The Hilarious Giver
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsGiving shouldnt be a sad time, but we should rejoice when God allows us to help someone.
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Our final message on cheerful giving which started in 2 Co 8:1, and I would hope that we have been biblical in our presentation of this and hope that we are all called to be Hilarious Givers - 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Through this section of scriptures we see the spiritual riches God pours out, how people give thanks to God when it is done right, prayers go up for those who give, and the church grows because they see us letting God truly handle our lives. When we really walk in the spirit in this way, we rejoice to give!
One thing I know, that a cheerful giver always wishes that he could give ten times as much.
Charles Spurgeon
Now with that, lets start examining the text
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
but i say, almost like Paul is contradicting himself but i think he is just being superfluous as in v1.
Paul doesn't give this as doctrine its just a matter of fact, he even uses the same verbiage in Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,” 9 “So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Understand, though this is about investing finances, the return on this is as much or more spiritual than material. God does bless us materially but remember, its for His purposes. And we need to invest it that way.
If you don't plant, you cannot harvest. Jesus spoke of parables about receiving much, giving much, etc. Its a very plainly stated biblical principle.
bountifully is eulogiais - where we get eulogy from. the bounty and the return, speaks well of our Lord. When we give its a praise of God, when God uses it we praise and thank Him. Blessing, praise, generous gift.
Biggest NT example of someone not being hilarious about giving is annanias and saphira in Acts 5:1-11, which didnt end well for them but thats not a threat to you.
So decide from your heart. And be cheerful - hilaron - where we get hilarious from. Many times we need to settle, I give not for control, or to say i now own, etc.
i give not because pastor taught from 2 Co 9 and I feel bad, but because I can give almost crazily. because God put it in my heart to do so. Guilt isn't a player in this.
8 And 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.
sufficiency in all things - it means we have enough. Enough to do what he is calling us to do. now, we need to be good stewards, we need to test all things. We need to know that our leading isn't just emotionalism, etc.
trusting in Gods sufficiency can lead us to or spring from contentment. I want to read a section from Philippians in the NLT - we know this section is about provision as well because of how Paul closes it, Philippians 4:10–14 “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.” 1 Timothy 6:8 “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
notice, here Paul like in Philippians, says be sufficient in all things. Financial, emotional, moral, etc.
then we have to realize when we have an abundance in something its so we can take part in the Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” we put our hands to it, but it is God who does it.
Notice how often we say, I don’t have to work for my salvation, but I tell you, your salvation will work out in you if real. Guys we have to know we are to do something.
9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
he quotes Psalm 112:9 which the Psalm begins with Psalm 112:1 “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments.”
the man who is blessed is the one that fears God and who delights in His commands. Jesus said as much, John 14:15 ““If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 15:10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
Many in the jewish faith practiced benevolence, care and alms for the poor. Many even had two wallets. One that they used and the other just for alms for the poor that they tried to give away before their day was done.
this isn't a guilt things its a we have these things so we can do for Him. God has always had compassion for those in need from our worldly view.
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
notice, who supplies the seed? Jesus, God, etc. Even if you “earn it”, its his mercy and grace that allows it. He supplies the bread, multiplies all. You have in Him, if you rest in His sufficiency, more than enough.
God gives the seed, God gives the return, God effectually works. If i have little, I give little and God provides. If I have much, I give much. Hilariously!
if you always hold onto your finances, refusing to make offerings, to donate to the Lord, etc. Christian generosity or lack thereof really affects our testimony. 2 Corinthians 1:11 “you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.”
this doesn't mean let folks take advantage of you, etc. you should still know whom your giving your alms to, but still don’t let greed keep you from the real blessing of being an hilarious giver.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
When we do the work of God is has so much more effect beyond just that work. When we donate our finances or time according to what He provides, it goes so much further.
He said back in 2 Corinthians 8:14 “but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.”
we don’t just share with fellow believers, we can share with all. Even the world sometimes gets blown away by the generosity of poor followers of Christ. Hebrews 13:16 “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Ministering to the real needs of, especially followers, can mean real warriors lifting you up in powerful prayer! Paul prayed constantly for those that supported Him and testified to other churches the same. Dont you cry out to the Lord for those that help you?
we see they did this turn to Romans 15:26–29 “For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”
Notice too, everything is and from Him.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
It pleased God to give of himself for you. Jesus did it for you, for me. Ephesians 1:5 “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”
the free gift of God in Christ Jesus is our Salvation in Him. Truly we have the greatest gift given, is anything of more value than He? It’s why He can say Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Pauls wonder wasn't that God would give but that it is so difficult at times for us to trust. His whole encouragement here from 2 Co 8:1 to this point is that we can truly trust that if God is calling us to a thing, it is the right thing. That it might be hard, it might be tight, but yes, we are called to minister to others with our whole lives. Has God not given you finances? Give Him your time. Find those places to give your life away.
Matthew 25:31–46 the parable of the sheep and goats, is all about actually living out the worship we claim to do. Jesus even says, Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” and he also says, Matthew 25:45–46 “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””
I am not saying since God gave, you should, I hate that kind of manipulation.
But in the same breath I would say, God gave away one of infinite value, to pay for us and that is an example. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Let us trust in Him, look to Him and know that He truly has given us the greatest Gift. And i see it even in you.