Grace Given, Grace Received.
2 Corinthians 8:1-9AMP
Several years ago I read about a girl named Mary who had been born with a cleft palette. When she started school, her classmates teased and taunted her because of her imperfect appearance.
Mary soon became convinced that no one could love her. Little did she know that there was a second grade teacher who was liked by all the children.
Ms. Leonard was a cheerful woman, full of good humor and affection. Every year she checked the children's hearing with a simple test. The students would stand across the room from her as she whispered a question such as, “what color are your shoes?” Or, “Do you have a new dress?” And the children would answer.
When the time came for Mary's turn, she listen closely for the teacher to whisper. Then she heard these words: “I wish you were my little girl.”
Those words changed Mary's life forever—She realized she was loved, despite her flawed features, by someone who mattered—Ms. Leonard.
You matter. No exceptions. Remember this, Every man dies. Not every man really lives.
There wasn’t a lot of material wealth within the confines of the early church. In fact, believer’s and non-believers were living in hard times.
However, the fact is, Jesus had already place His seal of approval upon the Church. His Church, Matthew 16, Jesus proclaims that the very gates of hell, shall not prevail against the Church.
2 Corinthians 8:1-9AMP Now, brothers and sisters, we want to tell you about the grace of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [awakening in them a longing to contribute]; 2 for during an ordeal of severe distress, their abundant joy and their deep poverty [together] overflowed in the wealth of their lavish generosity. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us insistently for the privilege of participating in the service for [the support of] the saints [in Jerusalem]. 5 Not only [did they give materially] as we had hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His representatives] by the will of God [disregarding their personal interests and giving as much as they possibly could]. 6 So we urged Titus that, as he began it, he should also complete this gracious work among you as well. 7 But just as you excel in everything, [and lead the way] in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in genuine concern, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gracious work [of giving] also. 8 I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9 For you are recognizing [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed).
Crane Eater Community Church is a people of Love, Prayer, and Grace.
I want to give you 7 steps in giving:
1. It’s time to receive grace and give grace.
Verse 1…The Grace of Jesus was evident in the churches of Macedonia [awakening in them a longing to contribute];
Have you ever had a longing to contribute? A desire, a passion to give.
Again, 1 Corinthians 8:1TPT Beloved ones, we must tell you about the grace God poured out upon the churches of Macedonia.
The grace of God poured out upon the churches of Macedonia.
Say, “Grace given.” Say, “Grace received.”
On numerous occasions the Apostles Paul writes about the grace given to him.
1 Corinthians 3:10NIV According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
Refuse to build your own Kingdom; however, build His Kingdom. In return, He will give you two. P.H
Romans 15:15NIV Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me.
The Macedonia churches gave and then, received grace. That’s how faith works. First ‘one’ must give, and then they receive.
How’s your giving going?
2. Give out of you joy.
However, not only do you give out of joy, but you give out of pain, sorrow, Give because you have a roof, give because you have food and water, give because you have clothes.
2 Corinthians 8:2TPT For even during a season of severe difficulty, tremendous suffering, and extreme poverty, their super-abundant joy overflowed into an act of extravagant generosity.
Verse 2, tells the reader that the churches of Macedonia gave from the little they possessed. They gave when others should haven given to them.
Question: Are you a Hummingbird, or a Vulture?
Steve Goodier writes, Both the Hummingbird and the Vulture fly over our nations deserts.
All vultures see is rotting flesh, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet.
But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone.
But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for.
I remind you, We do too. We always find what we truly seek.
Clark commentary—The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren.
Clark writes, “We can scarcely ever speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense; they are only comparative.”
Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves; and the afflicted, to comfort those who are more afflicted than they are. The poor and afflicted Churches of Macedonia felt this duty, and therefore came forward to the uttermost of their power to relieve their more impoverished and afflicted brethren in Judea.
3. Give out of you need, your pain, and your sorrow. Give big. Give consistently.
2 Corinthians 8:3TPT For I can verify that they spontaneously gave, not only according to their means but far beyond what they could afford.
I can hear the skeptic say, “O no, ‘Someones got to intervene.’ ‘These churches are going to lose it all!”
Calvins Commentary, The Macedonians, on the other hand, making no account of themselves, and almost losing sight of themselves, concerned themselves rather as to providing for others.
One man of God stated—To their power, yes, and beyond their power they gave.
The teachings of our Lord Jesus was the norm for these poor persecuted believers.
Luke 6:38TM Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
These poor persecuted believers were rich.
Proverbs 10:22AMP The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].
4. These Macedonians believer’s begged to give.
2 Corinthians 8:4TPT They actually begged us for the privilege of sharing in this ministry of giving to God’s holy people who are living in poverty.
Paul stated this in, Romans 15:25-26NLT But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.
The poor, gave to the poorer. Isaiah 58 states that this is the kind of fast that pleases the heart of God. P.H
5. Your giving should exceed your own expectations.
2 Corinthians 8:5TPT They exceeded our expectations by first dedicating themselves fully to the Lord and then to us, according to God’s pleasure.
Again, under persecution and desperately poor, the churches of Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) gave more than just an extravagant offering.
They fully surrendered themselves to the Lord and gave out of a longing to fulfill God’s pleasure.
This is the key to generous giving.
Look at verse 5 again, First we dedicate our hearts to God, which includes our finances, then we give to God’s work as He directs us.
Hear me, Throughout 2 Corinthians, giving is described as a “grace” that God places on our lives, which empowers our generosity.
Again, Proverbs 10:22NKJV The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
2 Corinthians 8:6-7TPT That is why we appealed to Titus, since he was the one who got you started and encouraged you to give, so he could help you complete this generous undertaking on your behalf. 7 You do well and excel in every respect—in unstoppable faith, in powerful preaching, in revelation knowledge, in your passionate devotion, and in sharing the love we have shown to you. So make sure that you also excel in grace-filled generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:5-7TM This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.
6. It’s time for you to excel in giving.
The Apostle Paul writes from a prison cell, He commends the church of Philippa. Philippians 4:19AMP And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
As you give, you’re promised the riches of Jesus.
7. You give because Jesus first gave, and as He gave He made you spiritually rich!
2 Corinthians 8:8-9TM I’m not trying to order you around against your will. But by bringing in the Macedonians’ enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping to bring the best out of you. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as He was, He gave it all away for us—in one stroke He became poor and we became rich.
Once more listen to these rich words: 2 Corinthians 8:8-9TPT I’m not saying this as though I were issuing an order but to stir you to greater love by mentioning the enthusiasm of the Macedonians as a challenge to you. 9 For you have experienced the extravagant grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was infinitely rich, he impoverished himself for our sake, so that by his poverty, we become rich beyond measure.
Again, number 7, We give, because He gave.
Benediction.
