Suffering + Joy + Poverty = Wealth

Background to passage: this is the beginning of a section composed of two chapters that deal heavily with giving. The two things we have to know is that the offering was supposed to go to the church in Jerusalem for relief from poverty, persecution, and famine; also that many Mediterranean churches were participating in the offering, including the Philippians from Macedonia and they were pleading to do so under suffering, persecution, and extreme poverty.

Opening illustration: So I was reading about Jesus walking on the water in Mark. I got caught up in it because several things just didn’t make sense. Sending disciples first, then crowds; walking on the water as though he was going to pass by them; them being confused about the bread; then their hearts being hardened. It just didn’t make sense.

To the world, giving to the church doesn’t make sense.

Main thought: Part of our HOPE discipleship strategy under Opening our Hearts is that we learn to steward our lives well. All that we are, life, health, time, money, gifts and talents, possessions, capabilities, and skill comes from God. Today, we are going to look at how we think about and use the money we have been entrusted with; it’s an important part of your Christian life. Even under the category of money, which includes biblically saving, investing, leaving an inheritance, debt, lot of topics about money, we will just deal with giving today. It’s a part of discipleship for all of us.

1) Giving Begins with God (v. 1-2)

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 ESV

1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

1) Giving Begins with God (v. 1-2)

Explanation: Paul writing about the offering for the Jerusalem churches to the Corinthians. He used as an example the churches in Macedonia. He makes note of the offering they collected. He begins by saying that their giving came from God. It’s the first thing he says in v. 1 before he actually speaks about the offering in v. 2. Giving doesn’t begin with your putting your check in that box or your signing in to give online. It doesn’t even begin with the church or the pastor’s exhortation. It doesn’t begin with your job or your ability to work and have money to give. It begins with God.

It is even more obvious in this circumstance because these are the conditions in which most of us would find reasons not to give. The church was suffering severely, maybe being persecuted, and according to the apostle their poverty was extreme. And they still pleaded with Paul to allow them to participate in the offering.

Colossians 1:29 ESV

29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Illustration: parents giving their children the ability to work

Application: We can do nothing apart from the grace of God. He gives the means, the desires, the abundance, the encouragement, the promptings, the opportunities; he gives grace for it all. Therefore, we seek the grace of God. We acknowledge the grace of God. We worship and honor God for his grace. It is out of a heart that understands grace that giving flows. In fact, as a church while we pray for God to supply the needs for the furtherance of his kingdom through the ministry of Western Heights, praying for God to enable us financially to share HOPE with all people, we pray for grace to be given first.

In our personal lives, it’s important for our own humility that we understand that God is behind every part of giving. He entrusts wealth to you. He controls your circumstances, feelings, and knows your expenses. The part that is our responsibility is to be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to give, and if we feel no desire to give, pray for grace. God always wants your heart, and if we don’t desire to give, we pray and ask that he give us fresh desires and help us be sensitive and obedient for joy and because of joy.

2) Giving Principles of the NT (v. 3-4)

2 Corinthians 8:3–4 ESV

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

2) Giving Principles of the NT (v. 3-4)

Explanation: Already noted the circumstances of their gift - severe suffering, abundance of joy, and extreme poverty. These verses give us some more information about their gift. For one Paul says that they gave according to their means and beyond their means. He also says that they gave willingly, even begging (literally much begging) for the gift, they understood their giving as a privilege. Language is koinonia diakonia - participate or share in the service of giving.