2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (Part 44) The Grace of Giving
1. The need for generosity, 8:1-15 2. The messenger(s) of generosity, 8:16-9:5 3. The result of generosity, 9:6-15
The need for generosity, 8:1-15 The example of generosity, 8:1-5
• The foundation of all Christian giving, 8:1: 1) Giving is not an achievement; it is an enablement of grace (implies that only one who has experienced grace can truly give); 2) When one comes to recognize that grace is freely received and totally undeserved, then can one give on that basis.
• The setting in which they gave, 8:2: 1) The generous givers are poverty-stricken; 2) Principle: The circumstances with which we are surrounded are no threat to spiritual success (unless we choose to let it). a) In the midst of tribulation, they exhibited joy; b) In the midst of poverty, they exhibited generosity (note—poverty here actually helped generosity); 3) “Deep poverty”—they gave out of their rock bottom poverty; 5) “Abundance”—in great trial of affliction, the surplus of their joy, and their deep poverty surplused (they surplused their surplus)
• The criteria for which they gave, 8:3: 1) According to ability and then some; 2) Ability—Greek “dunamis”: a) “To power”—(kata)—according to ability; b) “Beyond their power”—(huper or para)—more/surpassing their ability
• The entreaty to participate in generosity, v. 4: They literally begged Paul to let them participate.
• The priority for generosity, v. 5: 1) Giving of one’s self to the Lord preceded grace giving; 2) “They gave themselves first to the Lord . . . “
Paul’s concern in giving
• Concerned with attitude not amount (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• Concerned with the relationship of the gift to the resource (not “how much” rather how much is left)
Observations:
1) God’s example of generosity is not what man would have picked.
2) Generosity is not a virtue that requires riches.
3) Christian giving is measured in terms of sacrifice not amount.
4) The fires of affliction and poverty uncovered joy and generosity.
5) The end result was not only the blessing they received but also as they under pressure responded, they became an example to everyone else (including us).