1. What is wrong with Giving? Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

2. WRONG ATTITUDES!

3. Some people see giving as: A Punishment (Indulgences!) An Obstacle (Don’t mention giving because it puts people off!) A Burden (Unnecessary pressure constantly put on people to give)

4. Let us look at some of the attitudes that we may need to change: 1. Giving is not a punishment it is a privilege. 2. Giving is not an obstacle it is an opportunity. 3. Giving is not a burden it is a blessing.

5. 1. Giving is not a punishment it is a privilege. (Vs 1-4) It is a privilege to have God work through us (Vs 1) God was moving powerfully among the Macedonian churches. (Vs 2) There was a great deal of affliction, but an abundance of joy. There was severe poverty but a wealth of generosity.

6. 2. Giving is not an obstacle it is an opportunity (Vs 5-9) It is an opportunity for worship (Vs 5-6). It’s just another way to give yourself to Jesus.

7. It is an opportunity for growth (Vs7) The Corinthian church was known as the church full of LIFE! They had lively worship services, gifted believers, miracles and wonders, they were sophisticated and probably well- funded for a church of that day since it was located in the prosperous city of Corinth.

8. It was definitely the church to be a part of! Yet they needed to grow in their generosity! When you truly give yourself totally to God, you will have little problem with being generous.

9. Someone once said “Our generosity says a lot about the size of our spirituality”.

10. It is an opportunity to be like Jesus (Vs 8-9) 1 John 3:16-18 says “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

11. 3. Giving is not a burden it is a blessing (Vs 8-15) As Jesus said "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

12. It is a blessing to give of what you have (Vs 10-12) The Bible says that we are to give according to what we have and not what we don’t have (Vs 12). It makes me cringe sometimes when I hear a TV preacher say send us £1,000 that you don’t have.

13. In Conclusion let us recap: 1. Giving is a privilege. 2. Giving is an opportunity. 3. Giving is a blessing.