Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.

TITLE: Sharing the Burden TEXT: II Corinthians 8:13-24 THEME: The one who has plenty is to assist the one who has little.

Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.

The Better Business Bureau “Con artists set up websites within hours of the Haitian earthquake to try to take advantage of well-meaning donors. Scammers who are purporting to be from the Red Cross hoping that people will make a contribution- it’s not going to go to the Red Cross. It’s actually going to go to the scammers.”

The Better Business Bureau “Con artists are also sending out mass e- mails, claiming they’re with a relief agency and seeking donations.”

Fraud It happens in Schools

Fraud It happens in Schools. It happens in Churches.

Fraud It happens in Schools. It happens in Churches. It happens in life.

Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.

Principles of Proportional 1 Jesus' taught the principle that we are responsible in direct proportion to how God has blessed us: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" (Lk 12:48).

Principles of Proportional 2 Needs are to be met out of a person's surplus, not necessary income (that which one needs for life's basic necessities; v. 14).

Principles of Proportional 3 Third, there must be a genuine need: a lack or shortage of life's necessities (1 Tim 6:8). In the first century this amounted to a want of food, clothing or shelter (2 Cor. 11:27).

Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.

How is the church to administer the funds given by God’s people?

I. It is administered to fulfill its purpose. (12-15)

I Corinthians 8: Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

I. It is administered to fulfill its purpose. (12-15) A. To share the burden..

I. It is administered to fulfill its purpose. (12-15) A. To share the burden. B. That there might be equality.

What is meant by equality? Paul is not putting forward a kind of biblical socialism, a leveling of rich and poor

What is meant by equality? Paul is not putting forward a kind of biblical socialism, a leveling of rich and poor The word used here denotes what is "equitable" and "fair." So it is equity and not equality that is at issue here

What is meant by equality? Paul is not putting forward a kind of biblical socialism, a leveling of rich and poor The word used here denotes what is "equitable" and "fair." So it is equity and not equality that is at issue here. The TEV's "It is only fair that you should help those who are in need" captures the idea

What is meant by equality? Paul is not saying that possession of a surplus of material goods is wrong for a Christian

What is meant by equality? Paul is not saying that possession of a surplus of material goods is wrong for a Christian To illustrate the need for equity Paul turns to the account of God's miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness (v. 15).

Exodus 16:18 "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”

Hudson Taylor When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory; it will not lack God’s support.

Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.

How is the church to administer the funds given by God’s people?

II.It is administered carefully. (16-21)

II Corinthians 8: Thanks be to 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

II Corinthians 8: What is more, he was chosen by the churches 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. 20 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 man.

II.It is administered carefully. (16- 21) A. By people committed to the cause

II.It is administered carefully. (16- 21) A. By people committed to the cause B. To avoid criticism.

II.It is administered carefully. (16- 21) A. By people committed to the cause B. To avoid criticism. C. To do what is right before God and others

Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.

How is the church to administer the funds given by God’s people?

III.It is administered by reliable and responsible people. (22-24)

I Corinthians 8: 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.

I Corinthians 8: As for Titus, he is my partner and co- worker among you; as for our brothers, 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.

III.It is administered by reliable and responsible people. (22-24) A. Who have the trust of the church.

III.It is administered by reliable and responsible people. (22-24) A. Who have the trust of the church. B. Who honor Christ.

III.It is administered by reliable and responsible people. (22-24) A. Who have the trust of the church. B. Who honor Christ. C. Who merit our support.

Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.

APPLICATION 1. Give generously but don’t give naively. Check the credentials of the organization you are giving too.

APPLICATION 2. Give proportionately as God has blessed you.

APPLICATION 3. Giving willingly- not out of a sense of guilt or coercion.

APPLICATION 4. As a church we must be careful how handle our money with appropriate checks and balances.

APPLICATION 4. Our Church Growth Campaign.

Sharing the Burden The one with Plenty Helping the One in Need.