The Grace of Giving Part Three II Corinthians 8:16-9:15   The Grace of Giving Part Three   Brentwood Park Brentwood Park II Corinthians 8:16-9:15

Four Primary Reasons Why people Don’t Give Consumer Debt Generational Shift Lack of Biblical Stewardship Teaching Unbelief

What does all this mean? One thing: Potential To Grow In Grace!!! FAQ Average giver in church – 2% Giving base has been dropping since 1956 Demands for programs, amenities, and technology are on the rise 25% gives 90% of total offering – of this group the top 5% gives 50% - the remaining 20% gives the other 40% That means a whopping 70 percent of the typical congregation contributes only 5 percent of the incoming dollars What does all this mean? One thing: Potential To Grow In Grace!!!

Last Weeks Review 1. Giving is a grace that is active 2. Giving should be developed to excellence, just as other graces 3. Giving is a voluntary expression of sincerity 4. Two examples of great giving 5. The “why” of giving is more than the “how much” 6. God gives us more for the purpose of meeting needs

What we will learn today 1. Three things leadership can do to properly protect the gifts of God’s people in order to prevent criticism. 2. How to properly promote giving among God’s people.

Leadership Responsibility In Stewardship TODAY’S MESSAGE Leadership Responsibility In Stewardship Paul reveals two essential leadership requirements in order for men to be good stewards of the goods of others. 1. The Protection of the Gift 2. The Proper Promotion of the Gift

Protection of the Gift Great care must be taken to do things right so that integrity and assurance is maintained I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches…

…to accompany us as we carry the …to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help…vs. 16-19 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers,

First - Picking Proper Personnel they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. In these verses we discover three ways to protect the gift: First - Picking Proper Personnel 1. People who are well known, faithful, and trusted by leadership and the saints.

Paul’s appointee: Titus Paul’s “partner and fellow worker” He was a passionate volunteer “coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.” The Churches appointee: “the brother” “praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.”

Second: Plurality of Oversight Another appointee: “our brother” “often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.” The gift was protected with good personnel Second: Plurality of Oversight 1. Three men were chosen between Paul and the Macedonians.

Thirdly: Positive Certainty Protection came from good personnel. Protection came by plurality of oversight Thirdly: Positive Certainty 1. Great care was given to promote confidence and trust We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. Vs. 20-21

Leadership Responsibility In Stewardship 1. To Protect the Gift 2. To Properly Promote the Gift Great care must be taken so that no fleshly pressure or carnal tactics are put on the saints. II Cor. 9:1-5 - There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 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.

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.

Things to Avoid in Stewardship Leadership Paul did not want to put sudden pressure on them …I am sending the brothers…that you may be ready, as I said you would be. V.3 Paul did not want them to be ashamed, after doing so much boasting. …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. V.4

Paul did not want to put undue pressure on them with his presence, less the gift be given in a grudgingly manner. … 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. V. 5

Great care must be taken to properly teach and share the blessings that come with stewardship Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver…

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, 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: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 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. II Cor. 9:6-10

and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. People need to know the Farmer’s Principle Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

People need to know all giving should be People need to know all giving should be well prayed out in the heart with expectation and with no pressure… Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion,

for God loves a cheerful giver… People need to Know that the grace of giving can be so great in us that our giving can become a blast! for God loves a cheerful giver…

People need to know that gracious giving People need to know that gracious giving provides a promise from God that we will never lack ability to give to the work of God And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."(Ps. 112:4) 8-9 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure , pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. Lk. 6:38

People need to know that God is sowing opportunities of grace into our lives so their can be a harvest of righteousness 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 made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God…

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men 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!

Let’s take a look at the harvest! 1. It produces gratitude overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2. It stimulates prayers of blessing And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you… 3. It glorifies God …because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Paul gets so enraptured with all the possibilities, and results of the gift of grace as well as the action of grace he closes his exhortation with: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the wonderful grace of giving. Help us to excel in it every way so that gratitude, prayer, the giving of thanks, goes forth to the praise of your glory. Help us to be observant, ready, and willing to give in every way you would desire for us to give that our delight in you and our joy may abound. Amen