2:8 Generosity: Stupid Giving
2 Corinthians 8:1-9 NIV
November 21, 2021
Jay Haugh
This Jerusalem church, the Jerusalem believers, were destitute, and this broke Paul’s heart.
They were complete strangers. Yet they were family.
Paul will give two examples of self-sacrificial giving.
The first example of sacrificial giving are the Macedonian churches.
Generosity // We joyfully give our resources to advance the Gospel.
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. —2 Corinthians 8:1
The love of God moves believers to generosity.
Generosity is not natural, but supernatural.
Generosity isn’t flowing from a full pocket.
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. —2 Corinthians 8:2
Surplus of joy + Rock-Bottom poverty = Extravagant generosity.
Generosity flows from their new identity.
They had no concept of giving. They had no training on giving.
Our generosity is a reflection of our new family heritage.
The love of God and a new identity moves believers to generosity.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord. —2 Corinthians 8:3
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints – and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. —2 Corinthians 8:4-5
Generosity is an act of grace.
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you – see that you excel in this act of grace also. —2 Corinthians 8:6-7
God calls His children to grow in generosity.
The second example of sacrificial giving is Jesus.
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. —2 Corinthians 8:9
We’re generous because Jesus is generous.
Give no more than Christ.
Give to what you’re thankful for and what breaks your heart.
BIG IDEA: Generosity doesn’t flow from abundance but from the love of God and a new identity.
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
What are the two sacrificial examples Paul uses to display generosity in 2 Corinthians 8?
What are ways the Macedonian churches are generous?
How would you counsel someone who doesn’t have much with which to be generous? Does it conflict with Paul’s counsel?
Are you faithfully giving to what you’re thankful for and what breaks your heart? If not, why not?
Where did God “break in” and get your attention in the passage?
What are you “hearing” from God? Where is He calling you to repent?
What is He calling you to do or believe?