Abundantly Generous
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewWhat does it mean to abound in liberality?
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1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
context: chapters 8-9, too much to read one sitting. but please read it! So you get the real context.
this also tells us something. when i read these two chapters, I was somewhat convicted. i often dismiss giving and don’t talk about it. But its important. Christ spoke often of finances in one way or another, because as people, we often love money more than people.
people regularly sell their pride, morals and future just for a million dollars.
many churches abuse giving/tithe/offering, bleeding their congregations dry to give the appearance of success in the ministry. Self replicating paper wallet.
However, we often are touchy about money, because we have it or don't. Here is how jesus looked at it.
I am reminded often when we speak of it, of the parable of the collector. Hold & Turn with me to Luke 16:1–13 “He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ 3“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ 5“So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 13“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.””
the question we must ask, is who we do serve? now back to text,
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:
first lets look at the churches of Macedonia like he had mentioned in 7 that we know of - most likely Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea which Paul is putting on display hee to be an example to Corinth.
Philippi we see in Acts 16 where Paul meets Lydia, a seller of purple there, he also cast a demon from an expensive slave girl and ended up being beaten severely and thrown in prison. Go read the encounter when you can.
Thessalonica, where we learn so much about the end of all things, about enduring through trials, et. Paul founded in the church in Acts 17, yet another riot broke out, they even made the christians pay a fine.
Berea, where they researched the scriptures to see if what Paul was teaching was true. Acts 17:11 “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” As jesus said, if they knew the father, they hear the son.
Grace bestowed. Granted, given. God himself gave them grace. For what though. It seems to be a particular meaning he mentions here. Not just grace, but a purpose or inspiration or enabling. he goes on
like Paul they learned that depending on God and not circumstance is what mattered - 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Thats the power of Grace.
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
Abounded, abundance: perisseia: a very great surplus, great deal of. One scholar said a superabundance. so anywhere we see abounding or abundance, add super in front.
And no, they aren't liberals. The word haplotetos is sincerity, generosity. So the grace that God gives them is that even in the midst of them being destroyed for their faith, they are still giving and serving the Lord. And happy it about doing so. Abundantly so! The Macedonian church is being trounced, in 2 Thessalonians 1:3–10 we see where Paul recognizes their suffering and a reminder that God will set all things right in the end.
God can give grace for us to give what we can, but only what we have. We’ll see that later.
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
A church that Paul thought needed aid, instead demanded to give aid! This is the donation that Paul was taking up for the church in jerusalem suffering from a famine. like job, they showed their faith by their works to Paul and the surrounding churches. They didn't pull back in doubt, they lived it out. How did they know a famine was coming? Acts 11:27–30 “And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
as a note: The reign of Claudius was in fact marked by a long series of crop failures in various parts of the empire—in Judea, in Rome, in Egypt, and in Greece. The Judean famine seems to have taken place during the procuratorship of Tiberius Alexander (a.d. 46–48), and Egyptian documents reveal a major famine there in a.d. 45–46 due to flooding. The most likely time for the Judean famine would thus seem to have been around a.d. 46. In any event, the Antioch church decided to gather a collection to relieve their fellow Christians in Judea, each setting something aside according to his or her ability. Eventually, when the famine struck, the collection was delivered to the elders in Jerusalem by Paul and Barnabas.
they (Macedonians ) urged Paul to come get it because they wanted to be some of the first to give. not a competition thing but an eagerness. Perhaps like me they were afraid if we keep it too long we’ll use it lol. But most likely so that they would have this for their use when the time came. To know they helped the fellowship their savior began
What did they give? It was abundant Paul said. Which meant it was beautiful. Mark 12:41–44 “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”” Jesus sees it all. The contrast is the heart of the churches of Macedonia, who were doing so bad the emperor relaxed taxes on them, couldn't be stopped from giving whereas the Corinthian church has much and has to be reminded over and again.
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
so the local congregations took up the offering then gave all of it to the Apostles to deliver to Jerusalem. Paul would even encourage these churches to send their own people as representatives to do so.
Much like he had told the corinthian church to do in 1 Corinthians 16:1–4 to set aside for them to bring.
there is a privilege and a real blessing in giving to a work of God. because we often know we depend on Him for all of it even in our own lives. Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
Notice, Paul never says money. Because it really is a heart thing. Later Paul will make the point, turn with me 2 Corinthians 9:6–9 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.””
Paul is reminding them of his encouragement from 1 Co 16, that Titus told them before he left, and that they needed to have it ready when he returned. Remember when we say that often great success comes a great desire for being part of it. Here his encouragement isn't a haranguing but a prompting to check their own heart. What are their plans for this? Macedonia not only demanded to be part of it, they did it with willing hearts. He wants them to check their hearts. Paul isnt commanding giving, he is asking them to look at themsevles. The early church (all the way to AD600) never commanded a tithe or any. Malachi, Abraham used to cajole you. But saying pre-law things mean we need to do, so that means we need lots of stuff. Clean unclean animals, we need to sacrifice, we need etc. Thats not a good argument. There is no more tithe.
When we give we should also do so knowing what Gifts God (not the church but God) has given and be reminded that those are there so we should act on them. And yes, the charity that Paul keeps using, is be abundant in the free gift of God. But obvious in regards to charity of giving.
They have, Faith, Speech, Knowledge, diligence, love, seek the grace of generosity or giving as well. But as Gods Spirit infuses our speech and people are saved hearing the Gospel, we pray he does the same with our finances and hearts that both can be full and given to Him. 1 John 3:16–18 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
The greatest gift we have? Our common salvation. That gift of the covering of our sins on the cross and gift of eternal life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us celebrate that Gift!
Pray.