1. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 8:1-8 1. Giving is motivated by God’s grace 2. Giving transcends difficult circumstances 3. Giving is proportionate 4. Giving is sacrificial 5. Giving is voluntary 6. Giving is a privilege not an obligation 7. Giving is an act of worship 8. Giving is proof of love 1

2. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 The Harvest of Biblical Giving Love from God Generosity from God Glory to God Friends from God Likeness to God 2

3. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Love from God - 9:7  John 3:16  1 John 4:15-21  Here God loves a cheerful giver  Purposed means predetermined  Not with regret, legalistic, or external pressure  Cheerful giving comes from the heart  Related to the mercy seat – God’s love 3

4. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Generosity from God – 9:8-11a  It is possible to give without loving, but it is not possible to love without giving  God’s gracious giving has no limits – all  God is able – power – 1 Corinthians 2:5  Human wisdom teaches that prosperity comes from grasping for wealth, not from giving it away 4

5. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Generosity from God – 9:8-11a  God promises to bless the giver  Ephesians 3:20 – go beyond our thinking  2 Timothy 1:12 – guard and preserve us  Hebrews 2:18 – help in our temptation  Hebrews 11:19 – raise us from the dead  God gives back magnanimously, freely, generously, and abundantly – Phil. 4:19 5

6. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Generosity from God – 9:8-11a  God does this not so we can consume but so we, as good stewards, can give to every good deed  Psalm 112:9  Deuteronomy 15:10-11  Isaiah 55:10  Summary of this is Hosea 10:12 6

7. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Glory to God – 9:11b-13  Our ultimate goal is to always glorify God in all we do – 1 Corinthians 10:31  Our old self is found in Romans 1:21  Our new self is found in 2 Cor. 4:15  The gift would produce thanks to God  The gift would be proof of their love for God 7

8. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Friends from God – 9:14  The prayers of the receiver are the reward of the giver  Giving results in real fellowship  Giving also results in unity 8

9. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Likeness to God – 9:15  Giving centers on the cross  This simple benediction says it all  Isaiah 9:6  John 3:16,17  Romans 8:32  Galatians 4:4  1 John 4:9-10 9

10. Concerning the Collection - 3 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Application Do you have the ability to truly give? Do you know the only true giver? What is the attitude that motivates your giving? Are you receiving the blessings of heart felt giving? 10