As Christians, we’re called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, which means we’re to grow through the practice of certain spiritual disciplines: Bible study, prayer, witnessing, forgiveness, and the disciplines we have been talking about in this series: the disciplines of stewardship and giving.
God is the owner of all things and has entrusted part of what belongs to Him to us to manage as He directs. As we seek His direction, He’ll have us use some for ourselves and our families (1 Timothy 5:8); and use some to support His work. As we give as God directs, we glorify Him, support His household (His church) and we expand His kingdom.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians about growing in the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7). He had sought to inspire them by the example of the Macedonian church. Now today, we how Paul taught about the benefits of growing in the grace of giving. (READ TEXT)
Verse 6 says we can’t out give God. If we sow generously, we’ll reap generously. And what’s the nature of the harvest? Paul says in verse 10 it’s a “harvest of righteousness.” In other words, as I grow in the grace of giving, I’ll grow to be more like Jesus. Specifically, as I grow in the grace of giving, I’ll grow in my appreciation of . . .
1. God’s Love - v. 7
How do I decide in my own heart what to give? I give a tithe because that’s what God has revealed for me to do through His Word (Matthew 23:23). I give anything beyond a tithe because that’s what God has revealed to me through prayer (2 Corinthians 8:5).
And when I grow in giving, by obeying God’s direction concerning my tithe first, and then my offerings, I will grow in my appreciation of the love of God. Why? Because the nature of God’s love for us was expressed through giving.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16 (NIV)
In response to the plight of sinful man, God showed His love by giving of Himself unhesitatingly, willingly, and enthusiastically in Christ. Likewise, we grow to appreciate the love of God as we, in response to the call of a holy God, decide to give of ourselves unhesitatingly, willingly, and enthusiastically.
2. God’s Grace - vs. 8-9
Notice how Paul emphasizes the sufficiency of the grace of God - “All grace,” “All things,” “All times,” “All that you need.” Paul makes it clear that as we respond to God’s call to give in support of His work through his church, we will not lack anything we need!
“And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 4:19 (Amplified)
This same Apostle who testified that God’s grace was sufficient to sustain him in times of trial and sickness, also testifies here that God’s grace is sufficient to supply our needs, even though when we give to God’s work, it will mean we actually have less to live on! As we look to God, and learn to practice the discipline of giving, He will show us how to live better on 90% than we could every live by our own wisdom on 100%. We learn by experience that God’s grace is always sufficient!
A Rolls-Royce salesman who was asked by a prospective customer about the total horsepower of the automobile? The salesman did not know, and in turn asked the manager, who himself did not know the answer. Since the answer seemed important to the horsepower conscious customer, a call was made to the manufacturer in England with the question. The reply came in one word: “SUFFICIENT!”
We may say the same thing of our position in Christ with our lives linked to him. Nobody has ever measured the amount of God’s ability, nor can it ever be measured, but for your inquiry the answer is always “SUFFICIENT!”
Notice that Paul tells us that we can give and still have enough to live on because God is able!
Which brings us to a third thing we will grow in appreciation of as we seek to grow in the grace of giving . . .
3. God’s Supply - vs. 10-11
While verses 8 and 9 emphasize God’s power to provide for our need; verses 10 and 11 emphasizes God’s power to provide for our obedience. Not only does God promise to provide your need, He also promises to provide your seed!
God prospers me not to raise my standard of living but to raise my standard of giving.
You’ll recall how, we have drawn a contrast between reason giving and revelation giving. Revelation giving relates to obeying God’s revelation in His Word about tithing and his revelation in prayer about how I am to give beyond my tithe in offerings. This is how we are to grow in the grace of giving. And whether it is giving my tithe as God has revealed in His Word or giving an offering beyond my tithe as God has spoken to me in prayer, this one things is true:
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. ” - 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
Where God guides, He’ll provide; what He commands, He’ll enable.
One day Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, and there came in a man with a withered hand. Jesus stopped his teaching and said, “Stretch forth your hand!” (Matt. 12:l3; Mark 3:5; Luke 6:10). The man didn’t stand there and say, “You wouldn’t mock a cripple would you? I can’t stretch forth my hand.” No, he stretched it forth. What God commanded, He enabled!
A lame man whose residence had been the same pallet for 38 years (John 5:5-9). One day Jesus came by and said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” That man didn’t say, “I can’t. I’ve tried a thousand times, but I can’t!” He did it! He did just what Jesus commanded him to do. He found that anything Jesus demanded was backed by His dynamic! What God commanded, He enabled!
God never asks us to do something we can’t do by His power. So we should never be shocked at any command God gives us. Claim this to be true of your giving and watch God do miracles of provision in and through your life!
God will reveal His supply to you. He’ll show you how He’ll enable you to give what He’s told you to give. But notice: Just as God’s provision for their healing was revealed only after these men chose to obey; God’s provision for your giving will only be revealed after you choose to obey. Until then, you likely may not recognize God’s supply.
(Show God’s Pie Video)
How are you dividing up God’s pie? Be sure, if we are to give as God directs, it will likely involve rearranging priorities; making different choices; adopting different habits; and even making certain sacrifices. But in the process, I’ll discover by experience the power and provision of God; and I will grow to be more like Jesus.
Conclusion:
It’s time to step out on faith and obey the guidance that God gives us!
The bride bent with age, leaned over her cane,
Her steps, uncertain, needed guiding;
While down the church aisle with a toothless smile,
The groom in a wheel chair came gliding.
And who is this elderly couple thus wed?
You’ll find, when you’ve closely explored it;
That this is that rare, most conservative pair,
Who waited ‘til they could afford it!
If you wait until you see how you can afford to give as God calls you to give, you’ll never do it! Step out in faith! Make the choice to obey His call, and let Him reorganize your life and reveal His supply, and as Paul tells us in verse 11, God will make you rich in every way so that you can live the generous life.
