Christian Giving

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
¹And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ²Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. ⁵And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. ⁶So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. ⁷But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us^a—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ^a 7 Some manuscripts in our love for you
Before we begin, we present some money myths first
Money Myths
1 Timothy 6:6-12

⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

¹¹But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1. Money leads to happiness - refuted by verse 10
2. Whatever I have, I deserve - God is the source of all wealth. The ability to earn money is even given by God. Even if we worked hard, it is only God who can provide.
3. Money leads to security

Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these thing shall be added unto you"

The context of this passage is not giving in the Church. Some use this passage as against tithing, but Paul does not rule out the importance of tithing.
Tithing is evident in Leviticus and Malachi. Even Abraham and Jacob, before the Law was made, tithed out of liberty (Genesis 14, 28). Moses tithed out of the Law. But today in the Age of Grace, we give out of love not only in obedience.
True Christian giving

1. Begins with God. v.1
Most motivations for giving:
1. Disposable money (abundance, extra)
2. Emotional appeal
3. Guilt trip
4. Duty
Right motivation:
5. God
2. Springs from overflowing joy. v.2 - it is noteworthy that the Macedonians are Gentiles, yet they gave for the work of God in Jerusalem.
3. Begins with giving self first to God. v.5
4. is voluntary v3-4
5. is acting as God's agent in the world

Delivered by: Pastor Rene Correa