The Grace of Giving


2 Corinthians 8-9
(Program 2109, Airing on 6.28.09)

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. All giving is wrapped up in grace.
    2. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2, 7
  2. THE OBLIGATION OF GRACE GIVING  (2 Corinthians 8:1-2)
    1. Grace giving is not eliminated by poverty.
      1. The people in Macedonia were destitute and had been persecuted.
      2. The economy may change your standard of living, but it cannot change your standard of life, if you are a Christian.
      3. Luke 12:15
      4. Luke 12:48
      5. Luke 16:10
    2. Grace giving is not energized by pressure.  (2 Corinthians 8:3-4)
      1. These Christians were not pressured to give; rather, in their poverty, they begged Paul to take the gift.
      2. Luke 12:34
    3. Grace giving is not excused by performance.  (2 Corinthians 8:7)
      1. There is no service that can be a substitute for giving.
    4. Grace giving is not enforced by power.  (2 Corinthians 8:8-9)
      1. We’re motivated by love to give. 
      2. We give because of Calvary’s love.
  3. THE OPERATION OF GRACE GIVING  (2 Corinthians 8:11-23)
    1. It is marked by performance.  (2 Corinthians 8:11)
      1. It is easy to talk about giving, but grace giving is marked by performance.
    2. It is measured by providence.  (2 Corinthians 8:12-15)
      1. We are to give according to God’s blessing.
      2. Paul was not saying in 2 Corinthians 8:13 that those who had been blessed much were to carry the burden of those who didn’t have as much.  He was simply saying let there be equal sacrifice.
      3. 1 Corinthians 16:2
      4. The Lord measures our gift by what we do have, not by what we don’t have.  (Mark 12:41-44)
      5. The Bible is not opposed to wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).  It is, however, opposed to ruthless greed and hoarding (Matthew 6:19).
    3. It is managed by prudence.  (2 Corinthians 8:16-18)
      1. In this passage, Titus and a brother came to get the offering.  (Matthew 18:16)
      2. Who should oversee and handle the offerings in the church?
        1. Men of compassion  (2 Corinthians 8:18)
        2. Men of consecration  (2 Corinthians 8:19)
        3. Men of character  (2 Corinthians 8:20-21)
        4. Men of competency  (2 Corinthians 8:22-23)
  4. THE OPPORTUNITY OF GRACE GIVING  (2 Corinthians 9:2-15)
    1. It is an opportunity to encourage the saints.  (2 Corinthians 9:2)
    2. It is an opportunity to enrich the sower.  (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
      1. Luke 6:38
    3. It is an opportunity to exalt the Savior.  (2 Corinthians 9:12-13)
    4. Romans 10:12-13

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