SERMON OUTLINE:
Principle #1: Generous Giving Begins With Surrender To The Lord (8:1-7).
Principle #2: Generous Giving Is Motivated By Grace (8:8-9)
Principle #3: Generous Giving Involves Faith (8:10-15)
Principle #4: Generous Giving Is a Testimony To Others (9:1-5)
Principle #5: Generous Giving Must Be Done Sparingly (9:6-15)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• A few weeks ago, I was offered a phone upgrade,
• An on this occasion Apple were very generous.
• My contract would be slightly cheaper than the previous one – good start!
• But included in the upgrade was the gift of an Amazon Prime membership,
• Which is free 2-day delivery/shipping!
• It also included some free audio books each month.
• As well as free music and movies for a selected period.
• And then there was even more,
• It included free space in the cloud to store and share photos.
• And to top it off, it included free all you can eat meals at 25 local restaurants.
• Ok, I made the last one up!
• But all those others are included.
• You buy a phone and Apple have been very, very generous,
• By throwing in all these extras
• (Now I know they are all time limited, and they want to suck me into signing up permanently,
• But for now, |I will enjoy their generosity!)
• TRANSITION: We have a God who is generous,
• Unlike Apple there is no hidden motive in his generosity,
• We don’t deserve his generosity, but we can delight in his generosity.
Note: The background to these two chapters.
• The apostle Paul is taking a financial offering from this Gentile Church at Corinth,
• To the Jewish Church at Jerusalem.
• A year or so earlier to this letter,
• This Church had agreed to do this,
• But twelve months down the line their initial enthusiasm had waned,
• And they had not followed through on their pledge of support.
• Verse 6:
“So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning,
to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.”
• So, the apostle Paul reminds them of their pledge,
• And takes the time to also explain some principles regarding giving,
• Principles that still can be applied by you and me today.
Principle #1: Generous Giving Begins With Surrender To The Lord (8:1-7).
“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
ill:
• Story told of a man being baptized and as he entered the pool of water,
• He remembered his wallet was in his back pocket.
• So, he stopped to take it out and place it on the side.
• The person doing the baptising called out,
• “Stop, either I baptise your wallet and all or not at all”.
• Now he was not interested in making the man’s money wet,
• But was making the point that to say,
• “I will follow Jesus but not allow that to affect my money”, is a nonsense!
• God's way of providing for his work on earth is always through his people,
• I don’t see any other way mentioned in the New Testament.
• All Christians are called to give, and to give financially!
Note:
• The principle here is don’t give your money until first you have given yourself!
• Verse 5b: “they gave themselves first of all to the Lord,”
• So, the first thing the apostle tells us about the Macedonian Christians,
• Is that before they opened their wallets, they opened their hearts!
• Their heart was first, and their generous contribution followed.
• Their giving was the out working of their love for God,
• They gave not to win God’s approval,
• But rather it was a demonstration of God at work in them.
• If we are right with God, we look for opportunities to give,
• Rather than excuses not to give.
Principle #2: Generous Giving Is Motivated By Grace (8:8-9)
“I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 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.”
Ill:
• A sign in the back of a car had a picture of the seven dwarfs:
• It should have read: “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I go.”
• But instead, it read: “I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go.”
• TRANSITION: 2 Corinthians chapter 8 & 9 are reminders to every Christian ‘we owe’
• Jesus Christ humbled himself and entered our world as a human being.
• In a few weeks-time we will be celebrating that in our Christmas songs & carols etc
Ill:
• Well-known Christian author, James Montgomery Boice,
• In his book, "The Christ of Christmas."
• Gives us a great insight into the incarnation with these words.
“Jesus endured a human birth to give us a new spiritual birth.
He occupied a stable that we might occupy a mansion.
He had an earthly mother so that we might have a heavenly Father.
He became subject so that we might be free.
He left his glory to give us glory.
He was poor that we might be rich.
He was welcomed by shepherds at His birth,
So, we through our new birth can one day be welcomed by angels.
He was hunted by Herod,
So that we might be delivered from the grasp of Satan.”
• TRANSITION: That is the great paradox of the Christmas story.
• It is the reversal of roles at God’s cost for our benefit.
• And without doubt the incarnation,
• Was the greatest act of humility this world has ever seen…
• Well, it was for 33 years until Jesus stooped even lower!
• Philippians chapter 2 verse 8.
“And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!”
Note:
• In verse 8 the apostle Paul is not commanding these Christians to give,
• He simply reminds them of God’s free grace, his sacrificial love shown in Christ,
• And he expects that, and that alone to motivate them and us to give to others.
Note: The apostle Paul teaches through contrast in these verses:
• e.g., The Macedonians were poor,
• Yet they gave as though they were rich!
• e.g., Though Jesus was rich; he lived as though he was poor,
• So that you through his poverty might become rich!
The apostle Paul is pointing out to his wealthier readers,
• That the Macedonians were following the example of Christ,
• i.e., they were poor, yet they gave.
• And the application is therefore obvious!
• Giving is an evidence of love - Love for Christ, love for God's people.
• So now the apostle asked them to prove that love by sharing in the offering.
Principle #3: Generous Giving Involves Faith (8:10-15)
“And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’”
Ill:
• The great missionary Hudson Taylor,
• (Who in 1865 founded of China Inland Mission - now OMF International).
• In his home Hudson Taylor had a plaque on the wall,
• Written on that plaque was two Hebrew Words on it: EBENEZER & JEHOVAH JIREH.
• The first word means ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’
• And the second, ‘The Lord will see to it or provide.’
• One looked back while the other looked forward.
• One reminded him of God’s faithfulness and the other of God’s assurances.
• Hudson Taylor and William Thomas Berger.
• Refused to appeal for funds but relied totally on voluntary contributions,
• And history records that the Lord provided, again and again and again!
• TRANSITION: God provides.
• And he provides through his people, you & me, Christians, the Church!
Note:
• Verses 13-15 help us to be realistic regarding giving
• God is not out to make us financial paupers.
• God gave us a brain and he expects us to use it!
• There is no point giving away money so that we are in debt!
• So, the apostle Paul says, “Think!”
• Look at your income and give accordingly.
• Verse 12b:
“…the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.”
• So, the apostle Paul says, “Think!”
• Look at your income and give accordingly.
• Verse 12b:
Note:
• In the Old Testament the believers were required to tithe (10%) of their income,
• Some Christians practice this principle.
• Nowhere in In the New Testament are Christians commanded to tithe.
• But all Christians are expected to give!
• So, I would suggest that if under the Law they gave a tenth.
• Then under grace we should give…. well, I would suggest at least that amount!
• But remember,
• God gives each Christian the freedom to pray through what they should give,
• And each one of us should give what he or she feels is right before the Lord.
Ill:
• In verse 15 the apostle Paul,
• Refers to the Old Testament story of the miracle of the manna in the desert,
• (Exodus chapter 16 verse 18 – read it for your homework!).
• God provided Mana (food) for the Israelites,
• But on a gather what you need principle,
• They were told to share what they had and not to hoard God's blessings.
• God blesses us,
• That we might be a blessing to others.
Principle #4: Generous Giving Is a Testimony To Others (9:1-5)
“There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we – not to say anything about you – would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.”
ill:
• There is a story told of a gardener,
• Who presents his king with the greatest carrot he has ever grown.
• The king is touched and responds by giving the gardener a large plot of land.
• A nobleman who witnesses this event,
• Decides it would be advantageous for him to present the king with his finest horse.
• He does so, and the king merely thanked him for the horse.
• The nobleman obviously looks confused,
• The wise king knows this and so explains to him,
• “That gardener was giving me the carrot. But you were giving yourself the horse”
THE PRINCIPLE IS SIMPLE:
• When we give for the right reasons,
• Others take note and they well boast, they will tell others of our generosity.
Ill:
• What do you think of when I mention The Salvation Army?
• Straight away I think of soup kitchens and work among the poor.
• It is present in 132 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless,
• And disaster relief, and humanitarian aid to developing countries.
• Although some salvationists may have lost the cutting edge regarding the gospel message,
• No-one can deny their practical work among the poor and those rejected by society.
• Their work is a great witness to others regarding the love of God.
The principle here is that when we give for the right reasons,
• Others take note and they well boast, they will tell others of our generosity.
• That way we don’t get a big head,
• And God gets the glory.
Ill:
• On Wednesday Penny, Dawn, Abi, Sabrina & Kay were busy packing shoeboxes,
• For Operation Christmas Child run by Samaritan’s Purse organisation.
• The reason we pack these boxes (and many of you do some at home or online),
• Is it being a way to bless others less fortunate than ourselves,
• It is also witness to others of God’s love through our giving,
• Our motivation is to bless others,
• But the side-effect of that is a witness of our giving to others.
Principle #5: Generous Giving Must Be Done Sparingly (9:6-15)
“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures for ever.’
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Ill:
• This photo popped up on my Facebook feed this week,
• I put it in a saved folder thinking I will use that someday,
• And then as I prepared this talk, I realised this was the day!
• On YouTube they have the video of the same story, so let’s watch it,
• Link: https://youtu.be/tKOUnPX2Z1w
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• During excavations at the site of Herod the Great's palace in Israel in the early 1960's,
• Archaeologists unearthed a small stockpile of seeds,
• That were stowed in a clay jar dating back 2,000 years.
• The seeds were Judean date palm trees.
• Sadly, around the year 500 AD, the once plentiful palm had been completely wiped out, driven to extinction for the sake of conquest.
• For the next four decades,
• The ancient seeds were kept in a drawer at Tel Aviv's Bar-Ilan University.
• But then, in 2005,
• Botanical researcher Elaine Solowey decided to plant one and see what,
• If anything, would sprout.
• Amazingly, the multi-millennial seed did indeed sprout,
• Producing a sapling no one had seen in centuries,
• Becoming the oldest known tree seed to germinate.
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• TRANSITION: Botanical researcher Elaine Solowey sowed in faith,
• And her seed produced an incredible harvest!
• We should give generously, and we should sow sparingly,
• Giving should be voluntary and come from a “cheerful” heart.
• The word that is translated “cheerful” in our text is the Greek work, ‘hilaron’.
• It is the word from which we get our English word, ‘hilarious’.
• The apostle Paul declared that “God loves the hilarious giver.”
Note: the key principle in verse six.
“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
• "Sparingly" denotes what ought to be given.
• On the other hand, “generously” or "bountifully" in this verse,
• Indicates a gift freely and spontaneously given and therefore a blessing to the recipient.
• There is a law in life that says if you sow sparingly, you will reap just enough.
• If you sow generously, you will reap generously.
• Whether you are farming or dealing with relationships this principle is true.
• It is true in life materially and spiritually.
Quote:
“The harvest that the giver reaps makes him:
Rich in love. Rich in friends. Rich in God.
That is why we should give!”
MP3 AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=CX87beARmYU2UR2PxuRuKiA4GYZWA0vf
YOUTUBE VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/0ZtIn04qVqM
