
LIVING WITH COURAGE Week 7: Courage to Give
“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power; I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in alliligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-9)
INTRODUCTION
TWO BASIC STEWARDSHIP CONVICTIONS
1. God is the owner of everything.
2. We are called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us.
1. A
“Moreover; brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia” (2 Corinthians 8:1)
A. His Grace
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation
through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
(Romans 3 : 2 4 - 2 5 )
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
B. His Grace
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every
good work:” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
“What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?
. . 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will cal
pon the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows unto the Lor
or in the presence of all his people.” (Psalm 116:12, 17-18
“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed
on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty
abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power
I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of
themselves;” (2 Corinthians 8:1-3)
C. His Grace
“Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the
gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the
saints.”(2 Corinthians 8:4)
2. A
“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” (2 Corinthians 8:5)
A.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
B.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
“I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the
forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.”
(2 Corinthians 8:8)
Quote: “You can give without loving, but cannot love without
giving.”- Amy Carmichael
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
(Luke 12:34)
WE PROVE THE SINCERITY OF OUR LOVE IN
OUR TITHES.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein
have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8)
“Honour the Lord with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of
all thine increase:” (Proverbs 3:9)
WE PROVE THE SINCERITY OF OUR LOVE IN
OUR OFFERINGS.
A
A. The
“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance,
and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, se
that ye abound in this grace also.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)
B. The
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his
poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who,
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him
the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
C. The
“And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who
have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year
ago. 1 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a
readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that
which ye have.” (2 Corinthians 8:10-11)
Quote: “Our beliefs determine our behavior.”
WHAT ARE BIBLICAL INSTRUCTIONS RELATED
TO GIVING?
1. Participate systematically.
2. Plan prayerfully.
3. Give cheerfully.
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”
(Proverbs 11:24)
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give
into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal
it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19
CONCLUSION
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.