The Grace of Giving - Study 4/19/12
The Grace of Giving
Church has become a big business all around the world. It has become a way of “break-through” for many who are trying to hit a big jackpot to live comfortably and often lavishly. I recently read about an African Church “General Overseer” (GO) who is so rich that he acquired a couple of private jets in a country and church where most can’t afford a good daily meal. The article says the GO is now trying to put the jets into commercial use because of the high cost of maintenance and airport parking fee. It has become a strictly business decision. In the USA, we have seen the flagrant abuse and misuse of donor funds by the prosperity preachers that warranted a detailed investigation by the US. Senate. The world is now teaching the Church good behavior on giving and stewardship.
We are all put off by the excesses, misuse and manipulation that is going on and rightly so. However, there is a place for giving in the work of God and for His glory. In today’s study, Paul helps the Corinthians understand that place with a good example from the Church in Macedonia that gave towards the suffering Church in Jerusalem.
Paul teaches the Corinthians and us about the hilarious act of giving, the motivation for giving and the proper administration/accounting of the gifts. He said, “brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive[a] the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints… see that you abound in this grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4 and 7). This is what giving is all about. It is abounding in the grace which we have received. “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” vs.9.
Giving is for taking care of the saints of God (“ministering to the saints”) and is motivated by the grace we have received. God meets the needs of His people through His provision through God’s people. There may be other purposes for giving as God directs His people to give including to take care of genuine ministers of God who are working hard on behalf of others.
Why do you and I give and who is benefiting from our giving? Are we only giving to ourselves – the building, air conditioner and etc? The non-believers in Christ do that very well – they give to themselves. It is better to give than to receive we are told but it is not in the sense of pride. A good giver is also a good receiver that knows that all things come from God. Let’s see how Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give. Can you and I help a brother or sister in need today? Why not?
2 Corinthians 8: 1-15
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive[a] the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 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.
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 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.
10 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; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 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.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”[b]
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. This whole passage goes back to 1 Corinthians 16: 1-4 where Paul tells the Corinthians to collect towards helping the Church is Jerusalem that is experience hardship from famine (see also vs. 10 of 2 Cor. 8). The Churches in the region were all giving towards this effort. The Macedonian Church was a good example as Paul wrote. They have given much even with their poverty. Apparently, the Corinthian Church was more well-to-do.
2. We also give out of what God has given us and not out of what we don’t have. People have been manipulated to give by borrowing (credit card giving). This is not right. We must watch out for the “hucksters” Paul will call them. “17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters[a] who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us”(2 Cor 2:17). This is same as the prosperity preachers of today who practice the pyramid game where they are only interested in getting their own portion first and promising you that God will double and bless you after you have given them (sown seed).
3. Notice the key phrase in this passage. “But they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God vs.5. Paul is after people giving themselves first to the Lord. “Be reconciled to God” he would preach. Anyone can give for various reasons but the first giving is giving our hearts to God. That is why on the last day, as Jesus said, people would say I gave to the poor and did wonderful things but Christ would say, depart from me for I did not know you. That should get our attention. It is also by God’s will and not by manipulation. The people gave willingly. (they were freely willing). See also 2 Cor. 9:7 “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”.How do you give and who do you give to? We must take care of the saints in need. If it is not happening through the Church organization where you are, then I challenge you to reconsider. May be you should consider giving directly to the needy instead of the middleman hoarder. Often we have given but to the wrong things only to be used for our own comfort – the building, the air conditioner etc and the needy are not helped.
We must seek God in giving because whatever we have is not ours. Look at God’s goal. “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack vs.15. This Scripture refers to the Israelites gathering manner in the wilderness. You and I can’t take it with us it will rot.
Next week we will look at the administration of the gifts by reputed and trusted hands and not those who would help themselves. Have you wondered why Jesus allowed Judas to keep the treasury still knowing that he was a thief? This should wake up all these prosperity preachers who are stealing and accumulating wealth for themselves. They are betraying Christ and the grace He has given us.
Father, help me to be a willing giver to meet the needs of your people. Help me to first give my heart to you. Forgive me Lord for the times I have not given with the right motive and for the times I should have given and did not. Help me to be a cheerful giver. Lord, let your grace to give abound in my life. Amen.
Church has become a big business all around the world. It has become a way of “break-through” for many who are trying to hit a big jackpot to live comfortably and often lavishly. I recently read about an African Church “General Overseer” (GO) who is so rich that he acquired a couple of private jets in a country and church where most can’t afford a good daily meal. The article says the GO is now trying to put the jets into commercial use because of the high cost of maintenance and airport parking fee. It has become a strictly business decision. In the USA, we have seen the flagrant abuse and misuse of donor funds by the prosperity preachers that warranted a detailed investigation by the US. Senate. The world is now teaching the Church good behavior on giving and stewardship.
We are all put off by the excesses, misuse and manipulation that is going on and rightly so. However, there is a place for giving in the work of God and for His glory. In today’s study, Paul helps the Corinthians understand that place with a good example from the Church in Macedonia that gave towards the suffering Church in Jerusalem.
Paul teaches the Corinthians and us about the hilarious act of giving, the motivation for giving and the proper administration/accounting of the gifts. He said, “brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive[a] the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints… see that you abound in this grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4 and 7). This is what giving is all about. It is abounding in the grace which we have received. “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” vs.9.
Giving is for taking care of the saints of God (“ministering to the saints”) and is motivated by the grace we have received. God meets the needs of His people through His provision through God’s people. There may be other purposes for giving as God directs His people to give including to take care of genuine ministers of God who are working hard on behalf of others.
Why do you and I give and who is benefiting from our giving? Are we only giving to ourselves – the building, air conditioner and etc? The non-believers in Christ do that very well – they give to themselves. It is better to give than to receive we are told but it is not in the sense of pride. A good giver is also a good receiver that knows that all things come from God. Let’s see how Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give. Can you and I help a brother or sister in need today? Why not?
2 Corinthians 8: 1-15
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive[a] the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 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.
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 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.
10 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; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 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.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”[b]
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. This whole passage goes back to 1 Corinthians 16: 1-4 where Paul tells the Corinthians to collect towards helping the Church is Jerusalem that is experience hardship from famine (see also vs. 10 of 2 Cor. 8). The Churches in the region were all giving towards this effort. The Macedonian Church was a good example as Paul wrote. They have given much even with their poverty. Apparently, the Corinthian Church was more well-to-do.
2. We also give out of what God has given us and not out of what we don’t have. People have been manipulated to give by borrowing (credit card giving). This is not right. We must watch out for the “hucksters” Paul will call them. “17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters[a] who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us”(2 Cor 2:17). This is same as the prosperity preachers of today who practice the pyramid game where they are only interested in getting their own portion first and promising you that God will double and bless you after you have given them (sown seed).
3. Notice the key phrase in this passage. “But they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God vs.5. Paul is after people giving themselves first to the Lord. “Be reconciled to God” he would preach. Anyone can give for various reasons but the first giving is giving our hearts to God. That is why on the last day, as Jesus said, people would say I gave to the poor and did wonderful things but Christ would say, depart from me for I did not know you. That should get our attention. It is also by God’s will and not by manipulation. The people gave willingly. (they were freely willing). See also 2 Cor. 9:7 “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”.How do you give and who do you give to? We must take care of the saints in need. If it is not happening through the Church organization where you are, then I challenge you to reconsider. May be you should consider giving directly to the needy instead of the middleman hoarder. Often we have given but to the wrong things only to be used for our own comfort – the building, the air conditioner etc and the needy are not helped.
We must seek God in giving because whatever we have is not ours. Look at God’s goal. “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack vs.15. This Scripture refers to the Israelites gathering manner in the wilderness. You and I can’t take it with us it will rot.
Next week we will look at the administration of the gifts by reputed and trusted hands and not those who would help themselves. Have you wondered why Jesus allowed Judas to keep the treasury still knowing that he was a thief? This should wake up all these prosperity preachers who are stealing and accumulating wealth for themselves. They are betraying Christ and the grace He has given us.
Father, help me to be a willing giver to meet the needs of your people. Help me to first give my heart to you. Forgive me Lord for the times I have not given with the right motive and for the times I should have given and did not. Help me to be a cheerful giver. Lord, let your grace to give abound in my life. Amen.
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