The Grace of giving 2CORINTHIANS 8-9

Participating in Grace 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints... 2 Corinthians 8:4

Participating in Grace 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Philippians 1:29 “a great ordeal of affliction”

Participating in Grace 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 “a great ordeal of affliction”

Participating in Grace 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 1 Thessalonians 2:14 “a great ordeal of affliction”

Participating in Grace These Brethren were an impoverished people deep - “an extreme degree” (Mounce) poverty - “beggary” (Strong’s)

Participating in Grace They gave of their “own accord” literally “self chosen” They “first gave themselves to the Lord” They “hungered and thirsted” for righteousness

Abounding in this gracious work Paul places this “grace” on par with: Their spiritual gifts The earnestness that led to repentance The Love which was within them

Abounding in this gracious work Our attitude in giving is to be shaped by the attitude of Christ in His humiliation

Abounding in this gracious work God views our giving in light of our attitude God views our giving in light of what we have God’s view allows for true equality

The Grace of Preparation Giving is the most private of matters There is honor in prepared giving and dishonor to the unprepared Are we preparing as we ought?

the liberality of grace Liberality is: “bountiful” rather than “sparing” “cheerful” rather than “grudging” not merely “sufficient” but “abundant”

the liberality of grace Refusing to give liberally disdains the grace of God Our giving reflects our attitude toward the grace saves us