TITLE: God Models Giving With His Indescribable Gift TEXT: II Corinthians 9:10-15 THEME: The believers giving should lead to praising God.

It seems the most natural thing in the world to be thankful to God and others when we are given something of great value.

Is it any wonder then that the Bible often uses the words for worship and praise in context with generous giving and service? They go hand in hand. There is a consistent theme of scripture- generous giving leads to praise and worship.

What is the ultimate result of generous giving?

I. It results in thanksgiving to God (10-11)

I Corinthians 9: 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 enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God

Paul identifies four beneficiaries of generous giving- all lead to thanksgiving. The giver (8-11)

Paul identifies four beneficiaries of generous giving- all lead to thanksgiving. The giver (8-11) The recipient (12)

Paul identifies four beneficiaries of generous giving- all lead to thanksgiving. The giver (8-11) The recipient (12) God (11-12)

Paul identifies four beneficiaries of generous giving- all lead to thanksgiving. The giver (8-11) The recipient (12) God (11-12) The Church (12-14)

I. It results in thanksgiving to God (10-11) A. Ultimately God supplies what we give.

I. It results in thanksgiving to God (10-11) A. Ultimately God supplies what we give. B. He rewards our giving with greater abundance

I. It results in thanksgiving to God (10-11) A. Ultimately God supplies what we give. B. He rewards our giving with greater abundance C. Generous giving leads to thanksgiving

John Bunyan wrote, “A man there was and they called him mad, the more he gave, the more he had.”

A wealthy man “How in the world did you become so rich when you give so much away?”

Response “Well, The Lord shovels it in and I shovel it out, and God has the bigger shovel!”

What is the ultimate result of generous giving?

II. Others will praise God. (12-13)

I Corinthians 9:12-12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

I Corinthians 9: Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others 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.

II. Others will praise God. (12-13) A. It supplies for the needs of others

II. Others will praise God. (12-13) A. It supplies for the needs of others B. It leads to expressions of thanks to God

“Praise, A Matter of Life and Breath” Ronald Allen Three things that identify praise in the O.T. 1. It was always vocal- there was no such thing as silent praise

Three things that identify praise in the O.T. 1.It was always vocal- there was no such thing as silent praise 2. It was always public- one did not simply do it alone in private

Three things that identify praise in the O.T. 1.It was always vocal- there was no such thing as silent praise 2. It was always public- one did not simply do it alone in private 3. It was always sincere- one simply did not recite something from rote without it coming from the heart.

Ronald Allen “Thanksgiving occurs when one breathes a prayer of thanks to God for His mercy and goodness; praise occurs when one tells someone else about it.”

The Greek word translated “thanks” is a compound word meaning “eulogia” meaning “good word”. It is the word from which we get our word, “eulogy.”

Linda Bellville “Paul’s point is that the church at large recognizes the Jerusalem collection for what is: God’s grace at work in the lives of the contributors. As in all areas of life, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever” (Westminster Confession) and so it is in this case.

What is the ultimate result of generous giving?

III. It motivates others to pray for you. (14-15)

I Corinthians 9:14-15 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!

III. It motivates others to pray for you. (14-15) A. Their hearts will go out to you

The offering impacts the church in two ways. 1. It will forge a closer relationship between the Jewish and Gentile Christians.

The offering impacts the church in two ways. 1. It will forge a closer relationship between the Jewish and Gentile Christians. 2. It will move the recipients to prayer and gratitude on behalf of the givers.

III. It motivates others to pray for you. (14-15) A. Their hearts will go out to you` B. It all originates with God’s grace

Acts 20:2-3 “2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.” His long stay in Corinth to collect the money suggests he was well received.”

Romans 15:26-27 “26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings

Romans 15: So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.”

APPLICATION 1. Understand that your giving benefits everyone including yourself, the recipient, God and the church

APPLICATION 2. Understand your generous giving leads to advancing the work of God.

APPLICATION 3. Understand your giving brings glory to God. It is an acknowledgement that God has provided and shows faith that He will continue to provide.

APPLICATION 4. Our giving, and receiving, should leads us to worship and praise God.

APPLICATION 5. Church Growth Campaign.

Keith Taylor "It occurred to me all of a sudden, that no one who had ever helped me had ever been wealthy. They had just been nice. They'd just had compassion.”