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II Corinthians 8:1-15

II Corinthians 8:1-15. 1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. II Corinthians 8:1-15.

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II Corinthians 8:1-15

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  1. II Corinthians 8:1-15 1And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.2In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

  2. II Corinthians 8:1-15 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.

  3. II Corinthians 8:1-15 5And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.6So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

  4. II Corinthians 8:1-15 7But since you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you–see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

  5. II Corinthians 8:1-15 8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

  6. II Corinthians 8:1-15 9For 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.

  7. II Corinthians 8:1-15 10And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.

  8. II Corinthians 8:1-15 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

  9. II Corinthians 8:1-15 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

  10. II Corinthians 8:1-15 13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.

  11. II Corinthians 8:1-15 The goal is equality, 15as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

  12. Larry Cline – Hardin Valley Church Of Christ – 1/20/19

  13. Rich In Every Way

  14. All Motivations For Giving Are Not Created Equal

  15. Motivation #1: GUILT(“Have To” Giving)

  16. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.(II Corinthians 9:7 NASB)

  17. II Corinthians 9:7 • The word translated here as “cheerful” is related to our English word “hilarious” • Since we should not feel forced to give (“not reluctantly or under compulsion”), guilt it seems is not a primary biblical motivator for giving

  18. Strength: Guilt can be effective in bringing in some money Weakness: It brings no joy and doesn’t help people outgrow materialism. (Remember, attitudes matter to God)

  19. Motivation #2: RESPONSIBILITY(“Ought To” Giving)

  20. But since you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you, see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (II Corinthians 8:7 NASB)

  21. II Corinthians 8:7 • This passage implies a level of responsibility about giving • Studies show that in the average church 20% of the members give 80% of the funds, 30% give 20%, and approximately 50% give nothing at all!

  22. Strength: Because money is given for ministry, this approach feels better than the guiltmotivation, and people learn responsibility, which is a healthy character trait Weakness: Giving solely out of responsibility limits the joy and the amount given considerably

  23. Motivation #3: NEED(“Want To” Giving)

  24. 13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At 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, 15as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”(II Corinthians 8:13-15 NIV)

  25. II Corinthians 8:13-15 • God wants us to be concerned about meeting needs • Knowing about a need often kindles a desire to provide the resources

  26. Strength: Giving to satisfy needs feels good • This kind of giving brings a cheerful heart • This motivation touches our heart- strings and encourages people to learn the discipline of sacrificial giving

  27. Weakness: Some people don’t percievethe “need” • The church has ongoing efforts, which may not tug on heartstrings

  28. Motivation #4: THANKSGIVING(“Can’t Help It” Giving)

  29. 8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For 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.(II Corinthians 8:8-9 NIV)

  30. II Corinthians 8:8-9 Good for the church to meet the needs of God’s people…but he doesn’t want them to stop with that motivation • Giving is a way of thanking and praising God for all that He has done • The church’s actions stir the recipients to thank and praise God, too!

  31. Strength: Giving out of thanksgiving feels reallygood! • This type of giving points our hearts in God’s direction since we have a tangible way of showing our thanksto Him

  32. Weakness: While there is nothing wrong with this motivation for giving, this motivation is limitedby our perception of reasons we should be thankful • If we aren’t aware of our blessings, we tend to not be as thankful

  33. Motivation #5: WORSHIP(“It’s My Nature” Giving)

  34. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.(II Corinthians 8:5 NIV)

  35. II Corinthians 8:5 • These Macedonian Christians “gave themselves first to the Lord.” • Their financial decisions flowed out of their relationship with the Father • Then it’s your nature to give to God, giving becomes an act of worship

  36. Giving is a “confession of the gospel” • (II Cor. 9:13) • Giving is an act of trust • (I Tim. 6:17-19) • Giving is an offering to God • (Phil. 4:18)

  37. There are only strengths of this motivation • Worship is the highest possible motivation • It creates true commitment, pleases God, allows much work to be done to advance the cause of His Kingdom, and feels incredible too!

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