themselves to the ministry. 5b
II. Now you Do It: Five reasons why we should emulate those grace giving churches
1. Grace Giving is a gracious work to share in vv.6-7
2. Grace Giving proves our love for others vs. 8
3. Grace Giving is patterned after the generous gift of Christ for us vs.9
4. Grace Giving is done out of your desire and ability to do so vv. 10-12
Are you ready and willing ?
Are you able?
5. Grace Giving provides for equality among believers vv. 13-15 Acts 4:34-35
Do you understand God’s reason for granting you wealth ?
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