Positioned for Generosity
January 15, 2023

1Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 NLT

27Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28And 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). 29So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:27–30 ESV

25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
Romans 15:25–26 ESV

1Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NLT
1. God

the of generosity.

Giving was primarily God’s idea, not Paul’s.

1Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 8:1 NLT

1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 8:1 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NLJV

Two things that we must understand about our finances:

A. God is the .

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
Psalm 24:1 NLT
*B. I am the .*

2. God the of generosity.

7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7 NLT

A. Generosity reveals the condition of my heart.

8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
2 Corinthians 8:8 NLT
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 NKJV

Giving is the antidote to materialism.

The heart that refuses to be challenged is the heart that cannot be trusted.

Giving protects us from the sin of greed.

If our heart is partial to God, our giving will be also.

B. Generosity makes me resemble .
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT

Generosity is an investment in eternal things.

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV

C. Generosity considers the .

14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
2 Corinthians 8:14 NLT

The practice of generosity, perhaps more than any other act, is a commentary on whether we are growing more and more into the likeness of Jesus.
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
James 2:14-16 NLT

3. God the of generosity.

5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
2 Corinthians 8:5 NLT

A. We must establish a with God.

Giving has to flow out of relationship, not religion.

B. We must over being able to give.

Generosity is expected regardless of what we have.

Generosity never happens if we always evaluate what we don’t have.

Debt diminishes ministry effectiveness.

C. We must the love generosity expresses.

12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12 NLT

Generosity is an expression of the gospel.