The Greatest Gift Of All

2 Corinthians 9:15

INTRODUCTION

• It’s the season of giving here in America

• God’s Word has a lot to say about giving

I. Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

A. There have been many bad interpretations of this passage.

1. Some have said that this Scripture refers to a persons talents (singing, speaking, music etc.)

a) These things can help but this passage is talking about physical gifts like gold, frankincense, myrrh, oil (alabaster box)… Money.

B. Scriptures to prove it’s physical gifts.

1. Jacob gives a gift to Esau before he sees him the next day…

Genesis 32:20-21

20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.

21 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.

2. The story of David, Abigail and Nabal

1 Samuel 25: 18, 23, 24, 27, 35

18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,

24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

27 And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

C. A man’s gift brings us before men - God’s gift brings men before God! (For God so loved the world that He gave…)

II. Preach through 2 Corinthians Chapter 9

A. V1 - When we give to one another as brothers and sisters we are ministering to each other!

1. V2-5 - Paul is encouraging the Church at Corinth to be involved in Missions Giving…

2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

B. Biblical Giving Instructions

1. V6,7 - How much should I give?

2. V7 - What should be my attitude towards giving?

3. V9,10 - Ministering seed to the sower. Giving to the poor brings a harvest but giving to those who are ministering the Word multiplies the seed that is sown thus multiplying your harvest. (Righteousness produces fruit)

C. God’s promises to us concerning giving

1. V8 - God is able… (its up to us) to make all grace abound towards us.

2. V8 - All sufficiency in all things (no lack)

3. V8 - Abounding to every “good” work - Supernatural Provision - Uncommon Success (Kingdom Activity Produces Kingdom Results)

4. V11,12 - Sowing seed (giving) to our brothers and sisters and especially our spiritual leaders can enrich us because its such good soil and its in line with Kingdom Economics.

1 Timothy 5:17-18

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

5. V14 - Those who receive from you should pray for God’s abundant blessings upon you!

III. God’s Unspeakable Gift

A. God doesn’t ask us to do ANYTHING He hasn’t already done.

1. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

a) The prophets foretold the Messiah

b) The angel announced His birth

B. Jesus and the Woman at the Well

1. John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

2. Jesus was God’s Greatest Gift! - 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

a) God gave His all for us in the person of His Son - Jesus Christ!

CLOSING: SALVATION ALTAR CALL