Foundations: The Grace of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:7)

A sermon preached on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain.

Sermon Series: Foundations, Lessons on Christian Living
Message: The Grace of Giving

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Background: The collection for the poor at Jerusalem. Interestingly enough, Paul never mentions “money.” He uses terms like “offering,” “blessing,” “service,” and “grace.” And in contrast to the Corinthians who were relatively affluent, free from persecution, and joyless which was evident in their quarrelsomeness, the Macedonian Churches to the north who were suffering greatly were held up by Paul as exemplary for their generous giving (8:1). They practiced and enjoyed the grace of giving. What is the grace of giving that these believers experienced?

Grace Giving Is . . .
1. Generous Giving (8:1-2)
How does Paul encourage the Corinthians to give generously from the heart? He lets them know of the generosity of their neighbors. Although the Macedonians were then facing a severe ordeal involving persecution (see 1 Thess. 1:6; 2:14), the Macedonian churches, such as those at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, had contributed generously to the poor at Jerusalem. As Paul expresses it, their “rich generosity” was the overflow of “overflowing joy” and “extreme poverty.” The Macedonians were motivated to give generously because of God’s grace, His unmerited favor and goodness towards them in Christ (8:1).

Why do we give generously? Because “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us . . .” (Eph. 1:7-8a). You do not have to have much to give much, to be a generous person. Just as their suffering and troubles did not rob them of their joy, so their poverty did not hinder their generosity. If people with so little are able to give generously, how much more could we do who are so blessed! Grace giving is generous giving from the heart that has a deep sense of gratitude for what God has done.

Grace giving is generous giving and . . .
2. Joyful Giving (8:2)
The Macedonians experienced “overflowing joy.” They considered it a joy to share in this “service to the saints” (v.4). Our focal verse, 2 Cor. 9:7 reminds us that “God loves a cheerful giver.” God wants us to give but He wants us to give joyfully, “not reluctantly or under compulsion” (9:7). Giving to God doesn’t have to be a painful. It really can be great joy and it is for many of God’s people. Why then is giving to God a great joy. Why have God’s faithful people found giving to be a joyful experience?

People who give joyfully have learned the grace of giving. They know that (1) First, their giving reflects a heart of love and obedience and obedience produces a sense of joy.

(2) Second, they know that Joyful giving is the antidote to covetousness, an unhealthy attachment to stuff. People who are covetous, who are stingy, whose hands are closed are not typically joyful people. But joyful giving frees you from covetousness. Because of our sinful tendencies you and I need to give more than God needs our gifts.

(3) Third, joyful givers know that they are imitating God the God whose nature it is go give. Through their giving they are becoming more like Jesus.

(4) Fourth, joyful givers know that their offerings, their gifts are used by God to bless and build up His kingdom.

Paul quoting Jesus in Acts 20:35 said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Every parent and grandparent knows the joy of giving a special gift to a child. There is incredible joy and satisfaction in the act of giving. And the result of our hands being opened to God are that He is able to continue pouring out His blessings upon us. And so to those Macedonian believers Paul will say in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Grace giving is generous giving, joyful giving, and . . .
3. Sacrificial Giving (8:3a)
These believers gave what they were able but then even went “beyond their ability.” They moved into the area of sacrificial giving. Their giving costs them something. Their desire to give caused them to make some lifestyle changes so that they could give even more. Their example of sacrificial giving reminds us of the poor widow that Jesus spoke of in Mark 12:41-44. While the wealthy gave large impressive gifts, she merely gave her 2 pennies, but it was all that she had. Jesus commended her gift because her motivation was right and because it was a sacrificial gift in proportion to her resources.

Sacrificial giving calls for lifestyle adjustments. Some believers today are questioning the American Dream that is ingrained in us to always want something bigger and better. You see this in books like Radical Discipleship by David Platt which is on the New York Times Best Sellers List and in the writings of Francis Chan. Some of these believers are intentionally downsizing their lifestyles, moving to smaller homes, buying used cars, eating out less and doing so that they can be in a position to give sacrificially.

It’s not the amount of the gift but the heart of the giver and the relationship between the size of the gift and the resources of the giver. Does our giving costs us anything? And what more could we do if we would move into the realm of sacrificial giving?

Grace giving is generous, joyful, sacrificial, and . . .
4. Voluntary Giving (8:3b-4)
If you noticed, Paul is very careful to not say, “You must do this!” He encourages them to give, he shows them examples of believers who are generous and who give sacrificially, but he wants the Corinthians to understand that true grace giving is voluntary. Paul relates that the Macedonian believers gave “entirely on their own” (8:3b). Paul was careful not to compel them to give because they might give under pressure and not motivated from a heart of love and joy. But the Macedonian believers had pleaded with Paul and the others for the privilege of “sharing in this service to the saints” (v.4).

Giving here is called a “fellowship,” a “koinonia.” Giving is a privilege and connects us together as believers in Christ and in His mission. In other words, when you give you are a participant in the true fellowship of the Body of Christ at HBC. I have some theological disagreements with my Pentecostal friends; however, when it comes to church membership, they may have it right. Members are born again believers who actively participate in the life of the church with their presence and with their financial support. To be a part of the fellowship is to be an active supporter with your time, talents, and treasure.

We (HBC) do not want you to give/tithe because you feel pressured to do so. We want you to give from a heart of obedience, a heart of love, a heart overflowing with joy. “God loves a cheerful giver.” If you give because we compel you to give, you might give reluctantly, or grudgingly, and then you would miss out on the blessing and the grace of giving. Motivation is all-important to God. So why should you give? Because like these Macedonian believers, it is a privilege to share in ministry (“service”) together.

Grace giving is generous, joyful, sacrificial, voluntary, and . . .
5. Whole-Hearted Giving (8:5)
Why were the Macedonian believers such generous, joyful, and sacrificial givers? Because they “gave themselves first to the Lord.” They gave themselves whole-heartedly to God, holding nothing back. As a result of giving themselves to the Lord, “then” they were able to give themselves “to us [i.e., Paul and the work] in keeping with God’s will.” Their giving involved so much more than their offerings. They gave themselves to the work of God in every area of their life!

This message is really not so much about money as it is giving yourself wholly to God. The question today is “Are you giving yourself whole-heartedly to God? When that happens God will have your time, talents and treasure. The giving question is settled when the Lord becomes our consuming passion.

When we give ourselves to God then we will give generously, joyfully, sacrificially, and voluntarily. Why? Because we will love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and we will love what God loves. We will give because we know that this is God’s will and plan for us. It is “in keeping with God’s will.” We will give because it is a privilege to “koinonia” together in God’s work. I hope that you will use this opportunity today in worship and in your small group to evaluate your giving. Does it reflect generosity, joy, and sacrifice? What steps could you begin making so that your giving reflects these qualities?

Invitation and Response
The ultimate example of grace giving is JESUS! See 2 Cor. 8:9. He gave himself generously, joyfully, sacrificially and He did it all for you! Have you given yourself to Him? When you do, everything changes!

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe