Christian Family Fellowship - PDO, Muscat.
TOPIC: Christian Giving
Text: 2 Corinthians 8 & 9
1. INTRODUCTION
We are advised in 2 Corinthians 8: 7 that just as we are required to excel in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and love, we should also see to it that we excel in the grace of giving.
The grace of giving is the ability that God has bestowed upon all His children enabling them to give their time, talents, money and other resources so that the needs of the church and those around us are met. Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ demonstrated this act of giving by becoming poor so that through his poverty we might become rich (1 Cor. 8: 9). The grace of giving has been given to all His children and a ‘Christian’ who does not give is violating God’s word.
2. PRIMARY CONDITION FOR ACCEPTANCE
"First they gave themselves to the Lord" (2Cor 8:5)
"Your bodies a living sacrifice ..." (Rom 12:1)
If a
person is not in right standing with the Lord and he gives his talents and other resources so that he might be perceived as a zealous child of God, the Bible says woe unto such and his giving is not recognised. Such an one is a hypocrite (Mt 24: 23 to 33). As the Macedonian church, giving self first is a pre-requisite for our giving to be acceptable.3. WHEN SHOULD WE GIVE?
We
should always give and never stop giving. Difficult times, trials and poverty should not stop us from giving. For instance, you may not have adequate time due to long working hours, but how do you manage the little time you’ve got?. Do you spend all on your self or spend commensurate part of it with the Lord (2Cor 8:1-3). The poverty stricken Macedonians gave beyond their abilities. David the Psalmist says in 2 Sam 24: 24 that " I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing".Being pro-active in giving is also important. The Macedonian Church were very proactive in their giving. They reached out on their own accord without being told. (2 Cor 8:4). Such should be our attitude with regards to giving.
4.
HOW SHOULD WE GIVE?• Cheerfully and Willingly (2 Cor 8:12 and 9:7)
• Liberally and bountifully "The generous soul will be made rich" (Prov 11:24-26)
"Give...good measure....running over" (Lk 6:3 8)
• Sacrificially "liberality in poverty" (2 Cor 8:2)
5. BLESSINGS OF GiVING
• Treasures in heaven (Mt 6:20)
• Multiplication and increase of store of seed, righteousness and enlargement of harvest (2Cor 9:10,11).
• It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35).
BIBLE
STUDY OUESTIONS1CORINTHIANS 8:1-24
1. From the evidence you see in this chapter, what is it that Paul wants us most to understand about Jesus?.
2. Paul mentions in verse 5 how the Christians in Macedonia had given themselves to the Lord. In practical terms, what do you think Paul meant by this?
3. What kind of mental habits do you think could most easily block the words in verse 9 from staying alive in your mind and heart?.
4. In verse 11, notice again Paul’s urging of the Corinthians to finish what they had started. How big a problem is this kind of "unfinished business" in the church today?.
2CORINTIIIANS 9: 1-15
1. In your own words, how would you describe the process that Paul speaks of in verses 10-15.
2. From what you see in this chapter what expectations can we rightly have of God.
3. With all else being equal, which of these people do you think would have the best chance of uncovering the most meaning in this chapter, a gardener, cheerleader, or a banker.
4. Looking back on chapters 8-9, how would you summarise their most important principles and guidelines on Christian giving.
5. For Christians in general today, what would you say is the hardest thing about obeying the guidelines presented in verse 7.
4