Christian Generosity 2 Corinthians 8

Background: 1 Cor. 16:1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed churches of Galatia, so do you also. [2] On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. [3] When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; [4] and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. [2] On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. [3] When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; [4] and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.

Why “Generosity” ? 1. God’s Grace is The Basis 8:1-4 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. 2 Cor. 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Cor. 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Why “Generosity” ? 1. God’s Grace is The Basis 2. An Issue of Christian Growth 2 Cor. 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. Romans 8:29 …to become conformed to the image of His Son… 2 Cor. 8:2-3 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 testhify 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

Why “Generosity” ? 1. God’s Grace is The Basis 2. An Issue of Christian Growth Can’t Grow Without Learning Generosity! 2 Cor. 8:7 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.

God’s Will for your Finances: 2 Thes. 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. [11] For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. [12] Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. Ephes. 4:28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Generosity: The Application? 1. Give Yourself to Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 8:5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 2 Cor. 8:2 in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality

Generosity: The Application? 1. Give Yourself to Jesus Christ 2. Follow Through 2 Cor. 8:10-11 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. [11] But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. Mark 12:43-44 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. [44] They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." 1 Cor. 16:2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. 1 Cor. 16:2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

George Mueller: “I’m not a fool for giving up something I can’t keep, in order to obtain something I can never loose”

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