Slides: Cheerful Givers

Cheerful Givers
2 Corinthians 8-9
By David Feddes 

^8:1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. ⁷ ... see that you excel in this act of grace… ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich…

¹² For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³ For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness ¹⁴ your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 

Finance team (2 Corinthians 8:16-34)

• Titus: “my partner and fellow worker”
• Brother #1: “famous among all the churches… appointed by the churches”
• Brother #2: “whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters”

²⁰ We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, ²¹ for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man… ²⁴ So give proof before the churches of your love.

^9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

⁶ The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” ¹⁰ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. ¹² For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴ while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Cheerful Givers

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  (9:7)

• Gifted by grace
• Linked by love
• Walk by wisdom
• Reap rewards

Gifted by grace

• Accepting past grace
  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (8:9)
• Expressing present grace
  The grace of God has been given among the churches of Macedonia… their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part…  See that you excel in this act of grace. (8:1-2, 7)
  They gave … beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor [χάρις = grace] of taking part in the relief of the saints… they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. (8:3-5)
  … the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others… because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (9:14-15)
• Expecting future grace
  God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (8:8)

Cheerful Givers

• Gifted by grace
• Linked by love
• Walk by wisdom
• Reap rewards

Linked by love

...taking part in the relief of the saints (8:4) supplying the needs of the saints… the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you (9:12-14)

I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. (8:13-14)

So give proof before the churches of your love. (8:24)

As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the family of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

Linked by love: Generous living

• Devote self to God and others
• Give riches of Christ, eternal life
• Offer wisdom, life experiences
• Share money, meals, talents, time, attention, empathy

Cheerful Givers

• Gifted by grace
• Linked by love
• Walk by wisdom
• Reap rewards

Walk by wisdom

We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. (8:20-21)

Walk by wisdom

• Support causes with good goals, real impact, and multiple, vetted leaders.
• Follow a plan, not just an impulse: choose amount, priorities, schedule.
• Enjoy giving what you can; don’t feel bad about what you can’t give.

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. (8:12) Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (9:7)

Cheerful Givers

• Gifted by grace
• Linked by love
• Walk by wisdom
• Reap rewards

Reap rewards

A man who is kind benefits himself… 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 refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:17, 24-25)

Give, and it will be given to you... For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38)

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail. (Luke 12:33)

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully… God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make 
all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (9:6-8)

Give → get more → give more
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way. (9:10-11)

… for the glory of the Lord himself (8:19) produce thanksgiving to God… overflowing in many thanksgivings to God… they will glorify God… while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (9:11-14)

Cheerful Givers
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  (9:7)

• Gifted by grace
• Linked by love
• Walk by wisdom
• Reap rewards