The Ministry of Giving in II Corinthians 8 & 9

The Ministry of Giving In II Corinthians 8 & 9

II Corinthians 8:1-9

"Nature Commands"

Introduction: To give or not to give, that is the question. This is a question that we all face at some point as Christians. For some this can be a very difficult issue, one that drives them away from God altogether. When a judge is faced with a court case they will often use precedent to help them make a decision. Precedent is defined as- an earlier event that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in later similar circumstances. We also see this idea in other areas of life. When someone lands a triple backflip on a motorcycle it will set the precedent for all the other daredevil motorcycle riders. Paul uses this concept when faced with the question of how to encourage the Christians in Corinth to give. Let's consider the Biblical precedent in this case.

1. The Macedonians were eager in the ministry of giving in spite of their poverty.

A. The churches in Macedonia were two congregations which were good examples of giving.

1. The Thessalonians had been persecuted:

I Thess. 1:6-7

"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."

2. The Philippians had partnered with Paul financially:

Philippians 4:15-16

"Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity."

3. These churches gave out of poverty. v. 2 "...their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."

B. These greatly contrast with the Corinthians that Paul is addressing.

1. The city of Corinth was very significant in its day. It was a major trade center, meaning that there were some in the Church of Corinth who would have been able to give more than others.

2. The Corinthians however manifested selfishness within the church, which Paul previously rebuked:

1 Corinthians 11:21-22

"For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry and another drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not."

Transition: God still uses godly people to teach us the nobility and necessity of giving, but there is no greater example than Christ.

1. Christ is the ultimate example of sacrifice for us. v.9

A. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

1. Christ came to be born in a manger.

2. Christ was the son of a carpenter.

3. Christ made himself of no reputation

Philippians 2:6-8

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

B. But Christ was never rich in this world.

1. This passage points to the preexistence of Christ, He did not begin to be at birth, He has always been.

2. His preexistence means He was equal with God from the beginning.

3. He did not sacrifice money, rather he sacrificed first to be clothed in flesh, then to die on the cross.

4. Christ sacrificed for each of us, that we might enjoy spiritual blessings in Him.

Transition: These are examples of sacrifice that exemplify the spiritual growth that God expects to see in His children.

1. Giving is part of spiritual growth.

A. The Corinthians prided themselves in their many spiritual gifts, for which they were commended.

I Cor. 1:4-7

"I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift..."

B. God has designated giving as a spiritual gift.

Romans 12:6,8

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us... Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity...

C. As we grow in grace, so will our understanding of giving.

1. The word grace is found 3 times in this passage.

2. The word grace is similar to "gift", receiving something one doesn't deserve.

3. Paul hopes the Corinthians will abound in this grace (gift) of giving. v.7

Transition: There may be some who question whether God really wants us to give, and are skeptical about giving their money to the church. It may seem odd that Paul does not simply tell them to give based on his apostolic authority. So, since Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit does that mean that we are not commanded to give? The answer is no, we are not commanded to give, but this is for a good reason.

1. Paul does not give a commandment to give because God expects that sincere love will naturally lead to sacrifice.

A. We are not under the law, but under grace. (Rom. 6:14, Gal. 3:23, 5:18)

Galatians 3:24-25

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

B. The Macedonians did not give out of obligation:

1. Paul did not expect them to give the way they did. v. 5 "not as we hoped".

2. Their genuine love led them to give eagerly. v. 4

C. Christ sacrificed Himself for the benefit of others.

1. He paid the ultimate price.

2. He died so you and I could be saved.

3. He bought us with a price we can never repay.

D. He does not expect us to sacrifice for Him out of obligation, but out of love.

1. It would make no more sense to make a commandment for an apple tree to produce apples, or for human families to produce humans, it is in their NATURE.

2. If the love of God has worked in you, it is sure to work its way out.

3. One of the ways the sincerity of your love is proven is through giving.

4. This isn't just taught at Hillcrest, or by Baptists, it's taught by the Bible.

5. We find it at the end of verse 8.

Conclusion: Why do you give? Is it because you feel like it is just another commandment that is part of the Christian rulebook? The truth is that God does not want people giving just because it is on their spiritual checklist, God has given us examples in the Bible and in our lives that prove that genuine love naturally leads to giving. Christ's incarnation is a display of concern and compassion for others. He expects to see this in our lives, as Americans we are blessed with an opportunity to make a difference in many lives by exercising this gift as God allows. If you do not give, think about those who have not heard of Jesus. All over the world there are people who need to hear the gospel, are you loving them? Remember that someone loved you and gave so that you could hear the gospel here at Hillcrest. As we will see in a few weeks, God is still calling men and women to go to the ends of the earth to reach the lost for Christ. Recognize this morning that God wants you to engage in the ministry of giving to the work of world missions.