The Grace Of Giving

Additional Verses 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Date Written: August 10, 2006

Date Preached: August 13, 2006

Where Preached: OZHBC (AM Service)

Series Title: The Grace of God

Sermon Title: The Grace of Giving

Sermon Text: 2 Cor 8:1-7; 9:6-8

Introduction:

The Grace of Giving In Scripture Jesus revealed that our Giving Is Ruled by Where our Heart is…

There was once this one church member who was a very rich but he had never been known for his generosity. His church was beginning a very large financial program to build a new sanctuary and so the committee resolved to pay this man a visit.

When they met with him, they explained that in view of his considerable wealth that they were sure that he would desire and love to make a substantial contribution to the new church building.

The man sat patiently as they spoke and when they have completed their presentation to him he said to them, "Well I can see that you believe that you have it all figured out!

But I want to ask you a question; in the course of your investigation did you discover that I have a widowed mother who has no other means of support but me?"

The committee was stunned, they said, “No, we did not know that!” The man continued, "Did you know that I have a sister who was left by a drunken husband with five children and no means to provide for them?"

Once again they were shocked and said that they had no idea of the difficulties that this man was facing.

The man continued and said, "Well, did you also know that I have a brother who was crippled by an automobile accident and can never work another day to support his wife and family?"

The committee was now officially embarrassed as they confessed that they did not know that either.

The man then said, "If I won’t give them anything, why should I give anything to you?"

For some reason, people are very touchy when it comes to the subject of giving… you just let the preacher mention that he is going to preach on giving and all throughout the church the people begin to think or say things like:

“I cannot believe how obsessed this preacher is about money!”

“The only reason this preacher wants me here is to get my money!”

“How arrogant of this preacher, this is MY money, I worked for it and I earned it, he cannot tell me where to spend it!”

“I don’t like what this pastor is doing, so I am NOT going to give an offering or tithe!”

“I give $20/week and that should be enough, the church has enough money anyway!”

“I cannot afford to give to the church, have you seen the gas prices lately?”

All these negative attitudes rear their ugly little heads when the preacher just mentions the word giving in a sermon!

This morning I want to share with you that giving is not just tied to MONEY… but giving in the Christian context encompasses a wide variety of areas that many of us DO NOT consider!

Let’s go to our passage this morning…

2 Cor 8:1-7 (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.

2 Cor 9:6-8 (NASB)

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed;

INTRODUCTION:

Let me give you some background information on this passage. Paul shared with the Corinthian church about the plight of the Jerusalem believers and how they had been persecuted for the sake of Christ and were so poor that many were going without food, shelter or needed medical treatments.