2 CORINTHIANS 8:9-242005 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: 2 Corinthians 8:9-24

You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2005. 2 Corinthians chapter 8 this morning. You can turn there with me. 2 Corinthians chapter 8. And we continue this week on the subject of giving.

The subject of giving. Now, as we talk about giving, everybody's first response, or many people's first response is, oh, there goes the church again. Always talking about giving, and they use all kinds of different words to try to describe it, but all they want is your money. Well, I want to encourage you as we're studying through the scriptures here that we're not just about money, and giving as we refer to today is not just necessarily money.

what you give here at this church or wherever you fellowship, but giving is what God has called us to do in many different avenues. As people that are around us have needs, as there's ministries and other opportunities, as missionaries go out, there's so many opportunities and areas where God has called us and asked us to give, to be a part of His work by giving financially, by contributing financially.

And thereby also receiving the rewards for the work that is done. And so we want to continue on understanding what God has to say about this subject of giving. And I will offer to you two assurances that I offered last week.

that you would know that this is by no personal gain of mine that I'm encouraging you to give, that I'm not prospering anything from it. The first assurance I give to you is that I didn't pick this portion of Scripture to teach on. We teach the Word...

chapter by chapter, verse by verse. We go through. We started in 1 Corinthians and we've been studying all the way through since last year. Now we're in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and this is what God has for us this morning. God has designed the universe and put together His Word in such a fashion that we would hear this morning right now the message that

He wants us to hear and today it's about giving. We've seen it in times past as we went through 1st and 2nd Corinthians where God has dealt with specific situations in our hearts and in our lives and ministered to us exactly what we needed to hear because that's what He does. He's a big God and He's designed His Word to do that. And so 2nd Corinthians chapter 8 is for you and me this morning. It's what we need to hear today.

So I didn't pick this portion of scripture to teach on. That's your first assurance that I'm not out for any type of gain on this. The other thing, the second assurance, is I want you to know, as you probably already know, but I'm not paid on commission. I don't get a portion or a percentage of what is given. As we talked about last week, the salary that Pastor Sisko and I receive is set by the board of directors, which is all the different pastors that God has sent out from here. And so,

You have these assurances. Know and understand that this morning, this message is what God is saying to us as individuals. It's not some type of ploy for money. Now, last week, as I gave these assurances, a couple people came up and said, you know, you don't have to apologize about giving this message. We understand your heart, and I understand, and thank you for sharing that with me. But I don't share these things directly.

to apologize, but to make sure that you understand that I believe the Word of God. And I believe that when we are obedient to it, God is faithful to meet His promises and to do what He said He would do and to bless us abundantly. I want you to know and I want to make sure that you know that my agenda is not to make more money here at this place, but to help you grow as Christian believers.

Because we do not truly learn to grow, or we do not truly grow until we learn to give. We don't really grow as Christians until we learn to give to God. And so I don't have anything to gain, but you do. You do, because as you learn to give, you will begin to grow like never before as a believer.

It's not a command, as we share these things this morning. Paul will share that in verse 8. It's not a command, but it's an indicator. It tells us where our heart is as we look at our giving and how we give and what we give. We can very clearly know and understand where our heart is.

And where our treasure is. Because Jesus said, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. When I was young, I was crazy about baseball cards. I loved baseball cards. And I got a weekly allowance from my father. It was $2.50 a week. And that was a lot back then.

You can imagine. But I would go and I would spend my $2.50, usually the first day I got it. There was a baseball card shop down the street. I would walk down the street, spend my $2.50 and then just sit around and wait until I got the next $2.50 the next week to be able to go and spend the rest. And so $2.50 and what did I get out of it? Well, you know as I went and spent that money that then I didn't have anymore. And I went to my dad one day and I said, Dad,

I think I need a raise in my allowance. And so my dad, being the dad that he is, wanting always to teach principles and responsibility, he said, okay, here's what I want you to do. You need to make to me a proposal. And he had me write down a cost of living adjustment that would justify whatever I was asking for. And so I had to write down, hey, the FLIR baseball cards are going up 25 cents. And I

I had to ask for more money because I was running out because what I was spending my money on wasn't getting me anything back except for some cards. And, you know, all throughout my life I've done that. I've had different passions and different desires and different things that I've spent my money on. Finally, of course, I fell in love with Kim and my money, guess where it went?

So much so that I proposed and then it was time for my review at work and I told my boss, I said, look, I just proposed, I'm getting married in a couple months, I need a raise because all my money is going there. Because what you're passionate about and what you love is

is demonstrated by where your money goes. And so, as Paul encourages us, it's not a command, but it's an indication of where is our love? Is our love going towards the things of God? And it's not like it is with everything else when you're talking about God. Because God has promised. Malachi chapter 3 verse 10, we quoted it last week, I'll talk about it again, I'll talk about it next week, and every time I get the opportunity, because it's God's promise for you and me, let's

Listen, Malachi chapter 3 verse 10, Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now on this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

The prophet Malachi tells the people of Israel, listen, bring all the tithes in. I know you think you can't afford it, but bring it in anyways. God says, test me, try me on this and see if I won't open the windows of heaven and supply your every need, meet your every need and give you an abundance. That's God's promise. He says, test me on this. Now, I'm not going to ask for a show of hands, but how many of you

have tested God on this. I know I came to a point in my life where I had to test God on this. Where I had to get my financial principles and understanding, where I had to get my priorities straight and learn to be obedient to what God's Word says. And I had to test God. And you know what? When you test God on this, because this is what He said you could test Him on, He proves Himself faithful.

So we need to learn to be givers. Luke chapter 6 verse 38, give. Jesus is talking, give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. The same measure that you use to give, that's what's going to be measured back to you. That's what Jesus said. You have Malachi's promise. Listen, God, giving to God,

because of your love for Him, because that's what you're passionate about, is not like the other things that you can be passionate about and that you can spend your money on, because God promises that when you give to Him, whatever measure you use will be measured back to you.

And He will supply and meet your every need. You can test Him on it. He says, take me at my word. Believe me and be obedient. And so I have no opportunity for gain here as a leader of this place. But I do have an opportunity to gain just like you do as I learn to be obedient to what God says and watch Him prove Himself faithful to His word. So let's read together. 2 Corinthians 8. Starting in verse 7, it says this,

But as you abound in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.

Verse 1.

Verse 12,

Verse 16,

Verse 1.

Verse 22, Verse 23,

If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. Verse 24, Therefore show to them and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf. Let's pray. Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this morning and this opportunity to read and understand your word. And God, I pray that you would speak to us specifically and directly about our very own lives. God, that we might not just be hearers of the word, but doers of it. That you would direct our hearts by your spirit. Lord Jesus, we ask that you would fill us now and open our eyes that we may see the wonderful things that you would love to show us this morning. And it's in your name we pray. Amen.

He starts out in verse 7 here in 2 Corinthians chapter 8. And we touched on it a little bit last week, but he says, "...as you abound in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you abound in this grace also." And as we begin again talking about the subject of giving this morning, it's important to remember that he calls it a grace.

Now, we know the word grace to mean undeserved favor and kindness. It's closely related to the spiritual gifts because oftentimes the gifts were mentioned or called graces. They're graces that God has given to us, opportunities, abilities that we might be able to serve Him and be a part of the work that He is doing. And so Paul reminds us it's a grace. It's an opportunity that you and I do not deserve.

We don't deserve this opportunity. Why not? Well, we talked about it last week that as we give, we are participating in the work of God. We're participating in what God is doing. As we support missionaries, we're participating in that work and as they receive rewards for the work that is done, the lives that are saved, the things that take place and happen there, we also...

get to receive the rewards of that. In God's economy, things are quite different than what we know in the world. It's a grace. It's an undeserved kindness that we would be allowed to be a part of this. And so Paul says, make sure that you abound in this grace.

Not that you just kind of give a little bit or not that you just every once in a while or occasionally, but that it's a continual thing that your life overflows with this grace. And that's what that word abound means. It means to exceed a fixed number of measure. To exceed a fixed number of measure. Now,

You say, well, how can I abound? I don't have more money than I can measure. I can count all my money. How can I exceed in that? But the idea is not that you give more than someone can count, but that you give without setting a limit. Where you say, I'm only going to give $50 and no more.

And so someone comes up to you and they have a need and, nope, I already gave my limit. I got the extra 20 bucks, but I met my limit. I'm not going to give anymore. I'm not going to help you when you're in need. I'm not going to help you in this situation. I'm not going to support this missionary or this work or this opportunity. Paul says, don't put a limit, don't put a measure on how much you give. Just give. As God gives you opportunity, as God gives you ability, abound, overflow. Be a person who continually is giving.

Now we're not again talking just about tithing, but also meeting needs. The offerings and supporting those who are less fortunate or are hitting hard times or ministries and missionaries that need to be sent out or supported or taken care of. There's so many opportunities and we need to not have the attitude, oh I'd love to help, but I've already met my limit this month. I've exceeded my measure and that's it. Paul says, no, exceed it, abound, overflow.

And the question for us is, does this describe our giving? Do we abound in the grace of giving? Now, verse 8, he goes on to say, I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. And so Paul tells us, listen, this is not a command. In the Old Testament, it was commanded. You had to as part of the law. Now, we know we're not part of the law, but under grace now.

through the blood of Jesus Christ and through what He's done. But these principles remain nonetheless, that we are to give to God. The tithe, the tenth, the ten percent that we talked about last week, it's God's, it belongs to God and we are to give it to Him. It's not a command.

But it's out of our response of what God has done for us. It's out of our love for Him. The offerings, which was given above and beyond that tithe, that 10%, which was to support the poor and to meet special needs and to take care of the things that needed to be taken care of. Paul says, look, I want to remind you, I'm not commanding you to give.

These principles are true and if you follow them, if you're obedient, you will watch God prove himself faithful time and time again. But I'm not commanding you. The point is, I shouldn't have to command you, Paul is saying. Because what I'm doing is I'm simply proving myself

Your love. The sincerity. The genuineness of your love. Giving is a response of a heart that is in love with Jesus Christ. Paul says, I'm testing to see if what you say about your love is true. You say you love, but is it proved by what you do? Again, Jesus said, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It is a reflection, an indicator of where our hearts are, how much we give and how we give. We like to say, I love God, I'll give Him whatever He wants, but really, is that true? Is that our heart's desire? Because many times, He says, well, first give me what belongs to me. Not even what you want to offer as a sacrifice, but what belongs to me, the tenth, the tithe. And we go, oh, ten percent. That's tough.

But that belongs to God in God's economy, the way that God sees things. We need to understand our heart is reflected by how we give. Does He have our hearts? He wants our offerings. He wants our tithes. He's not commanding us, but He's saying, look at what I've done for you. And I've given you the ministry of reconciliation. Will you be a part of it? Will you respond and live your life that others might know me?

Live your life that others might hear the gospel and receive the good news. Because if that's where your heart is, your money will be there as well. That's what Paul is saying. I'm proving the genuineness of your love by how you give. He's basically telling them, put your money where your mouth is. Because that is

what we need to do. Now, the Macedonians, last week we looked at, they were Paul's example. And it's interesting because they were poor and afflicted. They were in deep poverty, yet they gave. And they gave generously. They gave, and Paul described it as rich generosity. And they gave generously.

So how much more the Corinthians? Because Paul is telling them, look, you have an abundance. These guys gave out of poverty and they were eager, they were willing, they were desperate to give, but you, Corinthians, have an abundance. So how much more?

Should you be willing to give? Pastor Tom would always encourage us and challenge us with the question, why do you think we are so blessed? We as a nation, as a society here. Because God loves us more and He just wants us to be comfortable and live luxurious lives? No, it's because He wants to use us

To bless others and to minister to others and to reach out to others with what God has blessed us with. We have abundance and prosperity, but the problem is our love has grown cold. Our giving proves it. Our giving proves that our love has grown cold. Listen, national statistics, they demonstrate this, they prove this. They show that the giving that people give to religious centers is

organizations nationwide is about 2.2% of their income. People give on an average 2.2% of their income. That's what national statistics say. They

They go on to break it down that among born-again believers, and they qualify born-again, they describe it, and let me read to you what they describe as born-again. It says, those who have made a significant personal commitment to Jesus Christ and believe that they will experience eternal life because of their confession of sins and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Savior. Listen, these guys, the really committed ones, the really solid ones, they would give 3.8%.

3.8% is the percentage of their income that they would give. Now, the statistic also showed that 7% would actually tithe. 7% of those who say that they're born again will tithe. Now, we have 100 chairs in this room. Which 7 of you wasn't? No, I'm just kidding. That's the statistics, okay? Now, again, I'm not trying to make any type of gain or profit here, but I want to challenge you.

Is that the reflection? Is that my heart? Has my heart grown cold? Has your heart grown cold? And that you're not willing to give to God, number one, what belongs to Him, but even above and beyond that, there's so many needs, there's so many things and areas where we have an opportunity to be a part of the work of God and where we give and how we give and what we give proves where our heart is.

Verse 9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you, through His poverty, might become rich. Last week we saw the Macedonians as Paul's example. Today, verse 9, he gives us Jesus Christ, the ultimate example. We need to learn to be givers. Why? Well, because that's how Jesus is. That's how Jesus was. He...

is equal with God. He is God. Yet, Philippians chapter 2 says, he didn't think it robbery to be considered equal with God. He humbled himself and came in the form of a servant and learned obedience, became obedient even to the point of death. He gave up everything, sacrificed his life, lived his life for one purpose, that you and I might be blessed, that we might receive salvation. Jesus Christ is our example. We're to follow him.

And so we as well should center our lives and live our lives that others might be blessed. That's the call that He has called us to. It's not an easy thing. We're not called to fluffy, lightweight Christianity. We're called to sold-out Christianity. Sold-out life for Christ that no matter what, I want to reach others with

with the gospel of Jesus Christ because I love Him and because of the love that He's given me for others. I follow His example and I give my life, my time, my finances, everything about me. It should be our heart's desire. Jesus told us if we're to follow Him that we should take up our cross and follow Him. There in Luke chapter 9 verse 23 it says that He said to them all,

It wasn't just to a couple people or only the pastors or only the apostles. He said to them all, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. Will you come after Jesus Christ? Will you live the life that God has called you to live? You must deny yourself, take up your cross daily

and follow Him. To take up your cross, the idea of dying to yourself. The cross was where, what He was taking there to the top of Golgotha where He would die for our sins, be nailed to it. And Jesus is saying, look, take up your cross, die to yourself, and live that others might be blessed. Follow Me. Deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow Me. Does that describe your spending habits?

Denying yourself and dying to yourself and following Jesus Christ? Do you know what I do whenever I need $20? I go to the ATM, I put in a card, I punch in a couple numbers and mysteriously money comes out. I get $20 whenever I need it. I just go to the ATM and it works. You know, it's like the lady who said, I can't be out of money, I still have checks, right? Well, if I want $20, I go to the ATM, I get it out.

You know what I do when my wife wants $20? I give her $10. No, just kidding. What do I do when someone else wants $20? What do I do? What do I do when $20 will meet a need or provide for a ministry or allow a work of God to take place?

Do I say, well, let me pray about that. Hmm, I'm not sure if I can afford it, you know. It's been tight this month. It's been tight this week. It's really difficult right now. Deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow Jesus Christ. That's what we're called to do. Our giving, our spending, our money demonstrates where our hearts truly are. It's kind of a scary thought. We need to understand that we live in a self-centered, selfish society.

And it's so easy for us to continue to be caught up into that. But, as we talked about last week, we shouldn't look at life and spend more than we can afford, but as the Macedonians, we should learn to give more than we can afford.

that our life is lived truly denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him. That's the result of grace in our lives. Understanding what God has done. Listen. Jesus Christ, He sent...

Well, He sent. He is the one who was sent. He came to this earth and He died upon the cross for our sins. He shed His blood. He suffered that you and I would not have to suffer for eternity and spend eternity in hell. That we could have forgiveness. Not only that, but we could be free from our sin and find peace and satisfaction and joy in this life. And then eternity with Him. He gave everything that you and I might be blessed with.

Because of His grace. Not that we deserved it. Not at all. We deserve much worse.

So the grace of God in our lives, as we realize what God has done for us, our response should be, hey, whatever you want, God, I give it back to you. Not just our finances, but everything about us. But our finances is the one area that we usually hold on to. And that's why it's such a great indicator of where our hearts truly are. Do you remember Zacchaeus? He was a tax collector. You can find his story in Luke chapter 19.

He was a tax collector and tax collectors were hated in those days because they would always collect more than they were supposed to. They were allowed to. The Roman government gave him the authority and said, hey, whatever you want to collect over the amount that we've told you to collect, then that's yours. You can keep that. And so they became extortioners, collecting way too much and ripping off people and threatening them.

And that was Zacchaeus. And he was a wee little man, you might remember the story. And he was there, he wanted to see Jesus. He climbs up in a tree because he had a desire to see Jesus Christ. And you remember the story. Jesus goes and stands under the tree and says, Zacchaeus, you come down for I'm going to your house today.

And he goes to Zacchaeus' house and he has dinner with them. And he has a great feast and celebration because Jesus Christ has come to his house. Why? Because he deserved it? Not at all. The people there at Zacchaeus' house, the religious leaders and those who are around complained. And they said, why is he there? He went to a sinner's house. He doesn't deserve Jesus to be there or a rabbi to be there. Doesn't he know that this guy is a sinner? Doesn't he know what this guy's life is like?

And while they're complaining, it tells us that Zacchaeus stands up. And he says, Lord, whatever I have, I give half of it to the poor. And whatever I've taken from someone that I didn't deserve, that I didn't earn, whatever I've taken that I've robbed from them or stolen from them by false accusation, whatever, I pay it back fourfold. I give all half that I have. I pay back fourfold.

And Jesus said, today salvation has come to this house. Why? Because he gave money? No. But his giving of money, his giving of his possessions was an indicator his heart had been given over to Jesus Christ. His heart had been touched. His heart had been changed. That was the result of the grace of God not deserving Jesus Christ to be at his home, but understanding, wow, God loves me and he's here for me.

And he was converted at that time. And how he gave and what he gave was the reflection of that, the indicator of that. Verse 10 and 11, Paul says, And in this I give advice. It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago, but now you must also complete...

Here's Paul's advice to the Corinthians. He says, look, here's what I suggest that you do. Here's what's best for you. Finish what you started. Finish what you started. One year ago, you abounded. You abounded.

Finish what you started. Keep on. Continue abounding. You heard about the need in Jerusalem and you were willing and eager. You wanted to help.

But of course we know the story that the Corinthians, they had some problems and situations, some immaturity and carnality in their midst and they had been distracted. They had been willing to give a year ago, but in the midst of that time there's some problems that arose and they forgot all about that gift that they had promised to those in Jerusalem.

Paul says, you had the desire, you began to fulfill it. The best thing for you to do now, my advice, is that you complete it. That you keep on abounding and you complete the commitment that you gave. But notice what Paul says though, because this is important. He says, may be a completion out of what you have.

A completion out of what you have. Paul's not saying, listen, you made this promise and so whatever it costs you, I don't care if you have to pay interest, make sure that you pay this amount that you promised. He's not saying that. He says, make sure you make the completion out of

what you have. You have an abundance. So just give out of what you already have. Don't go into debt in order to meet this obligation or commitment that you made. But give out of what you have. Let it be complete from what God has already blessed you with and given to you. Because you have an abundance. And because God has blessed you. Just like us.

As we have an abundance here in the United States. And listen, if you don't think so, come talk to me afterwards. I have a CD I would love for you to listen to by K.P. Yohannan. Man, he will challenge your socks off as he looks at the Word of God and says, do we really believe what we say we believe? Because we live luxurious, comfortable lives here in the United States. Verse 12.

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has and not according to what he does not have. So Paul says, let it be completed out of what you have. Why? Well, because if there's a willing mind, it's accepted. Not according to what you don't have, but according to what you do have. Paul's saying, the important thing is not the amount, it's the willingness. It's

It's the heart. It's how you give. Paul will tell us in chapter 9 that God loves a cheerful giver. And that's what's important to God. The how we give and the heart that we have in giving. It's not about the amount.

You know, it would be easy for us to be bummed out and say, well, I can only give five bucks. Well, so what? Give what you can give with a willing heart. That's what Paul is saying. It's accepted by God on the basis of your willingness, not the amount. Now, if you think about what God has done for us, obviously, we owe Him so much more than we could possibly afford. And so, we would say, man, I made this commitment for a thousand dollars and I can't afford it.

I can't meet it. I don't have a thousand dollars. I can't provide that need. I can't help that ministry. I can't supply that. So he's saying, it doesn't matter how much. It's not about what you don't have. What do you have? And how much are you willing to give to God? Because it's not about the amount, but it's about your heart, the willingness. Are you willing to give to God? Are you willing to

To be abounding in grace, as Paul says. To abound in this grace that God has given you the opportunity to be a part of the ministry, to be a part of the work that He's doing. You might remember the story in Mark chapter 12. Jesus is at the temple with His disciples and He sits down, He's watching people come in and people would give their offerings and their tithes as they would come into the temple.

And as Jesus is watching them, it says in Mark 12, verse 41, that He sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury.

What did he see? Well, he saw how much they were giving. No, that's not what it says. He says that he saw how the people were putting money in the treasury. How? What was important to him was not the amount, but the how, the willingness. How do you give? Now, it goes on to tell us that there was many rich and they were able to give much. They gave a lot. But in verse 42, it says that then one poor widow came and threw in two mites.

Verse 43, So he called his disciples to himself and said to them, Assuredly, I say to you, that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury. For they all put in out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had, her whole livelihood. We see the picture here. Jesus was watching how they give, not so much concerned with how much they were giving. He saw the rich and they were giving a lot, but then he sees this widow. And he says,

And he sees her give two mites. And he says, oh, this is great. Hey, boys, come here. Come here. Check this out. She gave two mites. What's that? That's about a penny.

She gave a penny. She gave two mites. Hardly anything at all. Oh, but it's better. It's more abundant than any of the gifts all these other rich people are giving. Why? Well, he says, because they gave out of their abundance. It was nothing. There was no sacrifice. It was no cost to them. There was no faith involved. They just kind of gave because that's what they're supposed to do. They did their religious duty. But Jesus says, look, check her out. This is awesome. This is great. She gave her whole livelihood. But Lord, she's going to go hungry. No, she won't.

God promised. He said, test me on this. Test me on this. She was demonstrating her heart. Not that two mites is really going to do the temple good. Listen, God has enough to take care of whatever thing He wants to take care of. He's not going broke. He's not, you know, about to go into bankruptcy. Whatever ministry He wants to continue, He's going to allow it to continue. It's not about...

Trying to drive up more money and get more rich people so they can give more. No, God's not concerned about that. Don't even worry about that. Stop thinking about the other side.

But what is important to Jesus Christ should be important to us and that is how we give. This widow was saying, look, I don't have a lot, but everything I have, God, I'm giving it to you. Trusting in you, completely believing that your word is true and that you will provide my next meal. You will provide food and clothing, shelter for me. You will provide and meet my every need. She believed God at his word and she gave herself entirely to him. It was demonstrated that

by what she gave and how she gave. Just like the Macedonians, they gave out of their deep poverty and they were in the midst of a great trial of affliction, yet their willingness was demonstrated in their abounding joy and rich generosity. That is how we're to give. We talked about that last week, generously, sacrificially, willingly and eagerly.

Verse 13 and 14. Paul is saying, look, I'm not trying to make you suffer so that others can live in luxury. I'm not trying to make you be miserable or

Paul's petition for them and advice to them is not give until you can't stand it anymore and just be miserable. Give until you're just grumpy about it because you gave too much.

He says, I'm not asking that you would give in that way, that you would be burdened in that way, and that they would just be able to be eased and living in luxury. But even though he's not asking that, I find it interesting because that's what the Macedonians did. They were in deep poverty and they gave more than they could afford. They gave sacrificially. That's what Jesus Christ did. But Paul's not asking that.

that of them. Why? Well, because you can't. That type of love cannot be demanded or commanded. That type of love can only be given. And the Macedonians had their heart in the right place. They had their heart with God, wanting to be a part of what God was doing, and so they were willing to give to the point that they couldn't afford it, so that they would suffer because they had given. But that was their heart's desire.

Paul says, I'm not asking that of you. I'm not asking that you would be miserable because of your giving. If that's your heart and that's your willingness, then you can do so. And that's why the Macedonians had to plead with Paul. Hey, please, take the gift. We want to be a part. Yes, we know we're in deep poverty. We know we're in affliction. We know it's not going to be easy for us, but we want to be a part. God has asked us to give and so we're going to give.

So if you want to do that, you can. But Paul says, look, I'm not asking that of you. I'm saying give out of your abundance, out of the overflow, out of what God has given to you. And in this way, you'll be able to meet one another's needs. Right now, they have a lack and you have abundance, so give to them out of your abundance and meet their need. And later, you probably will have a lack and they'll have abundance or someone else will have abundance and they'll be able to give to you and...

you'll continue to minister to one another. Now this is an important point because God desires to use us to meet other people's needs. That's the grace that we've been given. That God will use us to do His work and accomplish His work. You know, if you have a need financially, God could very easily have you trip over a rock and look down and go, oh, there's $50 and take it and you could meet your need that you have.

But the problem with that is then you're blessed but there was only one blessing that was given because you were blessed and then you were able to meet your need. But God says, I want to do this way better. What I'm going to do is you're going to have a need and I know you're going to have this need so I'm going to bless this person here.

So that they can help you in this need. Why? Well, because then you're blessed because you're taken care of and then this person is blessed because they're able to give and participate in the work of God and receive the rewards for doing so. God takes care of us this way. That's the grace that we've been given. Now, are you anything like me? Have you ever got a bonus? Or suddenly look and go, man, I didn't think I had this much money. I don't know where it came from, but I have more than I thought. Right?

What do we do with that money when God blesses us? Richard's saying, I eat. What do we do with that money? God blesses us with abundance. And we say, great, I'm going to go buy a new sweater or something. There's something I had my eye on, some new gadget, some new toy, something I've been wanting. I'm going to go do that. That's what I want to do. But maybe God blessed you for a different reason.

Maybe God blessed you with that abundance, with that amount, that you might be able to meet someone else's need. Because there was a situation that God knew about, and then He said, well, I'm going to bless this person and let's see, see if they use it to meet the need that I've made available to them. He was equipping us and preparing us ahead of time, providing for us, putting us in a position that we might be able to bless someone else. And let me challenge you on that. When that happens,

Before you go off and spend it, take some time and pray. And ask God, Lord, why did you allow me to have this money? It's from the Lord. Why did you bless me with this bonus? Why did you give me this special amount of money that I don't know where it came from or I wasn't expecting? Or even if I was expecting it, it's just more than I need. Stop and pray before you spend. Say, Lord, is there an area you want me to give? Is there a need that I could meet?

Is there somewhere that I could be a part of your work? Because that's what God does. He says, you guys abound and they lack because God desires to use you and you'll be blessed because you're giving to God. Because that's the principle that He has. As you give to Him, He blesses you. As you measure, whatever you measure to give out, that's what He measures to give back to you. He takes care of us and provides and meets our every need. Verse 15 says,

As it is written, he who gathered much had nothing left over and he who gathered little had no lack. He's quoting here from Exodus chapter 16 verse 18 where there in Exodus chapter 16 the children of Israel have been delivered from Egypt. They're out in the wilderness and they begin to get hungry and so God's going to provide for them food to eat.

And what does He provide for them? Well, it's something that's called manna, which literally means, what is it? They went outside and there's this white stuff on the ground and they said, what is it? And that just became the name, that stuck. And so they would be provided this manna, which would be type of a bread, every day in the wilderness. But as God gave them this manna, He gave them specific instructions. This is how much you are to collect.

per person. And so you would go out and you would gather the appropriate amount for your family. And it says there in Exodus 16, 18 that he who gathered much had nothing left over. Why? Well, because he who had gathered much, God had apportioned it, designed it, and given the command so that the family would be taken care of just enough for what they needed. They didn't have left over because they had gathered much, but He provided for them exactly what they needed and met their needs.

Then he goes on to say, and he who gathered little had no lack. Why? Well, because he designed it. He put it in such a way and commanded it that those who would only gather a little, it would meet their needs as well and they would be satisfied. So no matter if you gathered much or gathered little, God had designed it that you would have exactly the amount that you need. And that's why he gave them those specific instructions. Paul's making the comparison. We're the body of Christ. We're the body of Christ.

And He's given us exactly what we need, but sometimes it's an abundance here and a lack here, that we might be blessed in learning to give and being used by God. Now listen, if we don't, if we have the abundance and we don't give, be assured, He'll still take care of those who lack. He'll still provide for them, but you and I will continue on in selfishness and we'll miss out on the blessings that God has apportioned for us.

The work that He has in store for us. The good work that He's laid out for us to do. So some will have an abundance, but not because God loves them more, but because God wants to teach us to give. He wants to give to us the undeserved privilege of being used by Him and giving to Him.

And others will have a lack. They'll have not enough for what they need. Why? Well, not because God loves them less, but because God wants to teach them and is training them to trust Him and let Him meet their needs. He will meet their needs. That's His promise. That's His covenant. He takes care of His servants. He takes care of His children. And I've been in both shoes, where in need and in plenty, God has a way of working it out that we often go through seasons without.

Different seasons. The danger is in our plenty where we prove our self-centeredness and prove our selfishness that we're in love with ourselves and that's where our money goes instead of denying ourselves and taking up our cross and following Jesus Christ. Verses 16 and 17.

Now, Paul begins to shift gears here. He's been talking to the Corinthians about their gift.

And he told them last week that they should give generously, sacrificially, willingly, and eagerly. And this morning, as we've been studying, he's been telling them, listen, you want to abound in this grace and finish what you started, complete, fulfill your commitments, pay your vows, what you had said you would do, do it. Give out of the abundance of what God has given you. Now, though, Paul begins to talk about those who are receiving the gift.

the gift. Not receiving the gift as in those who are in Jerusalem, but those who have been entrusted with carrying the money to Jerusalem. You'll have to remember that back in those days they didn't have Western Union, they didn't have Bank of America that you could just wire the money from Corinth to Jerusalem. If you wanted to get money there, you would have to physically take it and transport it from one place to another.

They didn't have bank accounts. They didn't have the same things that we have today. So they would have to physically carry it. And so Paul is saying, look, as we are asking you to give, I need to give you some assurances that what you give will be used in the proper manner and given to the place that it's supposed to be given. One of the things that people would ask or use an excuse is, how do we know this money will go to Jerusalem? How do we know that what we give will be used for what we've given it to be used for?

Why do people ask this? Why is that a question and concern? Back then as well as today. Well, we have the example in the Word of Judas Iscariot. There in John chapter 12, beautiful story of a woman touched by Jesus Christ and she breaks open a costly perfume and she's anointing Jesus Christ. And Judas Iscariot there grumbling says, Oh, why did she do that? She could have sold that and the money could have been given to the poor.

But it tells us very clearly that Judas didn't say that because he cared for the poor. But in John chapter 12 verse 6, it says because he was a thief. And he had the money box and he used to take what was put in it. So he would help himself because he was the treasurer. He had the money box and so, hey, give it to the poor right here. Okay, I'm poor. I'll take some out. Judas Iscariot, the bad example. There's been many like such.

And so Paul says, I want to let you know, I want to give you some assurance that we don't have Judas receiving the money from you, but we have three other guys. There's three guys that he tells us about that are going to Corinth to receive the gift that is to be taken to Jerusalem. And in these three men, we find three principles for those who receive.

and handle the finances for those who receive and take care that the money would be applied to where it was supposed to be given. These three principles are in effect here as well in this church. And I want to share with you on that a little bit more on Wednesday. And so I invite you to come out and hear what God is doing here. But...

He goes on to talk about these three guys and to share with us these three principles. The first guy is Titus. There in verse 16 and 17 he says, Titus is being sent to you and he has the same earnest care for you.

Same as what? Well, the same care that Paul has for them. He has the same earnest care for you as I do, Paul says. And he went to you willingly, wanting to see the completion of what God has begun to do. And so the first principle we learn from the man Titus

for those who receive and handle the finances is that there must be an earnest care for the people who are giving. An earnest care, a great love for those who give. That's the first thing Paul says. Titus is coming. He has a great love for you so you can trust him. He's not trying to rip you off. He's not going to misuse the funds because he has an earnest care for you as you're giving.

Verses 18 and 19 tell us the second principle as it goes on to say, And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches. And not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself and to show your ready mind. And so Paul says, this gift is administered to us. It's

being collected from all these churches and we're taking it to Jerusalem. And so there's another brother that's going with Titus. He's not named. We don't know his name and some people have speculated, but it doesn't matter what his name is because that's not the point. The point that Paul is making here is, look, his praise is in the Gospel.

His praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches. In other words, churches praise him for how he preaches and how he shares the gospel. And that's the second principle for those who receive and handle the finances. That they need to have their praise in the gospel. What he's saying is, listen, this brother has an evangelistic heart. He desires for people to hear the gospel message and be saved. He's excited about the gospel message. He preaches it, he lives it, and everybody knows it.

His praise is in the Gospel. So number one,

He said that those who receive and those who handle the finances must have an earnest care for the people who are giving. Number two, that their praise must be in the gospel. And then in verses 20 and 21, he reiterates why he's sharing this. In verse 20, he says, "...avoiding this, that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us, providing honorable things not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men." Now, we don't know how much is given, but Paul calls it a lavish gift.

a lavish gift. It's something that was probably a lot of money as the churches are giving to meet the needs there in Jerusalem. And he's saying, look, these are the steps that are being taken care of to make sure that we can't be accused of anything. Although it's administered by us, we have this guy who is sent by all of the churches. They're alongside with us. We have Titus who has an earnest care. We have this other brother who his praise is in the gospel. And so you can know and be assured that Titus

That it's honorable. And it's not going to be misused. In the sight of God, now, we already looked at God. What does He need for something to be accepted? He just needs the willingness, the willing heart. That is what is acceptable to God. Those who give with a willing heart. But He says also in the sight of man that it would be right and honorable. We would be above reproach in the receiving and the handling of these gifts and finances. And so in verse 22, He gives us the third principle.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent because of the great confidence which we have in you.

The third principle he gives is that they must be proved diligent. This last brother was the diligent one. He was the accountant or the bookkeeper. He was zealous about making sure the money was accounted for and used properly. Every last cent, every last penny that it was used for what it was given for and it was used for the glory of God.

And so these three principles we find that they need to be in place and in effect for those who receive and handle the finances. Those who take it and deliver it for what God has apportioned it for or what those who gave it to God apportioned it for. So verse 23, If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or...

if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. And so Paul here vouches for all of them. He says, look, they're all with me. They're all giving glory to Christ and they're going to administer or they're going to take and receive this gift. And so Titus and these two brothers are taking this letter, 2 Corinthians, to the church of Corinth and will be returning with the offerings and the gifts that they had for the people there in Jerusalem.

Verse 24, he says, Paul says, Abound in this grace of giving.

Abound in this grace of giving. Now, as we look at these principles and understand what God has to say about giving, the principles that He gave for those who receive and handle the finances and take it to the need and take it to the work that God is doing, those same things apply to you and I personally and individually as well.

Because God has entrusted us. Everything that we have is from God. And He has entrusted us with money, with finances. Why? Well, because He wants to meet our needs. And He's given us money to take care of the rent and the groceries and the bills and the things that need to be taken care of. But He has also given us money to accomplish His work.

here in this world. That people might get to know the gospel. That the poor might be taken care of. That His work might be done. And so you and I need to have these same principles in place in our lives. That we have an earnest care for the people who are giving. Who's the people who gave to us? It's God. God gave to us. Our earnest care needs to be for Him. Amen.

That we have a great love for Him. That we would use what He gives us properly and appropriately for the purpose of what He gave it to us for. He gave it to us for a specific purpose. Yes, some of it is to meet needs and to pay bills and to do those things. But He also gives us abundance that we might meet others' needs. And so we need to have an earnest care. We need to have our praise in the Gospel.

excited about the gospel message, living it out, involved in the ministry of reconciliation. That's what it's all about. It's what Paul's been talking about since chapter 3. The ministry that God has given to us. Our praise is in the gospel. That's where we thrive. That's what we're joyful about. People coming to know Jesus Christ, hearing His message.

And so as we receive from God resources and finances, as He gives us and blesses us, our praise needs to be in the Gospel, not in the things of this world. And finally, we need to be proved diligent that every last penny is used for the purpose that God gave it to be used for. Rather than us taking what God has given to us to give to the ministries that He's doing around here or around the world or wherever He's called you to give.

That we don't take it and then use it for whatever we want. But that we prove diligent. God, you gave me this money for a specific purpose and I want to use it in that area, at that place. Every last penny. That I would be diligent and I would give glory to you with my finances and with what you've given to me. It's what God has called us to. We need to learn to give generously, sacrificially, willingly, eagerly, fulfilling the commitment and paying the vows.

And having the right heart. And that God has given to us all of these things. That we would receive it with earnest care for God. A great love for God. Having praise and joy in His gospel and people coming to know Him. And proving ourselves diligent. Lord, whatever you give me, I'm going to use it for what you want me to use it for. It's yours. So direct me. Let's pray. Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your Word which challenges us and corrects us. And Lord, it's very easy to be challenged in this area because it's difficult for us, God, to let go and to give to You and to have this right attitude that it's an undeserved privilege that You've given to us to give and to take part in Your Kingdom. But Lord, we ask that You would help us to be proved diligent in these things.

Lord God, that we wouldn't just be Christian in name only, but Lord, as we abound in all the other things and all the other gifts and all the other ways that you've blessed us and we abound in serving you in so many ways, Lord, I pray that you would help us to abound in this grace also, that we would learn to be givers. Lord, it's all yours anyways. So Lord, we give it back to you. Direct us. Teach us. Help us, Lord, not to be holding on to the things of this life

But help our praise, Lord, to be in the gospel message, in the ministry of reconciliation that you've put us here, you've equipped us, you've given us abundance that we might reach out for others and bless them and share with them your love and what you've done for us. So God, we thank you for the cross. We thank you for your blood that was shed that brought us into right standing with you. Lord, you're awesome. And we love you. And it's in your name we pray.

Amen.