2 Corinthians 9 Reaping What You Sow
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
Building Announcement
Thursday I sent out an email stating that all we needed to do to close escrow on the property was get a third tenant
Ten minutes later things started going sideways
Coast Hills told us that they would not lease the property without the roof being replaced
Since they are our lender we can’t secure the funding without their tenancy and they won’t sell the building unless the new owner leases property back to them
This was their subtle passive aggressive way of saying they weren’t going to give us any credit back on $150K roof job AND that we had to take care of it first thing once we took over
With the due diligence period ending this last Friday, Coast Hills not willing to extend the deadline or negotiate on the roof we had a choice either pull out of escrow or lose our $88,500 deposit.
It was obvious what we had to do
If nothing changes on Coast Hills side this deal is dead and we are moving on
Fortunately, our current landlord says we can stay as long as we need to
There are two ways you can look at this
First, God saved us from serious headaches
Second, God has something much better in store
In my morning reading today I read Isaiah 43
Isaiah 43:18-19 says Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19 says Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Transition
One of the characteristics that set us apart is that we teach the Bible
Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse
God’s word is living and powerful
You’re not going to get a series every year on marriage or on how to handle your money
We don’t talk about giving until it comes up in scripture
You can’t complain we are always making it about money
We don’t even pass the offering
If you’re convicted today it is solely the work of the Holy Spirit
I’m not going to apologize or feel uncomfortable about biblical principles that can change your life
This morning we are going to look at one of those principles
It is the principle of sowing and reaping
Paul shows us that God wants to bless our finances IF we apply certain principles
I. Be Ready to Give vs. 1-5
I. Be Ready to Give vs. 1-5
In order to reap a bountiful harvest you must be ready to give
No farmer expects a bumper crop from a few seeds.
They spend hours tilling the soil, planting the seeds, and preventing weeds to ensure a bountiful harvest
As Christians, we sow seeds in our giving so that God will bless our finances
If you’re not giving, then don’t expect the blessings
If you have withheld your money and have dug a hole, don’t expect God to bail you out
It starts with you being open and willing to give
Paul told the Corinthians is was unnecessary to write to them about this matter
He was confident in their readiness, or was he?
He had boasted to the Macedonians about their offering… then they didn’t come through
vs. 1-2 Readiness Motivates Others
vs. 1-2 Readiness Motivates Others
The initial zeal of the Corinthians stirred up the other regions
As Paul talked to the others churches about the offering he mentioned the Corinthians
He boasted about them
The Corinthians were like a lot of Christians who had good intentions
They want to give but when it comes time there is nothing left over
This is where stewardship comes in
Stewardship makes us ready to give
That readiness translates into enthusiasm, which in turn encourages others
vs. 3-5 Don’t get caught Unprepared, Ashamed, and feeling Obligated
vs. 3-5 Don’t get caught Unprepared, Ashamed, and feeling Obligated
Paul was going to send a delegation of people to collect the offering
Paul was removing himself from the equation so no one could accuse him of using the funds for himself
This extra layer of accountability was important
He was also trying to forewarn them so they wouldn’t be get caught unprepared and be humiliated
Paul had given them some wisdom about planning in his first letter
1 Cor 16:12 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
1 Cor 16:12 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
Put aside a little each week so it isn’t a big burden all at once
Being ready to give is part stewardship and part willing heart
When your heart is lined up with the right principles you will
II. The Reward of the Right Heart vs. 6-9
II. The Reward of the Right Heart vs. 6-9
Reaping is the reward of the right heart
I want to show you three attributes of a right heart
If you give with the right heart you will reap the rewards promised here
vs. 6 Sow Bountifully
vs. 6 Sow Bountifully
No farmer ever reaped a bountiful harvest from a few seeds
The word bountifully means blessing
A large amount of something, with the implication of blessing or benefit
Generous giving means that what you give is a blessing
So many Christians want to give a small amount and expect 100 fold in return
Generous givers will reap generous blessings from God, while those who hold back selfishly fearing loss will forfeit gain
Prov 11:24-25 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Prov 11:24-25 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Ending Scene from Patriot
vs. 7 Sow cheerfully
vs. 7 Sow cheerfully
Generous giving should be done with a cheerful spirit
I’m sure you’ve heard but the Greek word is Hilaro, where we get our word hilarious from
Cheerful givers give knowing that God has blessed them in the past and will continue in the future
You give as you have decided in your heart and you do it out of love and it will bring joy
Giving should never be out of obligation
If you don’t want to give to this church, then don’t
That is between you and God
Ex 25:1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.
Ex 25:1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.
vs. 8-9 Abound in Grace
vs. 8-9 Abound in Grace
When you sow bountifully you will abound in Grace
Giving to God with the right heart and in the right amount brings a certain amount of contentment to your life
That contentment comes from having enough to cover our basic needs
III. Enriched in Every Way vs. 10-15
III. Enriched in Every Way vs. 10-15
Sowing bountifully enriches you in every way
When you give to the Lord your life is enriched in every way
vs. 10-11 Supply & Multiply
vs. 10-11 Supply & Multiply
When you sow bountifully God supplies what you need and multiplies your outcome
Mal 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Mal 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
vs. 12-15 Overflowing Thanks