I. Grace Giving (8:1) Provokes Others To Give Vs. 1, 2
A. The Willingness Of The Corinthians
1. Paul bragged about them in a holy fashion.
2. The Corinthians did not plan to give in order to gain the admiration of men.
3. But their willingness to give was noticed as a godly example.
B. The Principle Of Being An Example
1. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
2. Paul could not make the Thessalonians do anything in regards to living a godly life.
3. But he could live in such a way that they could take notice, and follow his example
4. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…
5. That is what we try to do with our children. Be an example that stirs them towards good.
6. We can have a godly influence on others by the way we live and by the way we give.
7. Godly living is not only taught, but it is caught. Godly giving is encouraging to others.
II. Grace Giving Is Prepared Giving Vs. 3, 4
A. Prepared Heart
1. V. 3- Grace giving is a forethought, not an afterthought.
a. …(that) you may be ready…“(not be) unprepared…”
b. Grace giving comes from a heart that has already determined to give before the actual time to give has arrived.
2. The time to give may be known in advance, or the time to give may arrive suddenly.
3. But the heart of a grace giver is already prepared to give before the time to give arrives.
4. The decision to give has already been made. It is not impulsive.
5. Grace giving comes from a giving heart, which is a prepared and a convinced heart.
B. The Principle Of Being Prepared
1. 2 Timothy 2:21b “…sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
2. Turn to 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2
3. Leviticus 19:9, 10 9‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
4. The Israelites were to plan ahead of time to not completely harvest their fields.
a. They would leave a portion for the poor, who would walk through the fields, and eat as they walked.
5. Planning to give ahead of time can take the struggle out of giving.
6. Instead of deciding in a sudden or difficult moment, we ought to purpose ahead of time to give whatever God puts in our heart.
III. Grace Giving Is Done With A Right Attitude Vs. 5, 7
A. Grace Giving Is Not Done Grudgingly
1. Paul did not want them to feel pressured by his arrival. Pressured giving is never right.
2. He was their spiritual father, and they could feel pressured by his presence.
3. Paul wisely sent others so as to avoid creating any situation/environment of pressure.
4. Some churches are the very opposite of this. Much pressure is put on people to give.
5. Not Grudgingly- We ought not to give if we don’t want to give. Better to keep your $.
6. Cheerfully-hilaron-hilariously, with joy.
a. Joy in knowing the rightness of giving, and in knowing what can be accomplished.
b. Joy in knowing that giving is the fruit of God’s grace in our life, and an act of faith.
7. If you feel you have to give grudgingly, you will end up feeling manipulated.
8. You will resent giving, the person who you feel manipulated you, and possibly God.
B. Grace Giving Is Done Generously, Cheerfully, And Deliberately
1. When we give, God desires that we would happy to do it.
2. The Macedonians were insistent on giving.
3. They were eager to give, though they did not have much.
4. The amount was not, and is not, important. Attitude is what is important.
5. V. 7- Purposes in his heart- This speaks of the deliberateness of our giving.
6. Remember that Paul spoke of Jesus as our example. See 2 Corinthians 8:9.
IV. Grace Giving Brings Blessings To The Giver Vs. 6, 8-11
A. The Example Of The Farmer V. 6
1. The farmer releases the seed from his hand. It may seem that he is throwing it away.
2. But he knows that he must let it go if it is to accomplish the desired goal.
3. If he is stingy with his seed, he has a small harvest. If he sows his seed, his harvest is larger. He is foolish to think that saving the seed is better than sowing it.
4. Once the seed leaves his hand, he cannot effectively gather it up again, nor should he.
5. He must not try to control it, but must trust God to bring about the desired results.
6. He throws it into the ground, where it deteriorates, and rots.
7. But then the plant begins to grow, and ultimately, he receives back more than he gave.
8. Why does the farmer sow seed? To receive a harvest back to himself.
B. Why Does The Christian Give? (Non-Selfish Reasons) V. 8
1. So that we can have a sufficiency for all things and an abundance for good works.
2. Proverbs 11:24-25 24There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
3. KJV Bible Commentary- “Giving is a grace that has reciprocal benefits”.
C. What Is God’s Response? Vs. 10, 11
1. V. 10- God is the One who supplies and multiplies the seed.
2. He gives us the ability to earn money, and multiplies the usefulness of the money we give
3. He multiplies the seed we have sown.
a. What seed is that? The money that we invest in His kingdom.
b. Q-Why is money sown into His kingdom? A-To bring forth fruit and a harvest.
c. Example- The church bus in Vizcaino. Many don’t own cars or have drivers’ licenses.
4. Application- God takes what we give, and supernaturally multiplies the usefulness of it.
5. The nature of seed is that when it is sown, it reproduces itself one hundred fold or more.
6. We sow for the present and also for the future.