Grace for Giving
2 Cor 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
The grace of God was shown through the abundance of faith, though poor in the natural they were rich in Spirit.
2 Cor 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Although they were experiencing hard times and great trials, their faith produced fruit unto the Lord; abundance of joy and giving from their want to share with others.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
2 Cor 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
2 Cor 8:4 Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Power in this case, is the ability to give beyond what was expected. Isn't that the way God works? Allow him to work through you, serving God by ministering to the needs of others.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
The power that worked in the church of Macedonia, continues to work in you and I, the children of God. It is the Holy Spirit of God.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
2 Cor 8:5 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.
First came salvation in Jesus and a restored relationship to God, then they gave themselves to Paul, in the will of God. What a wonderful blessing when God gives, he puts people together, he places you in a church or with those who minister, he makes new families, he provides for our needs and the means to further his gospel.
2 Cor 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Titus had been with them earlier, encouraging them in their giving, now he would see the results of their abundant grace. You cannot out give God, he repays in other ways.
Luke 6:38 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.
What a wonderful God we serve. We are only caretakers of the things he provides. We are to open our faith, and our hearts and our hands to give as he directs. Be prepared to receive even more, that is the grace of God.
The Corinthians seeing the example of the Macedonian church, were urged to complete their good intentions and give their offerings also.
2 Cor 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Get with it, you have shown your intentions, so now it is time to give also by God's grace. Yes, you have the fullness of the spiritual gifts, don't forget the gift of giving.
2 Cor 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Paul was not commanding them to give. There is no reward in forced giving. Nor is there a reward in manipulation in order to persuade others to give. There are many ministries doing this. They have their earthly reward.
Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
2 Cor 8:9 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.
God's son came down in Jesus, putting aside all his glory, he identified with man as the son of man. (Phil 2:5-8) He became poor in this world, for your sakes so that you might inherit the richess of God's son.
Mark 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Collection
2 Cor 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
Thank God that Titus cares for you as I do.
2 Cor 8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
2 Cor 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
Titus was willing and eager to go to you and also with an unnamed brother in the Lord, who was well known for his preaching. Who was this, maybe Apollos?
2 Cor 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
2 Cor 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
2 Cor 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Other men were to accompany the love gifts to Jerusalem so that Paul would not be accused.
2 Cor 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
2 Cor 8:23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Each Church sent their representatives. Titus was a faithful trusted partner and fellowhelper with Paul.
2 Cor 8:24 Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
They are coming to collect your offering that you promised. We have confidence in you that you will follow through with your commitment.
Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Money is perhaps the most honored possession of the natural man. We as servants of the Lord must trust God more than money. If we have pledged to give we must be willing to give when others come to collect. If we are faithful with money then we will be given other things of God that are gained through faithfulness, greater things than money. Can you name these things? How about an inheritance with the saints? Or perhaps leading others to the Lord. I would not trade all the money in America for my dear family. I trust God for their safe keeping. Look on your money, what does it say? In God we trust, amen. A wise president put that there for a legacy, (Ike) Eisenhower, the war hero and president is in heaven now, we shall be with Jesus also if we put him above our love of money. Ike, loved our country and knew that God is our hope, not mighty power or money. We do not love anything more than God. Gary
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