Grace that Gives 2 Cor. 8:1-15
Grace that Gives 2 Cor. 8:1-15 Justin Davis
Grace that Gives 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 - Justin Davis
Notes
Introduction
Matthew 28:19-20
“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mission of Heritage: Making disciples here and around the world
The word disciple appears frequently in the New Testament, with it being found in the gospels and the book of Acts more than 230 times.
What is a disciple? From manthano in the Greek meaning a learner or pupil. A suggested definition:
A person who responds to the call of Jesus in faith, resulting in a relationship of
obedience through which Jesus shares his own life and the disciple embarks on a lifetime journey of learning in order to become like the master.
We are in a 9-part series on discipleship. The elders recently created a discipleship
wheel as an illustration for what discipleship means at Heritage. It contains 8 disciplines that are taken from the scripture and modeled in the life of Christ. These disciplines are graces that are
1. Modeled in Christ Jesus
2. Motivated by the grace we have received
3. Intended to share God’s grace with others
Last week we discussed Sunday gathering and this week we will discuss giving. Why is giving or generosity a spiritual discipline?
A large amount of Scripture deals with the use of wealth and possessions. It speaks to us as being stewards of His resources.
1 Peter 4:10
“10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
While Peter does not specifically include finances in his list of gifts in the above example, the concept of being a steward or faithful caretaker of that which God has given is applicable to all our resources that we have been supplied including not only
spiritual gifts but also things like time and money. We can steward our finances in a way that does and in a way that does not give glory to God. How we use it expresses who we are, what our priorities are and what is in our hearts. Teaching on the spiritual doctrine of stewardship will show us that it is an integral part of our worship of God and it is as vital a spiritual exercise as prayer, bible reading, witnessing, etc.
A word on giving…
Tithing or giving can bring up issues related to law, freedom, grace, faithfulness, etc. Without getting into a large discussion of Old Testament law and new covenant in Christ, there are a couple of things we can say: 1 - the 10% tithe was a specific requirement that served a specific purpose and 2 - neither Jesus nor any other New Testament author under the direction of the Holy Spirit assigns or affirms 10% as a standard rule. If we really wanted to investigate, the Israelites offered various sacrifices and gave “free-will” offerings in addition to the tithe, so they gave much more than 10%. In the light of the new covenant of grace and our love for Christ, we are not under the restrictions or requirements of OT law, but neither should we be limited by them. We discussed the book of Hebrews this past week and one of the tenets of the Book is to
show the superiority of the new covenant in Jesus Christ over the former covenant given through Moses. The writer uses the comparative term “better” repeatedly to describe the latter. This does lead to the question… how could we come to the conclusion that we may sacrifice less than the nation of Israel? Living in the light of the revealed Christ, we have tremendously greater blessings. Wouldn't that compel us to an even greater giving of ourselves to Gospel work and the things of God?
Mark 12: 41-44
“41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into th offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
I believe Jesus still “watches” how people contribute to the offering. Not necessarily quantity, but the heart attitude. God does not need your money. He will accomplish his purposes regardless… but giving is a tangible way in which his people can participate in the work He is doing in the world. It is a matter of obedience, but we cannot do it on our own.
Background - 2 Corinthians, the book
The church at Corinth
● Paul was instrumental in starting the church in Corinth (Acts 18, ~ 50-52 AD)
○ Located in region of Achaia, in southern Greece
○ Major trade city in a strategic location
○ Generally considered wealthy
● It did not take long for problems to arise within the church
○ Favoritism, disunity, sexual immortality, abuse of sacraments (among others)
● 1 Corinthians was written by Paul (around 55 AD) to address these issues
● False teachers sowed division, undercutting Paul’s leadership
● Paul writes 2 Corinthians later in his 3rd missionary journey. Broad overview:
○ Chapters 1-7: reconciliation with the Corinthians and instruction
○ Chapters 8-9: Generosity and giving
○ Chapters 10-13: Apologetic of Paul’s ministry
Background- The collection
Paul took up multiple collections during his ministry. Example: In response to a famine-
The prophecy (verse 28) and the response (verses 29-30)
Acts 11:27-30
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers[d] living in Judea.30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
This details the origin and reason for at least one relief effort. Claudius reign (41-54) most severe famine during 46-47. During Paul’s first missionary journey (around 46-48) he and Barnabas went from Antioch to Cyprus then across to Asia minor- Visiting cities like Perla, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derby- establishing churches and then returning to Antioch, solidifying the early Christian mission to the gentiles. It is likely he gave funds toward the relief effort from Antioch to Jerusalem during their time in Antioch as described in chapter 11 of acts. In Acts 12:25 it states that Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, perhaps delivering these funds.
And also the ongoing effort for the Jerusalem church.
The church in Jerusalem
● Poor
● Ostracized
● Persecuted
Paul encouraged a planned, systematic special offering in several of the gentile churches, including the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Now concerning[a] the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 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. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
When we come to our text in 2 Corinthians they had not completed the offering
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Grace that gives generously
1 We want you to know, brothers,[a] 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[b] 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.
The first 5 verses detail the offering from the churches of Macedonia.
Principles of giving generously.
● It’s not circumstantial
● It’s proportionate to ability or capacity to give
● It’s sacrificial
● It’s done thankfully, cheerfully
● It’s voluntary
How can someone give in this way? By verse 1 “the grace of God”
And in verse 5 “they gave themselves first to the Lord”
The grace of God who, by the Spirit, was leading them and they (Macedonian churches) responded in obedience to the leading of the Spirit.
The supreme act of worship is giving yourself to God. Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
They determined in their hearts it was the will of God to give and giving such a gift was good and acceptable. The generosity that is modeled here is not first a financial act, but rather it flows from spiritual surrender.
If the grace of God is working in us, then we too are able to give like the Macedonians.
2 Corinthians 8:6-8
Generosity from maturity, proven by love
6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you[c]—see that you excel in this act of grace also.8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
In verse 7 Paul writes that the Corinthians excel (From perissos - to superabound in quantity or quality. To have an abundance) in -
● In Faith
● In Speech
● In Knowledge
● In Earnestness
This fruit is evidence of the Spirit working in their lives. While they excel in these areas they have not excelled in the grace of generous giving.
No one area can be substituted for another. When we do that, what we are really saying is I don’t want to submit to you (Lord) in this area of my life.
Money is amoral - neither good nor bad. But the problem is we live in a society where there is spiritual tension- Worldly systems that encourage materialism and
self-accumulation set against the grace that helps us to see money as a tool for God’s purposes and encourages us to give generously.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Examples of challenges or barriers:
● Lack of trust
● Misplaced priorities
● Wrong view of giving
In verse 8 Paul encourages growth in this spiritual discipline. While being in Christ enables us to give generously, it is by the renewal of our minds day after day and God’s grace at work in our lives that we would grow in spiritual maturity and from that… we choose to give generously.
By this the Corinthians can demonstrate the sincerity (greek from genesia) or legitimacy of their love. In this context, the authenticity of love is tied to sacrificial giving.
Having the right perspective will give us the motivation for giving generously. Lets look at verse 9.
2 Corinthians 8:9
Grace given through Christ Jesus
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.
Paul reminds them of a gospel truth. In an act of grace and mercy Christ Jesus emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and was made in the likeness of men. He was infinitely rich and he became poor.. And on the cross he laid down his life. He did this for you and for me. We were in spiritual poverty, bankrupt and by his sacrifice we have become rich. We can have true wealth.
We give not to earn grace and not to prove our worth but because grace has already been given.
1 John 3:16
“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
When we give sacrificially we in effect “imitate” God. It is a practical example of laying down our lives for others. It is a way to show our faith. Our giving is motivated by His giving.
2 Corinthians 8:10-12 Submitting to God’s work in you
10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Returns to his exhortation in verses 10-11: so now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it.
Good intentions are not a substitute for biblical obedience. James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to
them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
God is interested in completed commitments.
Recall in 1 Corinthians Paul had given instructions on how to set aside money for this offering and while the time for this approach had passed he encourages them here to respond with what they do have, whatever it may be B\because what makes a gift acceptable to God is not how much. Verse 12 tells us what makes a gift acceptable to God. “For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable.”
This points to faithful participation.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15 A shared life
13
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness14
your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.15
As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
As christians,
We are to be of one heart and one mind. We should embrace a common purpose. We are called to live a shared life. because we are the members of one body.
Paul encourages mutual care and the goal is fairness without hardship. Equity, not equality. That does not mean of course that the church is to support those who are slothful or do not work. But for those who are unable to provide for themselves the church should be willing to meet their basic needs. When one part of the body is suffering, all parts suffer. When one part is honored, all rejoice.
This principle is modeled after God’s provision in the wilderness (Exodus 16). God provided manna from heaven and the people gathered, some more, some less according to their ability, but all the needs were met. While it doesn’t state directly, the impression here is that they shared what they had.
Supporting the body in this way promotes unity among the parts.
Conclusion
In Exodus 25 God gave instruction to Moses from the building of the tabernacle. Exodus 25:1-2
The Lord said to Moses, “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."
And the Response is in Exodus 35:4-29
Verses 4-19 give more specifics as to the details of the contribution Verse 20-29 is the response
20 Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting,
and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. 23 And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. 24 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. 25 And every skillful
woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. 26 All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair. 27 And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, 28 and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.
Ask the Lord to examine your hearts.
Ask the Spirit to stir you to generosity.
Ask the Spirit to help you to follow His leading.
