Rediscovering the Church: The Generosity of the Church part 3
Rediscovering the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Cor 9:6-7
Intro
Intro
Grace Giving is is Worship
Grace Giving Reveals God’s Grace & Glory
Grace Giving is Proportionate
Grace Giving is Sacrificial
Grace Giving is Free
Grace Giving is Fair
Grace Giving is Fair
2 Reasonable Request
2 Reasonable Request
Integrity
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
2 cor 8:8-15
Integrity
Integrity
Integrity
Vss. 10-11 -
“started to do” = Their Initiative
“desired to do it” = Their Heart
“So now finish doing it...” = Their Integrity
Do you have integrity in your grace giving? When no one but God can see, what is the heart and action of your grace giving? Are you seeing through what you have communicated in your heart to God or others even at your own inconvenience?
11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
Fairness
Fairness
Grace giving is fair, it does not requiring you to produce an income that isn’t there, but to give from the income God has provided you
This is not advocating a formal economic/political system (e.g. communism, socialism, capitalism, welfare,etc), but hat those God has provided with an abundance of resources should do their fair share in helping meet the needs of the church “as a matter of fairness” (vs 13).
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
(Vs 14) Those who have been blessed by the grace giving of another should also be eager to give generously from whatever other abundance God has blessed them with.
Grace giving is fair - it does not require you to go without basic necessities so another can have things easy or without working.
When God blesses you, seldom does he have only you in mind. See your blessings/abundance as a primary means to invest eternally and to bless others!
Grace giving is fair - (e.g. other resources - skills, materials, etc.) you
Grace Giving is Committed & Selfless
Grace Giving is Committed & Selfless
1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
“Arrange in a advance…be ready”- whereas the emphasis of integrity of grace giving is on the initial heart and initiative taken behind the scenes, the emphasis here is the final result. The commitment has been fulfilled or honored.
“not as an exaction” [Trans] “covetousness” (NASB95; KJV), “a grudging obligation” (NKJV); “an extortion (NRSV).
What’s your motivation? If your generosity is just a means to expect some greater temporal/material blessing, receive glory/recognition (like those who are drawn to the prosperity gospel) then you are like Peter said, “in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity”.
― Puritan Preacher John Bunyan (Most known “Pilgrims Progresss” said “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
― John Bunyan
The Harvest of Grace Giving
The Harvest of Grace Giving
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in the right motivation cultivated by a...
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in the right motivation cultivated by a...
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Love for God
The Lordship of God
A gambit of bad teaching that focuses on quantity, leads people to powerless living, and selfish-giving is all from a bad interpretation of verses 6-7.
(Today in verses 6-7) Love for others
A gambit of bad teaching that focuses on quantity, leads people to powerless living, and selfish-giving is all from a bad interpretation of verses 6-7.
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in not in the quantity, but in the right motivation cultivated by a...
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in not in the quantity, but in the right motivation cultivated by a...
Love for God
The Lordship of God
(Today in verses 6-7) Love for others (Vs. 7 “God loves a cheerful giver”)
By the way all NT commands to act/do are a call to find joy in the doing.
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in the right motivation cultivated by a...
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in the right motivation cultivated by a...
Love for God
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in the right motivation cultivated by a...
The Truth is the power of Grace Giving is in the right motivation cultivated by a...
A Beautiful Eulogy
A Beautiful Eulogy
The Lordship of God
Love for God
Rooted in Love for God
(Today in verses 6-7) Love for others
The Lordship of God
(Today in verses 6-7) Love for others
“Bountifully” [Grk - Eulogia (Lit) “good words”. Most commonly translated blessing.
Literal Greek rendering of verse 6 “ Now this: sow sparingly, sparingly reap, and sow to blessing to blessing reap.
Blessing in other key passages:
Blessing in other key passages:
7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.
14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
By it’s very definition a blessing already embodies within itself the idea of the right quantity.
Literal Greek rendering of verse 6 “ Now this: sow sparingly, sparingly reap, and sow to blessing to blessing reap.
“Bountifully” [Grk - Eulogia (Lit) “good words
The Darby Bible Translation captures it well
“But this [is true], he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in [the spirit of] blessing shall reap also in blessing:”
The Darby Bible Translation captures it well
“But this [is true], he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in [the spirit of] blessing shall reap also in blessing:”
It’s about love for others- When the heart of the giver(s) just wants to be a blessing God ensures that the blessing is not too much or too little.
It’s about love for others- When the heart of the giver(s) just wants to be a blessing God ensures that the blessing is not too much or too little.
The Harvest
The Harvest
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
This is the practical application of chapter 8 & 9
2 Co
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
God’s Action
God’s Action
Vs. 8 “makes all grace abound to you
Vs. 8
Vs. 10 “supplies seed to the sower”… “bread for food”… “supply and multiply your seed”
Vs. 11 “you will be enriched in every way”
God’s Purpose
God’s Purpose
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Vs. 7 to be “a cheerful giver”
2 Cor 9:8
Vs. 8 to “abound in every good work”
Vs. 10 “for sowing”… to “increase the harvest of your righteousness”
9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn is exalted in honor.
“He” ( ) is the “man (vs 1) who fears the Lord” (Heart) and “distributes freely and gives to the poor” (act/do).
“He (vs 10) who supplies seed to the sower” is God
Vs. 11 “to be generous in every way”
Vs. 11, 12, 13 “thanksgivings and glory to God”
When God blesses you, seldom does he have only you in mind. See your blessings/abundance as a primary means to invest eternally and to bless others for the praise, and thanksgiving, and glory of God!
When God blesses you, seldom does he have only you in mind. See your blessings/abundance as a primary means to invest eternally and to bless others for the praise, and thanksgiving, and glory of God!
(vs8) - God’s Riches at Christ Expense, unmerited favor
What does this grace look like?
sufficiency in all things at all times
the power to “abound in every good work”
Righteousness
Righteousness
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn is exalted in honor.
Psalm
“He” is the man who fears the Lord (vs 1)
The result of his fearing the lord (heart) and generosity (act/doing) is a righteousness that endures forever (a never lost reflection of the righteousness of God)
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Righteousness
Righteousness
Thanksgiving and Glory to God
Thanksgiving and Glory to God
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Cor 9:11-
2 Cor
Vs. 11
11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
When God blesses you, seldom does he have only you in mind. See your blessings/abundance as a primary means to invest eternally and to bless others!
Grace Giving at Highland
Grace Giving at Highland
The Needs
The Needs
We need Grace Givers to give above and beyond their regular giving to the following needs:
Up & Down Fund - replenish savings fund spent to complete the basement waterproofing project
Youth Ministry Trip - Raised $900 of $3,000. Need $2,100
Parsonage - termites, structural repair, electric, drywall (Donzie with a figure in the future)
The Goal
The Goal
Church - roof, paint
Eventually I’d like to see us increase our giving to our missionaries and be able to devote more resources toward disciple-making
The Goal
The Goal
For everyone as they experience God’s grace and provision to be so overflowing with the harvest of:
Cheerful giving
Abounding in every good work
Sowing more
Righteousness
Generosity in every way
Thanksgiving and Glory to God
Vbound in every good work”
Vs. 10 “for sowing”… to “increase the harvest of your righteousness”
Vs. 11 “to be generous in every way”
Vs. 11, 12, 13 “thanksgivings and glory to God”
If that purpose of God is accomplished in us and our to do list is not accomplished we know God has a different plan and we’re better off anyway!
Benediction
Benediction
13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Cor 9:13-1